In need of some tablets to stop me doing this...

Neil Smith has very kindly built eight Lanarkshire Models buffer stops for Rospeath Lane, the last one was to be installed on the short stub siding at the front of the layout. Then, after Scaleforum in September, this siding was going to be extended to run alongside the running shed. In coming to install this last buffer stop, I realised that in lifting and reinstalling it the risk of damaging it would be considerable.

I then began to wonder if I reduce the scenic area at the front of the layout, I could win back enough of the 18.83 square feet to extend the stub siding, so only needing to install the buffer stop once... But then the buffer stop would be partially seen as it would be behind the left hand vertical proscenium. It would be a tremendous shame to hide Neil's work.

This brings me to why I need those tablets....

While building the layout  I have realised that the slope up to the coaling stage is on the steep side. Must admit this has been pointed out but to squeeze it in I had to shorten it length therefor increase the slope. In trials a Pannier does struggle to push four full 16T minerals up the slope. OK I could fettle 4 wagons and a loco to over come this but I'm becoming more dissatisfied with the look of this slope. Also, the proximity of the coal siding at a level just below the height of the coaling stage road would, in reality I think, mean the coaling stage would have been fed directly from the coal sidings. If I make this alteration it would.

• Dramatically reduce the slope up to the coaling stage so remove the need to fettle rolling stock specially for working the Coaling stage.
• Allow the coaling stage road and coal sidings to be operated separately from and not interfere with locomotives accessing or departing.
• The current coaling stage turnout could be used to create a short siding for a loco or full ash wagon storage.
• Neil's final buffer stop could then be installed where it can be readily seen at the end of this short siding. 

This then brings me full circle to what buffer stop to use on the extended siding running alongside the running shed. Well, as Lanarkshire Models buffer stops are not available anymore, I could easily construct a sleeper buffer stop.

If your confused, the images below should help to explain the rambling description above.

Amended track plan

 

Above picture shows where the short stub siding currently ends also the space to the left of the Running Shed that I'm proposing to extend the siding into.

Th area hatched pink is the original area that would painted black therefor not part of the 18.83 scenic area. Believe it or not, the area hatched blue is roughly the same area that I'm infringing on at the side of the Running Shed.

Above is the more dramatic alteration I'm proposing to do. It is still being thought about and does depend on how it might affect the already installed wiring underneath. But the more I think about it it makes sense to do this now before I start on scenic contours and detail... I realise there will be more wiring to install including a change to the control panel which will add to the time this alteration will take. BUT as I'm not as far on as I'd hoped to then in three months time rip up what I have done to get the layout to Scaleforum. I feel it make more sense to me to do these alterations now even if it affects the finished state of the layout in September.

If no one can supply those tablets to stop me this may will be a goer me thinks...