Wednesday 26th June

Worklist?

We'd tidied-up a few loose ends after the Burton show, but now had to decide the future. The initial enquires from the two shows had indicated that more exhibitions were possible, but we wanted to keep modelling. There wasn't anything substantial to do on the layout, so what were we to do? We all agreed that our main interest was building model railways so Geoff's suggestion to build another board met with interest. Theoretically, we could build onto both ends and along the front or back, but these would be mainly scenic boards, possibly with a siding. Geoff's suggestion was to put a new board right in the middle.

We measured how much extra length the workshop could take (Geoff squeezing past the end was the critical factor - his words), and 650mm was the answer. A scrap piece of foam board was trimmed to size and inserted between the two main boards. Paper, pencils, markers, straight edges and track curves came out and the design process had started...

Geoff wanted something to generate more shunting potential and an extra siding had always been on his wish list. Maybe a new feature like a factory, a yard or similar. Stephen argued that Worton Court simply didn't warrant such expansive ideas, but we pressed on, looking at physical trackwork options. Geoff never liked the crossover beside the machine shop, so that would go. A a siding for spare coaches was investigated, but only a couple could be squeezed in and clearances never quite worked.

We soon realised that the trackwork on the existing boards would need to be modified, which would render the current (shorter) layout unexhibitable. However, the new board could be built and the existing boards modified at the very end. What about the loom needing to be extended?

We broke for a late lunch and returned. Stephen suggested an engine house, which we'd always regretted not including in the scheme - the middle area was ideal and two spurs were now available. Investigations ensued.

What if we moved the machine shop? What if we put the engine shed where the goods shed currently stands? Ideas and paper flowed much quicker now.

The idea of a new industry was now raised again. Timber from the estate? Pit props for the mines rather than telegraph poles? They'd have to be brought in from the back of the layout at a higher level, prepared and dropped down to a yard and out by train? Then a stone dressing yard was muted, with large stones coming in by rail, being dressed and out by rail again. Something was beginning to take shape, but time had run out for the day.


Homework:

Wednesday 11th June

Worklist:
Address issues following the show.
Review the two new vans.
Review the store interior fittings.

As we put the layout up, we all agreed that the show, whilst tiring, had been a success. We then turned to a few minor issues that had occurred.

Drooping wires - We'd often commented on the way the loom wiring hung down, but until it all got in the way of the myriad of boxes needed to be stored underneath the layout did we realise how annoying and vulnerable it was. When rummaging in boxes, connectors had occasionally worked loose, which was not a good idea. Geoff now fitted 'cup hooks' to the structure and the wiring support was much better.

Bell sound - the ringing bell had stopped at some point in the show and no obvious reason could be found. Stephen found that one of the output wires was broken, but this was checked at the show and was ok then. When repaired, the bell worked perfectly - very strange, but it obviated further investigations.

Geoff put his two track cleaning vehicles on the layout - with their 'new' cardboard bodies. These had only been brought out at the show and we now had time to examine them properly. The new bodies cover the two proprietary vehicles described previously. Both are in basswood/cardboard, designed, laser cut, assembled and painted by Geoff. Although freelance, they take specific features from several prototypes. The shorter Bachmann tank wagon is made entirely of card. The overall design echoes the Gaaken coaches described previously.

The Dapol vaccum cleaner body is basswood with crisp, 'etched' planking and card detailing. The grilles had to be functional as the vacuum cleaner wagon needed to blow the air out somewhere!

Some left-over bits and pieces show how fine the laser can cut. 

After the central room of the main building had been re-designated a store room, Stephen had decided to produce some racking and a multitude of items to be stored on it. Some pallets to keep items off the floor (and make fitting easier) had also been made and populated with various scrap items. These were all dropped into the store room as the layout was set-up with little time to take-in their effect. Now seen again, the possibility of moving the pallet arrangement to the rear wall and constructing a metal storage rack on the left hand side was considered. Some research will be need.

Saturday 8th June 2019 - 7mm NGA 40th Anniversary Exhibition - Burton-on-Trent

A week before the exhibition, Stephen contracted an inner ear infection causing severe dizziness. A few days in bed reduced the problem, but Geoff and Laurence started formulating plans B & C. Stephen was soon able to move around, but driving was not advised. However, Stephen's wife Christine offered to drive instead, which settled the issue.

The four met at Staines Friday lunchtime and loaded the two cars. Google maps predicted 2:15 hrs. Midlands traffic and rain turned it into 4:30 hrs. We went straight to the Town Hall to review the unloading area and then investigated local car parking as little was available on-site. We then booked into our hotel and had a lovely evening meal.

As forecast, the rain was heavy as we unloaded; an old shower curtain serving its new protection purpose admirably. The AGM and Competitions had been held at Littlehampton three weeks earlier to make more room for this show. The three full halls of layouts and trade stands made it a super show. Setting up in one of the side-halls went to plan and we settled down to 6 hours of operating.

Christine was soon co-opted into the fiddleyard and entered into the spirit completely. She almost seemed to be enjoying herself at times. Geoff and Laurence finally persuaded her to take over operating centre-stage and she again rose to challenge.

We had retained Chris Holmes' stock from the Littlehampton show, and a lot was displayed in the fiddleyard case which generated a lot of discussion. We had the same variety stock to choose from, but this time, we made sure that the fiddleyard was not overloaded, which worked well.

New additions - Geoff had designed, laser-cut, fabricated, fitted and painted two new van shells for his two track cleaning vehicles. Stephen had made some racking and a variety of items for the recently re-designated storeroom - central room of the main building. (Photo's to follow).

Born out of the need for something simple, compact, quick to build and assemble, the lighting rig seemed to be a popular item for discussion. Again, we only needed one strip of bright white LED's with the warm whites.

Being the 40th Anniversary, many of the founding members were present. Don Mason and Geoff made up for lost time and reminisced about their first meeting over the 'Cottesmore Light Railway' when it appeared at the MRC show in April 1979 at Central Hall, Westminster - the meeting that triggered the formation of the Association.

The show went well and very soon it was time to pack up. The "You've got one hour!" announcement was a bit of a surprise, but most did it in good time. The journey home was almost entirely in sunshine and on sparsely populated roads. A final evening snack at a Starbucks went down very well and allowed us to review the successful day. We unpacked at Staines and went off to our respective homes.

Details of the show will appear on the Association website in due course:-

https://7mmnga.org.uk/index.php

Wednesday 25th May

10 days to Burton!

Worklist:
Track cleaning vehicles
Bell amplifier
New cassette
Cassette extension

Following on from last week, Geoff had purchased a Dapol track cleaning vehicle to compliment the Bachmann vehicle. However, the Dapol unit, as well as a pad for liquid application, had a suction fan to pick up loose debris from the track. And it worked well.

The previous week, Geoff had described a cleaning vehicle common in the US that used a simple, weighted pad free to slide up and down on nails. Suitably inspired, Stephen had developed his own version.

Two long 8BA bolts sliding in brass tubes, two car-wheel weights and a square of sanding pad. The nut, now with a tube attached, allows the pad height to be adjusted, which alters the amount of friction on the track.

Whilst the tank wagon can be used at any time, neither of the other vehicles would be suitable to run during an exhibition. A body will probably be made for the tank wagon, but the very long 'hoover' will need some creative thinking.

Stephen had brought a bag of components that made up his TV 'outdoor' sound system and assembled them. Made to allow an indoor TV to be heard from outside without annoying the neighbours, it comprised a small amp kit, a small speaker in a heavy, camouflaged box and a load of wires. The speaker was placed on a trestle shelf, under the lever frame and it worked perfectly. The volume will allow adjustment through noisy and quiet periods of the show.

While Laurence set himself up on the bench to work through adjustments to his Kadees, Stephen and Geoff made another cassette using the final leftovers. We now have 6 full-length and two short units. Following the Littlehampton show, the vulnerability of stock going off the end of the cassettes if blocks had not been fitted had been identified. Geoff had also made a short extension shelf to solve the problem.

The success of Littlehampton made us more confident about the looming the Burton show. Our only problems were logistical, trying to find out about access to the venue and suitable car parking, but we'll sort that out in due course.