"You promised me this was about a layout!"

At the time of writing I have not yet begun construction of my railway. I hadn't realised how much actually goes into the construction of a fully functioning model railway.

The whole thing is a financial millstone. But I am determined to make it happen. I've saved a lot by keeping it small. The layout is 7 feet by 1 1/2 feet. I would love to build a mega layout with two stations and lots of scenery but I must be realistic. A small station layout will be enough for me right now.

I tried to cut costs by dismantling my old N-gauge track and repurposing it. However, the condition of the track and it's sheer age has meant this cannot be. So I have been researching the different types of track you can buy. I'm going for Peco set track as it seems the best. However, here lay another dilemma, that of gauge. 

Most of my rolling stock has short wheelbases and can cope with virtually any curve. However the rub comes with the advent of the Heljan Manning Wardle locomotives, as used on the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. I dearly want my own "Lyd" but they're monsters compared to the stock I have at the moment. 

For future-proofing I am going to make sure I use 'Mainline' track, so I have the option of a larger loco in future. 

Back to my layout. Despite the track being unfit for purpose, I have roughed out the main layout and fiddle yard. It's a pretty basic layout with a run around and an attached siding at the station throat. This should give me the option for some loco swaps and some shunting. The fiddle yard will be a basic two lane siding for now. I am toying with the addition of a marshalling yard but at the moment I just want to recreate a small terminus on a tourist railway. The freight can wait.