Wednesday 26th October 2022

Worklist:

Replace the loom connector on the bridge board with a larger unit to accommodate the new section wiring from the Masons yard.

Modify the loom connections on the station board by replacing the two 'supplementary' connectors fitted previously with a single plug and socket.

Just Geoff and Stephen today.

When adding features to the layout some time ago, a few extra wires across the boards were required, but there was no spare capacity in our 'Cinch' connectors. We took the simple way out and added a spare, but unusual 5-way connector, which was always a bit awkward to connect. We now decided to replace this with another Cinch. However, the only spare 'sets' we had were 20-way, far in excess of our requirement. We did have a spare 12-way socket, so we decided to cut a 20-way plug down and produce 12-way and 8-way plugs. The 12-way male unit was wired-up and fitted on the board.

12-way fitted to the Bridge board, with the residual 8-way awaiting fitting on the Station board.

Geoff had previously 3D printed covers for Cinch connectors, but he now modified one of his existing drawings for the 8-way, with off-set fixing holes, and set the printer going. By lunchtime, the new cover was ready. 

Cut-down 8-way plug with new cover.

Station board - We didn't have a spare 8-way female socket, so rather than cut a new 20-way down to size, we fitted an unmodified 20-way and blanked off the unused holes. We can always change the plug if more wires are needed in the future.

Geoff modifying the loom

Stephen had made up a panel for the new track section change-over switch, which was now trimmed to size and shape. A miniature SPDT switch was wired-up and fitted, before the panel was fitted beside the signal control panel, which was moved the previous week. Labelling was also added.

It was good to get the new section wiring completed, but next week, the rail joint will be cut and the system tested. Modifying the connectors was certainly a worthwhile job and will simplify assembly of the loom in the future.

Finally, Stephen floated an idea he'd had for the masons building. The original idea was that the track went INTO the building, but this surely put a restriction on the types of loco that could go inside? It could create an interesting need for a small IC loco to be used when a steam loco dropped something off, but maybe not. However, he now proposed there be two buildings, with a structure spanning the track between them and a gate below, that would still disguise views of the fiddleyard beyond, where wagon exchange would take place. Separate roof areas create an interesting arrangement with scope for different materials and features, such as a tank house. A new mock-up will be required to investigate the idea further.

Wednesday 19th October 2022

Worklist:

Nothing planned for this week, so setting-up the boards to start with.

Laurence on family duties so just two.

As the trestles and boards started to be erected, a query arose. The two main station boards have central stiffeners and require two bespoke trestles with restraint blocks in the middle. The other two trestles have blocks on the edges, which have caused problems with the Masons boards. These have had blocks adapted or chopped off! A few moments consideration resulted in the trestles being swapped around to perfect positions! The adapted and removed blocks will be repaired reinstated - Doh!

Geoff decided to tidy up the wiring on the two new boards. Connectors had been moved around to suit later additions and mods, and the servo cables flopped everywhere. An 'operating theatre-like' setup developed to ensure the different tools i.e. ferrules, cutters, strippers, crimpers and drivers, were available at the right moment - a very satisfying exercise.

The senior surgeon at work

To begin with, Stephen had been studying the existing wiring relating to the possibility of extending the Masons control panel area of track control onto the Worton Court boards. A working option emerged.

Existing and proposed

Button A2 controls section A2 which incorporates a historic track section. Button A1 controls the section on 'the next board' via the loom with an 8-way plug. This board can be the fiddleyard on a 4-board setup, a transition board for a 10-board (J-shaped workshop setup) and the engine shed board on a 6-board setup. In the diagrams above, A1 goes to the Masons controller selection switch. The output from this switch goes to section C2. A spur from C2 needs to be brought back through the loom to extend control to the new section on WC. Normally, this switch would need only to be set when the layout is set up and so it could be under the layout. However, it is possible that a shunting manoeuvre on WC might require access to the new section and so it needs to be 'reasonably easily' switched. It was decided to locate it on the rear face of the layout, beside the signal switches.

The panel was moved to the left and a new switch and panel started on the right.

Having agreed the scheme, work started. The extra wire was inserted into the loom and as the session ended, a  fixing panel with a switch was being assembled. It was a far more tiring session than the description implies.

Wednesday 12th October 2022

Worklist:

Set up 6 board layout and play trains.

Discuss and issues and develop answers.

It was good to have Laurence back with us this week. He'd digested last weeks post and now watched  Geoff and Stephen put the layout up for another 6 board running session.

After a quick track-clean, everyone put some stock on the layout and Laurence had some basic training on the Masons control panel. There are no track lines or labels on switches yet, and the just-visible pencil lines weren't much help, but it eased him into some operating. He and Geoff then operated both ends of the layout - it felt just like old Cottesmore West days.

Stephen had been working on the cottages at home and wanted to check the required height of the rainwater downpipes. Afterwards, he started to introduce some of the other mocked-up card buildings, as a reminder of how the buildings had progressed, but also to check visibility of the track/operating areas from behind.

Suddenly, the servos started playing up. Something was wrong, but no obvious reason or solution was forthcoming. Geoff got the programming module out and after some abortive tweaks, settled for reprogramming the 7 servo units (3 points + 4 magnets). Once complete, it was back to operating, but better than ever.

After a while, Geoff described to Laurence the idea of a new section on WC to allow Masons trains to be run right up to the signal on WC, by the Masons operator. Discussions ensued on how track breaks, wiring mods and an additional switch could be undertaken. We then discussed the possibility of having a similar section on the quarry line, which would make sense, but would require a bit more work. All would be investigated in due course.

Whilst shunting in Masons yard, a short circuit was encountered. It turned out that a parked wagon wheel was across the track break in the yard while the WC and Masons operators had control of the adjacent tracks. This was more than a nuisance and Geoff suggested that the section should be taken back to the board joint, where wagons were unlikely to be left. However, there must have been a reason for the position chosen, but as neither Geoff or Stephen could remember why, the joint will be 'moved'.

A great day and, hopefully, we'll have another running session next week...

Wednesday 5th October 2022 - A special day in Worton Court history!

Worklist:

Assemble the full 6-board exhibition layout!

Play trains.

Unfortunately, Laurence was unable to join us for what became a memorable occasion.

We had decided the previous week that today we would try and assemble the 'future' 6-board exhibition layout in its straight format. Measurements and quick sketches indicated that it was possible, but would it be operable? Geoff had fabricated a small frame to sit on his work desk and the main station end board was offered up with a temporary cardboard box to support the other end. The trestles normally supporting the next two board joints were put in place, and the boards bolted on. Then the two new scenic boards we had been working on were also attached. These boards were made slightly differently and so location blocks on top of the two trestles had to be trimmed down slightly. Finally, the fiddleyard was bolted on, spanning into the storage rack. All six boards were in place, with 280mm to spare off the back wall. Storage cassettes were added to the fiddleyard roads and were also satisfactorily tested for ease of connection and removal. Both control panels and looms were fitted, but each half was tested separately, before finally trying the whole layout - which (unbelievably) worked perfectly!!!!!

A random selection of photos showing the combined sections:

Engine shed board abutting the seldom-seen side of the bridge.

The hidden 'Quarry line' between WC and the fiddleyard.

Worton Courts long-awaited engine shed, just the other side of the bridge.

The masons factory building with its private siding will sit across the end of the layout, hiding the fiddleyard. A fairly bulky building was planned to act as the backdrop, but this will now have to be considered in respect of access to the fiddleyard cassettes. Maybe alternative buildings for the workshop and exhibition formats would be appropriate?

Shrubs on the new board will disguise the joint. (The big tree also sits in the corner).

Masons yard and siding on the left and mainline on the right. The road crossing became a stopping/handover point for WC driven trains to the fiddleyard. Maybe a few warning signs will be appropriate.

Clearance around the corner of the engine shed was deemed acceptable.

The only problem is having to get on your hands and knees to reach the storage racking on the far side.

Afterthoughts:

Why didn't we think about this format in the first place and save having to build the 4 transition boards? We don't think it ever occurred to us! However, we were used to being able to walk around the end of the 4-board layout to reach the storage racking and to work on the other side of the layout, so forming a solid 'wall' probably didn't seem sensible. During this inaugural session, it became a nuisance crawling on hands and knees to get something from the far side, so it is not ideal. Maybe just for occasional running sessions. We also have the transition boards to finish, so both formats will have their time.

Train handover - As the layout was being operated, the handover stopping places soon came up for discussion. The key point - The 'Local' operator on the new boards can give control of the new boards to Worton Court, but not vice versa. So, a mainline train from the fiddleyard to WC has two options a) The WC operator is given full control of the Masons boards and drives the train the whole way or b) The Masons operator drives the train and stops in front of the bridge, i.e. as far as the local electrical control goes and isolates it. When the WC operator was ready, the mainline was handed over to WC control. However, it was decided that being able to run up to the signal on WC would make more sense. Rather than create a new section on WC, and adding a new panel switch, a section could be created that was controlled by a local (under baseboard) switch that would be set to suit the session. To be continued! Trains running to the fiddleyard on the mainline would remain at WC until both operators were ready for the WC operator to drive at least to the road crossing. The quarry line is pretty straightforward. The fiddleyard operator can set the route control to WC and let the operator drive all the way through when ready and then isolate the route on the WC panel. 

Geoff marked the trestle feet positions for future reference.

We also put some of the new boards into the racking with the scenery in place which fitted!

A truly memorable day.