The Bandit

Lots of people use fine/N ballast as I understand. For a yard or down at heel line I use beach sand and/or modelling clay. Hope this helps.

Do have a go. I did and I found Ian very accommodating - especially patient with regards to my useless IT skills!

Very nice - shouts out sleepy backwater (but not too loudly I hope!)

Enjoying this thread. A nicely proportioned group of buildings.

I love this cos I love all small layouts - shows you don’t need loads of space or deep pockets to enjoy model railways.

Absolutely superb! Being a fan of micro layouts I just love this concept you are working on!

Not sad - it’s attention to detail.

Some very nice woodworking there. A great base on which to build.

Keith, I am using a similar box file at the moment. I used both a knife and saw to ‘deconstruct’ mine. Be aware that the more you cut off, the less rigid it becomes of course. I am getting towards the end of the construction stage and fixed my track to ply a little smaller in dimensions than the file. This avoided the bottom going soggy - cos we all know there is nothing worse than a soggy bottom! A smaller ply base allows a back scene to slide into the back and sides. Building onto a ply base allows you to do lots of construction/electrics/scenic work and then you can place the base into the box file. If you want to see my first box file google M & J Brewery Sidings and hopefully the pictures will be there. Enjoy building your micro layout.

Superb and inspirational modelling.

Just amazing. I feel as though I could step into the picture.

You’re doing a great job there. I love everything micro - don’t need as much space and money and you can concentrate on real detail.

I agree Jim - there has to be parameters to work within or else anything goes. Ian and yourself as exponents of the ‘true’ micro layout are able to prove to those without large spaces, large wallets (or both) that small layouts enable anyone to build and operate a model railway, thus encouraging new blood to the hobby. Good luck with your e-mag venture Ian.

Utterly stunning!

Great work Jerry. You can’t beat a well planned and constructed micro layout to prove that you don’t need acres of space to build or enjoy a model railway. In these days of small modern houses and flat living it could be the future of layouts for many people. Keep up the good work providing others with inspiration.

Very nice Jerry. It all ties together very well to make a compact and interesting scene. More pictures to follow please.

Nice to see how you’re gradually building up the scene Jerry. Any ideas about a scenic break to the fiddle yard? Always a problem for me as I like something a bit different but the question is always “What?”

ModelU do a nice standpipe.

Have long admired your work. The level of detail and realism is just amazing. Thank you for the pleasure it has given viewing your layouts.

Interesting to see a new start/new scale documented from the very beginning. Hope you continue to document progress each step of the way and enjoy your new venture.

Good luck with the job hunting. I’m afraid that everything is made long-winded and complex in the education sector. Someone somewhere thinks if you keep it simple it means you aren’t doing a thorough/good job. Keeping it simple to my mind means there will be less mistakes made and people are more likely to respond more positively to what they are being asked to do. Mind you, what do I know - I was only in the system for 40 years!

The whole concept is lovely - well done.

Great start Jerry. Your small layouts and dioramas were my inspiration to try my own micro layouts and box files.

Radical - I like it!

Sorry to be a pain Ian, but how good does a box file have to be to send you details?