Having sold my last layout on that ever popular auction site Ebay, I received a message the following day which caught my attention. It wasn’t the usual ‘if the guy dosnt by it, Ill ave it off ya for £20, n if ya deliver it to me’ but actually quite the reverse!
It explained that they thought the layout was superb but it was the wrong size and not quite what they wanted and wondered if I would be interested to build a layout for them. Having never built something purposely for some-one else, I was a little apprehensive but some-how this gentleman was different, and it was a challenge which I accepted with some anticipation but also enthusiasm.
I obtained a brief outline of what was required, which included:
1. Layout overall size not to exceed 5’ x 4’
2. Double main running lines
3. Two trains running simultaneously
4. Elevated section of track
5. Fully scenic with sidings and station
I set pen to paper and whilst everything was possible, albeit in a relatively small space, I could not see that I could make an elevated section work on such a small layout. I therefore recommended that I make an over-bridge and this would give the ‘feeling’ of the track being partly elevated. The sketches below were provided, approved and a small amount of money exchanged hands which allowed me to proceed with ordering and buying the initial materials.
However, I was then asked to include motorised point operation and colour light signals, to which I agreed and I got the green light to proceed !
To produce the over-bridge would always be the greatest challenge as I would have to produce some multi-level baseboard, and this being on the most prominent corner of the layout, the name ‘Kelly Bridge’ was born.
