Various sizes and styles of case are available online and from some model shops. I chose a clear acrylic display case with a black plinth measuring 330 by 200 by 200mm from Inperspextive. Other sizes are available from this supplier. The same construction method can be applied to other similar micro layouts that incorporate a mirror.
The entire layout fits within a 300 by 200 by 200mm Perspex display case.
Mirrorcoated styrene sheet was obtained from Hobby’s (see panel) and was cut to fit just shy of the inside of the right-hand end of the display case. The styrene is quite thin, so I glued it to a sheet of 2mm (0.080in) plywood to avoid distortion.
Once the structures and wiring were complete (and testing undertaken), the scenery could be completed, including ballasting the track. I used ‘N’ gauge ballast, secured with diluted PVA glue coloured with diluted black paint.
The clearance afforded by the rubber feet also allows the twin toggle switches to be fixed underneath the plastic base, once the timber baseboard had been secured. The switches govern the lighting and operation of the shuttle system.
Lighting was also installed in the engine shed building. The shed was made removable by gluing panel pins into the bottom of two opposing corners, which plug into corresponding holes on the layout base.
Rubber feet were glued to the underside of the case plinth. These provide a sure grip for the layout on a shelf and clearance for the outgoing wires that run to the separate power supply.