Wednesday 29th October 2025

It was all about plugs and sockets this week. At the recent Farnham show, we had experienced an occasional interruption to the track feed and the controller DIN plug/socket on the main control panel was deemed to be the culprit. Geoff proposed replacing the DIN units for 4 pin XLR units, which had been used for the power supplies. These were ordered and had arrived in the week and so changing them all over took place.

The substantial XLR plugs and sockets

The old DIN plug on one of the 5 controllers.

There were 2 sockets for the panels and 5 plugs, 1 for each controller. It took the whole session, but they will be well worth the time and money.

Wednesday 22nd October 2025

Finish installing the replacement uncoupling magnet in the platform. 

This was a permanent magnet that has become a nuisance as it regularly uncouples trains running over it rather than when the train stops and backs-up.

The new magnet frame had been printed and assembled. 

The hole in the baseboards needed to be enlarged and tidied up, which a chisel and Dremel made short work of.

The unit was then screwed into place and tested for the correct amount of movement.

A minor wiring issue was identified and rectified, and then the onboard servo controller was successfully programmed using the remote unit, to set everything up.

The control panel switch had been fitted previously, so a full test was carried out, again successfully.

Possible next projects were discussed and 'fixing' Johns points was top of Geoff's list. John made his points in his own way. They do work, but due to the way the tie-bar was built, every point operation causes a momentary short circuit that interrupts loco movement. If the operator realises this problem, a loco can be stopped while the points are switched, but it is a bit annoying. Geoff has considered the problem for a long time and has a 'fix' that requires the points to be partially rebuilt. If nothing else comes to mind, that's what we will tackle.

Following the recent exhibition, there were a lot of questions asked by the public, which is always nice. However, sometimes we didn’t have enough time to answer properly or in enough detail, so we are investigating the provision of  ‘Viewing Notes’ on the blog so that they can be accessed on a phone. Sample items have been added for testing. We envisage a viewer accessing the blog using the existing graphical link on the layout front and then accessing the item relevant to where they are along the layout. 

Some are informative and some are to encourage the viewer to look at or into something to appreciate more of the layout. The topics are on the right hand panel of the blog. 

Wednesday 15th October 2025

The post exhibition meeting means unpacking and stowing away. The back-to-back board units were separated, checked for damage and put away. Everything else was consigned to its usual place.

The wooden frame unit (AA-BB) was assembled to form the base for the workshop centre table. As there was a minor delay when assembling the unit at Farnham, the legs were given additional markings to ensure it goes together smoothly next time.

Geoff offered an idea for the next project. The fixed uncoupling magnet at the end of the main platform (Fiddleyard end) had been causing trains to be split when not required, which annoyed him greatly. The station board was up-ended, the area assessed and the fixed magnet removed. 

Standard fixed magnet unit...

...And the hole it came out of, tight to the timber frame.

Geoff confirmed that there was space for a hinged unit and set about finding a spare. However, it was then noted that none of the styles made to date would fit in the location due to its close proximity to the board frame. A new unit needed to be designed and 3D printed. 

Geoff about to modify a standard unit.

Once the new design was completed, the old filament printer needed to be set up, primed and set in motion printing the new bracket. We returned to the workshop and worked out what wiring was required and where to route it. 2 new signal wires were laid from the magnet position, through the loom, to the point switching connectors on the control panel. The now standard micro toggle switch was used. They tested fine.

With the session ended on a successful installation, Stephen decided to take some homework home. The large stone block loads were ok, but the crushed material from, supposedly, the same quarry were slightly tinged which Stephen decided to colour the 'sandstone' blocks. 

After an afternoon cuppa, the teapot leas were poured into a dish and a few stone blocks dunked in the liquid. As the colour appeared to be suitable, the rest were coloured too. Three of the larger stone did not take on the same colour depth as the smaller stones, possibly due to a slightly different mix? Maybe a little PVA? If they are not suitable, some more can easily be cast to match the rest.

Farnham Show - 11-12 October 2025

On the Friday morning, Geoff and Stephen loaded their cars and drove to Farnham. Photo records of previous shows helped, but some modifications were required, and new record photos taken! Note two of the boards stacked vertically in their travelling frame.

The first stop was our hotel to book-in and meet with Ted, our guest operator, and have a cuppa! The school venue was undergoing serious work on a new building and access/parking had been fluid in the run-up to the event, but on the day, it worked out very well. Good access to our space meant unloading was 'short and simple' so the layout set-up went smoothly. We were amazed how much space was in front of us, an excellent working and viewing environment.

Back to the hotel for dinner, then back next morning for the show.

A new timber wall, part of the full-length 3" front extension, which did get used and was very handy on occasions. It also allowed stock to be displayed closer to the viewers.

Geoff had cut the duvet into 4 pieces, for ease of putting it over layout. However, as we wrestled with how to install it without crushing the scenery, a passer-by suggested we hang it over the fascia/lighting frame, which worked perfectly. Why didn't we think of that?

As there was good access to the storage area (fiddle yard), this view was readily available. It shows the three holes into the fiddle yard. Left: the quarry line, Centre: the route to the rear yard of Edwards factory and Right: the mainline, connecting to the 'rest of the world'. The cassettes are aluminium angles on an MDF base and have plug-in end caps for safety. They can be stored in the fiddleyard or moved to a separate table. Empty trains can be set up ready to go, saving time. Many just get moved from one portal to another!

It was an excellently organised and run show. We had a great time and received more enquiries for other shows, which we will consider. There was a lot of attention from a video team who will let us know when it's available on YouTube. It was also the railway clubs 50th Exhibition and they have already created a celebratory video of the show: Farnham show 2025 video.

Finally, our thanks go to Ted, who without his help we might not have been able to attend. He definitely eased the strain of a 2-day show. 

And, of course, we wish Chris a speedy recovery and look forward to him joining us for a running session and hopefully, a future show.

Wednesday 1st October 2025

The planned 'sorting out the boxes' exercise took place. Several solid storage boxes with clip-down lids had been purchased after the last exhibition, but never used, until now. Geoff also brought his master 'what goes in which box' list.

However, the first job was to glue down the ducks with new legs. After agreeing their position, a small screwdriver was used to make a narrow indent into the ground. Superglue was applied to the 'crossbar' between the feet and the ducks pressed down. It worked well.

All of the current storage boxes were examined one-by-one and items generally transferred to a new box. Some items were reallocated to different group boxes and the records updated. They were well filled and their solid stack ability was reassuring. 

Finally, when it came to a sheet to put over the layout at night, only an old, unrecognised duvet was found. In its current format, it wouldn't go the length of the layout, so Stephen borrowed an un-picker and a scalpel, and unpicked enough seams to create a perfect cover. (Thanks for the training Christine!)

Once complete, we were almost ready for the show. We will connect the 2 pairs of boards together just before loading into the cars and squeeze everything else around them!

26th September 2025

The last full working session before the show, so lots of small jobs.

The rocks that pinpoint the uncoupling magnets were replaced with some larger/brighter stones and the front/viewing sides had grass applied to lessen their impact. More flowers were added, and a general toning down of the not-very-realistic foliage colour was carried out with acrylic paint.

The horse had wires twisted around the hooves/fetlocks, which were soldered inside brass tubes. Holes were 'drilled' into the foam sub-structure below and the tubes glued down into the foam. Any wire visible was then painted.

One of the final jobs was to repaint some of the board fascia's where work to them or stray paint had affected them.

 

Next week all of the ancillary items that live on top or under the layout will be checked and loaded into a new set of numbered, stackable boxes, with the contents recorded on the schedules, for easy retrieval.

17th September 2025

Ducks!

No bells?

Geoff had found, downloaded and 3D printed some ducks off the internet. Not only that, after extensive research, he'd painted them! The legs/feet were too delicate to keep, so they were removed, and their undersides filed flat. Stephen was given the job of gluing them onto the water.

Trial running sessions had exposed a problem with the bell sound unit for the signals. The two boards affected were clamped vertical and wires scrutinised. At first, two power leads from the small voltage regulator were loose, but it wasn't the cause. However, the relay unit wasn't working and once replaced, everything was ok. 

Signalling theory: "On arrival at Worton Court, a loco triggers a pedal that alerts the stationmaster of their arrival". The switch is moved to FRAME setting the bell ringing and a flasher on a pole next to the lever frame flashing. After a pause, the switch is moved to SIGN, when the bell stops, and a light on the sign in front of the driver flashes advising that he can progress into the station.

It's not the neatest layout underside, but it has been going and growing for the best part of 50 years.