Review lighting options
Review backscene options
Review more rolling stock
As you can see, there was lots to review this week, so not much physical work was done.
Stephen had circulated a sketch showing a layout lighting option using three strings of LED's donated by a friend. The strips would be mounted inside the up-turned body of 75mm dia. white plastic guttering mounted on steel strip hangers. However, once the lighting had been 'rigged-up' in the workshop, it was obvious that it was totally incapable of providing sufficient light. Stephen then proposed purchasing two led strip fittings, similar to one he had in his workshop and all agreed to proceed. The steel strips would still be used to support the fittings for the exhibition, but they could then be mounted over the layout, in the workshop.
It has been noted at recent shows, that continuous, flexible backscenes are becoming popular, particularly those with curved ends and no square internal corners. However, these come at a cost. Over lunch, Stephen's photos of the Swing show layouts were reviewed and he advocated that the use of simple panels as used on most layouts, could be quite sufficient. Back in the workshop, some white boards were clamped to the back of the layout for consideration, and didn't look too bad.
The exercise was generally worthwhile as it highlighted a few areas that have troubled us - namely where the two roads exit the layout. The plain boards were supplemented with plain paper, and sketches applied to disguise the junctions.
We then decided that these sketches could be applied to thin MDF strips permanently fixed to the layout, with the plain backscenes fixed behind them, for the exhibition. Hedges, foliage, fences etc., will be well protected and would allow materials to be applied to the new surfaces. We'll have a play to see if it's a practical solution. For the bridge road above, a large tree with drooping branches could easily disguise the disappearing road.
Stephen had brought the majority of his stock down for review. Most was deemed acceptable to senior judge Thorne although some cherished timber disconnects were debated. Whilst all manor of timber products could be transported on them, it seems that a) these were not used in the UK, and b) to run 'light', the disconnect bars were removed, which would be very awkward to put into practice as they were fixed solid. The jury is still out.
Geoff produced a diesel that he had built from a kit decades ago, which will definitely be suitable.
