Today's worklist:
Continue cladding the factory buildings.
Turn back the time on the trackwork.
Stephen carried on with the hidden facade of the front building and managed to complete the link building as well.
He then turned to the roof. Two of our standard lengths spanned just short of the apex. To reach the ridge, a modified top panel could be made and an overlaying ridge section produced. However, as our standard 'overlaid' panels actually abut each other, a ridge unit will be made that will abut the upper sheets. After some Google image searches, the ridge was agreed, designed and sized. Geoff will draw and print a sample for next week.
Finally, the window apertures were cut out. The double foamboard core doesn't cut smoothly and so the 3D printed windows will have the window reveals incorporated.
Geoff had been looking at old videos of the the early days of the Talyllyn railway, in particular, the overgrown state of the track at the time of its opening, and he decided to replicate the same feel. A selected mix of flock and foam were glued along and beside the track, on a bed of diluted PVA.
The effect was superb any misgivings were laid aside. On a sample area, an overcoat of a lightly sprayed glue or hairspray will be tested to prevent the foliage lifting and catching in the under gear.
Geoff also produced another mix of powders and fine grit for the cottage footpath. Laid on a bed of PVA, we'll see how it actually looks once the excess is hoovered off next week.
Another issue discussed was the backscene - the 6mm vertical white-painted MDF board at the rear. On Worton Court station, it is at a height that allows operators to reach the track. Towards the bridge/tunnel end, it rises up to a higher level, where no track access was required. On the new boards, the station level would be required through the factory area. For the cottages and engine shed area, a level between the two could be accommodated, but not the high level. After experimentation, a suitable height was agreed for the first 500mm which will require the WC back board to be reshaped accordingly.
