Wednesday 6th February

Worklist:
Backscene.
Lorry painting.

Keen to get on with the backscene again this week, the curving profile sketched on the front was transferred to the back so that a clean jig-saw cut could be made. The panel was then offered-up to the layout and the three holes marked out, checked and rechecked. It was then noticed that the control box bracket would require the bottom strip to be cut through, reducing its intrinsic strength. A decision was made to move the bracket on the layout to a larger area, which will have to be replicated on the control box. The Tee nut holes were drilled, Tee nuts fitted and the panel fixed using new packs of flat headed M6 screws and penny washers.

Focus moved to the end board where a Tee nut was fitted over the quarry tunnel.

The two track holes and a small notch in the rear edge were cut out. Geoff turned up two brass ferules tapped M6 and knurled on the outside. Two holes in the solid bridge structure were drilled and the ferules glued in. After lunch, the end panel was fitted. A trial-fitting of the fiddleyard board showed that everything worked nicely.

We were all happy with the effect created by the full backscene and can't wait to get painting.

The decision to use a two-piece back panel was also the correct one. The joint is pretty good at present, and although it could open up with use, it wouldn't be difficult to 'hide', in the future. We also discussed the two corner junctions and various options to hold the top edges firmly together such as Velcro, embedded magnets and steel plates were proposed, but we came to no definite answer. They are not important at present, but further consideration will be given in due course.

With the end panel removed, the gap between the existing scenery and the end panel base structure was covered with paper mache. Grass and foliage will be added next week.

With bits of wood flying everywhere, Laurence had pressed-on with the repainting of the coal lorry. He and Geoff researched typical lorry liveries (Google Images), then checked the available spray can stocks and decided on a black chassis and mud guards, and maroon bodywork. It's looking very nice.

As we packed up, thoughts turned to the exhibition deadline, and we did a quick run-through of outstanding items, producing a daunting list. June seemed so far away, but it's now just around the corner!