[nickelminers]

Dear friends.

We have hurriedly completed the construction of our twin tanks. We added the access stairs and the six poles on which the unit stands (in prototype, the unit is a prefabricated piece of equipment). We re-machined some solder joints. Finally, we matched the unit to the terminal section of our layout, and did some cosmetic work to the area where the unit is installed. And, we did a superficial weathering. As for the other pieces of machinery, this unit can be removed from the layout, to reduce the risk of damage in handling and transport. As indicated before, during the next three weeks we are under way on business trips and two modeling exhibitions; hence we will do the final finishing and detailing of this unit not before mid-November. Attached you find some close-up photos of the installed unit.

Best wishes from Milan.

Mad Doc and Nickel Queen

https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...eposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...eposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...eposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...eposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...eposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...eposted-public/

 

[nickelminers]

Dear friends.
Herewith a concise report, after our participation at the Faszination Modellbau 2019 Friedrichshafen.
30th November morning, arrival at the fairgrounds: the show took place in 9 huge halls, 2 of them for trains. All the rest encompassed everything else, planes, boats, cars, stationary steam engines. Outside, steam-powered garden railways carried passengers around.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
The organization of this fair was really top-notch: the halls werw open to installation, with lighting and heating functioning, for 3 days before opening to the public, most of the commercial exhibitors had already installed their stands, there was not the usual traffic jam inside the halls. The requested tables and chairs were at our stand, the floor was perfectly level. Parking for exhibitors during the fair was just next to the hall entrance.
Installation begins:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
Layout installed and operational checks completed:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
1st November: the fair opens. In fact, we stayed for 3 days glued to our layout, and had no time to visit anything.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
We took some photos with our lighting off:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
And later, for a short while, the main lighting of the hall went out. The remaining emergency lighting created a pleasant night-time effect.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
2nd November: latest verifications before opening:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
3rd November: the Queen gracefully controls the heavy machinery of the loading section of the layout:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
We had marginally more time to shoot some photos, but we began to feel the tiredness of 3 days of show.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
Finally, the fair closed; we dismantled our stand, and loaded our car.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
Again, the organization of the fair was impeccable; the halls were accessible for dismantling also on the day after the exhibition. We did not use this option, and elected to complete everything in the evening, but, in case of emergency, it is extremely useful to have some spare time available on the following day.
Later, the official press-release of the organizers stated that 53,000 paying visitors had attended the fair.
Best wishes from Milan
Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Second part of the trip:

After some days spent for business in Lindau (near Friedrichshafen), we moved on to Luxembourg/Walferdange. On 8 November we installed our layout again, and on 9 and 10 November we took part to the Expo Trains Luxembourg, 9-10 November. The organizer of this show is the AMFL, the local model railroading club. Although smaller than the Modellbau Friedrichshafen, this exhibition was exceptionally well organized,. One unusual) feature was that our hosts took even care of the meals of the exhibitors. Also, on Saturday evening the official dinner for the exhibitors took place (by the way, we were too tired, excused us, and went to the hotel). Herewith some photos:
https://flic.kr/p/49075469637 https://flic.kr/p/49075259226 https://flic.kr/p/49075267086 https://flic.kr/p/49075469587 Two exhibitions in two weeks was an exhausting exercise. Driving around Europe under the incessant rain of these two weeks was also tiring. By now, our layout will remain dormant for a while. We will allocate time in December-January for maintenance and modifications, in view of the next two shows to which we are invited:
Lahnsteiner Internationale Modellbahntage, 29 February -1 March 2020 in Lahnstein, Germany
Modell Eisenbahn Club Lahnstein/Koblenz
Salon du Modelisme Ferroviaire, 13 â€" 14 June 2020 in Riorges (Roanne), France, organized by the Club des Modelistes Ferroviaires du Roannais.
All the best from Milan
Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear friends.

During the current maintenance of our layout, we also decided to add some ballast to our USRA 55-Tons railcars. In the “prototypical” story of Consolidated, the hoppers of these cars had been permanently welded in place, and the cars are unloaded with a rotary dumper. In H0 scale, the high CG of these cars and the narrow radius of curvature of our track could be a potential problem. Note that, our only “serious” derailment at a show in France some years ago was not a result of high CG. The factor was an overweight fellow modeler at a stand next to ours. He tried to sneak through the passage between our layout and theirs, tripped, and gave a major jolt to both layouts. Some of our parked railcars toppled and spilled their load.
There is not so much room available in the USRA 55-Tons, so we decided to create ballast compartments in the recess of the original hoppers.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
We cut the side panels of the compartments from 0.2-mm steel sheet. We did all the cutting and machining with 0.6-mm Silicon carbide cutting disks our precision milling machine.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
We glued the side-panels of the ballast compartment in place with a minimum amount of fluid CA. Then we milled the bottom plates. Upon installation, we had a nasty surprise. The tolerances of the injection-molded underbody of our cars were not accurate at all. To obtain the correct fit, we had to cut a couple tenths of millimeters from some plates, and re-build some slightly larger plates. In the end, every car had its own precise bottom plate.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
We filled the compartments with 1.4-mm lead shot (ca. 20 grams per railcar).
We installed the bottom plates, and glued them in position with fluid CA.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
In the end, we did weathering on a set of 10 modified railcars.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
We spray-painted the metal parts with the same matt-black synthetic enamel that we used for the previous weathering. We gave a very thin coat of matt-black on the entire underbody, and before the paint was touch-dry, we sprayed graphite (to give a real metal appearance), and some red iron oxide (to simulate flecks of rust). And, we also re-weathered our locos and other cars. Before full drying of the paint, we gave some gentle strokes with a soft brush, to re-distribute the pigments, and enhance the visual texture of the parts.
Herewith some photos of the finished modification.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
In the “prototypical” story of Consolidated, we can tell that we did this modification to retrieve some further cubic feet of capacity from the available room in the underbody of our railcars.
In parallel, we are doing a pretty complex modification of our landscape, at the junction between section 1 and 2 of the layout.

Stay tuned, we must complete this modification, and shoot the photos.

All the best
Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear friends.
We are completing the esthetic improvements. As foreseen, we got rid of the (removable) bulky structures that hide the junction between sections #1 and 2 of the layout. Our new design considers a narrow erosion crevice in the sandstone, perpendicular to the track. We re-built the junction of the 2 sections, which becomes the visible floor of the crevice. We built a new removable piece of landscape. This piece becomes fastened to section #2 with two screws from below, and carefully follows the shape of section #1. The junction is not noticeable. Finally, we installed a removable sandstone arch, which replaces a previous piece. This piece is simply placed into position and does not need to be fastened.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
The crevice is visible from the side and form the front, while a piece of track is visible through the arch.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
Pity, that the backside of the structure remains hidden by the backdrop during normal operation at exhibitions. Herewith a couple photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
We are also doing a relatively simple add-on to our terminal section (right-hand side) at the right of our railcar positioner.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/...tetaken-public/
This H0-scale sandstone spire is almost completed, and needs only some touch-ups to blend into the existing flat terrain. For transportation, the spire can be removed from the terrain.
All the best
Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear all.
As foreseen, we have exhibited at the Lahnsteiner Modellbahntage 2020. The trip began on Thursday 27 February, with a scenic drive from Milan across the Alps to Switzerland and to Germany, under snow.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
The show took place at the Stadthalle in Lahnstein, in the vicinity of Koblenz. The building is a 2-story exhibition/theater/concert hall, with floors fully carpeted in an op-art motif. On Friday 28, we installed our contraption
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
This time, surprisingly, the placement of our stand was such, that also the backside of our layout was accessible to the public, to the joy of the most technically-oriented visitors.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
On Saturday 29 we did the last checks, and the exhibition opened its doors.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
One visible change in our layout is the new landscaping of the junction between the mine/loading section and the link section leading to the dumper section.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
Another visible change in the landscape of the rotary dumper section is the installation of the twin water tanks, and the sandstone spire at the extreme right-hand-side of the terminal section.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
On Saturday night, the official Saturday night dinner for the exhibitors took place at the Modelleisenbahn Club Lahnstein, with wurst, sauerkraut, potato salad, and beer unlimited. Congrats to the Club for their hospitality an perfect organization of the show.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
In the end, we really had a good time.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
With this event, Consolidated Nickel has been exhibited at 23 modeling shows, for a total of 63 days of operation. As a result, our machinery has clocked approximately 500 hours of continuous operation, plus approx 200 hours of trials at home.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2...tetaken-public/
All the best from Italy.
Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear modeling friends.
On 8 March, the website eisenbahn.de published on Facebook a video of Consolidated, taken at the exhibition in Lahnstein. For us, it is interesting to see our latest modifications in function. Unfortunately, the video does not comprehend the underground section. Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/eisenbahnde/videos...e=3&theater
All the best
Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear friends.

Since our latest post, all the model railroading exhibitions of 2020 we were registered to have been canceled. Due to the ever-changing situation of the regulations for the ongoing pandemics, even the organizers of some fairs of the coming months of the spring of 2021 have canceled their events.
During these months, our willingness to touch our railroading stuff has drifted down to zero.
We are presently registered to the RailExpo 2021 (France) which will take place in November 2021. Sooner or later, we will have to take our layout out of the mothballs, and do some maintenance.

We will keep you informed.

All the best

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear colleagues.
After months of idleness, we started again to build something. We decided to install in our mining layout some forced-draft cooling towers. These units produce cooled water for various equipment. Basically, within these units, the hot water coming from plants and machinery is sprayed downwards, in counter-current with an upward flow of air. A small fraction of water evaporates, leaving the remaining water flow at temperatures lower than ambient. The overcooled water is pumped again to the cooling circuit.
We started from schematic drawings of one vendor of industrial cooling machinery:
https://www.evapco.com/sites/evapco.com/fil...Data-2018-4.pdf

We plan to install a 2-cell unit in the background of our loading station, and one 1-cell unit in the vicinity of the water tanks of our dumper section. In fact, we already installed years ago one large raised raw water tank, and more recently two tanks of softened process water. Hence, some piping and cooling towers are needed.
After some hours at the drawing table, we started cutting pieces of 0.2-mm and 0.5-mm steel sheet. This is the boring part of the job. As always, we cut the parts with our milling machine and cutting disks.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

Then, we soldered the parts into sub-assemblies with the help of wooden templates. Here are the raw soldered pieces:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

We soldered together the sub-assemblies, completing the frame of the units.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

Our cooling towers will have functional fans, driven by miniature electric motors, at the top of the units. The poles at the base of the units will be buried in the ground, in one classic setup of prefabricated industrial/mining units.

All the best
Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear friends.

The construction of our cooling towers goes on. We completed the roofs, with the fan/diffuser units.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

We will continue the construction with the installation of the louvers/air inlets at the side of the units:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

Assembling the diffusers was a (model) engineering feat in itself; we built the “tube” section around a cylindrical wooden template. We machined flat one base of the “tube” and soldered it to the roof of the unit.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

In order to mill the flanges of the top of the diffusers, we had to turn one wooden base, fastening the thin pieces of steel sheet to the base with the help of four 2-mm bolts, installing the base on a dividing table, and carefully milling away the inner and outer profiles of the metal sheets with an end mill.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

Never, had we had in our hands such flimsy pieces of metal. One minor mistake in de-burring or handling was enough to damage the part.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

We soldered the pieces together, with the help of solid wooden templates, obtaining the finished part.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

In parallel, we began to produce the pipe fittings of our cooling towers; the material is 0.18-mm brass rod, annealed to get it pliable, and bent to the final shape with the help of a precision vise.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

Believe it, once installed in our layout, with the impellers of the fan unit turning, it will be interesting.

All the best from Milan

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear friends.

We are (slowly) proceeding with the construction of our cooling towers. Your question: what does it has to do with trains? Answer: it will be installed in our layout. We completed most of the structure, and some embellishments/details. We bought the electric motors that will power the impellers/fan units.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
Even if not evident in the photos, we have installed grids and gutters in the sides of the units.
We machined a hardwood template to assemble and solder the hubs and the blades of our impellers:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
Here is an impeller just after soldering, with the sprues at the tip of the blades:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
Finishing the blade tips:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
Checking tolerances:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
Our impellers have also a correct blade twist (it was relatively simple, machining the template kept at a horizontal axis, going down vertically with an end/candle mill, and doing successive steps ot rotation and translation of the piece, a perfect helix it obtained; pressing in the thin sheet metal of the blades generated the correct blade twist).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
We did some finishing of the solder joints; as always, after removing all the excess solder, we do a quick passage with a 0.6-mm ball-shape mill bit on a flexible shaft, obtaining a finish that simulates the appearance of arc-welded metal.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

More or less, it is time to take the layout (one section at a time) from our garage to our apartment.

We'll keep you posted.

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear railroading friends.

The construction of our cooling towers progresses. We added the valve/pump cabinet under the main unit, part of the plumbing (inlet, overflow and drain). Soldering together the many small parts needed careful positioning with wooden templates, and sometimes two operators/four hands. Here are the semi-finished units:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

Here are some details of our plumbing: to give an idea of the size, the large inlet pipe has a diameter of 1.5mm, while the overflow/drain pipes are 0.8 mm (exact H0 scale of the original).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

Here are some details of the fans and fan housings:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

The day of installation in our layout is not so close; completion, finishing, and weathering will take tens of working hours.

Will keep you posted. Best wishes from Milan.

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear friends,

By now, we also applied to the Faszination Modellbau Friedrichshafen (Germany) 5...7 November. Let us see how the situation develops here in Europe, and if we can finalize and exhibit at some modeling shows.

We almost completed the assembly of our forced-draft cooling towers; coarse finishing completed, "fine" finishing and weathering to be done:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

We installed one cooling unit in the terminal section of our layout. We also installed part of the piping, from the raw water tank to the de-scaled/processed water tanks, to the chiller, and the delivery circuit, to be linked to the dumper section.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

The small metal box that you see next to the raw water tank is provisionally placed, and is the base of the water de-scaling/processing unit, to be completed. The tool shed has been relocated, and must be insatalled.

We will install in the coming days the return water circuit, and the supports of the delivery circuit piping. Installing the pipes straight and level on the irregular terrain was another critical job, checking and rechecking with spirit levels, vernier caliper, and Johansson gauge blocks.

By now, also the cooling tower is in position, level and fastened, and, yes, the fan impeller turns, generating a H0-scale miniature airflow

OFF:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
ON:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

Evidently, finishing and weathering has still to be done. The only things that we weathered before installation are the impellers, since they are not accessible after the cooling unit are assembled.

We will keep you posted. Best wishes from Milan

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear friends.

The thing begins to take shape. We completed the alignment and installation of the piping, assembled the dumper module with the exit ramp and the terminal module, carefully aligned the delivery and return pipes of the terminal with the inlet/outlet of the dumper The joint of these pipes must be removable, for transportation and assembly of the layout. And it was a tricky job.
Next, we will complete and install the process water treatment unit (probably you remember that one of us two is a chemical engineer, so we tried to keep everything as realistic as possible). And, we must complete all the finishing, painting, and weathering.
The few centimeters more, and the new equipment in the right-hand side of the layout, fill a certain visual "gap" in our terminal section. By the way, we are arguing over the positioning of the tool sheds. One is our old one (removed for the installation of the new equipment) while the other two ones are new sheds from Noch, ordered today.

All the best

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

 

[John Edge]

Dear Mad Doc and Nickel Queen,
Hello, it’s the former Allegheny1600 here, under my real name!
I hope you are both weathering this current crisis in good cheer, you certainly have been doing some amazing work on the layout.
All being well, you will be able to get back to exhibiting again before too much longer.
Stay safe friends,
John

 

[nickelminers]

Hello.

We completed the upgrade of the terminal section at Consolidated. To celebrate, we did one "night" photo session in our living room, illuminating the piece with a collimated photo studio LED light source, and shooting some photos with an offset white balance, so as to simulate a moonlight. Next, we will overhaul and improve our mining section, and re-build a large section of our photographic backdrop.

By the way. We will NOT take part to the RailExpo 2021 in Dreux (France). Due to budgetary constraints (understandable, due to the present situation) the organizers have elected to keep only local modelers as exhibitors.
Conversely, we will most probably exhibit at the Faszination Modellbau Friedrichshafen 2021, from 5 to 7 November.

All the best from Milan

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nickelminers2.../in/dateposted/

 

[nickelminers]

Dear modeling friends.

The latest months have been quite problematic, with COVID restrictions, most of the modeling exhibitions deleted/deferred/budget-limited, etc.

We are glad to say that we will exhibit again Consolidated Nickel Mines, with its latest modifications, at the Savoie Modélisme 2021 at Chambery (France) on 30 - 31 October. Herewith two links to the websites of the exhibition.

Log into Facebook

https://www.helloasso.com/associations/ammra/evenements/savoie-modelisme-2021

Best wishes from Milan

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[nickelminers]

Dear model railroading friends.

We took part on the 30-31 October to the Savoie Modélisme 2021 in Chambéry, France. This was our first show after the COVID-related closures.
First of all, double thumbs-up to the organizers (see below).
On Thursday27 we did a scenic ride through the Alps, and arrived at the fairgrounds. The halls were ready, clean, heated, and lighted 2 days before the show. That is uncommon, and much appreciated. On thurday afternoon we managed to register unload our stuff, and went to our hotel, which was at a mere 3 minute-drive from the fair.
https://flic.kr/p/2mGTfED
On Friday 28, it took to us 7 hours to install our layout, which; considering the complexity of Consolidated Nickel, is a record. Over the years we have been rationalizing the installation sequence, considering also trivial issues such as modification of the flanges that connect modules.
https://flic.kr/p/2mGVyED https://flic.kr/p/2mGTfn9 https://flic.kr/p/2mGWz5A
To be noted, the hall floor was clean and level industry-grade epoxy-coated concrete; and free breakfast and buffet lunch for non-commercial exhibitors was offered at the fairgrounds. Super organization.
The visible changes in our layout were the improved and enlarged photographic backdrop behind our dumper-positioner; it is a piece of 3-mm Plexiglas covered with inkjet-printed adhesive-backed film.
https://flic.kr/p/2mGVyzP PA310356A1

Also, in these pictures, the new visible details are the water-treatment unit, cooling water unit, and piping.
In the left module, the newly installed cooling towers are visible, together with some improvement in the detailing of the landscape.
PA310354A1
PA300351A1
PA300350A2
PA300349A1
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From a strictly photographic viewpoint, illumination of the halls could have been better; the lamps shot down concentrated beams of strong light, which generated hard shadows and reflections on flat parts, while other areas remained in a more subdued light.

The mass of qualified visitors was overwhelming, and the offer from the many commercial stands was impressive. As usual, we stayed glued to our layout, and had little time to look around.
In the end, Savoie Modélisme was a very enjoyable experience.

Now, we are again invited to exhibit at the Lahnsteiner Internationale Modellbahntage on 5-6 March 2022 in Lanhstein/Koblenz.

All the best from Milan

Mad Doc & Nickel Queen

 

[John Edge]

Hi Mad Doc and Nickle Queen!
It’s really good to see that you enjoyed this exhibition. Wow! 7 hours to set up the layout and that’s a record? I presume you mean the fastest time?
Goodness! I really admire your dedication, I could not do that.
I used to help Bob Harper of the Manchester MRS, exhibit some of his various layouts and he managed very fast set up and knock down times, it was quite remarkable. Maybe an hour maximum to set up and half an hour to knock down.
My own little layout was probably double that.
I once helped a French group set up at Warley, that took several hours for five of us, this included soldering overhead catenary across board joints but when we came to strip down, they gave us very little time and the guys were forced to simply cut the catenary! Soul destroying and I vowed that I would never exhibit there.
Cheers,
John

 

[nickelminers]

Hi Mad Doc and Nickle Queen!
It’s really good to see that you enjoyed this exhibition. Wow! 7 hours to set up the layout and that’s a record? I presume you mean the fastest time?
Goodness! I really admire your dedication, I could not do that.
I used to help Bob Harper of the Manchester MRS, exhibit some of his various layouts and he managed very fast set up and knock down times, it was quite remarkable. Maybe an hour maximum to set up and half an hour to knock down.
My own little layout was probably double that.
I once helped a French group set up at Warley, that took several hours for five of us, this included soldering overhead catenary across board joints but when we came to strip down, they gave us very little time and the guys were forced to simply cut the catenary! Soul destroying and I vowed that I would never exhibit there.
Cheers,
John

Hello John.
Always nice hearing from your. We are horrified at the idea that your French friends had to cut their catenary to dismantle their stand! In fact, 7 hours for us is a speed record. Unfortunately, our contraption extends vertically from our underground section to the top of the headframe/hoist. When disassembling, the vertical pieces must be removed from transportation and installed into their cradles in the caisson formed by our left-hand-side module and its four side-panels. Also, the other modules/sections, plus the sub-sections of the exit ramp/railcar positioner, plus the rotary dumper must be removed, and installed on top of the caisson. Everything, plus the lamps, backdrop, tools and equipment, must stay in our tiny Ford Focus. Take note that we have permanently removed the back seats of our car.
Installing our layout means assembling the pieces together, verifying rail alignment in the dumper/positioner section, verifying alignment of conveyor belts and the headframe, installing the removable pieces of landscape, lamps, and backdrop. We strictly follow a written checklist, since the pieces must go in in a precise sequence. So, 7 hours net.
It is tiring, but also amusing. A couple times per year we can do it.
All the best from Milan
Mad Doc & Nickel Queen