Today, I started sorting through the boxes stored in the Man Cave, where Heath Lane will be erected. I could throw away some items, while I needed to take a few boxes into the house for sorting.I could throw away some items, while I needed to take a few boxes into the house for sorting. With a bit of reorganisation, I managed to clear a small amount of floor space.
They arrived with Heath End baseboards bolted together in pairs, and stored them in a small, previously cleared space. With a little more floor space available at this end of the room, temptation got the better of me. I randomly selected and separated a pair of boards. Once separated it was evident that they had been in storage for some time. Dust, bugs, loose scenic material had all found their way into the base of the baseboard corners. Because it was warped and covered in debris, I quickly removed and discarded the clear plastic screen from the front of the boards. I then put Henry into action, quickly vacuuming up all the debris.
All the wiring looks to be present though it is loose and untidy. At first glance and considering it age I'm assuming it has been wired for DC operation. All turnouts are operated by wiring in tube and the crossover on one of these boards still worked well. Whether I install servos as a replacement for the wire in tube is something for the future. If I do if will be the opportunity to rewire the whole layout for DCC operation.
On the baseboard surfaces the track looks OK. However, I can only be certain after I erect and bolt together all the baseboards. The scenery is tired and faded in colour so will definitely need refreshing.
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| First two board inspected after a light vacumming |
The buildings arrived in a couple of slightly battered corrugated boxes with lids that didn't close over the buildings. The first building I found was the station building, unfortunately it looks like the roof has been stained during storage. On initial inspection, the other buildings looked to be in slightly better shape. One structure I found and was able to place on one of the cleaned boards was the road over-bridge. It slotted in place nicely but rocked across its length, front to back across the baseboard... Hmm...does that mean that the baseboard has warped in storage? Again, I'll know better when the baseboards are all erected and joined together.
I was not expecting a layout in perfect condition, so my thoughts are still the same. If the baseboards go together and the track bed is flat there will be a chance that I can make something of this layout. Eventually, some—if not all—of the buildings will be replaced, and all the scenery will be upgraded.
Will I change the fictional back story? Will it have a name change? We'll have to wait and see.
