Unfortunately recent family committments, and the usual mad rush towards Christmas have meant little time for working on the layout. However I have started cutting some track, I have also cut holes in the baseboard for the point motor operating rods and the uncoupling magnets, and I have stuck down a layer of cork, so I am now ready to start laying the track. With any luck I will get this done over Christmas and so should have an update with photo's in the new year!
Looking at Carl Arendt's Micro-Layout website last month I spotted a photo of Southon Yard. Then I noticed it wasn't my layout, but a near-copy built by a chap called Sven Loeffler in Germany. Even the buildings and the colour-scheme of the windows and doors was similar! Sven had changed some details but had obviously so liked the concept of Southon Yard that he built his own! You can see it here (about half-way down the page):
http://carendt.com/scrapbook/page67/index.html
Compare it with my layout:
http://michaelsrailways.blogspot.com/2007/09/southon-yard-is-motive-power-depot-of.html
Well, they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I am flattered ... !
A Happy Christmas to all, and I promise a full update in the New Year!
