HOLD THE FRONT PAGE!!!!!! ...A new Start on Colcester...

This will likely come as a shock to many of you, but im going to stop work at present on the layout and... CLEAR ALL THE BOARDS...!!!

Yes, you read that correctly. The present Colcester International, whilst its been fun putting together, has thrown up a fair number of issues which are now starting to bite me back, probably due to my own shortcomings which have now caused some serious problems with actually running the trains, and what could be worse than a layout where trains cannot run.

The plan is then to strip the boards of all scenics and track, retaining as much as possible to place back on the new layout, whilst also keeping key elements in place like Furman Smithy village which is already built and awaiting placement within the shed. In fact the idea is to retain as much from the present plan and replace it back onto the new plan, so why am i doing this??

Well its the framework which needs looking at...

The frame seems to have "settled" over the 2 years its been in the shed, possible due to the effects of temperature with combinations of heat and cold. Like any building, the shed needs to breathe and it although well insulated it might be a problem given its outside location and that wasnt immediately apparent to me as my previous shed in Saffron Walden had been well sheltered and protected, this one is open on three sides.

Once down to its frame, we will sort out any irregularities in levels and then fit a plywood top surface for strength and to retain the level surface right the way around the shed.

The track plan will be simplified further, a process i was already starting on, but now will be able to incorporate from the start instead.

So... it sound very drastic, but it was something that was thought of a couple of months back if those following my Facebook page will remember. Crunch time came on Sunday 13th September 2020 when my proposed Running Day came crashing to a halt and i was unable to run a single train bar one small trip for the Flying Scotsman locomotive..!! As i said above, its not working how i would like it to so things need to change and before i get too much further with scenery it is best to stop, re-think things and then carry on with Colcester, a layout with a future rather than one with none...

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