Wednesday 9th November 2022

Worklist:

Make and fit remainder of aluminium tunnel supports.
Review the new factory buildings shell.

Modify the backscene panel.

Discuss the whole site area.

Geoff and Stephen actually started the session not sure what to do. Stephen had been working on new factory building cardboard parts, so the two new boards were set up. Geoff then remembered that he needed to make a third aluminium tunnel support and fit it and the one he'd made last week.

Try out new factory building cardboard shell.

A van in front of the future ground level loading area.

Stephen assembled the various parts of the building and checked for fit, alignment and obstructions. Once Geoff had finished the brackets, serious discussions about the building took place. Geoff made a few comments and suggestions, and then realised that we hadn't given the back scene any consideration, so this was retrieved from storage. This panel (erstwhile having two holes for track) is normally bolted to the bridge board into ferrules fitted into the bridge. In a 6-board format, the panel would be fixed to the 3-track factory board. We needed another hole! The panel was offered up and the new hole marked-up for cutting out, but 'the hole' contained a fixing point. A new fixing point suitable for bridge board and factory was decided and the hole cut out. A 100x50mm timber block was produced to support the panel on the factory board and house the fixing ferrule. It all went well.

The new central hole

New fixing and support post

The corner of the board had to be reinforced with a block to allow the panel bolt ferule in the corner to be fitted. The block was deliberately over-sized to form a base for a pillar for the overhead pipework structure to be planted.

With the buildings sketched out, the purpose of stone works, final building use/style and potential use of yard was discussed in more detail. It was decided that the central gap between the factory and office building would be a full-width vehicle dock with a pair of double doors (for the time being). Stephen then used previously 3D printed pallets and stoneware items to investigate how the yard might be used. Geoff suggested that pallets might not have been widespread in the early 60's, and that crates and straw packing might be appropriate. Some investigation required.

Another productive day.

Wednesday 2nd November 2022

Worklist:

Finish the wiring for the new section and test new section switch.

Review how the new section can be used.

Review a new building design.

Laurence away today, so just two again.

The full layout (less fiddleyard) was erected and the control panels and looms fitted, but not powered up. All of the mods carried out the previous week were physically checked again, with an emphasis on whether the 19vDC feeds (for trackside features) had been reconnected correctly. The new section was tested from both panels with a continuity meter and once satisfied, the power was switched on. 

Firstly, a new track break was made adjacent to the signal and then the feed from the new switch was connected to the new section. The break position wasn't the first option - something half-way was initially considered, but the chosen position allows a train (controlled by 'next-door') to run right up to the signal - a natural place to stop. A main panel operator can easily take control of the empty section if more room is required for a shunting manoeuvre further along the station road. 

Trains were sent back and forth between the two areas. However, it took a little while to realise that there was now more than one way to do it! Only practice will decide what the 'default' method will be. 

Geoff moved on to infilling the rear face of the Masons boards, where the backscene will eventually be fitted. Strips of 9mm plywood were prepared and screwed in place. It was decided to fabricate aluminium strip posts to fit at the ends of the tunnel construction, to reduce accidental damage while erecting/transporting the boards.

Stephen had prepared some paper overlays of the new masons building facades, and now fitted them to the existing cardboard mock-up. It immediately looked better. The idea is to form not an entrance into the building, but a tunnel through to a rear yard, which would allow a wider range of engines to be used. With obscuring the mainline fiddleyard in mind, the very first idea used a stone archway conveying spoil to the tips beyond in small wagons. This has latterly been overtaken by piped waste being pumped over the track. The support structure will have to provide a visual break so solid frames will have to be investigated.

The part of the building viewable through the archway will be extended through to the fiddleyard beyond (see below). Motorised gates are planned for the face of the building fronting the yard. There are still two servo circuits available, so the entrance gates and the 'indicative' sliding door shown could both be servo controlled!

It was a productive, but very tiring day.