The latest meeting proved a minor but important milestone with a building finally planted ( that means glued ! )on the plank. Progress has been slow given the trials of track expansion and creep and subsequent repairs together with three attempts to get the the cobbled area looking right. Martins perseverance in this has been nothing short of saintly (but don't let him know that ). However when I look back and realize the real time expended progress has not been to bad given we only meet month
The latest meeting was the subject of much frustration with the tramway. Martin struggled on tweaking the track (seriously under gauge in parts ) but the running was still extremely poor. Discussion was had regarding what to do, however Martin resorted to the nuclear option of a hefty metal block and sandpaper which to my surprise resolved the issue. A small ( major) issue of the pcb delaminating at the crossing to be addressed next.
As a pleasant diversion Paul Hodgson brought along
Do you remember summer that day between the rain, a side effect of summer was the easitrac creeped and misaligned the points
So several meetings were spent repairing the damage, however finally this was achieved and to celebrate a train was run with some success the points worked as did the uncoupling magnet
A major wobble from the van needs investigation hopefully its B2B. Lots still to do including un-gumming the tramway but that's for next month.
Canterbury 2mm
The plank has spent the last month cluttering up my limited work space, while a storage cover was made. This proved to be some what of a problem with some minor warp-age insuring very few angles where 90 degrees however eventually this was resolved. The opportunity was taken to fit the crossing gate servos these been controlled via a Ardunio Micro given the required sequence required a slow opening of the first gate, a pause while the fireman crosses the road and then opens the second gate.
The last two meetings have been rescheduled although work has continued if slowly
Valentin spent the last meeting demonstrating playing with his new RSU a interesting bit of kit but one I fear from previous encounters would cause me to blow holes in etches .
Martin beavered away quietly on a building while I reinforced the baseboard ends in anticipation of adding a protective storage cover.
Still working on placements although nothing will be fixed until the storag
Last meeting was mainly spent in a planning meeting as to what goes where, numerous rough placements where made and a rough plan emerged. This will involve several scratch built and/or modified kits and I await with interest to see the results of Valentin and Lisa efforts
as a welcome change from track laying for my own layout and having been set the challenge I present the whalf for the plank.
Hope I've got the size right .....
Hopefully will get some shots in situ later this week
Martin quite rightly refused any scenic work until satisfied the track was working correctly now justly satisfied he produced this
mm 18 months work buried
On a more positive note Martin and Valentin will be exhibiting Haverhill South at the following show which comes complete with a brewery model railways and Beer Im not sure
First meeting date for April has been amended to the 17th
The last meeting involved Martin tweeking stock ready for http://2mm.org.uk/layouts/haverhill/index.html next outing on the 5th in Canterbury http://www.canterburysa.co.uk/event/model-railway-exhibition/
meanwhile the shunting plank is now fully wired and next meeting scenic work can commence
Slow progress but at last the track is all down thanks to Martins and Valentins efforts. To speed things up from glacial to tree ring time Ive spent the weekend getting the points servos working First point works quiet nicely although the 2nd has already had some severe rebuilding and requires a little more
However at least I can play test the layout
Class 24 on test
Hughes tram on test which managed the point without stalling although may be fitted with a stayalive
A quick update progress has been steady given we only meet a couple of hours a month, baseboard is down, Martin has been laying the tramway with continuous checkrails which has been tested, fiddle yard cassettes made by Lisa, a method devised for supporting the cassettes of the main run installed. The crossing I built installed which worked on test, Martin has manfully built a Versaline point and Valentine continues his quest to complete a Easitrac point. Points and plain track should
One of the positive effects of the 2010 2mm Expo was meeting with Martin Allen (HAVERHILL SOUTH) and a conversation which led to the formation of a 2mm South Kent area group. By good fortunate we are able to utilize Canterbury Model Railway Clubs premises so we have a home. It is a small group 3-4 regulars and after a year of looking at various 2mm bits and mainly problems ( that a be me then with the problem ) it was time to be more constructive hence the last meeting involved crawli
