Innsdorf station is back in place after being shown in May, and since then my time has been taken up with travelling (see my other weblog at http://www.mwtrips.co.uk for details) and with family matters. The odd bit of repair and “fettling” has taken place to correct weaknesses revealed at the show, although a couple of trains still need attention – perhaps a job for the time of year, now approaching fast, when I shall be spending long evenings at home.
Meanwhile, though, plans are afoot for the next major project, which is to build the mountain section of the layout now that the portable Innsdorf station is in a complete enough state. I have decided that in order to provide a decent-looking intermediate station among the mountains I shall widen the baseboard into the window reveal and board up (yes, but with removable boarding) the lower half of the window behind the station to create a mountain backscene similar to that behind Innsdorf station.
I have a Kibri kit of Davos Monstein station which is just the sort of traditional timber-built station that would look the part in this remote rural location and would fit neatly into the space created by this means, leaving enough room for a narrow access road and a stop for the mountain Postbus that will meet trains and carry passengers to and from even more remote villages, and even a village building or two. I can’t wait to get all of this done now that I’ve thought of it!
First, then, must come the board extension and backscene, then I have to complete the track, signals and overhead line equipment while building the station kit and any other buildings to be fitted into the village (most of the village will be off-scene, behind trees or on the painted background, up in the hills). Then it will all come together, along with the surrounding mountain scenery with its tunnels and viaducts … and a waterfall once I have decided how to make it.
Along with all of this, of course, is the need to plan the next section, up to the branch terminus at Bad Moritz. The route up to that station will affect how I go about building the mountain at that end of Mitteldorf, and also how high the terminus will be: it is already clear that a viewing platform will be needed for any visitor much shorter than I am! I have all the buildings, the details, track, signals and road vehicles for all of this; I just need the time to get the construction done. Watch this space, and the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Marks_Rail_Adventures. See you soon!
