Work on the new layout began early in 2006; the first point being a major hurdle as nobody in the club had constructed one before, especially one that had three gauges! Time spent sourcing and studying drawings paid off and metal started to be cut, John and Chris worked long and hard filing, grinding and milling pieces of metal and meticulously measuring and checking before welding in place.

The plain track was made by Roger, a repetitive and mind numbing task, so he informs me! The standard of the new track however, is fantastic and the curves have been rolled to 40ft radius to ensure even the largest engines can get round smoothly.

The result of John and Chris' hard work was installed over the Bank Holiday weekend in May and was tested thoroughly in all directions, and we're pleased to say it all worked. As the loop wasn't complete, these points were locked for the normal route for the Summer '06 running season, and work continued on the extension, with something new to look at most weeks.

The first curved section was soon added on, as seen in the picture here with Jason taking a test train round the track and over the points. John M rides as passenger over the points he helped to build.

The track slowly made its way around to the station and to the level crossing area, where we started to look at the positioning of the crossover. John and Chris, however, were well into their stride with the points and set no 2 was complete and No 3 well on the way.

A few ideas were tried, but this turned out to be the best solution; it involved making a right hand turnout as opposed to a left. Point No3 was quickly dismantled and re-assembled as a right hander.

No going back now! The station turnout was dropped into place and a curved track section added onto it, Don is its first passenger on a driving trolley.

The crossover had to be carefully thought about as it crossed the only road access to the site. The points had to be clear of the level crossing and they fitted in just nicely. You can now see the tight space we have to play in! The dug-over area is to be a flower bed, making some effort to make our area look neat, tidy and presentable. The white post by the crossing sign will be a gate post. Behind the post, the route down to the diamond crossing can be seen

This section of track was raised slightly above ground due to the undulations in our field, the retaining walls being some nice wooden bordering from the garden centre, and very tidy it looks too! This view, taken from the diamond looking up towards the station, shows work as completed in February 2007. This will all look even better with the flower garden in bloom, get the seeds planted out in their trays!

The diamond itself, almost complete in this shot. Flangeways have been cut, only on one route at the time the picture was taken, using a grinder. This is to avoid large gaps for the smaller wheels of the 5 inch and 3.5 inch gauge trains to cross. The 3.5 rail remains to be installed at the time the picture was taken.

Test trains were often seen out and about the circuit, seen here is Don's tram loco and home-made driving trolley. Its the regular workhorse now, as the club 08 shunter is still needing attention, and being a short wheelbase 4 wheeled loco, it shows up any imperfections in the track, usually by bouncing over them!The diamond crossing can be seen clearly in this shot, and the route of the new extension paralleling the old route is visible. The old route will be used for stabling, the diamond protected by derailers to stop any runaways from the turntable or new stabling road from fouling it.

The fourth and final turnout was installed in February 2007, the diamond and Don's tram loco can be seen in the distance. The stabling road will be a decent length, and a welcome relief on running days!

The simple nature of the original layout meant trains not in use for whatever reason, had to be lifted off or split and put onto the steam up bays. If the driver of a train wants a rest, they can park in the siding with ease, and other trains can continue round the circuit.

A new addition to the track around about the same time in February, Copse Curve Halt. Though they may look a bit bare now, the trees in summer fill out with plenty of leaves and a picnic area has been created under them, a nice shady spot.

And how is all this controlled? Colour light signals have been purchased and positioned around the track, though they are not permenant fixtures; they are plugged in for each running session and returned inside the Cabin at the end.The signals and points are controlled from a signalling board, which plugs into the control box on the station. The signal illustrated has a feather which works as a shunt signal for light engine and stock movements, trains can pass the red aspect when this is lit and proceed down to the turntable. The green aspect shows the road is clear for trains to take the crossover and rejoin the main circuit.

14th March and the final track sections have been welded in, and we have a complete circuit! Must be time for a celebratory test train...

... and here it is! 21st March; Ron drives his B1 with Roger riding as passenger - this was the first proper run of a steam loco around the new extension and we're pleased to report that all went well.

Traversing the embankment section down to the turntable, the B1 makes plenty of steam on this cold day in March.

A test session was held on the 1st April for the regular locomotives and drivers for familiarisation purposes; the guys were so busy that nobody remembered to take any photos! This picture was taken on one of the public running days, Trevor giving club members Chris and Joe a tour of the new track.