With the experience of two exhibitions, I've decided to slim down the layout. There were too many extra bits that needed bolting on, and they had to be packed loose in the car. I also wanted a patch of 'water' as I hope to add a few appropriate boats in the future. So, all but a tiny section of the right hand quayside has gone, and the tranship shed (which is being saved for another project). The latter has been replaced with a different model of the same building, whose interior will be on show. A 20cm front to back stretch of water has been bolted on the front. All the bits which are bolted on the front will stash neatly into the recess of the fiddle yard baseboard. The reduction in the depth of the scene has meant I can reduce the height of the lighting beam.
These changes produce a more letterbox shaped layout which seems longer than it was before. especially when the later canopied platform is replaced with a lower earlier epoch version. It should all be presentable, ready for the Essex G scale show in October.
The photos also show progress building the Eastern Counties Gooch Class A loco. After puuting the tasks off for months, I've managed to solder the driving wheel splashers on, and fold the cab ready for soldering. You can see how tiny the RC receiver is. As the loco frames are rather slender, I've adopted what I think the car types call monocoque structure. The body and frames are all one unit into which the axles, RC and boiler/battery pack are bolted on.
And I've finally found drawings for Eastern Counties goods wagons! So, I will be able to operate the layout as Aldeburgh Harbour (c1850's) until the 3D printed Bury loco arrives courtesy of David Viewing. After that it's Peterborough environs.