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I risked having a go at the first FineTrax point last night, and as with all these things, there was two steps forward and one back. It didn’t take long to get to this stage, as shown below, and my test wagon ran smoothly over the frog and blades. Then, of course, the fun started with the soldering!

First, I managed to solder a point blade to the stock rail. A little fettling solved this.

I then added the wiring between point blade and stock rail. No problem here, and I’m pleased to note that the plastic used for the base is much slower to melt than Peco sleepers. It may, of course be due to the use of Code 40 rail, with a lot less metal and less heat needed to solder.

I then looked to add the wiring around the stock rails. Disaster! A little pressure and the short lengths of rail next the frog knuckle popped out of the chairs, and couldn’t be replaced. This seems to be a weakness in the design, as this short length of rail is only supported by two chairs.

I am considering a few changes to the point construction to solve these issues.

First, move the isolating gaps of between frog and blade a few sleepers nearer the point toe. This is easy to arrange, and there are still plenty of chairs supporting the blade. This is further strengthened by the soldered wire links between blade and stock rail. It also seems possible to feed the knuckle rail section from the blade end of the point, rather than the frog end. This will save having to bend the point base to feed in these sections of rail.

Secondly, a touch of solder at frog and knuckle at the three points shown below will strengthen the whole structure and give electrical continuity. I will try this out on the remains of my test point!

The wiring then becomes very easy – a single feed will be needed to the whole frog, rather than two.

I will think about this, and then try it all out on one of the other points that I have to build. I will need to buy another point to replace this one – but of course FineTrax have run our of Code 40 bullhead rail and aren’t taking any orders. Never mind, I’ve plenty to do.

Despite the problems, I have to say that I strongly recommend these points. They are easy to build, stock runs through them very well, and they look wonderful. The problems are mainly due to my heavy-handedness, and I’ll find a way around that.

And today’s book purchase. An interesting survey of my favourite BR coaches.

Makes an interest contrast with the much older (and probably better, really) HMRS volume that I have.

The problem with leaving a layout for a period of time is what accumulates on it whilst you are away. My baseboard looked like this!

It seemed to have accumulated some stray American stock, several Terriers, a Japanese brake van, a second hand Farish Jubilee, and eight suburban coaches (I think that I borrowed their blue box to get some other stock to our show.) However, all these now have new and slightly better homes, and not on top of my next project.

The loft room also looks a lot tidier, having had a good turn out, moved all the family suitcases to the back loft, and invested in a number of Really Useful Boxes to store things (hoping that I can find them again!)

I have stripped the old track off the baseboard, and this little package arrived on Wednesday…..

I’ve read the instructions, and agree that these look FAR easier to build than the first generation of points, excellent as they were. I will get one going soon.

Another parcel arrived today, from TMC with a number of half-price items. A pair of Farish Pullmans from a trainset have different names from the four that I have had for years, so will extend the rake a little. And these low relief buildings may well find a home on the layout (especially the public conveniences!)

And finally, we have the down-under HST….

And for bus enthusiasts, this is a good watch…..

When I last wrote about Minories, it was late 2021. Since then, building (successfully) a pair of modules for the N-mod and sorting out the ESNG exhibition has rather taken up my time. The modules need a little more scenery, but that can wait, and I decided to return to my Minories.

This was the original plan that I was working to.

As I began to lay the pointwork, a number of challenges came to light. I had laid all the track bases in place, and (1) one was a little out of alignment. Not enough to prevent smooth running, but I wasn’t happy with it, Then (2) it was very difficult to fit point motors (Cobalt, as I have a good number in stock) with so many closely linked points and under the raised arches.

And, of course, as I mentioned in December, Finetrax have greatly improved their Code 40 point kits, with track bases with the rail chairs included, rail-built frogs and pre-formed point blades. As I mulled over the design, typically I decided that I really didn’t like it that much. Especially, although the terminus throat pointwork is the most interesting part of things, I’d made the platforms too short. I also didn’t really like the ‘hidden’ platform ends on a short added board, yet I didn’t want to extend the board size over 4′ long.

So I looked at the design again, and the shape of boards that I had already constructed. I also returned to the rather simpler Ian Futers ‘Victoria Park’ design. And this is what I’ve come up with. As you can see, the scenic sections and boards have remained the same – I’ve always been very happy with them. The two sidings at the top can be used for a short EMU, parcels, and the odd loco.

I have two possible options for the fiddle yard. With a double track entry to the station, both tracks will seem bi-directional, with another crossover offstage. So sidings on both tracks in the fiddleyard could hold six trains. Alternatively, if the lower main line is shortened to become a loco siding, the fiddleyard could become a sector plate.

I guess that this is a much simpler design, shorter, with less points, but keeping some of the character of the original. Overall, I’m a lot happier with it. I’ll think a little more about this, but am confident enough to have ordered the new point kits today.

Of course, if I make these changes, it won’t really be a Minories….. but never mind.