Hi,

Just a quick update as we had a group meeting and managed to progress a little work on the layout.

On Scene / Off Scene Bridge and Retaining Wall

There has been quite a allot of work done on the bridge which will provide the on scene / off scene access for the layout. The Bridge / Retaining Wall are being scratch built by one of our group, who is using various materials, such as plasticard, brick sheet and even some 3d printed items. As can be seen from the images below, the main Bridge structure is already in place and the finer detailing is well under way. The lower half of the Retaining Wall is being produced (there will be nearly 4 metres of this eventually) and there is a real mix of materials here with hand cut brick sheet, laser cut plasticard arches, 3d printed arch supports and brick sheet clad plasticard columns.

View under the Bridge to the Off Scene sidings

Above the bridge looking onto what will be the disused track bed

Close up of the bridge construction

Close up of the Retaining Wall

Wall and Bridge in the distance

Sketchup of the Retaining Wall

Catenary

Having agreed the height of the Catenary (36mm or a scale 18'), we've set about shortening each portal so that they aren't too high. We are also wanting the flexibility to be able to run the layout with or without the catenary in place and maybe in the future having the option to run a mix of mk1 / mk3 or just mk3 catenary. To make this possible, we have designed some bases for the portal legs to fit into which can accept a 3mm round magnet. We can then fit a small piece of metal or a washer at the sides of the track bed where the portals will stand and without affecting the pull of the magnets we should be able to put a thin covering of ballast over these. So we should end up with a completely hidden mounting point for our catenary.

This is a pic of one of our 3 track portals and also a shot of the top and bottom of the bases

Cheers, Mark.