I don't know why, but when i write all of this in paragraphs, when i upload it it comes out all in one paragraph. I'll upload it now and try to sort it in the morning.
Well, I'm proud to say that I've done my first major exhibition. I met a few nice guys from the 009 society and had a good time chatting with the guys (and girls) of Southwold, a stunning Hon3 layout which featured many interesting features which I will adopt for Traeth Mawr. More on this later.
As a whole, the layout functioned OK. Apart from ALL of the points on the workshop board. I think (Haven't investigated yet) that the CDU is knackered and that in turn has knackered all of the point motors :/
Luckily, they were not important for the running of the layout, this was just a massive inconvenience. On the other hand, it could be a 'bad batch' of Seep point motors as the 'fuel road' point at the station also failed. The other thing it could be is me wiring the points incorrectly, but like I said, I haven't investigated yet.
The only other 'failure' (which was my fault) at Harbor Station's inspection pit. Since I built the layout in a relatively cool garage, when the temperature warmed up at the NEC, the nickel-silver in the track expanded, and bowed the track out over the pit. This was cured by simply cutting the track with a cutting disk in Dremel tool. Since there was a feed wire each side, locomotives could still run around. This will be properly fixed by simply adding a fishplate to the cut, which will allow it to expand and contract, but still stay in alignment.
Now for the bits that I have learnt from other exhibitors and things that I have found out myself that will make operating and taking TMR to exhibitions much more easy.
1) Mimic panel control board. Since the TMR operating team is 3 people, two people always seemed to stand around doing nothing. So, if all of the layout could be operated from one place, it would make things much simpler, as the other two could walk about the exhibition and swap about every hour or so. So, the answer is a centrally mounted control panel, with point indicator LEDs, Automated signals. This was the initial idea for me, but it was too expensive. Luckily at Warely, I've found a solution. More of this in the future. I have already designed the Mimic Panel and what it needs.
2) Stackable Boards Make either a rack to hold the layout, or make them so they can be stacked above each other.
3) Larger Fiddle YardLarger fiddle yard with a traverser. It'll make things easier to hold stock on rails and run engines around with the traverser. This was used on several other layouts, including Southwold.
4) Longer Cob, which looks like the cob! Simply make it a bit longer with a 'exhibition extension board' which will only be used at exhibitions.
5)Basically, extend the layout even more! I have plans for at lest another 4 boards;
a)Rhiw Plas, the bit where the road gets close to the railway near Boston Lodge and the road bridge.
b)Minffordd 'as is' trackplan with a bridge over standard gauge and a siding which goes into minffordd yard, aka another (smaller) fiddle yard.
c)Woodland, similar to the area near Whistling Curve or Hafod y Llyn (FR Hafod Y Llyn)d)Rhiw Goch and Cei Mawre)8ft Fiddleyard - about 6 roads, a 'Railcar' Road (read on and you will find out what i mean) and a traverser to move locomotives to a run around loop and loco storage sidings. The other operators fancy making boards to join up to my layout. So, this is a 'might' at the moment. Another passing loop and access to the slate siding is a must. Just to add more operating intrest in the layout. At the moment, the most amount of trains on the layout is 3. One at the works, a goods in the Harbor loop/fuel siding and a passenger arriving into the platform. It must be done in the correct sequence or a train will need to be propelled back to at least boston lodge, so the passenger engine could run around and then let the goods into the loop.
6) AutomationMaking a Railcar, which will travel from the fiddle yard to the station and back automatically. I'm not sure how to do this, a Gaugemaster 'Shuttle control unit' will be unsuitable for this, as it involves two diodes to be attached to the track. I'm going to send a few Emails to Heathcote electronics, which have cool Infa red train detectors. I'm thinking of one each end of the layout and a timer unit. When the railcar passes over the infa red detector, it sends a message to (unknown device, possibly relay bank) which changes the polarity of the rails and a timer. After (say 15 seconds) the railcar could in theory, move in the other direction heading for the fiddle yard. Which will have a similar stopping mechanism, maybe incorporating a micro switch, rather than a slightly more expensive infa red detector. It could also be done with Magnets and Reed switches. This will be handy when eating our lunches!
7) Permanent Magnet UncouplersWhilst on the subject of magnets, permanent rare earth magnets between the rails in strategic places. I had a chat with a Southwold operator, which showed me how their system works. They're coupings are arranged so when pulling the couplings lock together, and the magnets don't effect them. But when pushing, the magnets lift the loops of the coupling. It worked well on Southwold, so I'm hoping the same system will work on TMR.
8) Light Rig adjustment
Make some horizontal braces between the light rigs, this could hold information boards etc.
9) Digital photo slide show.
Some photos on a laptop by the layout showing the various stages of construction to show how it was built. And possibly a video of the layout from the 'drivers eye view' Anyway... Just some thoughts! Also me and the other operators have been talking about making a local 009 modeling club/society/group.
Finally, I'd like to say thanks to Warely Model Railway Club for a brilliant exhibition, great facilities and a all round pleasurable weekend. Hotel was very pleasant, nice meals and friendly, helpful stewards and club members to talk to.
Also a big thanks to Martin Neeves, who dropped his plans over the weekend to drive the van for us. Also, Amy Charlesworth, for being very helpful when trying to figure out how to get the layout to Warley!
Soon I will put up a 'Exhibition information' page and a 'Photographs' page. So many things to do!
Traeth Mawr Railway will be available for exhibitions from around June 2013. Will consider attending others before this date. Send any enquiries totraeth.mawr.railway@gmail.com
I'm pretty sure this is the longest post I've written, over 1000 words, shame I couldn't write as much in my English GCSE!
If you've read this far, thanks!!
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