TFW’s workshop & Copenhagen Fields

Tom Mallard

Western Thunderer
Copenhagen Fields is something else! What a vision to have realised.

Also - Tim Watson allowed me the good fortunate to closely examine his GNR Stirling Single model and the under construction Raven pacific, which was a real treat. What is very apparent is how the completed GNR engine had a really unified overall finish from the proportionality and delicacy of the details to the shade of green used to the lining which was prevented from being too shouty. A masterpiece, albeit one of a number Tim has made.

Tom
 

Tim Watson

Western Thunderer
Taking CF to a show is quite a logistical challenge, but one that has become more and more streamlined over time. It is a big lump of layout.
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Every single baseboard joint has to be perfect(ish) and is checked as the main ring of the layout is set up and levelled. The scenic in-fill boards followed by the back scenes complete the construction phase. Joints can move at this point so they are again checked where possible. One joint was not quite right on Saturday running at York was the hidden NLR lines. It probably moved when the scenery was inserted. Of course, once the scenery is in place, access is very challenging. At the end of the day we investigated.
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Sometimes, a sharp tap with a mallet will do the trick, but not in this case.
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Another scenic section needed to be removed to improve access.

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A biased G cramp was used to horizontally shift the errant joint and then seriously tighten up on the main bolt.
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This was tested the next day and the other scenic boards were installed: not an easy task in the middle of the layout, with the back scenes installed. e5c7d641-7672-4099-9759-07583fcf2168.jpg

The skinnier members of the group set-to polishing the tracks. Getting out of the access holes is quite entertaining.
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This video shows how well the team work together.

So far so good. The layout now performed very well - unfortunately, I didn’t. I had a problem during the week beforehand with a R groin strain. This was getting better, but not helped by this little exercise. On top of that a flu virus found me, so that I was shivering and cold for much of the time: I didn’t really get to see much of the show and be sociable. What was truly impressive was how the group rallied round and helped. I was grateful that we had started to build in this sort of resilience after one of the co-founders died. This wake up call at York did make us think about how many shows we will be doing going forward. We have occasionally done 2-3 shows in a year. We will now only do 1-2, especially if they are long distance. It will also make the layout more ‘special’ when exhibited and less likely to be overexposed. On that basis we are looking at 2029 for exhibition invites.

Tim
 

iak63

Western Thunderer
Was at York on Monday and yet again, this mini-marvel didn't disappoint.
It was the first time my wife had seen the layout and she appreciated the whole concept. She especially liked the use of perspective.
Mind, she is a sucker for A4's in any scale. Once I explained some of what has been used to create some of the locomotives, that really impressed her...
 
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