We are into the fourth quarter of the year, with the AGM looming and the autumn exhibition season getting under way. Work on the physical infrastructure of Eastleigh is starting to show results, and hopefully we can ramp this up in the coming months. We have some slightly different items in the programme this quarter, including a talk from Mr NSE himself, Chris Green. Dave R
General chatter
With the cancellation of our trip with Redbridge to Worthing (due to costs) we found ourselves with more general working sessions than we had planned. The upside is that we have made real progress on Eastleigh and kicked off working sessions on the test track.
An added bonus (for some) was a short-notice invitation to make up the numbers on a tour of Eastleigh Arlington Fleet Services. The trip was organised by a group from the Isle of Wight, and eight of us were able to go. It was an interesting tour, inside and out, and let us get up close to a vast range of equipment being renovated or stored.
Redbridge Wharf (Clive “Watty” Watson)
Remedial work has been carried out since Key Model World at the NEC, including scenic repairs to the wharf, re-soldered rail joints, a replaced servo, a wiring fault tracked down, stock box labelling, a modification to the military train and a fixed station canopy. The to-do list is getting shorter at last.
The multiple derailments we had at the NEC on the Saturday morning have prompted a rethink of how we stock the layout (we were very swan-like that morning!). More on that in time for Taunton, our last outing of the year.
Abbotstone (President Shaw)
Abbotstone is quiet at the moment but ready whenever a member wants to run a train or two. DC running is available at any time; DCC needs 24 hours’ notice.
NG7 and the L&B
Progress is being made steadily, with Bratton Fleming being built by Andy Keane. Plans for testing all the sections together are under way.
President’s Ponderings
It is good to see Eastleigh progressing. Baseboards are always a slow part of any project, so thanks to everyone who has contributed to the build. We will soon need to think about track laying and the items needed for control. It is easier to add wires and devices as we go.
Next year’s Presidential Dinner date and location are being finalised and should be announced at the AGM.
Project Eastleigh (Dave R)
We are making progress, albeit slowly, and now have eleven of the twelve Eastleigh boards assembled. Dave Pinch has been tracking progress and planning the diagonal bracing, which has now been added. Most of the boards have been painted (thanks, Peter S). The last board needs some creative adjustment of the main bracing in three places to make room for turnout operating mechanisms.
Strengthening pieces have been added to the inner sides of the scenic and fiddle yard boards, and we are working out how the front and rear board pairs will connect to carry the lighting uprights and backscene.
A prototype support and transport trolley has been built and then shortened slightly, as it would have been a tight fit between the wheel arches of some vans. We have also inset the wheels to bring the display height down to almost exactly that of Redbridge, which makes it friendlier for smaller visitors and wheelchair users. A second trolley is almost complete and the third is well under way.
For lighting we have found some suitable, and cheap, 12 volt LED units, and we will reuse Redbridge’s old aluminium poles, cut down, to carry them. The mounts still need designing.
There is lots to do. If you fancy taking the lead on any part of it, that can easily be arranged.
The test track (Jerry G)
First, thanks to Chris Jenner for kindly donating the two boards for the test track, and to everyone who filled in the questionnaire. It helps us understand what members would like to see included and which skills people want to learn.
Alignment dowels and catches have been fitted, the tops sanded, and an appeal has gone out for useful equipment. Please only donate items in good condition; there is a storage box in the club room for test track items. On Wednesday 16 September both boards were covered in cork, and next we will be working on the track layout.
