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Alrighty then, it’s the end of July today and we are
getting ready to head down to Brisbane for the Modeling the Railways
of Queensland Convention. As I may have mentioned in previous corners,
this has got to be the most inspirational event in our year.
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There’s always top notch models on display and
some great info to come away with as ammunition for modeling ideas
to last another two years until the next convention.
So whilst Jade has decided to vacuum the car, I thought I would
put fingers to keyboard and catch you all up on how the layout is
going. |
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WE HAVE LIGHTS!!!!!!
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| The yard is looking much better now that it has
a bit of daylight on it. We were looking at using 12 volt fluorescent
lights to run around the fascias of the layout. However this proved
to be a flawed idea from the start, not least of which because we
just couldn’t get hold of them. |
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So after having a good chinwag with a local electrician,
we decided to install 240 volt lighting. The first step was to place
three 4 foot fluoros over the yard. With this done, both Jade and
I where elated with the results.
So obviously the next step is to get stuck in and install the rest…
we shall see how we go. |
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Apart from that, I have finally installed the
first section of the overhead bridge. This was done by simply scrapping
away the ballast from around where the footings would go. Using
PVA glue, I fixed the bridge into position. I used packets of screws,
tins of paint and a couple of HO scale train buffs to weight it
down whilst the glue set.
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With this done, I had no excuse left to avoid
ballasting the remainder of the yard. So with my love of ballasting
already well established in previous ramblings… I set to work. |
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| Getting away from the layout, it appears
we have finally solved our problem with sourcing wheels. I have commissioned
brass wheels to be made in China. |
Whilst this hasn’t been a cheap or quick process,
it is done. All our modern freight bogies will now include brass
wheels. This will of course mean a small price increase is required
to cover these little gems. But they will still be around 40% cheaper
than the nearest alternative.
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We also have a couple of new kits being
released very shortly, but you’ll have to wait to hear what they are.
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Until then, we shall get going down to Brisbane
to see my mother before the convention. This will no doubt result
in a two day long conversation relating to her new cat.
In case I have never mentioned it previously, my mother is THE stereotypical
cat person. |
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The fact that she lives in a townhouse is all that
stands between her neighbors installing a 15 foot high electric fence
around her, lest the rest of the world be drawn into her cat fixation.
So assuming that I can manage to survive the cat induced terminal boredom
then I shall have another chapter ready shortly.
We shall see how we go.
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