Have a clear-up.
Everything was packed away to avoid being drenched with sawdust, as Geoff had a lot more woodwork to finish that evening.
Set up the whole layout and check everything over.
Identify anything that needs repairing. (We started a list...)
Check the new control panel is working correctly.
The first job was to have a clear-up. Geoff's main workshop (next door) was being used for a large amount of woodwork, and sawdust had crept into the railway area. As much dust as possible was swept and hoovered away, including a fine dusting that lay over the layout itself, despite protection from several sheets.
The next job was setting-up the layout, making sure the trestles were in the right place and the positions recorded. We started at the window/station end, which rests on a purpose-made frame, that sits on the bench, and finished with the fiddleyard resting on the storage frame.
Stephen set about testing everything on the main station boards - track sections, points, lights etc. Only the goods shed lights had failed, which weren't critical. At the other end, Geoff bolted the new control panel in place and connected the loom. Testing with Stephen's loco running from the other end, only one of the three section switches was the wrong way around. However, it was quickly realised that the painted panels on the panel were not correct. The track in Edwards' yard (unpainted) is actually in the same controller selector as the engine shed, which initially seemed odd. However, after considering likely stock movements, it was decided that this was quite reasonable, so the grey area will be extended to make this clear. Essentially: one section for the mainline. One for the fiddleyard track and a central section for the engine shed and the stone masons yard, which runs onto the fiddleyard. Got that?
The handover areas between the new and old boards were rediscovered by trial and error. And, it seemed, there were more options than we remembered, which should provide many brain-stretching episodes when we run 'in earnest'.
We next located and put small blocks next to the magnet uncoupling positions, refining the positions with multiple test uncouplings. When satisfied, small marks were made on the road surface, which will be adapted to become oil stains or such, to aid operators. It was very satisfying to finally run stock over the new boards. The new boards are working out to be great additions to the layout.
Geoff dropped into the conversation that the Salisbury show is 8 Wednesdays away - a sobering thought. Logistical planning is underway and accommodation was top of the list. Layout-wise, we still have to make end plates to bolt the two new boards together, for transporting. Geoff still thinks we can get everything into our 2 cars (emoji fingers-crossed!).
