The dry ballasting is done – but how and why did I do it this way? The first thing to remember is what part of the railway you are modelling. This is a small goods yard, it probably has not been re-ballasted of tamped since it was laid, possibly 50 – 100 years, so it must reflect this. I have seen fantastic layouts in both O & OO and they look immaculate as they have been ballasted with mainline ballast. Some very old yards and goods facilities would not have had good ballast when new, let alone after many decades. I would think that some may have even been laid on cinders or similar.

For Little Sefton I am using N Gauge ballast and Childrens Play sand. The heavily used area is about 90% sand and only a sprinkling of the N Gauge Ballast. The less used areas are almost neat N Gauge Ballast.

I have to say I have used several methods of making well used areas look the part, this includes using DAZ Modelling Clay and adding Polyfilla to the dry Ballast – I would say both these methods worked, but I thought I would have a go at N Gauge and Dry Sand, we will see.

After wetting the ballast and using a dropper to add 50-50 PVA and water I will after drying hand paint the whole area.

Well, as you can see, I have chosen a title for the new pointless O Gauge layout. The title reflects a smaller form of a previous layout.

All the buildings are made and smaller details purchased. The position of the buildings has been decided and await painting. The only thing that may change is the yard crane, the one in the photos below is one I purchased for my station layout that is ‘paused’ at the moment. I have ordered the Peco variant and that is likely to fit this layout better.

I have also purchased two BR vehicles and a further small lorry is likely

Next step will be ballasting and basic scenics, fitting in painting buildings between ballast drying times.

After doing quite a bit of weathering over the Summer and Autumn, the weather is now turning cold and the airbrushing is slowing down in the Garage.

Still being in lockdown and self isolating, I really need to keep working on something to stop myself going into ‘couch potato’ mode.

I have several baseboards already made and after much thought I have decided to do a small village goods yard in O Gauge. I guess I have a few withdrawal symptoms after selling ‘Sefton Yard’ a couple of years ago.

The layout will hold 15 four wheel wagons and a small loco, that’s quite a detailed ‘shunting puzzle’

Track laying is now complete on this light and flexible little 5′ 6″ layout. I will post updates as things progress so that you can follow each step.