An office building was a pivotal feature of the scene, providing a focal anchor point for one corner of the layout. Original inspiration came from a prototype timber built office on the Pwllheli & Llanbedrog line in North Wales (see photo in Kidner - Light Railway Handbook, N24 ). While I left off the 'Billboard' on the ridge of the structure on the first model, this was added to all subsequent versions. Milled North American basswood was the main material used. Grandt Line plastic mouldings provided the windows, stove, door and doorframe. Other interior details were made from scratch. A table, complete with blotter, inkwell (with pen) and a cup was the main feature. Some packing cases, the aforementioned stove and an oil drum filled out the remaining space. The inkwell and cup were tiny brass turnings with soldered on details. I had by me a printed sheet of coloured railway posters, the most colourful was that for the Great Western so it was cut out and pasted on the wall to add some colour. Corrugated copper sheet, as sold by Slaters during the 1960s formed the roof with some fancy ridge tiles from etched brass - an emerging production technique over twenty years ago, when the model was made. A Grandt Line plastic moulded stovepipe stack (made for D&RGW coaches) finished off the roof. Guttering was formed from brass wire and some umbrella rib material. As the blank rear wall of the office faced outward on one side of the layout a collection of 'clutter' was built up. This comprised a small stack of wood (kindling for the stove) along with an axe, another oil drum, a jerry can, spike barrel and a scrap handcar wheel. On the other side of the office an oil drum moulding was placed up on a timber cradle and a tap casting fitted.
The other structure, which for some reason was not photographed in any detail was a stone smithy. This had a small workbench with tools, clutter etc., inside. Both structures were lit by small 12 volt bulbs mounted on tube 'stalks' that were inserted up through the baseboard to enable bulb replacement.
