Work In Progress - Barry and Penarth Model Railway Club

Barry and Penarth Model Railway Club

Work In Progress (Jan 2005)

O gauge layout Tafsil.
After the success of the traverser at the Stuttgart show, and other shows, we decided to build another traverser for the other end of Tafsil layout, (for full details see tips and hints). It was also made to fit in the club house on the permanent section, which gives the facility to train people how to operate them and increases operational potential on Open Days and running nights.
Crumlin.
The club have decided to build a new O-gauge exhibition layout, the subject of the new layout being THE CRUMLIN VIADUCT. The original stood 200ft high and the straight section was 1000ft long, this means the model will be 7 metres long and 1.4 metres high plus the traverser's at each end. The model will be built mainly in brass. We have already purchased all the brass for the stanchions , and most of the brass for the decking. At present we are waiting to move into our new modelling room (see below), so we are only at the jig making stage. Hopefully the layout will be wired for both DC and DCC, to allow members to exeriment with Digital Command Control in 7mm scale.
Holton
Quite a lot of work has been carried out on Holton over the last year /18 months. The steam shed area has now been given a weathered look as opposed to the "new" ballast look it initially had. This is far more in keeping with any operational steam shed area. The turntable is now fully operational although it was decided not to motorise it as the 'Handraulic' mechanism works well enough! A further four yard lamps have been added and there is the possibility of adding lights to the inside of the 4 road shed itself. There is some life in the shed now with a few shed personal working to clear the newly installed ash pits as well as carrying out some other typical tasks, such as standing around!
Work on a new control panel, which will allow operation of the lower track sections to take place from the front of the layout, has been slower than anticipated. However, once complete this will make the lower two main lines more "playable" as shunting movements, loco exchanges with the shed etc will be able to be carried out far more easily than at present.
The disused terminal at the other end of the branch line will be re-developed this year. It is possible that the whole of the branch line may then be made double track and isolated from the main Holton control panels, so that the branch lines can be operated via DCC or DC while the main loops are operated in DC. The goods loop is also scheduled to be made switchable between DCC and DC, without affecting the running of the rest of the main lines
On the scenic side, the layout had a brush up just prior to the last open day and as work progresses "tarting up" follows!
On several occasions, successful trials have been carried out with DCC controls of American sound equipped locomotives on the HO 'Cadoc Bluffs' layout. This enables full use to be made of the on-board sound systems, whilst independently running two locos in opposite directions on the single track. We hope that DCC will become a regular option on Red Dragon Days - either on Cadoc Bluffs or on a circuit on the main club layout.
'Red Dragon Days' continue to be well supported with over 30 people at the last meet - just chatting, running trains, buying and selling, and exchanging ideas and information about American railroading. Some of our past regular visitors have become Members of BPMRC!
The as yet un-named 8' x 2' HO module layout has made some small but significant progress. A track plan has been finalised for a locomotive repair and servicing facility, and two sheds have been built using parts from two unwanted roundhouse structure kits. Space has been allocated for a water tower, coal tower, and diesel and sand lines. All facilities will be served from an electrically operated turntable, which is the next item to be installed.
The spray booth room is now considered too small to encourage members to bring their part-built kits to the club to work on. Fortunately the Conservative Club had kindly agreed to allow us use of the remaining two derelict rooms on the top floor. We took over these rooms in the Summer 04 and engaged professional builders to do the worst of the work removing what was left of the original lathe and plaster and replacing with plaster boards etc. We have thus created new storage space and a large bright room for modelling. Club members have worked hard during the last Winter to decorate the room fully and install lighting and other electrics. Basic kitchen units and worktops have now been fitted. All that remains to do to complete the room is to instal test tracks in most gauges above the main work surface just below the big windows. Otherwise the room has seen a lot of use by members. Meanwhile the spray booth continues to function well and is well used.