No storms here (though the Gard Department got another drenching with more flooding around Nimes) and I have managed a reasonable amount of progress. Both main lines are now laid but not yet hard wired on each track length. Despite possible continuity problems I have had the two Large Prairies circulating off and on for at least half an hour at a 40 to 60 out of 126 setting on the DCC controller. One small area where the full length coaches touched but that has been taken care of (thank you, Copydex!)
The cork sheeting is nearly done and the area of the station throat is ready to be attacked. I have found, however, that I have a rogue Peco LH Turnout. This may have even been part of the trouble with the super elevation running. I intended to move the turnout and when I tested it in place my Jubilee refused to stay on track. So I went back to one of my unloved Peco Curved LH Turnouts and it seems to work like a charm More testing is required but it looks as though I will be using the curved point.
The Goods Loop no longer appears to be viable so I will have the pick up goods shunted in from the fiddle yard with run round having been assumed to have taken place at Bordesley Yard. Run rounds on the Up side of the passenger station can still use the Platform 3 traverser. Other than that, I think all should work well. The coach sidings can take 4 full length coaches each (I plan to run local passengers with a B Set pair and one extra all 3rd non corridor coach, which I understand was prototypical in the late 1950s). Pick up freights will of necessity be short, while night goods services will be assumed to be split up before arrival.
The fiddle yard will have two roads, essentially one for passenger, one for goods trains, but this may be expanded later if necessary.
We are running on 4G internet at the moment while waiting for fibre optics to be installed on Tuesday. This will allow uploading videos, etc. "just like that" which should be interesting. France Telecom/Orange show that the fibre will enter the house and connect directly to their Fibre Livebox, so no copper wire link as we have in Hampshire. And no extra monthly charge (well, not straight away!) makes the service even more attractive. The French Government has been criticized for not giving rural areas decent internet services but the overall service seems good to me.