We were back again at the Abbey Hill Steam Rally.
When we originally came up with the idea of the extension, we gave ourselves a deadline of October but then (stupidly) decided to bring that forward by six months, meaning that all work had to be completed, which we just about managed four days prior to setting up here!
So here's the layout making its first public appearance in its new 21 foot glory...
It wasn't an easy setup - never before has the layout taken nearly all day to setup and get working. Not all problems associated with the new section either, or the uneven ground associated with running in a marquee, that was probably the easiest bit to overcome!
I managed to blow up the Arduino controlling the turntable during the final building session, so that was the first job to resolve after setting up, and took far more work than originally perceived.
The walkabout controller failed, thankfully just a dry joint inside and a quick fix once the fault was traced.
During the construction work I finally got around to installing the Arduino signal controller. This actually worked really well after some major gremlins during testing but led to some unexpected problems elsewhere.
On day two, it was noticed that the shuttle, which has been the most reliable part of the layout since being modified to Arduino control, began to behave erratically, with the points flicking from side to side and locos getting stuck. After checking the signal connections it was realised that the Arduino chip had been damaged, so a new one was fitted and programmed. It worked for about half an hour at most before it failed again.
It's difficult to fault find when you're running four tracks but eventually and after about two hours of detective work, I discovered that the problem was being caused by the new signal control system - to operate the semaphores properly I had to install a CDU and this was causing electrical feedback through the common return wiring. Pretty simple to resolve, the signals just require a separate return connection but a tad difficult to do while the boards are in use, so the new controller was simply unplugged for the rest of the weekend.
To commemorate the new extension, I produced three more SD coaches in the blue and grey livery to give me a six car rake - these refused to stay together in any formation and ended up sidelined until day three!
While spending so much time looking for faults, I hadn't spotted that one of the locos had become stuck due to a derailed coach. By the time I'd spotted it, the damage had been done. Sadly the locomotive involved is Clan Line once again, having only recently been returned to the layout having cooked the previous armature. I'm starting to think that Clan Line is jinxed!
A couple of other minor loco failures that were resolved either by resoldering or oiling, apart from Clan Line I have very little to work on.
By day three, and with most of the gremlins resolved, there was more time to focus on running and finally get the SD coaches running properly. After some tweaking of couplings and light oiling they then stayed together perfectly. Things were starting to come together finally after so much grief...
...and then it started to rain!
Last year, rain brought the show to an early close. This time it sadly leaked into our marquee and onto the layout. Whilst the other exhibitors were unaffected, we had no choice but to stop and cover up to avoid the risk of damage. Some minor damage was caused to the scenery and Dorchester got a little wet. By day four however all these issues were resolved.
Thankfully on the final day, the rain eased off and the sun came out. We were able to run faultlessly for the entire day, and then it was time to pack down.
It probably was a little too ambitious to bring the build forward by six months but having four days to properly run everything was ultimately more beneficial and far better to iron out the problems well in advance of the Warley show.
The extension, once fully stocked, looked seamless. A number of people asked which part was the extension!
One of two illuminated engine sheds.
The automated crossing worked perfectly, even after crashing a loco into it!
Ray Burrows' Dinky collection was put to good use!
New addition - home made GWR TPO coach makes its first appearance on the end of a rake of chocolate & cream coaches.
Looking east from the new extension, it's hard to believe that this wasn't part of the original plan!
The I 'Ad That sign used to be mounted on the centre board using Velcro. Of course there is no longer a centre board, so it's been modified to hang on the back scene. Should we need to exhibit at 16ft in future then it'll still hang on the back.
The EMU sets were briefly doubled up to form a twelve coach rake.
GWR tank coupled to a Lima push-pull coach.
The blue & grey mk1 coaches make a proper appearance after lots of tweaking.
And they looked pretty impressive. I'd like to think that Dublo would have made these had they survived long enough!
City of Liverpool - a genuine one!
This home-made LNER tank normally lives in the stock box due to lack of room. The new extension gave me a chance to give it a run, it performed quite happily on the shuttle goods train, also resurrected after some time. The usual DMU & Railcars were also used but their duties were regularly swapped due to this being a four day show.
The tank wagons also made a brief appearance, here being hauled by the GWR tank again.
And finally, another loco that hasn't seen any use for months - the one that started it all off again, the 80054 that I had bought all those years ago as a scrapper to fix up Dorchester but ended up repairing and keeping. This one also ended up sidelined as it was quite sluggish and would never run well double-headed. During some quiet time on the final day it was given a decent run, and after a few initial laps it started to run really well.
Some minor tweaks to be made to the layout before our next outing in two weeks but the layout is fully functional and was very well received in its new format.
With thanks to Brian Phelps & the organisers of the Abbey Hill Steam Rally for an excellent weekend.
Hopefully we'll be allowed back next year...
