New baseboards for Rhiw

Baseboard building.

When you've been used to 009 and N for the last few years, building a board 45x 12 seems huge. Huge that it when it's only the fiddle yard. This fanciful flight into historical diesel modelling is proving quite a learning curve especially with regard to getting the stock right for the period; which is where I differ from a good friend of mine with regard to freelancing being harder. I must have gone through a dozen bought and borrowed books just to work out what stock is correct - or more to the point incorrect for the period, knowing damn well that if it's not, then some spotty little trainspotting anorak will adopt a condescending tone and tell me.

The period 85-88 is interesting because it's a crossover for new and old stock and also liveries, but a minefield for making assumptions. Everything that is done is backed up by photos... so far.

The boards however are nothing new, being the same inverted 6mm MDF trays that I've used since the late 80s. Cheaper than ply and a lot less splintery.

Trestles for Rhiw

Not a lot going on recently - other things to do, but I did get to build four trestles (43" high and 18" wide) which if it gets built will support Llynfordd and any other future exhibition projects.

The woodwork is done; from s/h hinges and best B&Q banana pine. All I need to do is get some chain to make an adjustable link between the two 'feet'.

Circus.

There was much talk yesterday about exhibitions and exhibition layouts. This while deconstructing some trestles (too low) and recycling the hinges for the new set. What is it about exhibitions that we all find so fascinating - apart from the social side that is? In the great scheme of things it's a recent development. When I started in the 70s there was Central Halls and York, the others were 'club' shows, not much more than open days in church halls. Now it's big(ish) business and what could be described as a travelling circus; the same acts appearing week in, week out.

Why?

Why do we haul our train sets out for public inspection? More to the point, why do we build them specifically for this purpose alone. Be honest, how many exhibitors out there actually run these layouts at home other than pre-show tests? The speed of pack up, usually before the close would indicate that it's not a wholly enjoyable experience and there's no large profit margin. So why bother. Or is it purely ego?

To answer these questions is impossible, but it's making me consider things carefully.