Having worked out how to stop cars at a double track level crossing in 1989 (with two interlocked Triang relays per crossing), the next step was to work out how to incorporate them into a layout.

There were three massive issues: Firstly height. The double track level crossing was originally intended to be automated, so the base is almost twice the height of regular Minic track. Provision had to  be made to get round this.

Secondly voltage drop - the power loss on the rail lines passing through one of these crossings is colossal. Jumper leads to bypass them are essential.

Thirdly - short Super 4 straights - to do any kind of road rail set up with Minic you need buckets of these.

Other systems such as Aurora,  Tyco and their descendants based the roadway geometry on Atlas model railroad track. They consequently fit together well.

Despite being made by branches of the same company, this joined up thinking eluded Minic, probably made worse by the switch from the Standard Track geometry to Super 4 around the time Minic arrived.

I teamed up with Chris March (now sadly passed away) to do various exhibition layouts and we agreed on two designs - a small one with a single track railway for small shows and the big 12ft x 8ft version with three trains for two day shows and larger events.

Chris drew both plans, even showing where the buildings should go! Dave White still uses his drawings! Here are some images of our early outings.

As things progressed we developed rules, such as UK outline stock only and kept the up and over circuit for Msgnadhesion diesels, as they coped better with the inclines. We also fitted lots of locos and the fire engines with Wrenn Horn Units - That went down well as the public could operate these, as well as controlling a signal which stopped a train in a station!

Apart from the stations - the whole layout travelled in a series of wooden crates that stacked neatly in the back of my Metro!