Chapter 2 : Sticking to the rules.

Having came up with the initial idea of issuing myself a problem to solve with this layout I thought it would be best to get the rules about it out of the way before going on to far with this project.

The idea was to set these rules so they where realistic as possible while still giving a bit of a challenge. This would allow me to have something else to work towards other than just finishing a layout.

- The Layout must be based on a Real World Location

I already had a location in mind for this well before setting myself the optional challenge. This was somewhere I could visit, get plenty of photos for reference, and even a time table to run the trains by.

- The Layout must be Modular

This was put here for more than one reason. It being modular, means I can easily transport it, as well as store it at a location. It also allowed me to work on this section by section and not have any worry about things not matching up or being unfinished.

- The Layout must be to Scale

Scaling has always been a issue with layouts, mainly due to the fact that real life does not scale well when going in to miniature. That being said it would be easy enough to do this with the location i have chosen.

- The Layout must be fully DDC Controlled.

Being a electrician and a geek at heart DDC controlled layout has always been a dream of mine. So every Point, Section of Track, Loco, Lights, everything. Will be fully DDC Controlled. There's some work here to be done to prevent interference with other things so that will crop up eventually.

- The Layout's Buildings must be as close as possible to the real thing.

This one is going to be a challenge alright. I'm going to have to custom make pretty much EVERY single building on the layout, as well as pretty much everything else!

- Artistic Licensing may be used but only if no other mean are possible

This was going to be one of the hardest part of this whole challenge by not using Artistic Licensing. there are few bits on this layout which are going to be hell to try and do ill get to those when they crop up.

So that's the rules laid out. I just hope i can stick to them!

Chapter 1 : Coming up with the problem to solve.

First I should introduce myself. I'm Chris, a Model Train Fanatic. Thats the whole reason behind this blog. Somewhere to put my thoughts and process on making a fully working Train Layout. That was the easy part, a little too easy for my liking. I had to make it interesting somewhere. Thats where the idea came from.

I set myself a few rules to go by, and ones i would have to meet along the way. Keeping to these rules might be a bit tricky but hopefully it will work out in the end.

So the idea was to make a fully working, scaled layout with working trains and rolling stock. Ones that could be run to a real life time timetable ( with adjustments for theatricals ) fully DDC controlled (Digital Command Control) working lights and sounds, all set on a real life location.

Yeah im asking WAY to much of myself to do this with only my own two hands ( and a few other pairs where i can get the help from) but this was a challenge I had set myself to complete. Ill list full details in another post but for now ive got a bit of planning to do!

- Chris