Wednesday 2nd October

Worklist:
Review latest layout drawings.
Discuss electrical control principles.
Review steel angle shelf reinforcement.
Level and secure shelf unit.
Progress new board legs.
Review new point.
Assess point operation.
Start track laying!

Stephen had produced two new layout drawings showing a) the three possible configurations of the layout in the workshop and b) the layout in its future extended exhibition format. These were to enable the layouts to be discussed more easily in general, but they soon generated a discussion about the electrical operation of the layout in Workshop and future Exhibition format.

Too complicated (and boring) to relate in full, the results were as follows:

The masons/engine shed boards would have a local panel for loco and pointwork control. This would be reversible so that it could be located behind the layout at exhibitions. In exhibition format, the local panel would be able to switch track control to the main station panel to allow it to run through trains, together with loco's going to and from the shed and deliveries to and from the masons yard. An existing section of the main station would be controlled by the local panel to allow full access to the engine shed. Pointwork control would remain under local control as would close shunting of full/empty wagons.

The 'hand-over' between main and local control panels in the workshop would be via a section comprising the two non-scenic adaptor boards (#2 & #3) on the shelf unit. A manual switch on the board will decide which panel has control. The local panel will be able to cede control to the main panel for full-length runs.

We then reviewed the excellent job Geoff had made in fitting a length of steel angle under the front support rail of the shelf unit. This takes a lot of the weight of the first board in operating mode and had sagged a bit.

The whole unit was then checked for level, which entailed some unscrewing, packing and refixing, but was essential for the setting-up of new boards. Once levelled, a new bracket for the overhanging adaptor board was fitted.

Laurence made up and fitted a timber plate for the first leg bracket and a datum was transferred onto the plate. He then started to construct the first leg support unit.

The opportunity was also taken to infill the large hole in adaptor board #3 around the shelf unit post, to fully support the cork underlay and track.

Geoff had completed the Y point for adaptor board #1. The final position will be decided in due course. Rather than fit an electric point motor, a simple rigid wire link rod from a SPDT slide switch will be used, located near the back of the board. The switch is required for frog switching and provides a solid throw.

Geoff and Stephen then started cutting the ties between the sleepers of two lengths of Peco 0-16.5 flexitrack (they can become visible and unsightly if ballast is too low).

Geoff then fitted brass countersunk screws (nice big flat head) at the board joints and soldered the first section of track in place, which looked really good.

A jig was made and the sleepers were spaced out at 18mm, as agreed the previous week.

Is that the tunnel track?


Another very satisfactory days work.