MichaelW

That looks a lot better than the woodland scenics I've been using. Which colour of earth powder did you use?

Thanks for the pointer - they look good and are reasonably priced. If only paypal weren't so easy to use, I might have managed to resist...

An interesting idea. I like the thought of City termini for the same reasons, I'll keep an eye out for how this progresses.

Looks good so far - I like the raised trackbed at the front. 10 feet is a good length for getting reasonable sized trains in. Looking forward to seeing it progress.

Hi Kenton, Thanks for your comment!

I hadn't considered priority of traffic - just that parcels would need a run round, and branch passenger would be a DMU of some sort - not needing a run-round. If the branch had been operated by DMUs (or I suppose a push-pull set) only for a while by the time the station was minimised, would a run-round still be provided? The other platform at that time had a run round, so could be used for loco hauled passenger trains. Definitely something to ponder on, thank you!

The two short sidings are supposed to be industrial sidings - to allow for a some shunting interest. I agree they appear odd, even on the new plan they look artificial. I'm torn between operational potential of 2, and teh difficulty of making 2 fit and look right. I think it might be a case of less is more to look at, but not to operate. Again, more pondering required...

Are we allowed to know what the kit is of? I'm guessing 03 or 04 diesel shunter? As you say, it does look a well laid out kit. Good luck with it.

Yeah, ever increasing stock is a real pain. My latest creation has required a two layer approach - the bottom layer is storage, 14 loops and 10 sidings, the top layer will be the scenic part. Don't forget to sub-divide the loops so you can store different length trains - nothing more annoying than knowing there is room, but you can't use it because the wiring won't let you. Not such an issue for DCC admittedly...

It looks like you've got track, scenery and movement! Now't wrong with that!

What are you doing to re-work the fiddle yard? More tracks, or more sections for greater storage?

I think I need a tin hat too... I have to agree with you that a model railway with a purpose, and a series of stations or industries to serve is much more interesting to operate and watch than a railway in a landscape. (Not that a railway in a landscape is bad, it's just different - a well executed layout in a landscape can be examined for ages). The best layout (to operate) I ever operated was a fictional Welsh narrow gauge one - slate quarry at one end, transhipment sidings 30-odd feet away down the other. I am currently planning a home layout that will hopefully provide this interest - but am hampered by the size problem. Americans tend to have much larger homes than we do, so can build these large layouts, we seem to build ever smaller houses, making the big layout option very difficult.