Wednesday 19th December 2018

Worklist:
Continue with scenery edge remedials.
Discuss backscene construction.

The last work session of 2018!

Geoff had been having a private running session and the stock was still on the layout, so we played trains for a while. It also gave us a chance to check over the track around the point rodding work and give the rails a good clean. Laurence was happy to see that his new cassettes were working ok.

Back to work, Stephen and Geoff addressed trimming-off the excess scenery extension strip. If edge of the baseboard frames were in anyway distorted, when the backscene is bolted to it, it could affect things adversely. It was therefore decided to level the baseboards first, which was easily achieved by adjusting the nuts and studding on the legs in conjunction with a long spirit level. A piece of wood was then notched to allow the line of the baseboard to be projected above the extended scenery and mark it at intervals. The marks were joined up, the line visually checked, and the excess removed with an oscillating saw.

The resulting edge was sanded and plaster mixed with PVA applied to eliminate some ridges. It will be sanded and painted ready for the area to be re-flocked in due course.

We then sat down and discussed the manufacture of the backscene. Material - 6mm MDF won the vote unanimously. The next decision to make was the height as we have a tall tree at one end, a much lower brick wall at the other and one operator a bit smaller than the other two. We soon decided on a shaped backscene. Assuming we used bolts into tee nuts in the main baseboard timbers, the tree end would be approx. 550mm high, and the wall end approx. 335mm high. For the ends, a high panel would be required across the fiddleyard interface and a low panel from the corner to the front edge of the wall. Along the wall sections, the projection of the capping details would be accommodated by using spacers in the bolt fixings rather than cutting the overhangs off. We didn't decide whether to have a panel across the front of the fiddleyard, but we'll decide in due course.

We then debated how many sections it should be made in - i.e. whether to coincide with board joints or go for a minimum of joints. At just over 3m, two pieces would be 1.5m - not unmanageable or a problem to transport. A two-piece backscene would have the joint behind the generator building at a point where a rib within the glass fibre hill could be used for additional support. We'll make a decision when we have the board in our hands. A quickly prepared cutting schedule showed that both options could be accommodated with a 2.44 x 1.22m sheet pre-cut into three strips by the supplier.

We wish all our followers a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wednesday 12th December

Worklist:
Review point rodding.
Review new signal pole/lights.
Discuss their installation.

A shorter work session this week as were going out for our Christmas lunch. We were also joined by Chris Holmes, who was able to review the work we'd accomplished on the point rodding, all instigated during his last visit - fortunately, he was impressed.

Chris's presence made it easier to resolve some outstanding design issues. Stephen presented two new 'signal poles' he'd made for the stop signs and lever frame. Much smaller brass tube had been used this time, made possible by using the tube for the LED power return. One pointing up was for the lever frame and one with LED bent horizontally, for the stop signs. After discussions, it was agreed that the lever frame light should be around 6ft off the platform, to allow it to be seen from around the station. It was also decided that it and the other signal-lights should be flashing. Geoff and Chris conferred about an appropriate bit of kit from the early 60's, which meant a slow flash rate. (A suitable circuit for 'slow flashing' is already available). A tubular guard rail approx. 3ft high was deemed suitable. Discussions followed about the switch enclosure box design. It was agreed that an enclosed, lockable wooden box would house the three switches and measure 12"-15" wide, x 6" x 6". It would have a sloping top and a drop-down front door that would have the track diagram on it. The bell would be fitted to one end. The box would be mounted direct to the light pole at approx. 5ft off the platform. Using a pair of AAA batteries, the LED's were illuminated. The clear plastic body of the 1.8mm dia LED's did not spread the light very well, resulting in a very narrow viewing angle, but a light rub-over with fine emery paper made them much better. Holes were drilled in the baseboard and the components fitted for review, and approval.

 The wording for the two stop signs was discussed and the need for something simple was stressed e.g. "STOP until signalled to advance" (or similar). Geoff explained that the whole signalling exercise would have been imposed on the railway who would carry out the least expensive solution possible.

The preliminary manual switch arrangement for the the three lights was demonstrated and checked for clearance under the modified scenery edge - bags of room!

Geoff had been able to advance the paper mache overlay to the new scenery-straightening exercise. However, it was taking a long time to dry-out thoroughly, so trimming it would have to wait for another week.

Lunch was excellent!

Wednesday 5th December

Worklist:
Paint rodding.
Progress new cassettes.
Rectify scenery.

Geoff had finished the small area of outstanding rodding and started to paint it. To represent fairly new rodding, a galvanised finish was required i.e. a mid-grey. Meanwhile, Stephen infilled the areas around new rodding base plates with ballast, and left it to dry. Geoff moved onto painting the ground frame levers their required colours - black for point blades, light blue for locking mechanisms, white for unused and brown for the frame lock. Stephen moved onto painting the timber base plates, then all of the cranks and joints in black, then touched up the rodding. We were very pleased with the effect. Once fully dry, some embryonic rust and dirt will be applied.

Geoff moved on to an issue that we have needed to address ever since we accepted an offer to exhibit the layout - the backscene interface. John's hills are formed from fibreglass sheet, but the rear edge never followed the line of the wooden baseboards to which the backscene will be fixed. After discussing the pros-and-cons of some options, Geoff cut pieces of flexible 6mm plywood and used Gorilla glue to attach them to the underside of the fibreglass. Temporary screws held them in place. A second layer was added to allow the back edge to be shaped to remove the up-slope, making it easier to marry into the vertical backscene.

After shaping, the gap will be infilled with layered papier mache and plaster, then the whole area will be re-grassed and more shrubbery added.

Geoff had been investigating how best to house the bell and light switches adjacent the frame and had concluded that a backboard with a rain cover on a pole, with a light on top would be suitable. This could be against a handrail of tube or angle-iron, to the side of the working platform. A small diagram of the pointwork layout would also be included. Some ideas will be sketched up in due course.