May 2012

All sections of the club are very active which is very pleasing to see. I suppose there will be a club night in the future when all groups will be running trains. I look forward to that day very much.

OO Gauge Matters 

Progress on Redbridge since the last report includes: Further construction of baseboards, particularly the daughter boards. These include the section heading west to Bournemouth, the Romsey line as it curves away from the main line and some work on the causeway and bridges.
Work involving the trials of materials and construction techniques for some of the infrastructure including: Construction of the station footbridge from 'bashed' kits, platforms and edging, the engine shed (including the missing end wall), the signal box.
Work on the track work includes: the special wide-to-gauge trap points, the Romsey junction including the switched diamond, track laying and fettling of point work already built. The completion of the permanent way will allow the size and location of the buildings to be determined and construction commenced.
In addition to the construction, research is still underway on certain elements of the real Redbridge and additional information is sought, especially in the form of photographs and drawings of layout of the yard and buildings. Consideration is being given to recording in words, pictures and video, the project from conception to completion. A Layout Topic on RM Web is the most likely medium.

EM gauge Matters 

Progress has been made on the street beyond the terminal building. The Radial tank engine has received a new motor and been fitted with new pick-ups to replace the old plungers, and at last runs well.

O gauge Matters 

We now have phases 1 and 2 of the re-wire complete. This included the logic for the new 'enigma', the fiddle yards and a new fiddle yard distribution box. June 6th will see the start of the final phase, the conversion of the scenic part, the lever frames and connections to the new 'enigma'.

Other Business 

The Summer Party is next month. Please let the Chairman know as soon as possible if you will be able to attend and what your contribution to the food for the evening will be. Please support the Otterbourne Open Day this year as two club member owned layouts will need help with erection and operating. Both are due to be exhibited later this year and this day provides the perfect testing place. Whitchurch has a new sequence for trial and Winterley Junction should be complete for a full operating session.