10th September 2025

With Stephen away on a break, Chris and Ted joined Geoff for a running session to a) view the new front extension, and b) have a good play. Chris brought some of his stock to play with, and leave for use at the show.

They seemed happy enough with the new format....

3rd September 2025

Set up the layout and have a full electrical and mechanical test ahead of Chris and Ted coming down the following week for a play before the show in October. There was a particular track feed problem which could have been a real operating problem, but was easily rectified in the end.

Unfortunately, Chris will not now be able to join us at the show, so the running session is more significant than expected. Stephen will now be missing from the running session and will instead be taking a few days off in Chapel St Leonards, in Lincolnshire.

27th August 2025

Display case, trees, point lever frame

Geoff had progressed the display case board front extension and after producing a final closure piece on the front, the fixing holes in the new section were drilled. A new M8 dome head bolt was cut to length, to match the existing (the original patched-together bolt was dispatched to the spares box). The additional space between the display case and the mainline was checked and confirmed that an extra cassette can now be stored in the fiddle yard (or more display stock).

Geoff had also painted the new end boards. When fully dry, they will be sanded and given a top coat.

We looked at scenery in general and decided that the large tree by the bridge was looking a bit lack-lustre, so more, brighter foliage granules was added. Some of the incomplete trees were assessed and foliage added to the bare frames.

The new lever frame components for the new siding point were assembled and painted. The sleeper base was glued in place and the lever frame glued to it. The two pivot arms and their bases were also glued in place. Rodding will be added when fully set.

 

Monday 18th August 2025

The main task for the day was to start extending the front of the fiddleyard board to the new alignment. The storage area would remain intact, but the display case needs to be moved forward onto a new extension piece capable of taken its weight and the stock being displayed. A lot of thought went into finalising the design and to source suitable materials, but work eventually got underway. It will take a few sessions to complete and paint.

Some rocks were crushed and added to the pile of debris being tipped into the quarry.

Some black self-adhesive vinyl had been sourced and will be added to the underside of the water panel, to protect the paintwork when fitting and removing. 

The tree Stephen had recently finished needed to be planted. However, we couldn't remember if we'd proved that it wouldn't be crushed in transit-mode, so it was decided to make it removable. A suitable brass tube with a bottom flange was inserted from below and glued in place on the foam substructure with hot-melt-glue. Foliage was glued to the base of the tree to disguise the the join.

Wednesday 13th August 2025

The main job was to check the clearances for the Edwards boards. Like the main station boards, the two boards are bolted face-to-face for transport and it was noted at the end of the last session that the new area of rising ground at the front might hit the building roofs. The end plate for the most likely clash was bolted to one board and the other carefully offered up.....

There was a good 10mm clearance so we were able to take another breath. All was ok, but as we had to re-drill a couple of holes, we decided to gain another 5mm.

Geoff had cut out the new MDF end panels and we were able to drill the fixing holes. 

After routing the public side of the track opening, the panels were given a coat of undercoat.

Another very productive session.

Wednesday 6th August 2025

Worklist:
Complete shrubbery around the water pipes. 
Continue the new quarry water insert.

Extend the fence beside the quarry.

Stephen gave the pipes a splash of Green Scene 'Yard Filth', a fine grit in thick brown paint that we have previously used to create the texture of rust. The dry rust was then painted rust colour. The bare ground beside the pipes was covered with scatter material and some shrubbery.

Geoff continued with the quarry and the removeable water sheet. The perspex was placed on a layer of clingfilm that wrapped over the edges, which was then slid into place. Reeds and grasses were then glued on the 'water', tight against the clingfilm. The initial layer of rock/rubble was also glued tight into position under the tipping point. Both areas will be revisited to build up the effects.

Some redundant fencing from the station area was trimmed and fixed in place on the edge of the quarry to close the field off.

Friday 1st August 2025

Yes, a different day of the week due to Geoff's site visit to his 'other project'...

Stephen had researched and started producing a small wooden coal office, but then cut the depth down by 1/3. A little bit of time in Photoshop produced some colour options, for consideration.

However, placing the office on the layout was a bit of a shock - it looked enormous and completely swamped the area, blocking views to some lovely features. It was a non-starter and was unanimously dropped.

Stephen had found two different packets of "Kappler Mill Scale Lumber" and the plank & batten pack was used. Strangely, this was 'all-the-thing' 50 years ago when Geoff had imported some direct from the USA, but he has no recollection of it. The roofing felt was made from dark 'interfacing' (supplied by the wife). Very thin so it folds well and has a nice texture.

Geoff had decided that the solvent blemishes discovered on the new pond Perspex sheet were not acceptable and prepared a new sheet. He started painting the underside again, although not exactly the same. The semi-matt surface of the old water will be replicated by fine polishing and the grey watery depths need another coat. Remembering how the rock spoil was built stretched the memory quite a bit, but Geoff worked it out eventually.

Stephen moved on to the factory water supply pipes extension. Having cut a channel for the pipes, it was now decided to cut the whole area away and fill it flat. Hey presto! (Brown grout sped the process up).

Geoff had 3D printed some new pipes and joint flanges, which were assembled and glued in place.

Some time was spent reviewing outstanding scenery areas (more shrubs and electrostatic grass), painting details and fitting the new point ground frame and fittings.