Den Cross is a real place, however even people who live there often don’t know it’s called that! It’s at one one of Edenbridge in Kent. No railway, no sign as far as I know but the Roman Road where I used to pick blackberries has been paved I noticed. The layout should be there somewhere but instead is thousands of miles away in Atlanta Georgia!

The layout is a ‘J’ shape with the long side being 30 feel, the bottom or end being 9 feet and the ‘hook’ about 18 feet or so. The layout is a “folded dog bone” with the main loop taking a train traveling at a normal running speed about 6 minutes to navigate. The room the layout lives in is in the basement of our house.

Yes! 😊 A layout of this size and complexity that has to be run by just one operator needs at least some automation. I’ve found that possible with DCC using a software package called “Train Controller”. Sone small sections of the layout can run DC - the old tramway for example - but mostly I while away hours trying to fit chips into locomotives that don’t have room for such things! DCC mostly is the simple answer.

Projects can take longer than they should for several reasons.

1. Running a YouTube channel takes time. The videos take time and effort to produce.

2. I have a full time job. I work for an air line and travel a great deal and so can’t always get train projects finished as quickly as I’d like.

3. I’m modeling in OO (1:76) Being in the USA makes getting parts and supplies extra difficult.

4. It’s a hobby! There is no rush. Having said that, I’d like to get things done so I can move on with other projects too.

5. Money doesn’t grow on trees and this is an expensive hobby.

All in all I usually manage about an hour or so most days down in the train room.

Like so many, I’m modeling as far back as I can remember, so mis 1960’s. I remember steam but not well. I rode EMUs daily to school and college in the South East of England so Dover, Canterbury, Deal and Ramsgate were all regular stops. Bromley (North & South) became home for a couple of years before we moved overseas. The layout then is my memory lane but loosely based in the early 60’s.

Probably downsizing in one way or another! Seriously? I’d love to model Dover Priory. The track plan there as well as the destinations out of that station (you go to London both ways out of there!) makes it an interesting option.

Morden would be another good option. The old dairy there as well as a couple of DMU options add to the major underground operation there. We’ll see! Maybe one day.