I’ve been reluctant to place my layout on a map. In the past, I started with a list of prototypes, a list of what I have already, and a list of what I could or wanted to buy. Past layouts were borne in the common ground where those lists intersected. With the opportunity to start over again this time, I wanted to approach everything from a more emotional perspective.

By hosting my mock operating sessions and pushing trains around on the cardboard deck I’ve been fine tuning locations of not just track or scenic elements but providing myself with a chance to evaluate each element and questions like:

• Do I like the way the locomotives look when they’re backing down the branch to tie onto a car?
• Do I like standing here when I’m switching that car?
• Does it feel comfortable when I reach into the scene here?

Questions like…

G’day Folks, Back into it at last.

Sadler’s Sidings is my current really active project. It is a table top modular shunting layout that uses T-TRAK/Unitrack technology to join 3 by 300mm long modules plus a 100mm long ‘end of the line module’ and two clip on bufferstops.

The basic concept is focused around a freight forwarding company  called ‘Sadler’s Freight Forwarding’. I chose the name Sadler’s for two main reasons.  Firstly there is the prototype Sadleir’s Logistics who make use of regular rail service with their sidings in Melbourne, Perth & Sydney. See: http://www.sadleirs.com.au/sadleirs-logistics/interstate-road-rail.  Secondly, my grandmother on my mother’s side was a Sadler who migrated out to Australia from England early last century. By using that spelling I can capture the flavour and concept of the prototype operation  without issues of trying to be `accurate’. The layout is to represent a Sadler’s rail depot in the…