Layout History
The baseboards are built from 1"x 4" lumber with 1/4" plywood top. I cut 1 1/2" holes in the verticals to lighten the weight. Verticals were glued and screwed to ensure rigidity. The track was laid out on 1/8" cork to try and minimize running noise. The original idea was the the layout would be built to exhibition standards, but as that eminent philosopher, Mr John Lennon said "Life is what happens while you are making other plans." Due to a change in living situation, Whitby West Cliff is now one of those 'layouts that never leave home." It now resides in a 24'-0" x 14'-0" space in a custom-built 44"-0" x 20'-0" building here on our property in Olympia. I am in my twilight years and the thought of hauling my layout to exhibitions, now that it has grown, is something with which I don't wish to deal. The layout's new home is "The Engine Shed." Not very original, I know, but there we are. . I decided to incorporate the award winning layout of Bellingham (North Tyne) which won 3rd prize at Chilliwack (B.C.) in 2004, to the overall layout, as I did not want to dismantle it and I did not feel that I could sell it.
In the course of my travels I have accumulated a small, varied collection of locomotives to run on the layout. Ipso fatso I added a two road engine shed to house them. (Based on two old Airfix kits.) Not strictly prototypical, so perhaps I should rename the layout 'Based on Whitby West Cliff Station"
The baseboards are now complete and at time of writing 90% of the track is laid. The question of a fiddle yard has reared its ugly head. To fiddle or not to fiddle? That is the question. I do have room for a fiddle yard, but do I hide it behind scenery or just let it sit there in full view? Decisions-decisions. Watch this space.
I am using Peco code 75 track, which I consider to be more realistic than Code 100, and large radius points. Once track laying is complete, I will begin dealing with the "Black Art" (wiring)
