We agreed at the AGM that a club dinner would be held and I said I would find a suitable venue etc. Finding a venue with a private room and no charge for the room is proving difficult. We hare looking at options for the 21st or 28th February
OO Gauge Matters
Track Laying
With the exception of the Romsey lines (from the junction) all mainline tracks and point work are now laid. The final section was the "sweeping curve" across the causeway, one track being concrete sleepers and the other being bullhead rail on wooden sleepers.
Almost all of the track work wiring is complete. The next major task is to compete the installation of the tie bars and point operating mechanisms.
Wiring & Control
Electrical continuity testing continues and a specification is being developed for the inter baseboard cable joints. Various options and combinations are bins considered including "D" and SCART connectors.
Fiddle yard Servo and Tortoise point operations have been identified and parts ordered to complete.
Buildings & Other Scenic Items
Work is underway to finalise the arrangement in the Works with much juggling of card mockups to establish the best combination to accommodate the main features of the works. A mock up has also been constructed for the up station building in low relief.
Operations at the Prototype Sleeper Works
There was a chance meeting at Keith's funeral with an ex railway man from of Redbridge Works. Richard G followed up leads with the result that a visit to view the layout has been arranged for the 28th January. It is hoped to gain some information regarding traffic movements and works procedures.
EM gauge Matters
With Mawgan Porth due to be exhibited at Basingstoke in March, the layout and stock are being prepared and tested.
O gauge Matters
Preparing for our forthcoming exhibition is now our primary task. The layout is now DCC ready but will remain in DC mode until after the show in March.
Other Business
The Southampton Club show at the end of January ( 24th & 25th, Barton Peveril College, Eastleigh) is well worth a visit. “Yes Tor” will be there and this may be the last time you will see it as the owner Graham Hatton is not well. His LSWR stock is some of the best you will see and being a “track” person for network rail, his super elevated track and the layout generally will make the exhibition worth visiting.
