Soldering on!

Time to solder some sleepers on my 00 gauge Last Great Project Layout. The track and wires were put in place after PVA glue was spread where the track was to go.  . 

The rails were then soldered to the copper clad sleepers.

Then it was al weighed down to make sure it was flat whilst the glue dried. 

I still have over 50 copper clad sleepers to do so this is going to take a while but at least it is a start! I just need to solder on!

Back at the Rocks by Rail Museum I am soldering, sorry soldiering, on with the grass cutting. The wet warmish weather has accelerated the grass growth so it is hard going. As Rob said, looks like you created a grass path to the dump truck!

Meanwhile, back in the restoration shed, John is adding the final bits to the 3 plank wagon with these supports for the drop sides. They are sprung which means the sides should lower without slamming down and hurting anyone, but equally important help in raising the sides back into position.

John and Andy deep in discussion about a latching mechanism to hold the drop sides in place when upright. I think I may have disturbed the train of though when I took the picture! However I am sure they have it worked out!

Being Curious!

This box caught my eye as I walked out of the Bingham Model railway exhibition. It was the end of the day on the last day so there was not much left but there was something about the description on the box, wired for chip but no chip  and that low price which made me curious!

It was a 44 ton switcher as the box confirmed.

This was inside.

Even has a driver.

So, my curiosity as to exactly what was meant by the description on the box was raised even further. Luckily the seller was on the stand and confirmed that the only thing wrong with this never run model is that he was going to use the chassis for a kit built body but that did not work out but he had cut the wires to fit a DCC chip but had never done the final work. Well that final bit of work is exactly what I would be doing to this model anyway so for the bargain price of £25 this came home with me!

Whilst actually in the show I came across the guy who does the resin prints that I bought some of at the Sleaford Mode Makers Show last year. He is expanding his range and all profits go to the Lincs Air Ambulance so a great cause to support as I told Mrs. Woody as I selected these items!

The narrow boat will go on my 009 narrow gauge layout Chalkdon. 

These line side telephones will go on my 00 gauge layout.

This rather nice crane will probably also go on Chalkdon.

As will this gantry crane.

 Lots more projects to complete for me then! I really should not be so curious!

Bingham Model Rail Way Show 2

Continuing on from yesterdays look at the Bingham Model Railway Club 2024 Show we have an usual concept that is brilliantly executed. Blue Heron is a USA switching layout but built to be displayed in the dark! Great lighting and audio affects along with the use of an electrical mechanism from an opticians examination laboratory that allows the layout to be raised and lowered makes this a great layout.

Proving that you do not need a lot of space for a layout, Littlepoint Wharf comes in at around 4 foot by 1 foot in size. Get close up and lost in the scene you forget about the small size.

Another small layout was Bridges. 

Although 009 narrow gauge it did habe some standard 00 gauge track as well showing the skill of the builder with this hand built dial gauge point. Now that is skillful!

The rest of the layout was to a high standard and novel with its trackwork design.

Well those are the layouts I really liked.

I did find myself parting with cash for a couple or three items, but more of that tomorrow!

Bingham Model Railway Club Exhibition 2024

An unexpected visit to this exhibition that nearly didn't happen. I was only reminded about it this morning when I looked at an email and suddenly had to inform Mrs. Woody that I was taking her out for the afternoon. I didn't say where but getting near the venue I think there was a realisation for Mrs. W as we followed the signs to the 'Model railway Show' that her afternoon out was not going to be for afternoon tea!

The Bingham Club show is one of those small but cosy and friendly shows and it was again this year - well worth the £5 admission. 

There were around 20 layouts, some demonstrations and several traders - more than enough for Mrs. W to enjoy!

Most of the layouts were modest sized ones that individuals had built. There were a couple of club layouts too and most scales were represented.

In 0 gauge, Denton Sidings showed that you don't need a massive space for an interesting 7mm scale layout. Just under 12 foot by 2 foot wide and packed with details. A real credit to its builder.

Lets get the focus right!

That piano is not going to fit in that house!

I believe there are over 500 individual bricks in that foundation!

Another layout that took my eye was this n gauge layout, Burdock, which whilst being nothing more than a tail chaser was actually operated as such with only a few seconds between trains. A great selection of prototype locomotives featured on the trains as well as the ducks! And there were a lot of them!

Some other interesting layouts and I will look at those tomorrow.

More weathering!

As I work my way along the baseboard I am weathering the track with an airbrush and some earth/rust coloured paint. It takes the shine off the metal rail and makes the sleepers look more like they are old and worn - just like me!

As in previous episodes of this rather boring job I have mask off points and track joints to ensure no  electrical issues arise later. I can use a brsuh later to touch in these areas.

There is a fair amount of track on this baseboard and painting it all has taken some time. The four tracks towards the back of the baseboard will be hidden from view so don't need painting or indeed ballasting! 

 I believe that is all the track done on that base board now so a bit more wiring to do and then realign it all and glue it down!

Sleeper time!

Time to cut some sleepers from the copper clad strips that were in the WMD Stores. You have got to admire the Stores as they do have good stocks of required materials or as Mrs. Woody would term it, junk!

The sleepers were cut to match the plastic sleepers of the track. Where the rail is to be soldered to them I pre-soldered some spots which should make that process a bit easier. I also remembered to cut through the copper film so that there would not be any short circuits and just to make sure I had cut right the way through I tested each sleeper with a circuit tester - work smarter not harder as I get older!

The sleepers were then glued with superglue to the already glued in place plywood subbases. That s a lot of glue in one sentance!

Then the plastic sleepers were removed from the rails where they went over the copper clad sleepers. The four tracks at the back of the baseboard will need a similar procedure but as they will be hidden I have some copper clad sheet in stock which might make life easier.

Once I get the rest of the track in place, glued down and wired I can then cut through the rail. Hopefully I havent forgotten to do anything in this process or you could say I was sleepering on the job!

 

 

Modern antique art?

Back at the Rocks By Rail Museum today and having completed the Easter holiday events it was time to change the banners for the next event.

The old banners that I altered with stick on new dates have weathered but they did the job proving the concept works and saves cash.

Then it was back to grass cutting! However a new feature has emerged! The old wagon that fell apart when moved that I posted about some weeks ago has had its surviving parts mounted on display in the car park offering a unique, in my view, take on modern antique art!

I like this! Maybe Mrs. Woody would like something similar in the WMD garden - or maybe not!