In the middle of the U you can see the main station. 'Above' the station is the yard and to the left of the yards is a hill under which the main line disappears, to reemerge on the other side of the U after going behind the scenery boards. The branch line crosses over the main line on the bottom half of the U, 'below the main station. From this point it goes up a gradual incline leveling off at places for stations. It loops back around the board behind the scenes until it re-emerges at the top of the hill on the other side of the layout, terminating at an industry and/or village station.
When building commenced a few things became apparent about this layout plan. Firstly, with the amount and length of tracks and inclines I was in danger of once again being slightly over ambitious! Secondly, the space the track took up on the board didn't seem to relate entirely with the xtrk cad design and trying to fit so many tracks on one board meant there wouldn't be much room for scenery. Thirdly, connecting the boards would become increasing difficult with large hills and inclines in the way.
So a design revision was needed to simplify the layout, and create more space for scenery.
Out goes the full length branch line, and the large hill. This allows the entire upper section of the U to be given over to Port Mallard, with a potential harbour/seaside scene and far more town given that the incline structure and branch line track doesn't have to be accommodated. Another plan will be to cut out a section of this upper board to create sea scape at a lower level to the layout.
The branch line now terminates on the lower boards and allows a small village station and scene on the end board, and the industry at the terminus. There will be a slight incline on the branch for effect from the crossover to the terminus.
What remains the same is the main station design, yard area and branch main line crossover 'junction'. This revision also allows the the electrics to remain the same.
Next time - wiring...
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