I have been busy with a non-railway modeling project for a maritime museum _ a working lift-span bridge. It is part of a larger project called The Port of Ballina. Future projects will include modeling the actual Port docks and slipways, etc. However, not far away was the Ballina railway station.

Ballina did have the railway station for several years, but they say that the automobile and highways canceled the service. But I think what contributed to the closure was poor design layout. There was no railway line to the Port of Ballina docks and services. Any loading and off-load of goods between the docks and station caused too much double-handling over a short distance of half a mile.

I was really looking forward to including the Ballina railway, but the maritime museum said 'no' because it never really directly served the Port, plus there is a matter of a half mile distance.

From this, I am still interested in building a railway layout for myself, but I have a few concerns which is holding me back.

1. The Ballina railway line was basically a straight line. No loop. I have limited space. The type of train used then is not what I particularly interested in (Z13 class locomotive).

2. Once the layout is completed with its diorama, I fear that the operating of the trains will soon get too familiar, and I may lose interest. I am not sure it that will be true, but if I am thinking that then it most likely end up that way.

3. The trains that interest me the most is related to my first childhood fascinations with trains. I was in Europe, winter time, snow everywhere, and the family caught many trains to go to various destinations around Switzerland. I saw many shunting trains and odd looking carriages, flat cars with stuff on it, and other rolling stock. That would be what I would like to create.

4. Is it possible to have several types of train sets (so to speak) stored within a mountain and at random not knowing which set is to emerge from the other side. Meaning, that what went in has given the impression that it has gone elsewhere. What emerges has also come from elsewhere, but now that train set represents a different destination on the layout, while another train may still be on in the way. What I mean is, that you have to be on your toes to control what is needed to be done next without causing any mishap. I think that would make model railway very interesting and challenging at times.

Just some thoughts from a beginner. Please feel free to set me straight about my concerns.