bust my buffers (stops)...
Update
Good Afternoon - There's been progress of sorts, but most of this week down have been down with man flu...and reading that Scaleforum thread hasn't exactly been medicinal
To begin with, the turnout is virtually complete, bar wiring and mechanism (more on that in another entry) Note to self: When using an item of rolling stock to check/test running through the crossing, remember to first check the back to back's are right Yep...it's a ridiculous as that...ages trying to tweak smooth running then realised said item was the problem
Anyway, its now done, it's not pretty but hopefully once I have added in the cosmetic chairs around the frog area, painted all etc, it will pass okay. I doubt I will ever be able to produce beautiful sweeping flowing trackwork, but most of my layouts seem to have a maximum two turnouts these days. Hat off to all those that can do so though.
Turnout complete...ish...
May need to redo the point blades before I crack the mechanism...
Next, a start has been made on the wiring. Still not got it clear in my head but I have started to add droppers at the ends of the baseboards which may all end up being fed to a multi-connector so only one gizmo to plug together. The 2mm Association lost wax brass sleepers have been spliced and the wires soldered beneath in an effort to dry and minimise wires soldered to the sides of the rails from my previous efforts. The baseboard has then been scraped with a scalpel to accommodate the soldered wire beneath and this has then been fixed in position with cyno. Again, not the tidiest of work, but hopefully paint and ballast to the rescue. I am about 70% through this and trying not to rush it so to reduce problems in the future. The cables have been lashed together at the ends with a cable tie at present until I decide best methods of bringing together...I'm no sparks me
The start of the sparks...it doesn't get much tidier than this from me...
Next up, a quick test with a magnet for the uncoupling. There will probably be only two uncoupling positions in the front yard sidings to allow run-a-round of freight trains so I am aiming to use fixed magnets. The folding flap/through line whilst gives the extra width and line is compromising in other ways especially for the layout controls but I think I have solutions for that now. One of the magnets used on the sliding stick system used on Kyle has been 'scotched' into position under one of the sidings and thankfully it is powerful enough to work through the thin baseboard construction. So, it may be that I can install a few more for layout future proofing as they work fine in this way.
Small magnet scotched beneath track...works fine...
Lastly, I have built two of the neat Chris Higgs etches for SR buffer stops. I started by tinning the etches as recommended began the folds and then my pathetic soldering skills kicked in and I could not get the etches to stay together after various attempts. Nothing to do with the etches ...everything to do with me.... So, as per the last ones made for Kyle, I assembled these using Cyno Sorry if that offends...and its probably why I still have a huge batch of 2mm Association kits awaiting to be built, but me and soldering just don't make for happiness. The stops have been fixed in position and I have substituted the cross beam for a piece of plasticard to prevent the electrical shorts and using one of each of the etches to act as cutting template for the plasticard. A tie bar has been added in plasticard rod at the rear. Once again, paint to the rescue.
Buffer stops in position...
And from the rear...
Finally, a few gratuitous shots showing some stock placed to help give the layout some context...
This shot pretty much shows the 707mm extent of the scenic portion of the layout...
That's a blue tea tray to block the rubbish and not the BCN sky in the background...
Old Farish 33 needing some work (lowering and drooping battery box for a start) unless Dapol come to the rescue...
Looking down as 33 awaits to depart on a short fitted freight...
That's all to date...perhaps this layout may make it to a 2mmFS event one day...depending how long we survive here in Spain...
- 18
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