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Fen End Pit - Show report and more on Slater's Simplex

Fen End Pit

Entry posted by Fen End Pit

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The Ely Show was great, it was good to meet up and chat with several rmwebbers as well as various current and ex-colleagues. The layout operated well all day with faults limited to a broken rail joint on one point, a missing or failed dropped to one switch blade and a missing uncoupling magnet, not too bad for the first outing of a completely rebuilt layout. We had more troubles getting everything in the car than I would have liked but I think we just to learn how to back it better. The public reaction was very pleasing, being voted 'Best layout' was very nice.

 

I'd like to record my thanks to the Ely Club, I'm not a member even though we are local. The show was extremely well organised, we arrived to set up on Friday night to be met by a team of club members all asking to help. We had 'our spot' marked out so people knew where we were going to be (You'd be surprised how many shows we have been to where you waste 1/2 hour trying to find someone who can tell you where they want you to assemble the layout!). Arrangements for exhibitors were good and the lunch catering extremely so (excellent shepherd's pie and apple crumble!). I know that these things take a lot of organising so I'm glad to hear theat the day was successful from the club's point of view too.

 

Bottom line, if you get an invitation to attend the Ely show, take it, it is a good day out!

 

Since getting home I've hit the 5th cycle of chemo so had the requisite week mostly asleep (fortunately without the trip the A&E, 2 days in hospital and industrial quantities of antibiotic required for 4th cycle!). I did manage to make it to visit RailEx and was then cream-crackered for several days afterwards (it was worth it as RailEx is such a good show).

 

Still what you really wanted to see was some more progress on the Slater's Simplex. Sometimes with a kit there is a bit you are just not looking forward to, in this case I was worried about how the etch brass bonnet was going to go together. Straight-forward answer - easier than expected -. The etch rolled up nicely and fitted together well, even the reinforcing bits around the base fitted together nicely. I was really concerned about making the bonnet hinge using a small diameter tube but that managed to go together in about an hour on Friday night. The result is very pleasing, the bonnet sides each open as required to show the engine detail underneath and when closed the fit looks good.

 

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You can see the connector for the speaker sticking out, the speaker hides in the fuel tank and this get hidden too in the end.

 

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You'll notice I have yet to fit the brake wheel yet. the issue is not knowing exactly where to rotate the handle to because I haven't sorted out a driver yet and don't know where his hand will end up.

 

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I've just positioned a 'Perfect People' seated driver on the loco. I'm not going to use this figure but try to modify one to have his limbs slightly more suitably posed.

 

Nearly time to get out the primer.

 

David

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Nawty Quay

Hello David. It was great to see you all at Ely and finally get to see Fen End PIt at last. the layout was worth the wait to see and i hope i didnt make a nuisance of myself by hanging around your stand for so long. It was as inspiring at Ely as it was the first time i saw it in the magazine  and in my opion the public was right to vote it best in show.Well Done. Thank you all for spending so much time talking with me about 16mm i now must get something built on the back of your inspiration. I too would like to thank the Ely Model Railway club for a fantastic day  and to all the great people i meet there. Keep those Simplex pictures and text coming please and I wish you well with your health issues. Kind Regards Alan. 

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  • RMweb Gold
Fen End Pit
  • RMweb Gold

Hello David. It was great to see you all at Ely and finally get to see Fen End PIt at last. the layout was worth the wait to see and i hope i didnt make a nuisance of myself by hanging around your stand for so long. It was as inspiring at Ely as it was the first time i saw it in the magazine  and in my opion the public was right to vote it best in show.Well Done. Thank you all for spending so much time talking with me about 16mm i now must get something built on the back of your inspiration. I too would like to thank the Ely Model Railway club for a fantastic day  and to all the great people i meet there. Keep those Simplex pictures and text coming please and I wish you well with your health issues. Kind Regards Alan. 

Thanks Alan,

It was good to see you again and have a longer chance to chat. It is always good to hear that folks appreciate what I've built and even better if they then feel they want to go off and build something themselves.

David

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malcolmrhine

I am very pleased that you enjoyed your day and the layout looked superb. Best wishes from the Ely Club. Kind regards Malcolm

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