Yard crane mechanism.
Finish crossing and general scenic work.
Workshop brickwork.
Play trains.
The good news was that 'The List' was found in one of the bits-boxes. However, we all carried on with what we were doing the last time.
Laurence continued to design and fabricate a manual driving mechanism (non-working) for the main yard crane.
Geoff completed the new workshop crossing by adding fine ash to the coarse material he had laid last week. He then applied 'Yard Filth' by brush, to various areas of the layout.
He then moved on to the gas holder and water tank area. A group discussion ensued when ground levels and surfacing materials were decided. He went on to paint the tank footpath and steps in a stone grey. The hollows and bare areas around the gas holder, together with a section of the track outside the workshop entrance will be treated with grades of ash, as the new crossing.
Stephen continued to apply Plasticard brickwork to the workshop building. It's far too clean and new. The gasifier building, which would be contemporary, has suffered decades of use and will be hard to match.
This continued for a while after lunch, until Stephen demonstrated a pair of bolster wagons he was building for his Gn15 layout. He then decided to have a run, with his entire collection of Gn15 stock.
Although Laurence claimed to have read the last blog post, he was unaware that the tunnel had been modified to allow his over-wide diesel through. It's the handrails that cause the problem, but the test run was a success. However, Geoff now wants to test his Cambletown and Machrihanish loco.....
Although he wouldn't dream of it in normal circumstances, Geoff got out a Eurostar loco that he was repairing for one of his class members to have a test run too. Yes, it does go down the tunnel OK!
Laurence took his first turn in putting the layout away.
And the completed dust sheet wrapped it all up.
News: Roy, one of the original Cottesmore Five (the one who emigrated to Scotland) had recently sold Lansdowne Green, his portion of the layout, to a modeller in Bognor. (See CLR page)
The new owner has been in touch with Laurence and intimated that new modular sections are planned. Unused for over 30 years, Geoff was still able to put his hands on them immediately, and the group were happy for Laurence to hand them over in due course. The the two-jig set comprised one for drilling board holes and track alignment, and one for the hill profile. Together they ensured everything married-up correctly. However, as the Cottesmore interfaces were removed when Worton Court was rebuilt, a reunion is unlikely.
