Progress Report 8 October 2003
Updated 7 November 2003 (Now with Photographs)


Sixteen months again since the last update but at least this time we have made considerable progress on the layout. Our most recent update on the layout stated that we had completed Level 0 and would progress the electronics before moving on.
Change of plan and perhaps a bit better organised we have progressed the layout building and will tackle the construction of electronics during the winter months when it really is too cold to venture into the railway room and work.

Having started again in the Spring of 2003 we started on the construction of the level changers along the back of the layout - Level 0 to 4 and Level 4 to 8. Starting against the wall, we created the Outer Level 4 to 8 and working inwards via the Level 0 to 4, the Level 4 section that runs to the Level 4 terminus and finally to the Inner Level 4 to 8.
Having achieved all the level changers we constructed the Level 4 boards at both ends and finally along the front where the Level 4 through station and hidden loops are. Track laying now began in earnest starting at the Level 0 to 4 level changer we brought the track up the rise, round the corner to the junction. Onwards round the front and laid track for the 4 hidden tracks. Back to the junction and we laid the track for the Level 4 through station.
At the far end we then laid the tracks from the 4 hidden lines and the through station into the second junction and then round the corner to the Level 4 to 8 level changer section.
At this junction we decided to lay the track in the same order that we had built the level changing boards - start with the Level 4 to 8 outer, Level 0 to 4 already in place, the Level 4 tracks to the terminus and finally the Level 4 to 8 inner.

Having reached this stage we then constructed the Level 8 boards from the top of the level changers round the front corner and along the front of the layout for the Level 8 through station (over the top of the Level 4 hidden lines) and finally the boards for the Level 8 dumbbell. Baseboards completed we went back to tracklaying and laid in all the Level 8 track from the top of the level changers, round the front corner, along the front Level 8 through station and completed the dumbbell.

Track feed power has been installed every 2 yards of track and then left to hang below to be connected up later; all point motors have been installed as we progressed and then tested, again wires left hanging for now awaiting the construction and installation of the electronics.
One final task (a messy one) for this year was to ballast all the visible track areas using the Modellers Mecca 'Brush It On' ballast and then to clean all the excess off when dry and finally clean the track.

That only leaves the construction of the Level 4 terminus which will come much later once the bulk of the scenic work has been completed on the main layout.
Our tasks for this winter include the construction of a large number of Metcalfe and Superquick models (some to be built as is and others to be kit bashed to suit our needs); the construction of a large number of electronic modules for the point mechanisms, signals and infrared detectors and the installation of Lenz decoders into steam and diesel locomotives. That should keep us busy through the winter months and give us ample opportunity through next year to advance the layout again at the speed we achieved this year.

We will be uploading photographs during this month and here are The photgraphs.

We have mentioned in previous reports that we do spend time demonstrating Microsoft Train Simulator at Model Railway Exhibitions. If you do visit exhibitions, why not come along and have a chat to us. Click Here and then click on the Diary to see where we are demonstrating in your area. We'd love to see you and chat Model Railways just as much as chatting about Train Simulation.

Finally, we mentioned in the last report that the elderly gentleman in our midst had built his own model railway in his garage, well we now have a link to his web page showing the thoughts and plans (and changes of plan TeeHee) and photographs of his layout. For anybody having an interest in the Class 08 shunter (Gronk) then there are nearly 100 photographs on his site. Jims site can be visited by clicking here.

Page last modified: 8th October 2003 by Onehouse <tfc@onehouse.co.uk>
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