With a lot of the outside excitement behind us, and the Open House event next month, it was all possible hands on deck. As seen for several meets now, the N Scale contingent is healthy and expanding at a steady pace with the official introduction of Dennis’ two modules into the setup and Dean’s second introduction of this year; the bridge module. I was very pleased to see some relative excitement over there, especially when this were moving over these modules with relatively little problems. It would be good to see them again during the Open House.
The HO also saw some significant work, albeit the contingent being not as large. Laxton was getting the attention it deserved this time around with the efforts of Paul H and Mike A to add the new crossover as well as from Chris C introducing more improved legs. We were sorry Paul P was unable to attend this time, and hope he makes a full recovery if not in time for the event, in time to see him again before the NMRA BR Convention later this year.
Most of us made it for 09:00 with a few of the others, joining not too long after to help the setup of both layouts. The HO was up and running at around 11:30, and this was in spite of the much needed temporary repairs on one of the Ethanol boards (many thanks to Paul H). The N scale with the additional modules was not that far behind.
During setup we had a visitor looking to see the action, and perhaps membership, if not for an additional head on the N Scale but a potential member none the less. Unfortunately he was a tad early but joined us later when things were up and running. It was also good to see Tom F back and showing his support for the HO, which certainly offset the lost effort Paul P usually assisted with and made things a bit more smooth for us in his absence.
Once the main loop of the HO was up myself and Tom had the opportunity to run some trains, I brought a freight train (as promised) and Tom was able to test several of his own include a British turbine (but don’t ask me which model). I do remember the NYC passenger consist with matching express box cars / formally troop carriers. It seems I will never quite get away from passenger ops, and I did bring my twin RDCs, but they remained in my bag.
With my freight I managed to get a few loops out of it after ironing out a few niggles with my caboose and one of the new hoppers I acquired through the ScaleTrains / ExactRail sale. Frustratingly and even after a few tweaks, the caboose decided to misbehave only intermittently, completing a whole loop one time and just rejecting the bridge curve and derailing on another. It was a shame because it was the most complete brown caboose I had brought to the meet, otherwise I would have had to go back to the more modern red ScaleTrains Kit Classics ones.
I noticed several interesting trains on the N scale, some steam, passenger and general freight. One eye catcher was (of course) a Kato big boy. It seemed however the focus was mainly test running across the new modules and troubleshooting another connection issue, however by the same light they may have found a solution so fingers crossed all is well during the event for them.
The contingent remained full until around lunch time when Mike A had to depart, and Chris C needed to return home and retrieve some tools. There was also a family emergency so we also saw additional drop in numbers then, but we hope all is well and the member involved has everything they needed. We also received news that Paul H will be away on holiday for the event next month, so there was a lot of focus and planning ensuring we were covered next month. I volunteered to be key master if Paul is able to handoff in time, but failing that we did have a backup plan.
I was extremely pleased to find out I could setup the pi desktop on my own, but the wiring still had one single mix up but that hopefully won’t be a problem for the Open House; we should have plenty of time for troubleshooting and the only other thing which may cause problems is the Sprog, which Paul H kindly (again) let us borrow his own for the event. We also troubleshooted the problem with track four in the staging yard and it seems another board will be required, so PCB manufacturers and maybe MERG members reach out if you’re interested in the boards for Paul H! It would have been nice to commit myself but as the Mrs and I are trying to sort out a move this year or next we won’t have a chance to test such kit out yet, but fingers crossed when we’re settled properly.
When it came to break down, the HO started not long after 15:00, and the N Scale not too long after that. Chris C was making his propositions about the potential trollies, and against the context of fixing more issues related to setting up / breaking down as well as the monotony of getting the boards together and then back in storage, the prospect for me at least was sounding really good. The true test will come if they can withstand the trip from hall to storage every month, which is already a potential issue.
We were all done by 17:00, and like most meets there was, for me at least, a sense of satisfaction in being able to get out and run some trains again. Mid Essex unfortunately haven’t been running OO or HO for some time, which is fair, and it has been nice to help the other scales, but there is definitely a subconscious love for just running your own trains. We’re expecting the Scottish OO layout to be in running order in not too long a time so that may bring opportunity for another North American invasion!
There was some concern the HO contingent was running a little small these days, but as a member it hasn’t been too much of an issue, even if there is only an opportunity to run trains for 30 minutes merely for the reasons above. Even alone, I find my drive and content in that end goal and why if it is only a few of us it isn’t so much of an issue. Admittedly however, if it is to be the norm, we may need to consider a smaller setup next year or at least, getting Chris C to build those trollies.
The main point to take away is we all have a life, and life does tend to get in the way for very welcoming reasons and others not so welcoming. For the latter, we can only hope those affected know they will always have a place here among us when they can make it, and we will always appreciate them bringing their trains.
Neal K
– Santa Fe all the way
Thamesiders MRG 