Worklist:
A full house and we had decided to "Play trains".
All loose project-related bits and pieces were carefully removed from the layout and the hoover came out, followed by a quick 'wipe' with the track cleaner. The power box and the loom were plugged in, the points tested, the cassettes were filled with stock and we were off.
All three of us had a session of running, as well as being on the fiddleyard. We rarely get to use the latter properly as we normally just get something out to test. We quickly ended up with a log-jam and often forgot to 'manage' the isolating switches. The three cassettes clearly aren't going to be sufficient for a full exhibition-type operating session and what do we do with the 'spare' stock. We need more cassettes of varying lengths and possibly some static shelves. All good to know.
Some stock needed small tweaks to couplings and loose bits etc. and running repairs were generally undertaken. However, some stock clearly needed more than a tweak and was earmarked for serious work. We also managed to discuss 'prototypical' shunting manoeuvres without tempers becoming raised. The layout has great operational scope, which is jointly down to John's original layout and the new alterations/additions. However, there are still some idiosyncrasies that we need to understand - the lengths of sidings and runarounds, track breaks, magnet positions etc. These all need to be tried out, issues highlighted and solutions learnt. The shorter sidings can easily trap a couple of longish wagons between buffer and coupling magnet!
With projects set to one side and the layout tidied up, discussions veered towards how the layout was coming along, and importantly, what still needed to be done - like the main building - brick paper or embossed plastic. The prototype lights had been pushed into the roof of the workshop - would a couple more LED's be better (where did that calendar come from?).
Dodging between trains, Geoff couldn't resist going around with a 'dirty' paintbrush touching up areas of ballast, roadway etc. that had gone 'under the radar'.
All-in-all, we had a wonderful day - which is what it's all about.
