Our last scheduled outing for 2016 saw us back at our home club for our annual exhibition.
Regular viewers will know that this is where it all began back in 2014 for us and this was our third appearance with I 'ad That.
This time we were promoted to the main hall and after a leisurely setup on Friday evening, and after ironing out a number of minor issues on Saturday morning (even the mail train wouldn't play nicely!) we settled in to two days of solid running.
Star of the weekend was the Prototype Deltic, which arrived earlier in the week and just in time to be included. It just looks perfect on the layout and of course, it has lights!
The Deltic saw lots of use across the two days, here it's just passing the mail train on the inner track, and the Bachmann DMU working the shuttle...
The Deltic then poses in the main station...
This time we put the two 8Fs on the mail train for a while. These are running a little slower than I would like so they're on the list for locos in need of attention through the winter downtime...
The Blue EMU performed without fault as ever...
The recent turntable works have gone un-noticed by many until pointed out. The turntable continued to work well, albeit that it still intermittently turns by itself - another job for the list...
The Blue & Grey EMU was put to work on the top loop (as the Deltic was used so much!) but failed on the second day with a defective gear worm. Another one to add to the list...
Twin 8Fs in the station, with 0-6-2 2274 hauling the three recently refurbished maroon coaches. 2273, it's sister loco, is also on the fix list!
I found time since the last outing to produce five more Dorchester Gas & Coke wagons (all numbered) which takes the total up to fifteen. The first five will be re-done over the winter as they were fitted with paper overlays rather than vinyl & lacquer like the rest. This will give them a much shinier and tougher finish...
Busy outer fiddle yard, with the Deltics all seeing plenty of action...
I also purchased a GWR push-pull coach for use on the shuttle. It came without any couplings so a HD coupling was quickly glued to one end to allow push-pull operation on the shuttle. OK so it's a Lima but it looks the part and fits in well with the GWR rail motor (even if it is a Southern station!)
Once again we were very well received and picked up more potential bookings for 2017. After what we both agreed had been two of the most enjoyable days we've had so far, it was time to pack up again and head home.
And that, for the moment at least, is it for 2016. Attentions can now be turned towards maintenance of the rolling stock and the potential replacement of the upper loop rear section, which has been planned and postponed several times this year. The electronic signal aspect control has still yet to be fitted and, once the future transportation arrangements have been finalised, there's still a possibility of a five foot extension.
Watch this space...
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