Wednesday 1st March

Worklist:
Water supply casing
Crane detailing
Foliage
Test runs

A full compliment and a lovely day.

Stephen progressed the water supply pipe casing. Angle iron was fabricated from plasticard strips and a framework was fitted mid-span. Rusty brown paint completed the installation.

Laurence progressed the crane detailing, with a mid-session design meeting with Geoff.

Geoff fitted a variety of hedging and foliage along the new fence using a combination of re-used horsehair, proprietary rubber/foam and matting. On the shrubs above the workshop, he experimented with pre-flocked matting teased out thinly over the horsehair, which worked really well. The aim, in all areas is to create a varied effect without looking like a an advert for materials. It's an interesting problem that is worth the practice.

After winding up the various jobs after lunch, all three had a piece of stock to run. Laurence had repaired his 0-6-0 loco - a Bachmann chassis and scratch NICKEL SILVER body.

Stephen had painted the shell of the railvan brought the previous week. The Humbrol spray acrylic used was 'olive' - a little darker than the 'drab olive' Geoff had an old tin of. Investigation required. Various other issues were discussed such as roof finishes, water diversion strips, door details, army markings.

That lunchtime, Geoff had received a Bachmann bogie diesel in the post - an eBay purchase. It is DCC ready and was not ideally suited to our controller, but it ran nicely. This will become the motive-power on Geoffs OO layout, driving the three-stage cleaning unit. More anon?

A couple of photos of the layout turned out quite nice ...