Stacks of sleepers and logs in the Redbridge works yard, with a steam locomotive shunting behindYellow engineers' crane and Network SouthEast locomotives at the Lockton Lane depot
← Chairman's Chatter

Chairman’s Chatter: February 2012

Published 1 February 2012

The Dinner has been and gone and I will repeat my thanks here to Mick Rich for his organization of the event. I presented Mick with 2 Dartington Glass wine goblets and a book on wine, on behalf of you all, to thank him for acting as Secretary for the club for the last 13 years.

The Peter James Trophy was presented to Clive in recognition of his "show and tell" contributions and for the way he has been involved with Redbridge needing to learn and put into practice new skills.

The Winchester Trophy was presented to the "Redbridge Group" for their progress on the new layout and the new methods they are using.

OO Gauge Matters

Progress on Redbridge has been steady but maybe not quite as rapid as we might like. Almost all the group has been involved in the creation of point-work and we now only have the Romsey junction to build. Work on this will hopefully start very soon.

The mainline sections laid on board 1 have now had Tortoise motors fitted, are wired and have been painted and ballasted. We have chosen to push forward on this board as a test bed for some of the techniques and help us all learn the techniques we will use elsewhere. Work on bringing the mainline on board 2 up to the same level is now underway and we will start laying yard track-work on board 1 imminently. We are now starting to plan the structures that we will need to build and so there is a deal of research afoot. With construction of platforms and major buildings we can hopefully make sure the entire group are involved and have "homework"!

More Trylon model foam has been acquired and a 2nd baseboard building party will be scheduled very soon to complete the construction of the remaining main and daughter boards for the scenic section.

EM gauge Matters

All the required LSWR ground signals have been built. These will be fitted, once the trackside scenery details are complete. Construction of the one working bracket signal is now to begin. The station platform tops have been spray painted to improve the appearance of the "asphalt" finish. This will enable platform furniture and figures to be developed.

O gauge Matters

After a few false starts we are at last adding plugs to cables for the big rewire. Roger has made the box for the cables and logic and we now need to put it all together. The fiddle yard will be rewired first leaving Abbotstone for use as required.

Other Business

Eddie has arranged the Pendon and Didcot trip for the 14th July. Please pay the Treasurer the appropriate amount as soon as possible.

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