Moved on a mile

 I built the layout as described using my usual foam core but - stupidly - I cut a hole in one of the side rails to make space for the Digitrax controller panel. Next thing I knew, the side rail had broken and there was a great dip in the layout surface. 

I was concerned about this and thought that I might make the rails out of wood and thus recover the whole thing. Common sense told me to rebuild and I decided to do it using more common plywood/ 3" x 2" planed pine. I even bought a new chop saw to make sure that I built it nice and straight. Well, first off, it was straight but had a few misfits along the way. You would never believe that I used to make oak furniture for a living!

I have got to the point where the track is down, everything is wired up and testing is taking place. 

The only trouble is that I can't lift the boards up as they are very heavy so testing and fixing wiring problems is very difficult. My wife tries to help but, even between us - we are 76 and 78 -, we have trouble. So... Down it will come again only to be rebuilt once more. This time, I am using black foam core (which is much sturdier than the white) but keeping the wooden outer rails. It is the sheets of plywood that are so heavy so this time it may work. I am also reducing the width a bit from 60cm to 40cm in an effort to make it more manageable.The track plan is being simplified from 11 points down to 7 or 8. I will also buy some more Cobalt Digital motors - which weren't available when I started all this. This will reduce the amount of wiring required.

I have spent a good amount of money on locos. I now have the pannier tank and the small prairie but now I have a Rapido 15XX which I am going to use as a local shunter. The problem is that it doesn't work. I am in conversation with Rails of Sheffield, where I bought it, so together we are trying to fix it. I thought that I had lost my rolling road so bought a loop of Hornby track but I have finally found the rolling road so testing should be easier. I have also bought an Accurascale Manor which has just been released. I have also bought a couple of carmine and cream Mk. 1 coaches to go with it and provide a Saturday holiday service. I do need one more coach but I am waiting for the two to arrive so I can get  a second Brake 2nd to match the one I have bought.

More to see soon.