Detailed Planning

As the work on the Barn is getting ever closer to being finished I'm giving more than a little thought to the design and construction of the layout tables.  The track designs are pretty much confirmed, but there are always details to be decided upon.  Many people these days, of course, are using computer software to design railway layouts, and I'm sure there are some very clever programs available for people who like that sort of thing.  Being very much 'old school' myself though, there's nothing better than getting out a fresh sheet of paper and ruler and pencil (and eraser) and drawing what I have been mentally picturing.

Sometimes though there's no substitute for getting out track and accessories and putting them together to see how they fit, and this is what I decided to do on this cold and rainy afternoon.  There were two things that I wanted to check, firstly if the magnificent #128 Station Terrace would fit easily between two parallel tracks, and the answer was yes!  And secondly the corners of the table.  The corners will be cut off at 45 degrees as they tend to be just wasted space, but also to allow easier access around the table.  The question was how much to cut off, and this has now been decided.

Of course it was great fun getting out all these fantastic bits and pieces!  The thing I really hate though is putting them all away again.  One day, soon, that won't be necessary!