A Happy New Year to you all. May it be the year that both the 0 and 00 layouts start running again.
Please note the change of date of Portland attending the Basingstoke show in 2018.
OO Gauge Matters
Exhibition
We have agreed to the include the layout in the upcoming exhibition in Brockenhurst on the 28/29th May. The layout will not be finished at that time as much work remains to be completed before the event date. However, but we do expect to have all of the trackwork, the control systems and some items of scenery completed.
Wiring & Control
Work has continued on completing the control, system. Several changes have been made since the last detailed report in June 2016. It is expected that a detailed operating manual will be produced to enable all to understand it. Changes to control have required updates to teh fiddle yard, as well as quality improvements on the rail soldering. This is almost completed.
Scenery and Structures
Work has progressed rapidly on the rail and road bridge’s over the causeway. Both are now in place along with the approach roads and interface with the river, as well as the old bridge.
Work has continued on the proposed layout for the sleeper building structures, using mostly card but with some brass/plastic components. The final arrangements are to be completed. The narrow gauge Trackwork and pointwork leading into the creosote plant has been constructed using 2 mm gauge rail and brass sleepers
Scenic Section Trackwork
The Romsey route Trackwork has been laid and requires ballasting.
The 3rd Rail
After looking at some the options available the system components have been agreed being 3rd rail section and the insulators using brass pins suitably modified
EM gauge Matters
We have been busy preparing Mawgan Porth for the Southampton Exhibition.
We hope to have 2 groups operating on Saturday and Sunday.
Many thanks to club members volunteering to help with transporting the layout to and from Barton Peverel.
O gauge Matters
The new box of tricks (named as this as I never quite know what to expect next!) is complete although testing has proved to show up one or two problems.
When the basics are OK we shall connect the outputs to the component board which is the link to the actual baseboards. My target of March is achievable just to get Canal Junction working in DC mode.
It has involved extra visits to the cold clubroom but this has proved to be worthwhile. My thanks to Jeff who has also braved the cold.
Other Business
There will be more clubroom working parties in January and March, please turn up and help tidy and maintain the facilities .
The Club Dinner is arranged for Saturday 25th February at the Potters Heron Hotel.
