February Update

                               

This month has been a bit slow, but a few things have been achieved:  A new freight platform, Operator Step, Ops Sessions, Tasks completed & scheduled.

Flintston Cold Stores

I have drawn up what I intend to build for the platform and building base after measuring up.

I used my NMRA Power Pass Card at Bunnings when I bought the sheets of mdf.

Firstly, I marked out the base from dimensions on the plan and made the cuts with a circular saw.  I removed the track section and dressed all the edges.

Then it was time for the trial fit,

All went to plan.

Now after positioning the base, it was time to check the platform measurements.

This resulted in some minor adjustments to the front edge of the platform area.

Marked up the mdf ready for cutting.

Both pieces brought inside after dressing the edges.

The front edges were painted black before installation.

Trial fitting went ok

Pieces glued together

Operator Step

I provided a step for those who are a bit shorter than me and have issues seeing the top-level tracks properly.  I discovered Denis found some tracks he had not seen before when he scored running the Jimtown Turn!

I stood on it and being somewhat heavier and in between bearers I went through....

I cut a new 12mm mdf top to place over the damaged one - I know I won't break this one!

My Ops Sessions

I hosted two sessions this month.

28th January - Session #75

Denis, Paul and Peter S joined me for the session.  We were down on numbers due to sickness and family commitments.  Paul continued with his Hornertown Yard training and Denis & Peter S ran a modified session - just enough to keep the Waybills mostly in-sync.

L>R Denis, Peter S & Paul

Afterwards most of us, apart from those having to depart for parent duties, enjoyed afternoon tea.

18th - Session #76

Alex, Barry, Darren, Denis, Paul and Wayne joined me for the session.

Barry was on the Control Panels, Paul continued in Hornertown everyone else ran trains. Once again, most people were doing something new (or had not done for a long time) so I spent most of my time mentoring and forgot to get action photos.  The modified session #75 led to Paul getting an overload of cars arriving in Hornertown so we had to do a few things on the fly to keep other movements arriving/departing.  I have a bit extra cleanup to do before session #77.

The main thing was we all had some fun.

L>R Wayne, Denis, Paul, Darren, Alex & Barry

Afterwards most of us, apart from those having to depart for parent duties, enjoyed afternoon tea.

26th - Wayne's

Barry, Denis, Don & I joined Wayne for the first run by our group on his smaller layout.  The session commenced with Wayne explaining the changes since we last operated some 18 months ago. 

Dunkleigh Towers, Forrest Gully, Red Rock & Waverly are basically unchanged however, Eden Park, Hartley Vale, Lowood Crossing, Mulga Ridge & Stokers Siding have changes. 

We are learning what the changes meant to operations in the towns where changes have occurred. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling that well and decided to go home when we were about 80% of the way through the session.

I took some photos of what the new areas look like.

Mulga Ridge (at very back) survived in a totally new format

Length of track between both Forrest Gully-Lowood Crossing & Stokers Siding-Waverly reduced and a new Hartley Vale

Stokers siding (top) has been reduced in size

Lowood Crossing - no longer as staging yard - new industries due soon

Train card racks for 13 staging tracks

New Staging Tracks in 3 locations: Acton, Bangor & Camden - Lead next to front

We then had fun learning how to run session 2 of the 5 new sessions.

Don working Eden Park which has been shortened

Barry working Stokers Siding

Wayne & Denis sitting on the crib chairs

Tasks Completed in last 30 days 

Scheduled Tasks for next 90 days

That's it for now so until next time.....

-ooOOOoo-

January Update

                              

This month has been a slow one due to some medical issues.  A new building, Ops Sessions, Tasks completed & scheduled.

Flintston Warehouse

I have asked Peter J if he would consider building it for me.  At the ops session on 14th, he measured up the area. We have been sharing some period photos of North American warehouses. Peter has downloaded some clever models texture pdf's and is going to mock up his idea.

It will be an interesting period as we move through the development.

My Ops Sessions

I hosted two sessions this month.

14th - Session #74

Barry, Denis, Graham, Paul, Peter J and Wayne came for the session.

Paul continued his learning exercise by working all movements in the Hornertown Yard while Denis and Wayne did movements new to them and Peter J and Graham ran other movements.

My health issues saw me sitting down in the crew room a few times however Barry ran the session and the crew got through 99% of the movements. 

Everyone seemed to have some fun which is what good sessions are about.

L>R Denis, Graham, Wayne, Paul, Barry & Peter J

Afterwards most of us, apart from those having to depart for Grandparent duties, enjoyed afternoon tea.

28th - Session #75

Paul, Peter S and Denis joined me for the session after two late withdrawals.  We successfully ran a reduced program. It is pleasing to see Paul progressing with learning the various operations conducted in the Hornertown Yard.  Denis despite attending 35 ops sessions ran the Jimtown Turn for the first time!  Peter S also aced the Flintston Local!

L > R Denis, Peter S and Paul

 Finishing a tad early allowed us plenty of time to eat an extra-large afternoon tea.

L > R Denis, Peter S and Paul

Tasks Completed in last 30 days 

Scheduled Tasks for next 90 days

That's it for now so until next time.....

-ooOOOoo-