7mm Whatborough Yard.

Roger Pound

Western Thunderer
Having been tinkering around with an 0 gauge system for a few years, which had been laid in SM32 to accommodate some of Ace Trains and ETS made models I eventually owned up to myself that I would like to improve the layout especially from the rather unprototypical track appearance. The final straw came when there was a case of severe warp on one of the baseboards. So, in exchange for certain of my coarse scale items I obtained some Peco bullhead track to start over. Then fate struck again and an illness prevented my working in my unheated garage for a couple of months - one of the side-effects of advancing years! Nevertheless health and weather improved and I have now reached the stage where the former layout is completely dis-assembled. The replacement timber and plywood is to hand and the reconstruction of the two baseboards is ongoing.
The name Whatborough is taken from the name of a now disappeared hamlet in Leicestershire, (my home county) and the project will be a branch terminus working on to two scenic boards giiving a total of 8'3" x 2'0" area running on to the existing traverser from the old layout which just needed a track change. I will post more progress as it becomes photographically viable.

Roger
 
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Roger Pound

Western Thunderer
Thanks Bill for the tip. Unfortunately I cannot take advantage as I have already completely lifted the track (see the small ads ;)) and acquired Peco BH in sufficient quantity to cope with the traverser. The recent wild weather and low temperatures meant work had ground to a halt until today when with some splendid sunshine and a much warmer ambience, I was able to complete the rebuilding and surfacing of the remaining boards for what will become Whatborough. One small advantage has been the gaining of an extra nine inches (200mm or thereabouts) in length - doesn't sound much but when you have a very small layout, it is quite significant and means an extra wagon length in operational terms for me. Before some one jumps in, I model the 1930's and my wagons are all the common four-wheelers of that era, as opposed to the modern vehicles of later years. As my baseboards are entirely conventional I do not consider them a worthy photographic subject, but when track starts to appear - then I'll get the camera out!

Roger
 
Whatborough Yard

Roger Pound

Western Thunderer
The recent more comfortable weather - as far as working in my garage is concerned - has meant I have been able to resume work on what is now to be known as Whatborough Yard. Being of a certain age, recent circumstances mean that I, like many others am in lockdown, which means I have had perhaps a little m ore time to plan out this new layout. As a result, track-laying has taken longer and I found my original assessment of requirements fell short of my actual needs so I want to say a big thank you to Bill Campbell for his information about using SM32 track on the traverser - it saved my bacon, especially with many Peco items currently being non-available.
The layout is fully laid now, but has to be wired - a job I am not particularly fond of, compounded by the fact that my soldering station packed up this past week and I await a new one being delivered. Whatborough was developed on the old layout with the addition of a new board and the original was designed for easy dismantling and moving. I had no reason to alter this system - after all if it ain't broke, etc.etc. - and it has advantages for me from the point of view of working on it. Thus the photo shows what will be the terminal end of the yard, this sub section currently being on my work table for ease of access. The station throat will follow it on to the table when this one is completed. More ( and better , I hope) pictures soon, once the basic layout is re-assembled after wiring.

Roger.
 

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Roger Pound

Western Thunderer
Progress continues at Whatborough Yard, albeit slowly - the track is now laid and wired up and initial running tests have been carried out, with a few adjustments completed having been found necessary. Somehow, during these works, our roving cameraman from the old Neverwood Chronicle days seems to have discovered Whatborough and took the opportunity to apply his talents to the ongoing work.

Deeley 3F on test running resting at the headshunt from the terminal loop between turns.
SAM_2009.JPG

Newly allocated Sentinel on yard triaals with visiting 'Toad'.

SAM_2010.JPG

Looking out of the yard towards the traverser.
SAM_2011.JPG

The view towards the buffers.
SAM_2014.JPG

The Deeley on the traverser - the storage shelves currently holds tools and scenic bits and pieces instead of the usual tolling stock when in full operation.
SAM_2015.JPG

So there we have it for the present - the progress so far. With continued lock-down for people like me and some clement weather, I should get on with the ballasting next......! As for our intrepid photographer, it seems that the local paper, the Whatborough Bugle, has taken him in to their employ, so more of his efforts may well appear as the system develops.
Thank you for your interest.

Roger.
 
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Roger Pound

Western Thunderer
Sad news! Regrettably due to an unexpected house move Whatborough Yard is now closed to all traffic for the present and until further notice. Hopefully a new location can be sourced and once again the sounds of Deeley and Fowler six-coupled locos will be heard ..........!

Roger
(My motto? "You are never too old to build a new layout!". )
 
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