It was very busy day today with a lot going on. After setting up the big table the Queen Charlotte Dock baseboards now with alignment dowels fitted were assembled and the Templot track plan in a continuous roll laid out along them. This gave a much clearer understanding of where the track will actually go and allowed David L, Tim and me to finally agree on the siting of all the viaduct arch fronts. David produced an example of the baseboard connectors he is making to ensure a firm connection between the boards and Tim brought in the large warehouse building that he is making for this layout. Later we
discussed track building and laying, the proposed electrics and the schedule of works required to make this layout ready for its first outing at the Gravesend exhibition in November.
Paul arrived with a donation made to the club of an OO layout and stock which we will sell off for club funds at Pett and at our Open Day in July. Afterwards Paul and Barry set about resolving various issues with Edington, including a screaming point motor which sounded like an electric drill, in order to make it operable on Saturday when we will have the layout running at our Bring and Buy meeting in substitution for the aborted Training Day in May.
Once Queen Charlotte Dock baseboards and Edington had been set up the circuit was then got out. The focus of the day was on tankers which subject had been suggested by David Ho and we now know why as he ran a very impressive looking train with a huge number of tankers that he had assiduously collected mostly on e-bay. David ran this train behind a C Class which was sadly in BR livery but ran very well hauling this long train.
Other locos on the circuit in evidence included a J69, Prairie tank and a couple of 14xxs.
Over lunch with nothing much to report I ran through the forthcoming meetings and exhibitions including our Open Day on which subject I will shortly be e-mailing all the local clubs and societies inviting them to attend our little soiree.
Despite having initially asked us we have yet to hear from the organisers of the Maidstone show scheduled for late December confirming whether they want us to exhibit a layout there or not. Hopefully we will hear from them soon one way or another. I asked about the proposed trips out for this year and Geoff reported that the trip suggested to the Kent & East Sussex Railway was likely to be too expensive while Tim reported that he has still to track down the man to speak to regarding a visit to Canterbury West signal box.
As usual David Ho provided everybody with teas and coffees which was just as well because with everything that was going on we carried on right up until 2.30pm when we all headed off home. Chris
