RailwaysInMyDNA

Nice progress. The station layout looks great.  Building platforms will be a good test with all those curves.  How many Mk3's will be on your HST's?

I wasn't aware of the cheap Hatton's 8-pin decoders, but will take a look so l can get some more of my DCC ready locos operational

Have you seen the curved Hornby points?  I did consider them for the fiddle yard but did go with all peco in the end, but they do offer a tighter radius should you need it on the south end of the platforms.

It's amazing how quickly it takes shape in just placing track out!  It's one thing having the plan sat on your PC but until you have it in the flesh it can be so different.  You'll probably want to make small alterations.  I recommend minimum of second radius, particularly if you plan on running peaks or 40's.

Choice of underlay is personal choice to me.  Not a must do.  I wanted flat trackbed and will run with all locos sound fitted so felt there was no need for anything under track.  Having said that, cork can be good for representing the slopes of ballast found out on the mainlines.

The scenic section of my layout is code 75 and superglued in place.  The rest is code 100 and tacked.  Which method of fixing will you go with?

Always nice to get to the tracklaying stage.  Waiting for parcels to arrive can be difficult, especially if they are late arriving.  You've made an excellent job on the baseboarding and is looking good to get a sense of the track layout in situ.

I'm sure you'll be itching to get the first train rolling!

Great progress.  Will you make the bridge section lift out or will you have to bob down to get under?  I've a complete circle but what l decided to do was have the layout level quite high.  Advantages being better for viewing and still allowing plenty of storage for lawnmower, bike etc underneath and easier to get under - although l've misjudged it couple of times - the language wasn't good!

Great progress with the framework. I was lucky in that l bought my framework already cut to the lengths l needed, which ok would of cost me more, but the big advantage was that everything butted up square as l'd of had to cut by hand.  Needless to say the framework was put together quite quickly.

I too have two helpers in the shape of black labs, soon to become three! 

Well you can't go far wrong with any part of the ECML, although late eighties was when my interest in going out and observing railways was decreasing.  Less variety of traction had begun and of course no deltics!

Best of luck with the build, l look forward to seeing progress.

Cheers,

Paul.