Greengiant

We now have 13 shows under our belt, each time, we have a list of tweaks and improvements to incorporate before the next outing. One such improvement is a simple operator notification that a train is ready indicator. We do not run to a sequence or timetable, but just wing it and go with the flow. An issue we (mainly me) did have was forgetting if a loaded or unloaded train had been sent under the crane. Because everything runs slowly, it can take a while for a train to be loaded/unloaded. Also talking to spectators which I enjoy, distracts me from what is going on, but talking is a vital part of the showing experience. The up shot of all this is when I look under the crane I cannot remember was the train I sent loaded or unloaded and ready to depart? Sometimes your progress is prevented by a lorry blocking the exit, so you go back to shunting the front line instead. I changed the operating method by adding a simple rule, empty trains from factory to crane and loaded trains from crane to factory. Which worked well, but I kept forgetting to check if the train had been loaded and move it out of the way. We do not shout to each other when a train is ready, it is usually a knowing look or nervous twitch which alerts you! To improve on this we simply cut two new control panels on the laser, which included space for two extra switches and yellow LEDs (see photo below). Now when the crane operator is ready for the train to be moved, they press the switch next to the relevant track the train is on and the LED flashes on the crane end control panel and the factory end panel. I take control of the train and press the same switch on the factory panel and this cancels the flashing LED. All very simple and basic I know, but when you are operating 7-8 hours a day over two days, every little helps. A short video demonstrating the procedure. Martin

This Sunday we had a photo shoot for Hornby magazine, for those that have done these you will know what a long day that can be to get the right shots, plus some video. They always seem to come up with angles and views we had never considered. Looking forward to seeing the results, just the article to write now! Martin

We had a great time with The Yard at Ally Pally, very pleased with all the kind comments we received, much appreciated, makes all the hard work worthwhile. The lorries and crane were popular, the supplied sturdy show barriers proved popular for leaning and watching the layout in operation. The show Stewards were all very helpful. The only downside, which is entirely our own doing, we did not get much chance to see the rest of the show, the layout needs constant operating, there is nothing you can just leave running. Will rely on the photos and YouTube videos posted over the coming days to catch up. The weekend is catching up with me today, will leave it a while before working through the small snagging list, ready for the next show in July. Martin

We had a great time with The Yard, very pleased with all the kind comments we received, much appreciated, makes all the hard work worthwhile. The lorries and crane were popular, the supplied sturdy show barriers proved popular for leaning and watching the layout in operation. The show Stewards were all very helpful. The only downside, which is entirely our own doing, we did not get much chance to see the rest of the show, the layout needs constant operating, there is nothing you can just leave running. Will rely on the photos and YouTube videos posted over the coming days to catch up. The weekend is catching up with me today, will leave it a while before working through the small snagging list, ready for the next show in July. Martin

Thanks for the link, I was in Paddock exhibitor parking, my car is listed as owing one hour at £1.50 plus £0.20 ‘Convenience Fee’, on Saturday for 17:29 to 18:29. 17:29 is when we drove out of the carpark to go home at the end of the show! Martin

We were not allowed in the North car park we were in yesterday when we set up and were directed to exhibitors parking in the Paddock car park and got the shuttle bus back. Was not expecting to have to pay for parking and so far haven’t. We had a busy day with The Yard, on the go all day. Very pleased with the feedback we got. Martin

We are all set up in the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace, all very easy, especially being able to take our vehicles into the hall. Back home by 4pm, looking forward to the two days of the show. Very pleased with the amount of space we have. Only downside was the London traffic! Martin

Layout all packed up and ready for loading tomorrow morning, then off to Ally Pally to be there, hopefully by 12 noon to set up. Martin

The Yard has had its final testing today, prior to being taken down and packed ready for the trip on Friday. Martin

Some buildings for garden line in 1/19 scale made using hand scribed PVC Foamex. Martin

These are in 7mm scale, I drew them up in Adobe Illustrator and cut them out of 2mm MDF on my desktop laser cutter. Pipework is Evergreen tubing with some 3D printed bends my friend produced for me on his resin printer. The electrical wiring is copper wire feeding MDF electrical boxes and junctions. Martin

We made some tweaks to the barriers to get them just where we want them, pleased with the result. An added bonus, I had some rubber end stops in stock left over from a car project which fit the pole. Neale has kitted out the new crane transmitter box, very pleased with how it has turned out. Far simpler and not as distracting as the original orange handset. A Brucie bonus is its fits the control panel shelf as well! The buildings are all back on the baseboard now. All I need to do now is service the rolling stock and weather the Class 08. If I get time a few little scenic bits to add to the layout. Then we will have a test running session next week to familiarise ourselves with operating, especially now that Neale has tweaked the lorry control handsets with different power curves for steering and drive and the crane with flatter curves. If all goes well, we shall be ready for Ally Pally in just over a weeks time and a magazine shoot in April. Martin

The latest bit of work on the layout is the wiring. We don't have a vast area of scenery, so I am trying to get as much included as possible. Whether the end result is worth the effort involved, only time will tell. I have used 0.7mm wire for the cabling and bent up cable clips from 0.45mm wire. It took a bit of trial and error to come up with a technique that gave consistent results for making these clips. They have a long spigot because this is passed through the building wall and bent over to hold the clip and wire in place, no glue required. Clips inserted with tweezers. This is then held down tight with the tweezer handle while the wire is bent over inside the building. The cabling is effectively floating above the wall surface, this means small pieces of paper can be slipped between wall and cable to mask while painting the cable. The cable is initially coated with a black marker pen prior to installation, this then seems to take black acrylic fine. A couple of installations, just a few more buildings to go now. Martin

A bit of below the scene work done this weekend. Not all shows provide barriers. We need them to stop people getting into our line of sight when operating the crane and lorries. It also keeps fingers away, the front edge of the layout has taken some punishment at shows. Takes hours to make and seconds to ruin. We welded up some strip and tube and used a set of tent poles for the bar. To attach the legs to the layout I used Rivnuts, one of those tools you don’t use much, but very useful when you do. For this purpose M6 nuts to match the rest of the bolts were used. It acts like a big pop rivet gun to fix the threaded inserts. Rivnut blanks The layout support on its back ready for drilling the rivnut holes. Rivnut insert loaded onto the expanding tool. The tool ready for action, it is just a simple operation of pushing the two arms together, this pulls the tool through the insert which collapses it and splays it behind the metal sheet. Job done. This leaves us room to walk along the front if required. Standing against the barrier with arms outstretched, I can just touch the baseboard edge. If the barrier is pushed, the thin strip along the floor bends up slightly taking the impact from the layout support. Martin

Back to the extractor units. For durability 8BA bolts were epoxied in place which had already been soldered to brass sheet, hopefully they won't detach. From scrap MDF bits from previous jobs, small packing pieces were cut. Their purpose just to hold the unit clear of the supporting foamboard during painting. Here mounted on foamboard prior to painting, keep it clear of the foamboard, which itself makes a very useful method of handling until painting and weathering are complete. Some of the units assembled, some brackets and electrical switch boxes. Ready for painting, the fronts held with double sided tape. All primed. Initial paint applied. First application of weathering, which then gets blended and feathered to taste. A before and after of this type of unit. Martin