In conjunction with our meet in August, our primary concern was preparing the HO for the NMRA BR Convention later in October. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the works, there was not a lot of opportunity to take new photos. However, for the convention, we hope to run the 6×0 loop with the new APT Wye, Bridge, Ethanol Plant, Peach Meadows, Clark Junction, and the Laxton Branch served by the Wye into and out of staging. We’ve also got out the large television to show off a few things, with hopes of having space somewhere to set it up.

Paul P has developed a turntable module to fit on the end of the Laxton branch, and this was tested on the 3rd. Otherwise, running reliability was focused on, especially on the yard modules as well as any damaged track found across the scene. Overall we had fairly positive results and hope to have a reliable running weekend, but are taking no chances; I will bring my tools and sure the others will as well.

I was personally disappointed to find my button fix on the Laxton control panel yielded only results for the frog relay. Hopefully there will be time to troubleshoot the servo not firing over the weekend, but it isn’t overly critical as we now can control the relay and may just have to manually move the point if needed. To be fair, it may do well just as a static head shunt for the tank cars. Overall Ethanol is looking very good thanks to the efforts of Paul P and Paul H as usual.

Peach Meadows still needs serious attention, at least on the curved boards. With any luck they won’t cause too much harm on us during the weekend but longer term, since I have no space to address it yet, it may have to wait until I can get some. Once I finally do, I will either take the whole set away for a revamp or just build new modules to stand in their place. I plan to have modules in my train room anyway, and I am all in on passenger operations (with some respect to freight considerations of course).

As a reminder, as well as the HO setup mentioned above, we will have T-Trak representation as well as second chance at the convention. See you there!

Neal K
– Santa Fe all the way