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.

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.