Just a couple of snaps of the building work. I'll take another of the inside, once the flooring is in. Currently because of the white walls and ceiling I don't think it will make a good photo.
Just prior to the commencement of building works I added a shed. This houses a sturdy work bench and most of the power tools. I have a room in the house for my modelling, this also has a good bench and excellent lighting. My Table saw a "Triton" will remain in the railway room untill the bench work is complete. This can handle full sheets of ply, or hardboard, as I'm planning to use spline bed for some sections of the layout.
Right now being almost summer we are more concerned with our next sorte` on the canals. We have a narrow boat from Napton for the first week in June, nothing too taxing just a amble down to Stoke Bruerne.

Returning to the layout. I have pondered using a modular design for the bench work. This has the advantage that it can be easily moved should we up root and move again. Our long term plans are probably a move to Spain for winters, and a narrow boat in the Uk for summers - well thats the plan. That won't be happening for a bit - not while we have Rossie our Scottie. This dog has been our rock, he began his journey long before we left South Africa had to endure 6 months of isolation in a crapped kennel. Nothing has broken his spirit.

Well hoping to get down to starting the layout design tomorrow. This will definately incorporate a return loop
as I believe this always improves operational intrest.

Have made the difficult move from South Africa to the UK, bought a house, and made the transition. My next move was to ensure I got the space I required for a decent model railway. Not just a loop of track with a fiddle yard. But a model that would run through multiple stations, and enable me to run to an intresting a detailed time table. Much of the last 10 months have been spent making our house acceptable, and that has meant major redecoration. New floors, walls, fire place, and a new family bathroom. The garden has also need attention, so it's all been go, and not much time for my railway up to now. In addition I shoot compeditive clay pigeon, so joining a new club and getting involved has also taken more time than I'd bargined. Recently I've done a plumbing course at the local technical colledge so I can help my self if needed. Central heating is totally alien to me, as we didnt really need it in South Africa. Returned to the UK after a gap of 37 years has meant some readjustment, particulalry as many of the manual jobs were done by someone else before, "welcome to the real world".

Work commenced on my new railway room early in March after a protracted fight for planning permission. This was obtained from the local authority, but objections were raised by the parish council. I managed to overturn their decision with the help of my builder at a council hearing. Building work consisted of converting the exisiting double garage, and adding and additional bay. The garage doors were removed, and double windows built in to each door at a suitable height. The room was then finished inside with dry wall for insulation and cleaniness. A ceiling with 3" of insulation above it was added. I have 21 recessed lights and four double power points in the room. A bugular alarm system has just been added for security, and there are remote sensor acitivated lights around the building which is less then 5m from my back door.

Building work is now fully complete on my new railway room. This measures 28ft x 16.5 ft and is fully isulated. One of the more demoralising jobs has been painting this room one the plaster was dry. The walls and ceilings are now painted white and have required three coats. It's a kin to snow blindness painting this, particulary the ceiling. anyway thats now behind me and the next job is to finish off the skirting boards, and then put in the flooring which will be a lino type material, " as cheap as possible".