In the end of the day, it all comes down to playing toy trains so that's what Gary and I did, on his layout round at his house. The 395 was in action once again and was negotiating the curves better now he has re-laid the layout (since the last time I saw it) for the 2 circuits to use all of the 8' * 4' board + additional sidings. The inner circuit was measured at 16" radius and the 2 car DMU was doing fine round it having had all the tracks cleaned prior to play. All track is Peco code 100 flexi + hornby points. The layout is DCC on the outer circuit and the inner one is DC which he had managed to get working fine despite there being a crossing between the two!? Don't ask me how!?

We had a discussion about plastic kit buildings from Hornby - Gary showed me one he had built in just 2 hours - with curtains and everything. It looked pretty good - I made a comment that it was slightly shiny pristine finish but this could easily be remedied with a little weathering!

Feeling altogether more inspired again now - got to get on with the layout - just need to take some time off work. If only these websites could maintain themselves and fix all their own problems - but then we'd be living in the 3rd millenium wouldn't we!?