Ancelle, Haute-Alpes. HOe

This is my latest addition to my layouts collection and was an Ebay win. It is an unfinished 'rabbit warren' style 009 layout, but all the track works, I just need to sort the electrics for the point motors, then ballasting and scenic work can commence. Bought originally to use as a layout for my collection of HOe trams set in the French High Alps, I may well add some steam locomotives along with small diesels to cover the maintenance trains.

The Hautes-Alpes region of France, in the Provence of Alpes-Cote d'Azur and it is an area I'm familiar with in snowy conditions, as I undertook the Croisiere Blanche (a 4x4 snow driving event) there quite a few years back. The layout won't bear any likeness to a town or a railway, as it's all in my mind! The area is near Gap, which has featured on the WRC Monte Carlo Rally and, this year, The Tour de France.

I thought Ancelle was the name of the village we stayed in for the 'Croisiere' - it wasn't, but I considered it to be a suitable name for this layout!

I've acquired a 'Continental style' station and a couple of other suitable buildings, so proper reconstruction will start soon.