Nice!

Good to see an actual layout that was built and is being operated!  You've gotten a pretty good start on things and collected a prize!  Well done!  

Thanks!

Thanks for your comment Dave-O

The Kayton layout has proved a great start as I have already expanded it with a 2' x 8' interchange and classification yard. It now supports two operators in a switching environment and I'm running my 27th op session this Friday!

Outstanding layout

I'm very impressed with all you have managed to accomplish within the constraints of the space available and contest parameters.  Your presentation was very well written and easy to follow.

Congratulations!  Your prize was well earned.

-meljr

The ability to "grow" ...

... is one of the aspects of the hobby that often goes unnoticed by the newcomer.  So many articles and even entire magazines focus on room filling or even basement filling empires (particularly for the North American audience), that the fact that one can start small and then expand later as resources and space allow is often lost upon the initiate.  This "expansion" can occur in several different forms:

• Adding to the roster of locomotives and freight cars.  One need only start with one locomotive and a couple of freight cars to enjoy most of the thrills of model railroading; however, once the basics are in place, it is relatively easy to add more "stock" to increase the operational potential as well as the variety.  This can be done as slowly (or fast?) as the budget allows
• Adding to the scenery.  Even if space is the overriding constraint, a small layout can provide nearly unlimited opportunity for scenic details; everything from adding new structures, updating/improving old structures to trees, rocks and other bits of "nature" to people and and infinite amount of "little things" that make the scene look so much more real and "lived in."
• Expanding the footprint.  Once you have an operational layout, it can usually be expanded as space allows -- and who knows, eventually your small "starter" may find itself as just a small piece of a room filling empire! It is always fun to look at John Allen's Gorre & Daphetid and see one of his earlier small railroads sitting in the heart of it ....  
• Operations.  Yes, even a small layout can be operated -- and starting small you will likely have a better understanding of what types of operations you enjoy most; giving direction and purpose to any future expansions.
• Sound.  Another avenue for those who may be interested; again, easier to start small ....
• And yeah, once you've experienced it you can even tear down and start over without too much loss of material and a wealth of experience to draw upon for the "next one."

The larger empires will continue to get the oohs and the aahs (and deservedly so) as that is the nature of things; but it is always good to have these sorts of smaller layouts about to remind/inspire new folks that they don't need to gut a room to enjoy the hobby.  Congrats again on your wonderful article, and hoping to see more on this project as it continues to grow ... perhaps even another article documenting the transition to a larger layout supporting more operations?  Cheers.  
 

Thanks meljr

It is really heartening to get these comments. As a first time author for MRH (and indeed, any model railway publication) the encouragement is much appreciated.

r0d0r aka Robert