Pacing yourself…

A few months ago I may have accidentally pre-ordered the Accurascale Pacer... I have a history of pre-ordering, then cancelling (as I dislike waiting, intensely dislike waiting for models). That said, the Dapol N gauge version is very poor - and this purchase is fuelled by that curious blend of nostalgia of both a Hornby model I had as a child and early train journeys with Dad...

I don't model in OO anymore though, right? So what to do with a Pacer?! I have pondered if some sort of 'upscaled' Mosslanda might be feasible using the LACK shelf footprint. There are only so many ways to arrange track in such a limited space, so layout design in this space is more about modulating different elements and choreographing a scene, a place you almost remember and can enjoy visiting. I'm imagining a suburban terminus that has seen some rationalisation. Grubby, past its best, an overall roof that has been partially removed. The cliche of the road over bridge hides an exit... but to help that, a siding cut back from the end of the platform road, very uneven track, somewhere to stable a highly detailed sound fitted locomotive, also ticking over... an animated view block... just imagine...

I'm channeling Chester, Llandudno, Manchester Victoria (before the rebuild)... memories.

Thoughts turned to alternative ideas - but by introducing more track, more operation, I can't help but feel the limitations of the space are amplified, not reduced. Sticking to the bare minimum allows us to focus on what is the real story... a passenger service terminating at a station. The DCC sound fitted Pacer (other units available) allows all the sound functions you'd expect and 'playing' with arrivals and departures doesn't need extra track.

By introducing more track, more operation, the limitations of the space are amplified

I have heard there may be a new Cameo competition (or not a competition) to accompany the release of the revised Rice title at Larkrail... perhaps this could be a great idea - something out of my usual modelling, an advert for what I love to create for customers... and good fun. We'll see, but for now, until next time, more soon...

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