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Lambourn awakes

RichardW1

Entry posted by RichardW1

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Hello everyone-

 

I have been foolish and accepted (perhaps I offered?) to dust off Alan Martin's finescale model of Lambourn for an upcoming show. I acquired this layout a number of years ago, and it has rarely been shown since. I have to say I'm quite excited by the opportunity to get things running again. At it's last showing the shuttle failed, and I never got round to fixing it.

 

The first task this weekend has been to (find) and renovate the layout legs. These are made solidly from 2" square timber with ply corner braces. Once located (Hidden in the loft) the accumulated dust was removed and the legs painted. The two pairs of legs are joined by plywood sheets, bolted in place with 6mm bolts and wing nuts. These I could not find, so a trip to the nice people at Screwfix provided me with new bolts, washers and pronged tee nuts, which in the space of an hour or so meant that the support frame was fit to be assembled.

 

So as the legs were up, I took a deep breath, and put the layout on top! Alan's design meant that there are just two jumper cables connecting the three boards, and these were found in the box where I left them (Stunned disbelief!) and it was then that I noticed the loose wire on the fiddle yard board- tracing this through it was to the reed switch for the shuttle, which presumably is why it stopped working. It took a couple of minutes to cure that.

 

A quick clean of the trackwork, and a rummage for the railcar, and to my delight it not only ran first time, but the AMR shuttle system works flawlessly. A real testament to Alan's skill in setting it to work. The layout must be what?..30 years old, and hasn't run for maybe ten years, so I am really very pleased.

 

The power supply unit needs to be replaced- it was originally built into a wooden cigar box fixed below the layout. This will no longer pass scrutiny for exhibition purposes, so a new, safer unit must be made.

 

There is some gentle work to do on the scenery- not much, a bit of dusting, refixing of some bushes and trees, and a bit of work on the stock, but all looks favourable for a gentle return to the exhibition circuit.

 

Oh where I hear you ask? Well, it will be at Keen House on Sunday 17th November for an open day at the MRC. Official details for the day will be made nearer the date.

 

Now I have some funny stock and green locos to service!

 

Richard

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D869

Glad to hear that this layout is still around Richard. I had no idea that you had it.

 

Still it'll give you somewhere to run that 2-6-2 eh?

 

Regards, Andy

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  • RMweb Gold
2mmMark
  • RMweb Gold

Nice to hear that, Richard. I'm sure Alan will be pleased too. Lambourn is constructed very robustly.

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RichardW1

Glad to hear that this layout is still around Richard. I had no idea that you had it.

 

Still it'll give you somewhere to run that 2-6-2 eh?

 

Regards, Andy

Andy-

not many people remember that I had it- even I forgot sometimes!, and you're quite right- the 2-6-2 was acquired specifically to run on Lambourn. It will be a real incentive to finish it- In fact the valve gear was assembled on Friday and the chassis now runs, but I need to order the pony wheels, (assuming 6mm wheels are in stock!)

Richard

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RichardW1

Nice to hear that, Richard. I'm sure Alan will be pleased too. Lambourn is constructed very robustly.

It was- This afternoon's working up session was a great joy- what have I let myself in for?

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richbrummitt

I need to order the pony wheels, (assuming 6mm wheels are in stock!)

 

Let me know if they are not: I have some not yet packed away that you can 'loan' until I get a chance to put them to use on an identical chassis build.

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Nigelcliffe

I found that using an airbrush to blow dust from a layout worked well,  perhaps combined with something to try to catch the now airborne dust .

 

-  Nigel

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RichardW1

I found that using an airbrush to blow dust from a layout worked well,  perhaps combined with something to try to catch the now airborne dust .

 

-  Nigel

I like that idea- thanks Nigel

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