Check the sluggish points
Check the rewired sections
Remove Kadee magnets
Redesign the layout!!!
The sluggish points were given a brushing with graphite powder, which had a positive effect. The new capacitor discharge unit was now capable of throwing the cross-over, although during a short running session, they again became prone to sticking.
Geoff checked the capacitor storage against the 19v supply and announced that it was working at it's optimum. The options to increase the 'thrust' was to add more capacitors or increase the input voltage. Although there is space in the panel for more capacitors, we'll try a 24v supply first, next week.
We decided to have a small running session, but had two snags. The first was another track joint that had come loose - easily rectified - and the other was the Kadee magnets. For some reason, these are all now a bit higher than the rails and cause the coupling drop-bars to scrape. We took the decision to take them out and duly did so. However, John fitted them, so no soft, pliable glue; they were rock-solid and only one magnet survived the process. The electromagnet experiments will have to be brought forward!
Following on from the previous week, we looked at he platform edging in more detail. The foamboard base was trimmed back slightly to make the edging stones easier to fix. We then reviewed the length of the platform itself, from an operational position. At 750mm long, it could comfortably take a three-Gakken-coach train and loco. A train this long might be unusual for a small country manor house, but it was considered something we wanted to run. Having decided this would be our longest train, consideration of how this would be handled in the 'fiddle yard' loomed large.
Our first new board (the 'goods yard') was 675mm long. We had decided that board storage and transport would be with pairs of boards assembled face-to-face with end plates. The fiddle yard board would have to be 800mm, so the goods yard board would need to be longer! Geoff suggested he cut the end off, and insert a new section. This would leave the already-laid track just short of the road - a nice solution.
We discussed its replacement for quite a while - another road bridge, a wood/copse, a canal bridge or viaduct - all had merit, but Geoff had his favourite - a canal cattle bridge. Canals often retain beautiful curved brick or stone bridges to allow horses to switch from one side of a canal to the other. In simpler forms, they were often used to allow cattle to cross the canals. We all agreed that the curving walls offered a lovely way to finish the board, with the added advantage that the siding/yard could be opened up for regular stock.
