Wednesday 8th January 2025

Happy New Year to all of our readers!

The first job of 2025 was to mark the ground level on the front extension board and cut down the inner plywood upstand to a few millimetres lower than ground level to allow for the ground materials.

Three 8mm holes were drilled along the edge for the usual M8 bolts that will hold the extension to the main board. This was then set aside and the components for the next board extension assembled. 

Next frame:

Holes were drilled and countersunk in the inner strip for the block fixing screws. The blocks were glued and screwed in place and the part frame was clamped in place.

The 8mm bolt holes were drilled before assembling the framework, which made things a lot easier!

The outer frame side was prepared, glued and screwed to the inner panel blocks. The assembly was put back on the storage rack to dry.

We had discussed the option of tapering the board end and also whether to finish before the bridge structure, but finally decided on the maximum size possible. Adjustments can always be made at a later date.

The first framework was retrieved from the racking and the base strip dropped into place. This was cut to length, screw holes drilled and the strip fixed in place. Along this section, the track is level, so no additional packing was required. A standard cork track bed will be built up. The inner upstand will be cut down in due course.