Small Improvements and Building the Kyogle Station Building

On Tuesday this week 7 guys came over for our Tuesday Nighter's get together.  They all had a bit of a wander around the layout and Garry asked that I run a train.  So I picked up the fruit train currently sitting in Grafton Yard track 2, and ran it all the way to track 3 at Clapham Yard.  While I was running someone else was doing the safeworking - take a staff and returning it at the next crossing loop and taking the next one and so on. At Clapham Yard, the track further north was blocked so that train could not go any further.  During the run I found out that a track joiner in Cassino Meatworks on the main was not conducting.  So that was a job added to the weekend’s list.  The loco on the fruit train also found a high track nail in track 3 at Clapham Yard.  That was also identified for remediation.  I also had concerns that the loco was not starting at a low speed step.

So on Friday I went down to the shed and identified the bad joiner in Cassino Meatworks and then hit it with some solder.  I ran a loco through that area, and it worked well.  I also pushed the track nail at Clapham Yard further in.  That problem was also solved.  I then took the fruit train and then backed it up from Clapham Yard track 3 to Acacia Ridge Yard track 1.  Here I ran the locos around the train via track 2 and then continued back to Grafton Yard.  At Grafton Yard I ran the locos around the train again, so that train is ready to for the next Operations Session. 

However on the run back, I identified that there was an issue between one loco and first wagon.  They kept uncoupling.  I have a feeling when I was mucking around with the locos I placed the rear one on the track in the opposite direction (and then set up a consist).  The first wagon on the train had a scale coupling on it, so I replaced it with a standard size coupling head.  The loco needs an underset coupling.  I had a look through all my KD types, and I don’t have a spare packet.  So I need to spend stupid amounts of money on a packet from a local hobby shop.

Earlier on Friday I picked up a couple of storage boxes from K-Mart.  These have been placed above the pelmet as you enter the door into the shed.  One has all by KD height gauges and test tracks in it.

On Saturday I had a plan to visit a local hobby shop.  But an item I needed to take there could not be found.  It must have taken me close to an hour before I found what I was looking for.  That was in a steaming shed.  I was sweating like a pig.  Anyway I went there and dropped off what I needed to do.  When I came home, I started doing some more Clothes lines.  I completed 5 N scale and 8 HO scale ones.  Later in the day I gave them a dose of paint. 

Today I finally got around to the Kyogle Station Building.  I found the plans and detail photos I was working off.  This has been sitting half built for close to 2 years.  So today I installed 5 doors.  I think I need to also install one more window on the rear wall.  Not that anyone will ever see that it is not there, but I still will.  Next weekend I will add some internal walls and some internal detail.  I will then start on the roof and any internal lighting.