Haven't gone away, honest!
Christmas saw some more track purchases for James' half of the layout, as well as some Woodland Scenics foam risers and trackbed. I need to scare up an 8'x4' sheet of foamboard from one of the DIY sheds, and then I think we'll start serious tracklaying.
Also note with some joy that Hornby have resurrected a few very useable things in the Railroad range, namely the Fowler 2P and 4F, and the 4-4-0 County and Collet coaches.
Water filtering - continued
51 minutes ago