HSB goes indoors

Thanks, I’ve had to make the buildings removable for transport. Just hope it runs OK all weekend.
With LGB locomotives, suitable controller and clean track you will have no problems unlike many of the smaller ‘mice’ scales. When exhibiting my 0 gauge line I had much better running than other 0 gauge lines, that was mainly due to having compensated locomotives that had guaranteed 4 or 6 wheels picking up power from code 100 rail at all times. The wagons and coaches were also compensated giving smooth non wobbly transit across the layout despite deliberate dodgy track to replicate a Col Stephens poorly maintained railway. Track cleaning was scrupulously carried out both before each day of the show and at any time where slight indications if possible dirty track were noticed. Exhibitions can be a trial for running due to the dust from people, heat and general atmospheric conditions. It is a wonder that N and smaller run at all in those conditions, I guess it is a signal of the quality of modern models these days.
 
A very enjoyable day 1 at the Chapel exhibition, met several other G scalers. Layout ran fine, but another day tomorrow.
 
Delighted to say the layout ran perfectly on Sunday too. A very tight squeeze fitting it back in the van (which I slept in Friday and Saturday nights - just 2 degrees inside when I woke up). It seemed to be well recieved and was fun to run, so I might consider taking it to another exhibition if asked.

IMG_2610.jpeg

PS at each baseboard joint I have lift out section of track secured with Hillman? Rail clamps. The special screwdriver used to tighten/remove them is well worn and needs replacing - any ideas for where I might get one?
 
Delighted to say the layout ran perfectly on Sunday too. A very tight squeeze fitting it back in the van (which I slept in Friday and Saturday nights - just 2 degrees inside when I woke up). It seemed to be well recieved and was fun to run, so I might consider taking it to another exhibition if asked.

View attachment 324161

PS at each baseboard joint I have lift out section of track secured with Hillman? Rail clamps. The special screwdriver used to tighten/remove them is well worn and needs replacing - any ideas for where I might get one?
You talking about the alun key or mini ratchet screwdriver?
 
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PS at each baseboard joint I have lift out section of track secured with Hillman? Rail clamps. The special screwdriver used to tighten/remove them is well worn and needs replacing - any ideas for where I might get one?

These ball-ended ** hex head screwdrivers are readily available online. It's just a matter of knowing what to search for. I have a mixture of Hillman and Split-Jaw clamps (most of my track is Tenmille, so I have to take whatever make I can find, when I find them). The Hillman ones use a 3/32" hex, while the Split-Jaw ones take a 7/64" hex. I got those sizes off my hex screwdrivers (after a lot of squinting). Since you aren't absolutely sure that your clamps are Hillman ones, isn't the size still visible on your existing one?

** depending on what is next to your track joints, you might get away with a standard hex driver. The ball-ended ones allow you to tighten/undo the clamps with the driver at an upward angle.

Cheers

David
 
Delighted to say the layout ran perfectly on Sunday too. A very tight squeeze fitting it back in the van (which I slept in Friday and Saturday nights - just 2 degrees inside when I woke up). It seemed to be well recieved and was fun to run, so I might consider taking it to another exhibition if asked.

View attachment 324161

PS at each baseboard joint I have lift out section of track secured with Hillman? Rail clamps. The special screwdriver used to tighten/remove them is well worn and needs replacing - any ideas for where I might get one?
I brought both imperial and metric Allen key wrenches, both ball ended and straight, as I have a mix of clamps too.

I think I found mine on Evilbuy....
 
Managed to find a ball ended Allen key on the internet. Bought it from a proper tool supplier, high quality srainlrss steel fir under £5.
 
Finally I've got the railway running indoors. After its exhibition in February, I put the layout, all 8 baseboards, on the lower level of my baseboard support framework, but I never wired the controller to the track - all of two screw terminals. However, yesterday I tidied up the railway room and this morning I got the G scale line working. Happy day. Perhaps having just retired has made the difference. Below is a 3 minute phone video of it working.

Most of the backscene boards have low relief buildings on them. These fit perfectly on the inside of the layout at exhibitions (no more planned at the moment). But for home use the backscene boards just lean against the house walls at the back of the layout. Running the layout today I discovered that my Harz 2-10-2T cannot get round in this format as it hits some of the low relief buildings. I'll just have to run other locos instead.

You may noticed some areas of bare wood on the baseboard edges near the camera - this is where the low relief buildings sit at exhibitions.

 
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