Erik, I've been admiring your layout with great envy right from the beginning!
The grassmaster system does seem a fantastic product, but I can't justify£130 for the applicator for an A4 area.
I took the liberty of showing your pictures to a non modelling friend of mine. He said "it looks nice there..." ! When I explained it was a model, his response was of pure disbelief. I then had to find your thread and let him read through your build and even then he couldn't believe his eyes! Well done in creating such a superb layout!
Adrian, thanks for the heads up on the lighting. Since my last post, i have put them somewhere "safe" and now can't find the little buggers. To be honest, I don't think they would have been bright enough, but I'd like to use something to replicate a nice warm morning sun. Was thinking of illuminating from the rear corner, behind the shed to draw your eye into the back...
is this for home or exhibition use ?
Ha! It is strictly for home use. The thought of insulting proper model railways by mixing my feeble efforts makes me smile!

Could just imagine sitting beside a 20' long mainline terminus station with my knocked together box....
So bearing this in mind, any suggestions for a low profile, low voltage cool lighting source? would like it to be battery powered as it will be destined to sit on a shelf.
Got the first layer of ballast down. I've used limestone chippings that i sometimes use at work.
When weathered they should look like recycled granite ballast.
Fixed the sleepers in place.
This chap isn't too convinced by the little shrub I put in. Think he's trying to dig it up...
I've just given the sleepers a dark wash to tone them down and also given them a bit more texture on the ends. Next job is to lay the rail and build the pointwork. I will be blatantly copying Erik's idea of the cut down staples and then the ballast will be bought up to the correct height.
David