After last month’s hiatus (and prioritising the NMRA BR Winter Meet), it was good to get back in on the physical meets. This time, the N Scalers outnumbered the HO chaps, and things went more slowly for the HO, purely because Paul P and Paul H were hard at work improving things and fixing some issues on both Laxton and the looping modules in preparation for West Essex Model Rail. Missing at least two regulars, we did our best to get at least the loop up at a decent time, but it was 12:30 by the time it was operational.
The N Scale went up fast, however they faced some issues with the command station, particularly with the phone throttles and then later on with patchy connections. However after some troubleshooting and adjustments, things started to run. It was good to see the usual running their trains as well as Paul E and David A doing their best to keep working on their modules. Fingers crossed they both get to a place where they are happy and satisfied for the open house!
With both layouts up and running, those that could, or at least didn’t want to get in the way of those working, ran some trains. I note from Stu we had a UP unit train, and Dean got his El Capitan out. Dennis (aka dad) in receipt of my recent acquisition of the CP Rail Angus Van #434677, as seen at Mangapps, took it on a trip with some of his trains where possible. I’ve lent it to him to run on Squaw Falls at the Chelmsford & District MRC’s Small Layout Exhibition on the 6th April. Squaw Falls will also be at West Essex Model Rail on the 27th, so there should be ample opportunity to get some shots of it, unlike during this meet.
As for the HO, we really only got an opportunity to either pitch in on the work or run some trains for about an hour before packing up again. I was able to get my Super Chief out, this time being led by a ABAB consist of F3s, and the trailing cars missing one late era Indian Series Sleeper as it is currently in the shops receiving detailing, passengers and lighting. A duplex sleeper, normally from the same name series, stood in to represent. These sleepers were the configuration prior to them being upgraded to 11 Double bedroom luxury sleepers, so they represented an era before what I was aiming for with the rest of the train. As part of the power pool on the train, I tested out the upgraded Athearn Genesis F3A #34C with Soundtraxx Blunami. With the app it worked well and as expected, but lashed with the others and running on conventional DCC it didn’t seem willing to co-operate. I believe address 34 was reserved for an accessory elsewhere on the layout so I’ll probably renumber the loco to address 340 to be safe, and try again at West Essex Model Rail. MTH F3A #22 is due to also receive Blunami, and with any luck it’ll be ready and speed matched with the rest of the F3s in time for West Essex.
The other train that had a run on the layout was a short freight, starting with a GP30 and then later an SD24, the latter of which wasn’t speed matched and was essentially being pushed by the GP30. Either way it looked good and with any luck I can add and speed match more locos to represent a typical freight of that era matching the later ATSF passenger consists.
As mentioned, Paul H did some brilliant work on Laxton to bring it up to the Thamesiders’ standard, as well as looking at some minor issues, especially with the 21-pin plugs, on the loops, before checking my work which to my pleasure, was (almost) spot on with regards to the cabling and electrical setup. Turns out the only thing I forgot was the semi-redundant switch on Peach Meadows which isolates the track! One to remember for sure in future. Meanwhile, Paul P focused on general appearance and track on the general loop, and then worked on the Ethanol Plant, bringing it back up to standard after several years of abuse. Dennis brought his modules in to work on too, and that was where his focus was after a short period of running. Progress is good and with any luck it will at least match Dean’s most excellent 180 loop.
With the absences we weren’t quite able to get Laxton to the standard we needed for West Essex, so it will likely mean Laxton won’t join the rest of the HO at the exhibition but hopefully we’ll have everything ready in time for the Open House. One particular mess up was my fault – Mike A had kindly provided some replacement point motors, and unfortunately as part of forgetting to bring my drill, that also meant the point motors stayed home as well. Fingers crossed such a mistake doesn’t happen for West Essex, but there will be opportunity to bring the drill and motors up on the Saturday morning if forgotten on the Friday evening!
During lunch, which most of us brought instead of partaking in the usual fish and chips, Dean was kind enough to showcase the T-Trak module demo he brought as well as the very interesting and very attractive prospect of “circus dioramas”. Everyone in attendance, besides Kian, took at least one disc of round cork and a stretch of Kato Unitrack, with the challenge to have them presentable and ready for the Open House, and then on to the NMRA BR Convention in October. I took three, with the hopes that the wife and Mid Essex MRC would like to do one each. I am pleased to report the Mrs gladly accepted, and we’ll find out if Mid Essex would be willing later, merely for the purposes of putting feet in doors.
Beyond that it was break down time. As usual, even if we had the numbers, the N Scale always packed down and away first and they helped the HO where possible. We all got out by 17:00, or at least, everything to do with MRR did and a few stragglers helped to clean up the hall and hide the evidence of our presence. It’s too easy to think hours of setup and breakdown make these meets almost tedious, however it is the achievements demonstrated by those that have worked on their various projects which makes it worthwhile, besides the opportunity to run some big trains. One such example is what Dean had achieved over the last few months, and even more so, it’s good to see the excitement from the others as they work towards goals such as West Essex Model rail, the Open House and the NMRA BR National Convention. Besides that, it’s the monthly opportunity to get out of the house, get some exercise, and reinvigorate one’s interest in the hobby.
Finally, by setting up and breaking down the HO, we were able to get the inventory sorted of what we need in the garage instead of under the stage, and are now as ready as we can be when it comes time to load up the van and head to Romford. Any problems now will hopefully be ones we can sort inside the garage, or in the hall during the Friday evening.
Thanks to all whom came, and hopefully we can see more of you in the coming months.
Neal K
– Santa Fe all the way
Thamesiders MRG 