21-03-2021 Peter's Notes

Notes from March , 21st, 2021

 Hi All,

We seem to be slowly gathering momentum, with nine plus two drop-ins there on Sunday.

When I arrived there were already eight hard at it - Geoffs N and B, Dale, Derek, David W, Rod, Peter B and Grant.  Hard at it varied from Derek actually doing things with a soldering iron, right through to hands in pockets.  The later drop-ins were David H for the second week in a row and Jack (who was really at the Hall to play bowls.)

My innocent remarks  last week about Port Gary apparently crystallised thoughts that Dale had been having, and now the connection to the branch line has gone, David Whelan simulated his namesake and ripped out the points, and Rod re-laid the branch line without the Port Gary turn off.  In future- when we get some new pointwork - the port will be accessed directly via a long siding out of Steward that will incorporate its own run-around, and the small radius points at the port will be replaced by standard radius ones.  Activity in that area may then increase markedly.

Allied to this last is the ever present vexed question of couplers.  It is fair to say that the great majority of the passenger stock that we see on the layout is Hornby.  Also, it can stay as permanently coupled rakes.  If a loco fitted with Kadees is pressed into passenger service, then we have a couple of Hornby wagons that have been fitted with Kadees at one end.  So that's fine.  If other standards appear, e.g. George with his European stock, then the interloper may have to bring their own DCC loco and run as a stand alone setup within the broader picture. 

More complex is the freight car / goods wagon scene.  The split between British and American outline is more even and the operations involve far more coupling and, in particular, uncoupling actions. When we get to operating scheduled actions - dispatching specific loads to specific destinations - this will really come to the fore.  We have Club locos (e.g. the 3 car EMU and the Porter 0-6-0) that will not go over a standard Hornby sprung uncoupler.  Dale is thinking of magnetically operated ones.  This is a good time for inputs from other members - Hornby things are a closed book to me.

Next Friday (26th) the Seniors AGM kicks off at 2pm.  Geoff N will be there.  I will try to be there.  All welcome.

Our next meeting is another working day plus, I am sure, some discussion on any outcomes from the CSSC AGM.

Till then,

Peter F