CHILD-FRIENDLY LAYOUT

Here is my 52in x 40in layout – which was a peaceful, uncluttered village but is now in peril!

Just when I thought it was complete, my grandson, Elliot, decided a dinosaur museum would be more exciting than a church on top of the tunnel mountain. Incidentally, the 'cliff edge' of the mountain, which will have steps and safety fencing, is modelled on Baildon Moor near to my house, where there used to be the sweetest, mini-museum inside a converted house.

I am loving the challenge of creating an interesting model railway that my grandson can touch and I’m looking forward to ballasting and laying static grass and dirt tracks, pavements and roads. It is, however, the groundwork I am looking forward to most. I am not a fan of grass and ballast mats, but I have found they are good for initial surface cover. I will find a way to disguise wires. For now, I'm just pleased that short circuits are rare!

At my local model railway shop, I cleared its bargain box of £5-£10 ready-made, used Metcalfe buildings. It didn't matter that the odd chimney was missing. My grandson insisted on the mega train shed. I have to admit that when it is eventually lit up it will certainly be a playable feature.

The photograph opposite is of a prototype 'monorail' suggestion from the grandson, along with, for now, some arguably illogical town planning. The 'Monorail' track base will be made of thin ply or polystyrene, with safety fencing in case of derailments, supported by 5.5in pillars. The Hornby Highland Rambler locomotive ran fine on the 'monorail'.

Thank you for the original inspiration that demonstrated a small board layout doesn't mean a boring layout.

Kathy Jackson