Bridport & Dist MRC Summer Exhibition 28th July

[Dad-1]

Now time to start pushing our main summer exhibition.
This has always been at the end of July, this year 28th July.
However we are moving to a much larger venue that offers free parking
plus easy access.
At

Sir John Colfox Academy
Ridgeway
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 3DT

From 10.00 Hrs until 16.00 Hrs
20+ exhibitors, 6 Traders.

Adults £5
Children £1

I'll add some layout details as we go along.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

I'm currently checking out my 'shed' of traction that's nominally allocated for use on Castell Mawr
on the 28th July.
I may add a video later, my dilemma is simply what to take. Currently thinking for GWR - Castle,
5205, and 57XX. For LMS a Webb Coal Tank, Fowler 3F tender. Then early BR a G2A, 56XX, Dean Goods
(with sound) and a 45XX.
Being twin track 2 are running at any time, but at least 6 trains can be available in the sidings. Are 9
locomotives simply too many for a one day show ?
Then I feel guilty for not giving say, a GWR County or, Hall an outing, and not a single Collett Goods
listed - my favourite loco !!

At least I don't have to worry about HS2, that has a fixed set of stock all permanently stored in the
dedicated storage box.

Having 2 layouts at one venue could be taxing, but HS2 should all but look after itself as it's for visitors
to drive and anybody (I hope) can supervise and keep it functional regardless of what novice drivers do !!

Anyway next posting may have a video and a list of other layouts coming.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Cleaning, cleaning, and checking electrics.
Castell Mawr sees daylight, and how good it makes pictures look.
2 boards done 10 to go.





5 weeks to plan and get everything in order.

The listing of Layouts :-

Wayhaught Sidings 00
Portsoton 4 mm bus diorama
Ernies Halt 009
Orchard Road 00
Springfleld 0
Longmoor N
Lenz HO
Bincombe Cutting 'N'
Lower Trumping 00
HS2 00 This is a shunting Puzzle that visitors are invited to drive.
Shillingsford 00 (all sound)
Rnad Achdalieu 009
Castell Mawr 00
Goreton Blyme 00
Lane End 009
Lambeth Walk 00
Tormouth Quay 00
Newprett Thrumbwell Fairy GN15
Studland Leggo
Meccano Models
Morella 009
Avon Halt 00
Chapel Hill Halt 00
Parkstone Goods 00

Plus 6 trade stands and a few static displays.

Geoff T.

[luckymucklebackit]

Hi Geoff - I had to do a double take on that last photo, took me a while to work out where the real trees ended and the layout began!

Looking good

Jim

[Dad-1]

Thanks for the comment Jim.
There are times when you get a lucky shot, more luck than
judgement as in bright sunlight it's difficult to see what's
on the camera LCD screen.

I can't keep posting them in this Exhibition thread so some
more 'clean-up' pictures going into the Castell Mawr layouts
thread. Just about to see how long ago I added anything to
that.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Another week closer.
Spent some of the weekend giving a few mineral wagons a weathering wash
and filling some with my coal mix.
Then extended running that revealed some de-railing problems which have now
been sorted out.
This week will be testing with extended running of all the locomotives I'm taking.

Just over 4 weeks to go !
I'll be pleased to see any NRM visitors - just pop by and say who you are.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Some good news.

We have arranged for an open Top bus to provide a service between
West Bay (George Hotel)
Bridport Town (Bus Station)
Colfox School for the Exhibition
Beaminster (Square)

This is FREE, but a request for donations - we expect us use about £70 worth of fuel !!
IF you are interested I can give aproximate times for the various stops.

Then some shocking news

Our exhibition Managers wife died suddenly this week.
We will do our best to support wherever and however we can.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Just over 2 weeks to go and I've outsorted (I think) the best set of
wagons to have.



Just 164 of them - even then I'm sad I've not included the 20 coal hoppers.
Here are the boxes ready to go, one has a Castle & 9 coaches, another 10
assorted coaches, but mostly wagons ... because !!
All the other locos will be in another box

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

In One weeks time ......... I may be able to sleep after that !!

A minor complication with using this school, Oh so sorry Academy !!
is that the caretaker/controlling interest at these premises insist that
all mains connected equipment is PAT tested.

This I fear is part of the creeping cancer of 'Box Ticking' 21st century,
covering backsides culture. For anyone who intends regularly running
their layouts at exhibitions I can see it will become the 'Norm'. We are
also concerned that our insurance could be void unless we can prove
that even this non-legally required checking has been done. As a result
the club has invested well over £200 for a portable set of testing kit !!

The only problem we have is fitting in the testing of visitors equipment
in the available tine !!

Geoff T.

[Bufferstop]

Geoff, just remember PAT testing only applies to the Mains connected item. Do not let any jobsworth connect one to the LV wiring. I remember a panic from our refurbishment workshop who found every single machine of a particular type failed then refused to work. They were individually testing the secondary leads to earth, they should have been bonded together for the test. No one ever asked me for the PAT results for an item, just did it have a label stuck on it! attaching the clips to the earth pin and a case screw often failed, but attaching the clip to the exposed grill of the PSU would pass. I kept a pocketful of star washers for these occasions.

[Lysander]

Will you be at Wells' show Geoff?

Tony

[Dad-1]

Hi Lysander,

Sorry, no I won't.
I have an open air showing of 'Thomas' at 'West Bay Day' the weekend after our show.
Then another outing for 'Thomas' into the local Library later in August.
I'm only allowed a limited number of Weekend, or Saturday passes !!

Hi Bufferstop,

Another problem with PAT testing is that without VERY expensive commercial operators
PAT testing equipment you can't test a lead with a permanently attached RCD. Our main
exhibition multi lead (10 Socket connections) had to have the RCD removed, replaced with
a standard 13 amp plug for the test process. Then after passing all connections the plug
was replaced by the RCD. This I was informed by our equipment suppliers is the only way it
can be done with smaller simple testing sets.
I'm going to wear my MERG name badge and will I think, be more than a match for any bolshy
caretaker. Sadly they say he will be with us all day and I'm slightly concerned about visiting
RCD's causing feed-back problems and crashing the halls ring mains that are already RCD
protected. I'll have 2 with me, one each for HSII and Castell Mawr, but hope not to use at all.

Geoff T.

[Bufferstop]

Hi Geoff
RCDs on RCDs doesn't seem to be a particular problem, I've got a battery of the things feeding three pumps and a UV water cleaning tank in the garden. The odd one trips out occasionally but they've never tripped the one on the main panel for the house.

[Dad-1]

My last shout for this, I shall be too busy between now and Friday evening
set-up to get on-line.

It looks like it'll be a hot one, I hope the attraction of a beach just a
couple of miles away is not overpowering !!

Geoff T.

[Bufferstop]

It's not the power units etc. that you'll have to worry about tripping the RCDs, it's all the ruddy fans they'll be smuggling in and sticking under the stands!