Georgemas Junction - the second coming

newbryford · October 26, 2023

Originally built by the late (great) George Woodcock, along with @Nobby (John) and Richard Coleman, Georgemas Junction represents the connection between Thurso, Wick and Inverness.

It was retired by George and co at the end of 2019 and purchased by @spike and his son Lucas

Since then it has undergone an extensive rebuild and rewire, as well as being extended and the curve to Thurso included. (It was a "straight" junction before.)

@bradfordbuffer was quite useful with the woodwork!

It is nearing the end of the first phase of the rebuild and being readied for it's comeback show at Blackburn & East Lancs MRS exhibition on 2/3 December 2023

Pics of the rebuild to follow shortly.

Edited October 26, 2023 by newbryford

newbryford · October 31, 2023

The curve to Thurso has been represented differently. It was a parallel junction before so a separate fiddle yard wasn't needed.

Although it now makes the layout into a "T" shape, it will make it look a different beast.

The scenic work is getting there- just needs blending in.

GMJ was originally DC and converted to DCC by George, but the opportunity has been taken to give it a complete rewire as well as swap the point motors from solenoids to slow action Cobalt Digital IP - allowing the point control to also be via DCC.

This is the last of seven boards, rewiring completed last night. Three have already been "pre-tested" ahead of a full layout assembly in the next couple of weeks.

Edited October 31, 2023 by newbryford

newbryford · November 2, 2023

Five boards (four in pic) have been assembled for testing in the next couple of days. (and further scenic work, particularly blending in the board joints and track repairs)

Pics by PT

Edited November 2, 2023 by newbryford

Melangoose · November 2, 2023

I have fond memories of seeing this layout when George, Nobby and Richard first had it on the Exhibition circuit. Keep the viewing public entertained for hours.

Good luck with the project.

newbryford · November 3, 2023

10 hours ago, Melangoose said:

I have fond memories of seeing this layout when George, Nobby and Richard first had it on the Exhibition circuit. Keep the viewing public entertained for hours.

Good luck with the project.

Who/what was doing the entertaining?

George, Nobby and Richard? Or the layout?

😀

We are looking forward to getting it back out there - subject to exhibition invites of course!

5BarVT · November 3, 2023

What era will you be running? (I think it’s fairly defined by the signalling, but you might just squeeze in the last of the LH)

Or will it be “my layout, my stock, my Rule 1”?

Paul.

P.S. Georgemas Jn, particularly in earlier days with lots of loco movements then ‘nothing’ for hours was something I considered as a layout back in mid 80s. Never got anywhere!

Edited November 3, 2023 by 5BarVT
P.S.

Robert Shrives · November 3, 2023

About a zillion years ago I built GMJ in N using minitrix 27s and coaches , arrival of the 37/0 from farish, like the real thing was a game changer. I had Wick ana kickback line for Lybster branch that seemed to have survived as an MOD branch with peco pallet vans. Thurso never quite happened being just a line heading away.

So seeing this grow is brilliant news and look forward to seeing it in the flesh again. I am sure GW would approve.

Robert

Edited November 3, 2023 by Robert Shrives
sp

4k · November 3, 2023

Really great to see GMJ in fine fettle.

I'm sure George would approve.

Looking forwards to some Class 37 action...

Cheers, Mark

Bungus the Fogeyman · November 3, 2023

Loving the heather round the Thurso branch. Is this the work of that Spike chap and was it done in the same way as the gorse?

Disgusting of Market Harborough

newbryford · November 4, 2023

3 hours ago, Bungus the Fogeyman said:

Loving the heather round the Thurso branch. Is this the work of that Spike chap and was it done in the same way as the gorse?

Disgusting of Market Harborough

I'll let @spikeanswer that.

(He's the owner and scenery guy)

Edited November 4, 2023 by newbryford

newbryford · November 7, 2023

On 03/11/2023 at 16:47, 5BarVT said:

What era will you be running? (I think it’s fairly defined by the signalling, but you might just squeeze in the last of the LH)

Or will it be “my layout, my stock, my Rule 1”?

Paul.

P.S. Georgemas Jn, particularly in earlier days with lots of loco movements then ‘nothing’ for hours was something I considered as a layout back in mid 80s. Never got anywhere!

It'll be set in 2011 or so.

With random Rule 1 moves of course.....

GMJ was all assembled last night except for the extreme end of the Inverness fiddle yard and the Thurso yard [*] and power was applied!

A couple of tweaks to frog polarity switches on the point motors as well as addressing them and all is well.

The control panel will be next - when the pre-drilled/pre-printed acrylic arrives in the next week or so.

[*] Not assembled due the space restraints - it was a bit cosy with two of us in there - but the other two boards were tested with the correct board to board jumper leads.

There is a plan to do a full layout build in a bigger space in the next couple of weeks and "re-learn" how to play trains with it!

newbryford · November 29, 2023

Georgemas is all tested, complete with new control panels and working signals.

Signal switches have been added in the holes at the bottom since the pic was taken!

Come and see it this coming weekend at the Blackburn & East Lancs MRS show at Oswaldtwistle Mills

(Leave the partner to get on with Xmas hopping at Ossy Mills next door!)

Edited November 29, 2023 by newbryford

Jack374 · December 2, 2023

Day 1 of Georgemas V2.0's debut exhibition, and the layout ran very well! A credit to the effort put in by Spike, Mick, G, Lucas and the rest of the wider team over the last few months (years).

Below are a selection of photos. I'll take some more tomorrow.