Ballast train arrives at Tawbridge?!
It's about time that we had an update!
To be honest progress has been slow, we have finally commenced with the ballasting!
We picked up the ballast from Green Scenes at the Taunton show - 4 different bags and were mixed in an old tub before applying. It was literary all-hands brushing the ballast into place and then glued with watered-down Copydex and now left to dry until next time.
To be honest progress has been slow, we have finally commenced with the ballasting!
We picked up the ballast from Green Scenes at the Taunton show - 4 different bags and were mixed in an old tub before applying. It was literary all-hands brushing the ballast into place and then glued with watered-down Copydex and now left to dry until next time.
Another great show has passed...
The Barnstaple Model Railway Exhibition has come and gone again this year. Thanks to all of you that came to the show! This year proved to be another great weekend for the show with layouts such as Bridport Town, Orchard Road and the clubs new 00 gauge DCC layout Tawbridge attending the show. We saw all of our "regulars" as well as some new faces, and we hope to see you again next year...
(Photos by Chris Bines)
(Photos by Chris Bines)
New Layout for Barnstaple MRC!
The Barnstaple MRC have commenced construction of a new exhibition layout, with an overall size 16’ x 2’, constructed from 4 off boards, incorporating folding legs and brass alignment dowels. The leg braces also fold up into the boards. All this designed to reduce the amount of parts being carried from transport to exhibition venue. The track will be ‘00’ finescale constructed from code 75 rail and copper clad sleepers. This is a change from previous layouts which have used Peco code 100 track previously. Two boards will then be packed face to face, with end packing boards, one of which will have casters so that the pair of boards can be up-ended and rolled along the ground to minimize carrying the boards. Also, front fold-down boards will be added to protect the open front during transportation, but will be used as display boards at exhibitions. Transportation to exhibitions can then be in two cars or a small van to minimize the costs. A lighting frame and facia board will also be constructed, but we have designed this yet, but will need to be light-weight and possibly fit inside the boards, again to reduce amount of parts to carry.
The layout will also be DCC, with points operated by DCC accessory decoders and these will be operated from a control panel with switches working through an encoder. Both the encoder and decoders will be constructed from MERG kits. We have not decided on which controllers to use at the moment and still discussing the merits of using either Bachmann Dynamis with a Pro-box to enable use of two or three handsets (a couple of club members use Dynamis) or may use NCE Power Cab units (one member recently starting using one of these and another member will be purchasing one), with the club purchasing one, along with multiple sockets along the layout so more than one handset can be used. Initially, locomotives and rolling stock will be members own (currently a mix of Southern steam, BR steam and Blue BR diesels) with the aim of running appropriate stock together, but being able to run different periods during an exhibition. A broad idea being to start in the morning with SR, changing to BR steam, adding a few green diesels and then finishing the day with BR blue diesels, spreading the change gradually throughout the day.
The layout will also be DCC, with points operated by DCC accessory decoders and these will be operated from a control panel with switches working through an encoder. Both the encoder and decoders will be constructed from MERG kits. We have not decided on which controllers to use at the moment and still discussing the merits of using either Bachmann Dynamis with a Pro-box to enable use of two or three handsets (a couple of club members use Dynamis) or may use NCE Power Cab units (one member recently starting using one of these and another member will be purchasing one), with the club purchasing one, along with multiple sockets along the layout so more than one handset can be used. Initially, locomotives and rolling stock will be members own (currently a mix of Southern steam, BR steam and Blue BR diesels) with the aim of running appropriate stock together, but being able to run different periods during an exhibition. A broad idea being to start in the morning with SR, changing to BR steam, adding a few green diesels and then finishing the day with BR blue diesels, spreading the change gradually throughout the day.
New venue for exhibition pays off!
As many of you know the Barnstaple Model Railway Exhibition used to be in an old Church Hall just off of the High Street and up some very steep and thanks to the great British weather always wet, this was not good and so change was needed. After some lengthy talks at The Club it was decided that the Exhibition should be held at a new venue, after looking around we found a very nice hall at the Church in Bear Street, Barnstaple. So we booked the layouts and some traders as normal to see how it goes and it proved to be a great hit, also because we chose to hold the show in the Summer Holidays we had alot more visitors, as well as all you regulars who without the show would not be possible! So we will see you at the same place next year!
Thanks to all of you who attended the show.
Below are some photos of the show (Chris Bines)
Thanks to all of you who attended the show.
Below are some photos of the show (Chris Bines)
Redruth exhibition visit
Over the last weekend in March the Barnstaple Model Railway Club visited the Redruth model railway exhibition with our 00 gauge layout Yeo Valley. All in all it was a good show with many layouts and sale stands, Yeo Valley ran well with no problems as did all the stock.
Below are some photographs from the weekend (Chris Bines)
Below are some photographs from the weekend (Chris Bines)
Model railway exhibition a great success!
This years annual exhibition at Barnstaple church hall was a great success with people of all ages that came through the doors to view the layouts and trade stands. Thank you all for coming.
Below are some photographs of the the exhibition.
Below are some photographs of the the exhibition.
