Future proofing

When designing the layout I was thinking of it being a standalone layout that would operate independently of anything else.  One source of inspiration for this layout is Ted Polet’s Craigcorrie & Dunalastair Railway which operates on two levels. 

I’ve always thought this was a good idea as it has allowed Ted to model near enough a whole line.  This brings in levels of operation that you would expect to see on large American basement layouts, but not in something that occupies a space of about 10’x6’.

Consequently, I may well revert to the more right angled design of the layout plan that was posted originally, but adapt the layout of everything on the existing plan to fit into the ‘new’ (old?) shape.  This should make it a much more practical shape, whilst still allowing me to represent the curve for the Plockton board.  It will also hopefully future proof it a little by making it much more likely to fit into rooms if and when we move house.  I don’t want to loose the individuality of the design however, so part of the the curve will be retained rather than it simply becoming an L shape with right angled edges.

Hopefully this will make it the ideal base for me to some time begin my own double decked plan that I drew out years ago.

I’m aiming to begin ‘proper’' work on the layout during July rather than waffling here about the planning stage.  I’ve had a lot of time consuming things to deal with recently, and not enough spare time for me to get on with building a layout once more mundane things are done.  Hopefully that can be put right soon, and progress will be shown here over the coming months.