Just found this thread and have spent an interesting 20 main reading through it.
Brought back many childhood memories for me.
Think I may have shared before on another thread (apologies if so for repetition)
I grew up in Wadebridge in a house overlooking the Padstow line.
One of my memories was seeing the West country from the down ACE, after returning to Wadebridge from Padstow, being used on the last train of the day, a single coach train.
The loco was longer than the coach!!!
You mention Padstow being renamed Padstien. Another variation I have heard is Richenstien.
Quite appropriate as I read in a local paper there recently that Padstow is now one of the most expensive places to live in the UK.
Better stop there before I get on my soapbox about incomers.
A very interesting thread about a very promising layout.
Keep up the good work.