Today has been spent adding the bolts and loops to allow access to all storage on the traverser deck. I also added some track on the first of the two 6′ scenic boards.

I think you will get the idea of what the two track main line will look like. I have taken this option because I wanted to simply show trains running in the country, no station, yard or anything else. This is what 80% of our real railways look like and it is seldom modelled.  I am however considering making a loop on both the up and down lines. These loops will give the viewers at Exhibitions something to see all the while, instead of empty tracks.  It is also potentially two extra storage tracks, only in view of everyone.

The second traverser is not due for another six weeks so the two 6′ scenic sections will be worked on, after a decision on the loops is made. I have many thoughts on what I would like to see on the boards and planning will continue.

As I said on the post before this one, I had an idea to increase the length on the other end of the deck. I worked out how I was going to approach it, but discretion being the better of valour, I shelved the project!

The other concern I had was the balance when the deck was totally extended outwards. This I managed to sort by lessening the travel of the deck – I added another point to the innermost two tracks – see photo’s below.

I have made all the bolts and loops for the locking/electric contact system. I have also added the male and female baseboard joiners to the traverser and the first scenic board.

I have also soldered copper clad sleepers to the ends of all tracks for protection.

None of the Bolts and Loops are Screwed and/or glued yet – they need drilling and a handle added.

After making the traverser and testing its capacity, I felt that I would like to find a way to enlarge it slightly, mainly to hold four Mk1 and Mk2 coaches and a medium size Loco.

After much testing and finding some raw materials I began to test a few ideas. Although limited by having only a small amount of wood, I managed to come up with a prototype that would allow a four inch extension and an end stop.

Below are some photographs of the extension, albeit without actually gluing the extra piece on to the traverser.

Well, that’s it, four coaches and a Class 31 is now fine – certainly looks better than three. I now need to decide whether to buy some more wood and make a prototype  5 or 6 inch!