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Victor, Gerard, Patrick and Charlie worked on Ellesmere Layout on Tue 12 May 26:

The layout (4 scenic and 4 fiddle-yard boards) was fully erected on the plastic trestle’s it had been designed for.  All the back scenes were fitted and tunnel mouth slots were cut in the two end backscenes.  The Club DCC was connected to the track and successfully operated a DCC 0-6-0 loco around one of the tracks without issue, once the tracks had been cleaned.  Patrick in liaison with the team noted a number of points for further work/repair:

 

  • There were a number of ‘kinks’ in the trackwork, especially on the curved sections on the two end boards, that might need attention once a full track running test session has been undertaken.
  • To assist with swifter and fault free layout erection, especially with any new club members or anyone unfamiliar with the layout, it would be helpful if connector blocks could be labelled.
  • Ballasting was a pit patchy and may need redoing in places.  Victor spent some time removing excess ballast from the inner rails to ensure better rolling stock/loco running.
  • The two inner Fiddle-yard boards are not as deep as the two corresponding front scenic sections and needed temporary packing to get them to the correct level.
  • The Signal box needs repair.
  • The Pedestrian Bridge needs repair.
  • The fronts and ends of the scenic boards need repainting in black.
  • Re-locate the electrical track power connectors, on the front of the scenic sections, so they are not visible to the public on the viewing side of the layout.
  • Add missing platform fencing.
  • Consider applying a matt spray varnish to the platforms to ‘dull’ down the various excess glue ‘puddles’.
  • Look at re-modelling the large blank goods area and adding vehs/people fencing/grass/bushes etc.
  • Tone down the grass colour variations.
  • Repair & Test signals on C + D boards.
  • Finish/Repair scenery between B + C boards at the front.
  • Buffer Stops need re-painting.
  • Investigate the six-way connector on B Board that needs connection to A Board.
  • Disguise the transition between the vertical scenic backboard to their respective horizontal scenic front boards.
  • Identify., fit and test DC power supply for Point Motors, uncouplers and Signals.
  • Complete full stock inventory of EMRC Ellesmere locos and rolling stock.
  • Schedule a second erection and use the bolts to connect the boards.
  • Fully Test all track, point operation, uncouplers and signal function.