Time for a holding post. No pictures I am afraid - they will come shortly when the current round of work is complete.

In January 2016 I completed the new tracklaying at Newport. There followed a period of extensive testing during which bugs were ironed out. I have a few rough patches of trackwork still (the first running of a Bachmann PLV van discovered a couple!) but basically the entire layout (barring Medina Wharf which is not yet even started) is running perfectly and I know which bits are not up to snuff and what to do about them.

A period of reflection and playing trains followed during which I decided to make a few more changes.

Firstly, to improve the operation of the layout I decided to make the hidden loops controllable from Newport, which involved making two 24 way extension cables to stretch from one end of the layout to the other to allow the panel to be moved. The voltage drop meant that I had to invest in a high power CDU to kick the solenoid operated hidden loops points into action. This change now means one operator can have fun running Newport to hidden loops. One of my yardsticks for enjoying operation is the ability to do it, seated, from one position.

Secondly, to reconfigure the return loops to allow complete flexibility of operation on the Sandown and Ryde lines heading East out of Newport. Work required to change the running direction of one of the loops is a comprehensive re-wiring and re-positioning of the IRDOTS on one of the loops. Job nearly finished.

At the same time, I have completed the installation of the interlocked frame for Cowes and installed servo-controlled semaphores at Cowes.

Within the next few days I should be able to re-assemble the layout and will take some more photos and videos to show the changes.

I've now been at it for three years (or is it four?) , and the last year has been spent re-working and replacing what had been done to begin with. I have no regrets about this. It is one of those "layouts of a lifetime" and I don't begrudge time spent getting things right. There seems to be no point in accepting things that one knows are not good enough. Because the fun is in the building I don't feel any urgency to get things done.

Chris
Alton
Hampshire