The next item on the agenda is making the tiebars for all the pointwork and starting to construct lever frames to operate the points. The points will be mechanically operated from the lever frames, probably by using some form of Bowden cable.
I had originally contemplated using rods and cranks for the linkage, but, after reading a thread on rec.models.railroad, decided to use Bowden cable instead since it would be easier to route through the maze of plywood supporting the baseboards.
Work has also started in drawing up the wiring plans for the layout. I intend to use the traditional block switching method to control the layout with, possibly, some form of sophisticated computer control interlinked with the lever frames to automatically allocate blocks.
And work must re-start on building the first locomotive so that I have something to test all this work.
Here's a reverse view showing the goods yard roads. These roads have been laid with full sleepering and chairs, but I have a mind to cobble the goods yard area which will mean laying check/guard rails in all the sidings, and covering up all the sleeper work!!