Wednesday 23rd March 2022

Worklist:

Test 'cleaned' locomotives.

Fit new signal bell sound unit amplifier.

Titivate layout.

All three in attendance.

Geoff had been busy modifying some of John's stock. A coach with couplings independent of the bogies had them properly united. Putting such a 'vericle' (sic - John's pronunciation we often use, with affection) onto the track was nigh-on impossible, and we wanted to have it running. Geoff had also 'un-weathered' a pair of John's balcony brake vans. These had a very heavy pale grey dust coating, that when partially removed, looked much better. A couple of vans were also given the same treatment.

Geoff and Laurence had been cleaning the wheels and pick-ups on some of their and John's loco's and gave them a run. They had benefitted nicely and were able to run more smoothly and slower. However, the latter showed up a flaw in the trackwork as the slower running loco's now stalled on the crossover. Johns points have been modified from 'dead' to 'live' frogs, or replaced. However, the crossover at the centre of the tracks between the two platforms, the main and quarry lines was deemed too complicated to convert. Various modifications had been tried, but the dead area of one split frog in particular was now causing a problem.

Geoff decided it was time to convert them to live frogs. He studied the matter carefully, then the 'Eureka' moment struck and a solution evolved. Firstly, the frogs would be converted into live frogs and isolated. Then, the four, independent point switches would be combined in a single three-way switch, reducing the routes and hence the frog-polarity options, to a minimum. After first resolving the problem with two relays linked to the points, another solution using a single relay on the mainline station point evolved. In conjunction with the three-way point switch, this would change frog polarities automatically, solving the problem. Laurence and Stephen were taken through the solution with the help of the diagram below. Whilst Stephen trusted the solution was viable, we were 4 weeks away from the Eastleigh show that meant no such work was going to take place in the short term. It was argued that we'd coped with the problem for years, and would, therefore, live with it until some time in the future when we had the time. Everyone was happy!!!

Part of the 'flashing light' signalling system is the ringing bell, alerting the station staff of an approaching train. The light system works, but the sound, last used at the Burton show, relied on an amplifier that Stephen had made for home use. He had purchased and assembled another amp kit, with its own speaker and box. After tracking the sound unit to the platform board (the switches being on the quarry mouth board), he discovered a speaker had already been installed as part of an un-remembered session. Unfortunately, inserting the amp didn't work and because of the difficulty of working under the boards, the work was abandoned until after the show. Flashing lights alone will suffice. [Sound recorder unit and smaller voltage reduction unit off the 19v bus].

Stephen had rebuilt the water tower roof after the old one had started to distort and deteriorate. It just needs a coat of paint.

Stephen and Geoff spent the remaining time tidying and dirtying-up the platform area.

A few photos from the running session:

John's Planet loco and Stephen's track cleaning tank wagon.

Geoff's  O&K loco 'Sogel'.

Wednesday 9th March 2022

Worklist:

Test the layout and stock ready for the Eastleigh show.

Complete minor repairs.

Check key measurements for cottages.

No Laurence this week, but we were joined by Chris Holmes, who will be helping us at the Eastleigh show (as he did at Littlehampton in 2019).

The layout was still up, so Chris set his stock up in the fiddleyard and started running. Eventually, we all had a run and generally discussed the state of the layout and little tweaks that could be made. 

 

Geoff repaired a rail joint that had been noted the previous week and then mended a section of damaged fencing. Stephen had previously noted that the new LED in the fiddleyard entrance was visible from the front of the layout, so he painted the public half black. At the same time, he also noted that the white areas either side of the fiddleyard cassette were quite noticeable and suggested that a blackout sheet might reduce the effect. Geoff prepared a piece of thin black card and it was dropped loosely into place. It worked well, so it will be stiffened-up and will be available for future use.

Note the half painted LED in the cassette connector.

Stephen also went next door to check some dimensions that were needed to determine the crank angle of the cottages. The angle was recorded and roof No.3 was trimmed to the correct size.

                             

Chimney stacks had been made using stretcher bond brick sheet (as noted on many photographs of the time) and a couple of basic tube pots added to one stack. A selection of pots will be attempted.

Some dereliction will be worked into parts of the terrace to reflect the demise of the workman's cottages e.g. the odd broken window, some boarding up and graffiti? The corrugated iron will be made into a timber framed panel preventing access through the alley. Foliage will be trained up behind it and over the portion of tunnel that is visible.

Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Worklist:

Review cottages progress.

Dismantle new boards and store in rack.

Setup exhibition layout completely as trial for Eastleigh.

A full house again.

Stephen had been working on the two end cottages. As he struggled to work out how to fit the stonework sheets to the 'design', it dawned on him that his approach was totally back-to-front. The window and door openings had to fit in with the stone coursing, not the other way around! A redesign looked on the cards. Fortunately, the main sash windows fitted perfectly with the coursing and the small window and door opening sizes were yet to be determined. The stone sheet was roughly cut out and the openings traced through from the polyboard shell. All apertures were increased in size to allow the features some leeway in their positioning. The lintel holes were cut out and plasticard pieces inserted to replace them. The first main window cill was cut-out and replaced likewise, but it immediately became obvious that cills could be planted onto the stonework face. Door sizes were determined and units with reveals made up for all 5 cottages. Likewise, 5 small window units were made. The job then was to glue all of the elements in place. Door cills were also added to complete the facades. Steps can be made on the footpath to reduce the step heights.

Card roof substructures had been made up and now received some slates made from the same laser-cut strips used for the main building on Worton Court.

The new cottages were placed into position and approved! NB: an extra layer of 5mm polyboard was added to the chimney stacks. Whilst the actual size had been accurately calculated for the brickwork stacks, the thicker units just looked right. The gable wall end had its stonework added.

The 'new' boards were dismantled and placed in their rack for the first time with scenery/buildings, and just fitted. Shelf adjustment is still possible, if required.

Setup the exhibition boards:  Firstly, the trestles had their nuts and washers replaced with the new 3D printed knobs. Adjustment was so simple - setting up the trestles in a new venue is always a chore, but it should be much quicker now.

The boards were then assembled, the power, loom and control panel fitted and connected. Lights and features such as signals, the generator engine and its sound unit were tested. Then Laurence got some stock out and had a test run while Stephen brushed and hoovered everything. Meanwhile, Geoff scoured the loft and spare bedroom for other components such as back-scenes, lighting poles, LED power supplies, the 10-way extension lead, the valence and signs, etc. One or two items were elusive, but everything was eventually located and fitted. Where there was doubts about positions or handing of items, new labels were made and fitted. We found one rail joint that occasionally misbehaved and will be dealt with next week. We were generally amazed at how well it all behaved.

Chris Holmes will join Stephen and Geoff next week to go through everything. No doubt a full running session will ensue to test everyone's stock!