Lay more track.
Transfer accurate rail setting out from bridge board.
Laurence on an autumn break, so just two this week. Geoff had been doing lots of sawing in the workshop in the week, so Stephen did a bit of housekeeping before track-laying recommenced. Geoff had made the three remaining points and just needed to finish the tie bars.
It was decided to work on board #5, the engine shed, and it made sense to move it into its exhibition position next to the bridge, in order to get the accurate rail setting-out. Cork underlay was glued down and brass screws inserted at the board edge.
The first point was offered-up and once its position was confirmed and rail-ends trimmed, a hole for the point actuator wire was drilled and the point fixed down. We have been using Peco track pins (small head) on scenic trackwork, with the heads close to the rail on homemade track.
While Geoff continued with the next point, Stephen fitted screws for the hidden line connection with the bridge board and then laid track down to the next board joint.
When the second point had been fitted, board #5 was disconnected and all boards reassembled in their workshop format. The track ends of board #5 could then be joined to the adaptor board #4. On the tighter inner, reverse curve, a short straight section was soldered at the joint first, then curved back to the existing piece of track joining with an unsoldered, fishplated joint.
While board #5 was attached to the bridge board, it was possible to assess the physical relationship of the hillside profile at the bridge and the small siding off the engine shed. The siding is very short and its primary purpose is more of a catch-point, but is sufficient for a small loco. A retaining wall will no doubt need to be employed. There's probably a bit more of the Slaters walling in a box somewhere.
Stephen had been investigating the method of sharing the electrical sections on boards #2 & #3 (small end boards), which were to be the train exchange area. The replication of two-way 'hall/stair lighting' had intrigued him and a small test rig had been made up. It used a DPDT relay for switching the track power and another, in parallel, for indicator lights. Illuminated latching push button switches would replace the loose slide switches and led's.
One of these units would be required for each track creating two switch boxes, each with two push buttons. The position of the switch boxes was not immediately obvious, so long leads could be used to try out different locations. Alternatively, WIFI or IR control could be investigated, all proving that it was not a simple matter to resolve. It all highlights that fact that the full wiring and operational implications of the workshop/exhibition layout setups need to be resolved as son as possible.
One aspect of the electrics that has probably been resolved since the previous week occurred when Stephen found a new source of the Cinch range of plugs and sockets. These were successfully used on the Cottesmore layout previously made/supplied by RS Components, but had been discontinued. Mouser UK now have all four pin options available https://www.mouser.co.uk/new/dura-con/dura-con-j-type-connectors/
