Backscene
Review cows
Review signals
No meeting last week due to other commitments, but Stephen had purchased an 8' x 4' sheet of 6mm MDF and had it cut into three strips, as per the diagram shown on 19th December.
Eager to see what it looked like, one of the narrow strips was clamped in place.
Generally pleased with the effect, we looked at the end section. Whilst we had tentatively decided to put a 'return' on the end, now was time to confirm that decision. Using a sheet of thin card, an experiment was performed and the decision to form a return was unanimous. We had discussed the image to be applied to the backdrop many times and had finally agreed on a hand painted/sprayed light grey sky with a hint of clouds. The card is not far off the base colour, which will be directly applied to the board.
As described previously, the piers/capping stones of the wall pose a minor problem, as they overhang the baseboard; as to a lesser extent, does the rear gutter of the building. For the end and the length of the building, it was agreed to insert packer strips of 6mm MDF. Using clamps, we proved that the MDF can easily be curved back to the baseboard further along. Gluing the packers to the backdrop will also provide some support higher up the backdrop. The higher backdrop was then assessed by using the sheet of card again.
The wider strip finished nicely above the tree-top level. The top edge will be 'elegantly' curved down to meet the lower panel about 1/3 of the way along. As we had sufficient material to do both options, the next decision was to decide whether to have the backscene in two or three sections. Initially three, approx. 1m panels had seemed sensible, but seeing it all in place, two, 1.5m panels were agreed. For storage and transportation, two identical lengths made good sense and, after calculating the corner overlap and packer offset details, 2 x 1550mm panels were agreed. First the end panel was cut by hand, using a pull saw and the latest dust removal system....
Having cut the back panel to the correct length, the bandsaw was used to cut 100mm wide packer strips from the residue. We decided to glue and clamp the packers to the back panels for added strength and to leave a 'cleaner line' to the baseboards when no back drop was used. We also discussed the advantages of gluing a strip of wood to the top, rear edge of the panels to protect and stiffen them. A bit of experimentation required.
We then reviewed the fixings for the panels and quickly agreed on T-nuts into the baseboard frame. We also felt that fixings higher up, but below the hill profile could be useful. There was little structure in this zone, so Geoff carefully carved blocks of wood to suit various locations and glued them in place. Access to the back of some will allow further T-nuts, but some 'blind blocks' will require suitable 'glue-in' nut sockets - TBA. Although some loose electrical items need to be rewired/moved (like the generator sound unit speaker in the can-top) the 'natural' block spacing abutting existing thin ply webs, worked well. The wider block on the left is at the join between the two back panels.
The fiddleyard end was another matter as it required all fixings to be 'above board'. A gap had been left between the bridge construction and board edge. The 6mm end panel, flush with the board edge, left a space suitable for two 9mm ply 'grounds' to be fixed to the bridge itself and across to the back of the layout. This would allow the end panel to be fixed in place with multiple fixings.
Stephen had brought along the 3D printed cows he'd painted at home. He'd found a full spray can of dark brown acrylic paint and so, instead of Herefords, he'd searched for brown cows and discovered some appropriate breeds such as Suffolk Dun and Red Poll. The cows, previously primed with Halfords plastic primer, were given a coat of the dark brown. Then, udders, hooves, noses, eyes and ears were picked out using a lighter shade of brush-applied acrylic. Finally, an overall coat of a much redder brown was brushed thinly over them, using varying coats to produce minor variations.
He's now got to paint the rest of the other cows that he forgot to take home!
Stephen had also been busy on the signalling equipment, namely two 'proceed' posts with 1.8mm dia LED's on back panels and a similar LED in a box, on top of a pole. As all lights were now required to flash, he'd produced a basic circuit using a 555 ic chip. With the flasher operating at 9v and the sound unit for the bell at 5v max, the wiring had to be modified, but the three-pole rotary switches used, were perfect for the job. Positions for the poles were agreed and drilled, and the guard rail, which had been painted white was fitted. The box for the switches located by the lever frame had also been made from plasticard and incorporated a drop-down front cover that exposed a labelled track diagram.
