Both sessions concentrated on getting the layout ready for the exhibition, so apologies for no photos.
30th March (All three in attendance) - A break-through on the crossover electrical problem. Logic prevailed and investigations confirmed that the two loco's highlighting the problem were 4-wheelers that were only 'picking-up' on one axle, due to dirty wheels or pick-ups (why did it take so long?). A second issue came to light - a slightly bent frog, which was quickly rectified with careful use of a file. Geoff got the electrostatic grass machine out and with Laurence's assistance, worked his way around re-grassing several bare patches. A very satisfying session, in the end.
6th April (Laurence away with the family) - Geoff had been working on scenery during the week and had fulfilled a long held desire to add grass to the front of the platform. He'd also filled in bare and unsightly areas. Some sea-foam trees had taken a bashing and the brittle structures were almost consigned to the bin (we won't use it again). Stephen rescued them, glued limbs back into place, sprayed them matt dark brown and, using a new can of hairspray, gave them a dusting of fresh green foliage. They looked nice, so he then carried out the procedure to the large tree at the top of the bridge track, giving it a much needed facelift. A step was crafted, painted and fixed in place between the furnace and the generator rooms - an omission that had irked Geoff for a long time. 'Water' was added to the ground beneath the water tower. Geoff has been using a thin superglue for this purpose that hardens with a small ultraviolet torch (part of the package). The whole layout was then given a 'deep' clean using small brushes and careful vacuuming. It is amazing how you get used to a certain level of dust and debris.
Geoff had been experimenting with some new figures downloaded from the internet for free or a nominal fee. He then 3D printed them on the resin printer. These were probably real people who had been scanned and converted to printable files. The quality varied, but were generally very good. He had been putting some nice group scenes together. More anon.
Only two sessions before we pack the layout up and head for the south coast!
