There have been several updates and extensions to the original layout in order to create more interest and permit various combinations for exhibition purposes.

This section describes the various enhancements made to Exdale over the years.

September 2009 Update   May 2009 Update   February 2009 Update  
January 2008 Update   October 2006 Update   Original Update  

Since the May update, work has continued on the new linking baseboard for the wharf 'stand alone' layout. The small scale mock up proved invaluable and the finished section will be much as the small model although with some changes to the details of the buildings & scenery. The electrical interface with the existing Wharf boards has been completed and tested.

Work on the scenery is now proceeding with members of the group each concentrating on the modelling of the various industrial buildings & houses required. They are being installed as they are completed and the detailing of the surrounding areas started.

Thought has been given to the new fiddle yard required. A cassette type is favoured to keep the overall length to a minimum but no decisions have been made yet. This will be the last phase of the project construction.

Once the country section was completed, the groups attention turned to rectifying the point operation problem on the new Wharf section. The original operating mechanisms were replaced by Tortoise point motors and these have now solved the problem.

The group has now embarked on a new project which entails making the Wharf section independent from the rest of the layout.

This will make a short 'stand alone' layout available if the rest of Exdale cannot be accommodated. To achieve this a small linking section and a new fiddle yard will be required.

Work has commenced on the linking section and a baseboard constructed with track laid. When completed it will add to the options available for exhibitions.

The new wharf extension to the original Exdale layout was completed in time to the exhibited at our own show last year and at Abingdon the following month. Unfortunately despite much tweaking the point operating mechanisms proved to be unreliable in operation. Mainly due to the way it was necessary to mount these below the 2� thick foam which forms the base for the trackwork. As there was no "quick fix" it was decided to concentrate on the completion of the country section and new fiddle yard for extending the opposite end of the layout.

Good progress was made throughout the summer. The second platform was added. A signal box was installed at the end of the new platform together with operating home and starting signals. The new sections were ready in time to be exhibited with the original layout at the Farnham & District MRC show in October. Despite a few minor problems we were able to maintain a good display both days.

After all the minor snags above were resolved, attention was given this winter to the problem of the point operation on the new wharf sections. The decision was made to replace the original mechanisms with Tortoise point motors mounted horizontally with rocking levers. This has simplified the wiring and on trial seems to work perfectly.

Now that both extensions are operational we have 4 possible configurations in which Exdale may be exhibited:-

1. The original stand alone layout.
2. The original layout with wharf extension.
3. The original layout with country extension.
4. All three sections together.

As narrow gauge layouts go it becomes rather too large for many exhibitions if assembled in its entirety. However the options that exist make it flexible. This year we showed option c) at our 2009 exhibition.

Now that the group are running out of things to do, thought is being given to a new end to the wharf section incorporating a short fiddle yard. This would give us a fifth display option of a small industrial layout occupying less space than options b), c) and d) above

The new wharf extension to the original Exdale layout is virtually complete and has been commissioned. Our annual Club exhibition in February 2008 will be its first public outing in an operable condition.

Our group, still fired with enthusiasm, has now embarked on the building of a second extension for the opposite end of the original layout. This will comprise of an 8ft. scenic section through rising moor land, into a tunnel and ending in a new second fiddle yard. This time an open frame baseboard construction has been used and the ground formed from interlaced cardboard strips on formers with newspaper layered on top with diluted white glue.

This extension will considerable enhance the operating potential of the layout when complete. It will then be possible to run longer trains from end to end with trains crossing in the station. This will necessitate the construction of a second platform opposite the existing one. It was fortuitous that we left plenty of space for this. Not because it was planned but because we couldn't decide what to put there. Even with the new platform in place this area should not appear too cluttered. With more conflicting train movements envisaged the need for some signalling became apparent and three are under construction.

No alterations will be made to the original layout to accommodate the new extension yet awhile. This latest development when completed will also give Exdale four possible assembly configurations which will give exhibition managers more flexibility to accommodate the layout in one form or another.

Progress on the extension of the layout to the new wharf proceeds slowly but steadily, helped by the efforts of the Wednesday mornings working party.� This may be seen from the recent photographs.

The painting of the river surface and waterfront area has been completed and this has allowed the railway bridge to be permanently fixed.

The integral control panel has now been wired in and tested. The back of the panel is hidden behind the timber warehouse and yard, yet to be completed.

More wiring work will be required to interface the extension with the existing layout. Also nearing completion is the foundry complex occupying the back left hand corner.� Work proceeds on the scenic detailing and construction of the remaining buildings and accessories.

Two new baseboards are being added and a new riverside frontage being created. Baseboard construction and track laying is completed and the wiring virtually finished.

Various industrial buildings are under construction by assorted members and much scenic work and detailing remains to be done.

At present no work has been undertaken to interface the extension with the existing layout. This will not take place until a sufficient window of time exists between exhibition commitments and the extension is complete.