Dunallander Update

As restrictions still prevent us all from our meetings, some of the group continue with Zoom meetings every fortnight. On the modelling front, Roy continues with work on the boards, Tony has been working on some stock and Mike with the buildings. I have now became an expert at gaining weight. Jim Watt from the Forth and Clyde group has been working away on the canopies for Dunallander and has just sent through some photographs of what I can only describe as some really excellent modelling. A big thank you must also go to Alisdair from the Forth and Clyde group for supplying the glazing. Stay safe.

Dunallander Update

Since our last posting, Tony has set up fortnightly group zoom meetings (Azuma for LNER fans) and Roy has again been busy working on Dunallander. The following are photographs and a description of the work Roy has carried out.

The main work which was the restructuring of Dunallander's north boards, which was done to reduce the width of the viaduct board to match that of the main station board after removal of the two superfluous sidings.

This is the north end of the viaduct board, with the main line coming off the viaduct at the bottom left. The reduction  in baseboard width took place at the top of the photo. The baseboard joint edge to the right of the photo has been repositioned to meet the new top edge, with the 'river bed' realigned accordingly.

The following photo shows how the main line, which previously curved directly round to the storage area, now turns to the left initially, allowing the radius of the curve to be increased.

The following photo shows how by increasing the main line curve radius required the layout to be lengthened at this end (with a matching reduction at the other end). Roy also needed to build a temporary support for the centre point of the track curves to assist in drawing them. (This had been removed by the time the photo was taken.

The following photo shows how the curves to the storage area pass in front of one of the doors to the shed. Previously there was a removable section to avoid the need for visitors to duck under the baseboard. Roy decided to replace this with a drop down section hinged at one end.

This work has now been completed with the board continuing into the storage area and following shows the section hinged down.

The following shows the extensions from the storage board with brass dowels which locate with apertures on the hinged section.

Although our meetings are cancelled due to the current situation, Roy has been working away on his own making some changes to the sidings on Dunallander. Originally there were 6 sidings which were straight and parallel. They have now been reduced to an authentic 4 sidings following the reduction in the baseboard width.  The new outermost siding needed to be re-laid and Roy has also lifted and realigned the siding to its left to introduce the curve which is apparent on the OS map.

 The following is as originally laid.

The following is the new layout of the goods sidings

We also welcome two new members Paul and Scott to our group. Hopefully it will not be too long before we can all get together.

Stay safe.