The Paycar has been sat on a shelf for nearly four months on the off-chance that the new extension would be ready for its' official opening (a month away at least now).
However, I had hopes that the loco would operate on the trailer layout. Any chance of testing it out had to wait for better weather, a fresh coat of waterproofing to the roof of the trailer, and good weather to allow it to be transferred from the barn to the yard. Fortunately, with the help of No.2 son, all came together this week - although the good spells of weather were utilised on other jobs.
With torrential rain and hail most of the night, I thought my chances were nil for today, but a clear sky signalled otherwise. The clear sky brought a strong frost but a bash or two with the rubber mallet (not a loco
) allowed the catches to be loosened and the shutters raised. End baseboards were lowered and connected up, track cleaned, battery power connected and it was testing time.
A derailment on a sharper than normal R1 (they are all RIs !) caused some head scratching, then a refusal to enter the station brought forth more scratching, then it was off to complete the trip.
The footboards were catching so I had to shorten these (fourth pic), and the difficulty coming around the curve to the station was caused by the pilot (cowcatcher) fouling the platform surface - the latter having to be mutilated to lower the surface. It now traverses the whole layout although there is some slippage on tight curves. Just a few pics before the trailer was closed up and secured. .....
Now it just needs a little cosmetic attention and an LED in the rear lantern!
