This week's modelling was a mixed bag. The week started with me finishing off the signals with their respective identifying numbers KH1 to KH4. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to do this, but after doing it they do look more realistic. Now I just have to install them. To do this I need to install the second MRC 4-way decoder. Today I found some time to mount this decoder and the second DS64 decoder to their perspex mounting boards. Now just have to wire them in, program their IDs and test.
I also had the opportunity of making the last kit, a 'supermarket', for Lachlan's layout one night as well. Now just have to finish this off with a footpath out front.
I ordered some more supplies from MB Klein from my friendly middle man PK last night. Some fencing is in the order and this will be placed around the church and if any left over the farm house.
Unsure what this week will bring. If the night time weather is mild and not too cold, I might get the opportunity to go to the shed to wire up some of the signals, lighting or point motors.
In last night's post I forgot to mention that I had a very interesting chat with Ron Everingham at the Show on Saturday concerning a style of UK coupling specific to shunting operations on small branchlines. No bulky and non-prototypical Kadees here please, or the equally bulky tension lock uncoupling devices. He uses a very thin wire arrangement known as a Alex Jackson coupling, which similarly to the aforementioned couplers, uses electromagnets to do the uncoupling.
Detail can be located at the Manchester Model Railway Society at this page http://www.mmrs.org.uk/technical/ajcoupling.htm. I think I will be doing some reading about this style of operation possibly for use with Pocklington as I am leaning towards it being a small shunting exhibition layout.
Ron suggested some minor changes to the design of the AJ coupler. He uses stainless steel fishing trace wire (11 thou) instead of piano or guitar wire. He also uses a wire loop arrangement around each axle (non bogie types) instead of the stated fixture anchor point. I should have taken a photo of the arrangement but completely forgot about it. I will just have to remember to do that when next I see Ron exhibiting his Broxburn Sidings layout.
I also failed to mention that I did my annual big spend with Horizon Hobbies at the show. I bought a $14.95 Silvermaz NSWGR S truck kit to have a go at. It will join the RU hopper bought last year in the kits drawer, waiting for an opportunity to be made.
During the week that was we had a public holiday for the annual Brisbane Exhibition (Ekka) on Wednesday. I made the most of this day off by starting with going to the club early (~0700) to get stuck into finishing the signal kits that I wanted to make for the Kensington Hill side of Illavearf. I did this and they came up very well. Just the identification numbers to add and then I can install them. Later on the morning I spent some time with Lachlan on his layout doing more grass work.
Saturday was the annual RMCQ model train and hobbies show. I took Lachlan down to have a look and help out if needed. Some very nice layouts, some new and some revisiting, were there. I particularly liked Moelfryn which is a superb OO9 scale layout of a Welsh narrow gauge railway.
PK took a video which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghzApmw0rFQ
Also there was Princetown, a OO scale GWR line.
Finally of particular note was Splitters Swamp Creek. A layout under construction by Geoff, a friend of Mr Mackie's, who is modelling a NSWGR based branchline. Geoff impressed me greatly with the fine hand made track. I look forward to seeing more of the layout as it progresses.
The club had a great show, with patron numbers up from last year. All involved, especially John Kennedy and Janelle Dilger should be congratulated on organising a great show and canteen again for 2011.
Finally on Sunday afternoon after returning from a day trip up to the Sunshine Coast I found some time to continue with Lachlan's layout and added some static grass.
If I get a chance through the week to go and take some photos I will upload to Beaver Springs.
Phew, what a week!
The week started with me starting one of the Eckon two aspect with junction feather kits I got for my birthday. I got most of it done in about an hour and a half, but didn't quite get to finishing it. So this week finish off placing the feather on the signal head and then do the small amount of painting required on the phone box and phone indicator.
This weekend I also got to the shed to finish off some more grassing of Lachlan's layout and pull out the turnout that wasn't working (Lachlan would say "destroyed". He tends to exaggerate a tad!) After pulling it out and testing it it looked fine. Lord knows? I will reinstall it and retest. I also had Lachlan redo some ground work to a darker brown paint so that we can start looking at placing the church in its location sometime in the next few weeks after doing the grass and paving.
Wednesday is a public holiday in Brisbane for the Ekka Show so I might have the opportunity of ducking down to the club for a few hours in the morning. If that doesn't pan out, maybe some shed time. The weekend coming up is the club's annual show so I might not have much time to do anything at home modelling-wise over the weekend but we will see. I will only be able to get out probably Saturday arvo to give a hand.
I also received my complimentary copy of the August edition of Continental Modeller with my article in it. It came up pretty good.
Nothing on the modelling front this week, too busy with other things unfortunately. However during the week some paraphernalia I ordered online under a special introductory offer from Vistaprint (www.vistaprint.com.au) arrived. For a bit of fun between myself and my sons I ordered three caps with printing on the front to make them feel that they are part of my crew. These went down a treat on Wednesday night and they can't stop wearing them. The smiles on their faces were more than the $7 per hat in price. Actually a 'priceless' moment. I also had some 'business' cards printed which I think came up a treat.
Hopefully some modelling this week, even if it is just one of the signals I got for my birthday way back in July!
