Literally, it’s like 12c and I’m outside. With me, some Tim Horn boards, some Peco TT120 track, superglue, plasticard, and a good weight.

Welcome to Shelfie 5 I suppose! The concept here is a relatively simple test piece, the sort of thing that could work in an apartment or student digs, where perhaps space is at a premium but N gauge or 2FS isn’t floating the boat. It’s also a test for me, I’d love to have seen some GWR panniers in this scale, but despite being in Hornby’s initial designs to be produced, nothing has appeared. Had it done so I think the 4mm stuff would have been out the door pretty quickly and replaced with the TT120. There’s still a shortage of some ready staples such as BR 16t minerals and 20T brakevan’s, those would surely be a steady seller the longevity meaning that maximum use could be made from the tooling.

When I look at TT120’s size, second from top above, there’s a lot to recommend it. The running qualities of the 08’s (x2) I have, and the class 50 I reviewed are as good as contemporary N gauge. The Peco track is to their normal quality too, the flexitrack through needs green kryptonite to cut through it, not necessarily a bad thing!

This time we’re in North Wales, possibly the Llyn peninsula, or further inland towards the slate quarries. I’ve roughed some ideas around the track plan. The track plan has come from a single image which provided the inspiration, and that was from east London. But the atmosphere of that picture clicked, and the right side of the brain started ticking over.

Also to try out on Shelfie 5 are these MP1 switch motors. The points have switchable polarity and like the rest of the track are superglued in place, onto a regular 1/16th inch thick cork underlay. You have to work quickly the thin superglue wicks into the cork, so the weight needs instant application. It does make for a fast build though. Fixing the track down permanently has taken around one hour. This will be a DCC primary control layout, but I may well look at the DC option as an additional feature. It won’t be a problem to add that, the concept is ‘one locomotive in steam’ regardless of control system. Dropper wires will be fixed in place to ensure good performance.

The point motors will be held in place with double sided tape, to minimise any actuation sound. The day has ended with the track firmly fixed, and cork shoulder, or rather borders in place to capture the edge of the cess and an early start to the ballasting made. This will be the finest grade from Woodland Scenics and held in place with acrylic floor polish and matt varnish. The buildings, most of them, are already prepared, 3D prints painted with acrylic, just the final positioning to refine and set into the scenery.

All fairly conventional and nothing really ground breaking. I’m happy with that though, as it allows me to get my head around the scale and its practicalities or otherwise without any distractions. Quite a productive Sunday for once!