This month has seen things happening on Power, Scenery, Structures, Sounds, Open Day, Maintenance, Ops Sessions, Tasks completed & scheduled.

Accessory Power

Peter S and Paul came over to help with the under-layout work and what would have taken me a number of weeks was done in a few hours! They installed more than 200 feet of twin core feeders.

Paul under Lewiston Loop

Peter under Helix Junction

Paul at LeMaistre Loco

I completed the terminations and hook up in the helix.

Paul ran three switch loop wires to the Auxbox for me to allow integration of control for some of the accessories.

Flintston Warehouse Platforms

Peter came to finish applying the concrete finish. After application he commenced adding the joint pour marks. This has been completed and down the track it will be weathered using sandpaper and some powders.

Layout Sounds

I mixed sounds for three locations.

Iron Hill

Conveyor and ore shuts - will operate during car loading when cars are moved under the loader. Listen

Daveyston

Small town with a few shops station and sawmill - will operate when an operator is present. Listen

EVNGR

New town scene sound regime for Peter J. Listen

Staging Clearance

Lately we have had a few incidents where collisions have occurred so Paul suggested we clearly mark the clearance points within which trains must be stored.

Stirling Eastern end (North, South, East)

Stirling Western end (North, South, East)

Stirling Eastern end (West, Park, Vale)

Stirling Western end (West, Park, Vale)

Paul came for a work session, and he painted white clearance marks at each end of the six tracks in Staging at Stirling. The fourth track is the run around/main line. These are clearly visible on the CCTV screens so if operators stable their train between the marks (which can be checked by the controller) this should minimise the recurrence.

Open Day

I opened my layout for the "N Gauge National Convention Layouts Visit Day".

Paul and Denis assisted me and conducted most of the operational activities. We have four interstate visitors who came to have a look and play. Many positive comments were received. It was nice to interact with some fellow modelers.

Maintenance

There was a number of issues addressed since my last update.

Loco

Flintston Local Locos during session #89 developed issues - ? corrupted consist through accidental programming. Decoders reset and CV's rewritten on DecoderPro then consisted is the usual manner. Tested and returned to service.

Stirling Staging

During session #86 Stirling South, West turnout intermittent operation. Silicon spray applied to solenoid slug but problem still present further fault finding located an intermittent SPDT switch on the control panel which was replaced.

Grain Train Hoppers

During session #87 one hopper has developed a lean and another derailed a few times. They were removed and placed in the workshop for maintenance. The bogie screws were allowing too much movement and were adjusted and the wheels cleaned and axle gauge checked. They have been placed back i service.

Job Cards

During session #87 two issues were discovered the Session 5 Job Cards

Jimtown Turn - Job Card 5 for did not have a departure direction defined for departure from Jimtown and the running sheet has it departing west and it had been marshalled for an east departure. I found the same in Sessions 1 & 3 so all cards have been updated.
SP Passenger - Job Cards 10 & 12 appear to have conflicting information to that on the running sheet that needed to be checked. Turns out they were ok.

Ops Sessions

I hosted three sessions; Session #85, Session #86 & Session #87 and I attended Wayne's since my last update.

HCS 29th July - Session #85

Alex, Denis, Graham, Paul & Peter J joined me for the session unfortunately Wayne was sick at the last minute, so a few movements were cancelled.

Afterwards we enjoyed a chat over afternoon tea

HCS 10th August - Session #86

Barry, Don, John, Paul, Peter R and Wayne joined me. It was great to have Peter R staying with me for a while - I managed to organise two sessions while he was here. Paul ran the Panel pretty much on his own with only a few errors and I spent most of my time mentoring Barry on efficient shunting in the main yard. The Stirling South, West turnout did not function properly on every movement.

L>R Barry, Paul, Peter R, John, Don & Wayne

Afterwards we enjoyed afternoon tea and a good chat and I forgot the photo!

HCS 19th August - Session #87

Denis, Hugh, John, Paul, Peter R and Wayne joined me for the session. It was nice to have Hugh come along again after a long break. We has a good run with a few minor issues

L>R Denis. Wayne, Paul, Hugh, John & Peter R

Afterwards we enjoyed afternoon tea and a good chat.

Wayne's 27th August

Barry, Denis & Don joined me at Wayne's for the session. We has some fun running some trains, We identified a few more things for Wayne to address over coming weeks as he tweaks the rebuild.