Some more photos courtesy of Garry West showing progress on the main HO layout on 22 June 2022.
Continue readingHO Layout Progress
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Category Archives: HO layout
HO Layout Updates
Some more photos showing the rapid progress on the new HO layout. Second spiral, old steel mill being relocated and frame being dismantled.
Photos courtesy of Garry West and Michael Smith on 15th June 2022.
Continue readingLocos Running on New HO Layout
Another significant milestone in construction of the new HO layout was achieved this evening with the successful running of a test loco all the way around the storage track layer of the new HO layout!
Construction of this layout is being done quite differently to club layouts in the past. Until now, track and point motor wiring was very much an afterthought — inevitably leading to problems with access and obstructions making the job much harder. This layout is being designed and built progressively with all electrical wiring and point motors being installed at the same time the track is laid. Theory is this should lead to a much more reliable result in the end!
Main HO Layout Storage Tracks Complete
A significant milestone in construction of the new HO layout was achieved last weekend when the storage tracks were completed on the lower layer. Electrical wiring, including point motors and test running are all being completed as the layout is being constructed to avoid having to rework things once the top layer is in place (which will obviously be much harder!)
To see more photos and review progress to date, take a look at the Main HO Scale Layout page.
Old HO Layout Demolished
Demolition of the old HO layout has now been completed to make way for the new one. Latest photos of progress are now available on the Main HO Scale Layout page for your viewing pleasure.
HO Layout Page Updated
Construction of the new HO layout is full steam ahead at the WAMRC! The HO layout page has been extensively updated to document progress as it occurs.
Keep checking back to view progress as it occurs.
DCC Circuit Breakers
The DCC circuit breakers (PowerShield X’s)on the main HO Gunyidi layout have now had the optional short-circuit buzzers fitted (the round black things in the photo above), so they now make a noise when there is a problem. If you are operating on the HO layout and your train stops — listen out for the buzzer. If you hear it you have a short circuit and lost power — if you don’t hear it, it is probably just dirty wheels and/or track!
The next step will be to install LED indicators up on the end wall so you can tell at a glance which finger of the layout it is that has the problem.
Operating Nights Revival
At the general meeting 2 days ago, we discussed how to make the club more fun and to try and get more members coming down more often to be involved. One intiative we have agreed on is to revitalise the operating nights on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
We are kicking off these revitalise operating nights next week (26th March) as follows:
- Earlier start time: meet at 7pm for a 7:30pm start time
- Briefing and questions in the first half hour (with complimentary cakes and snacks provided by the club) in that first half hour
- Strong encouragement for all members present on the night to be involved — even from other scales — especially committee members
So come on down, get involved and lets have some fun! 🙂
BHP Billiton Model Donated
The club is delighted to accept the donation of a very nice model of a North-West construction camp from BHP Billiton Iron Ore that is now surplus to their requirements. The model is approximately 1:100 scale — close enough to HO 1:87 for us to be able to make good use of virtually everything on our main HO Gunyidi layout.
The model has been very professionally produced and the WAMRC gratefully acknowledges BHP Billiton Iron Ore for donating this model to the club.
Branchline addition
Recently a crossover was added to the Yoting branch. This allows a train to reverse direction back onto the mainline, It also makes for easier running to the industries in and around Yoting.