'I don't like this game mine captain. . . .'

Good morning to you all Dear Reader's (especially those who are breathlessly waiting for the next installmen) of . . . whatever this episode of 'Komata's 'Blog' unearths.

 Let the fun begin. . .

Interested reader's of this 'Blog (as you all are of course Dear Reader's), will recall that a couple of  posts ago, I had been having a very close encounter with the laws of physics in respect of a model Head Frame (Hoist Tower, Poppett Head) I had been building for a Gold mine-themed portable layout, I was creating..

The whole matter revolved around the tensions within a length of schurring elastic that acted as a cable (or two) on the Head Frame of the Kaiser's Reef (Hauraki) Gold Mining Co's shaft, and as result of these tensions I had been trying to reposition an errant  'Cage' within a very small (1/2" x 1/2' x 1")  shaft collar, while simultaneously making sure that everything else associated with the structure remained in its designated place

Indeed, it  could truly be said that, during this time, things were under just a little bit of tension . . .

Eventually, the cage, reluctantly, was persuaded to return to where it was supposed to be (not easy to do when working within a space of 13/4" x 13/4" and 1" high), and. well satisfied, I sat back to observe my handy-work - pleased with the overall effect.

It took slightly longer for the cage to make its bid for freedom this time - 30 seconds as opposed to two, and I had never realised until that instant exactly what was meant by Newton's 1st law of physics, namely: 'For every action, there is an equal and positive reaction'

Oce again, the same scenario, and to my amazement, such was the inherent energy within the elastic cables that, despite the two rearmost legs on the head-frame having been glued and even pinned (using stationers pins), they AGAIN came out and wound up in the air - taking the pins with them as they went - and, as a result, presenting an additional (very sharp) hazard for me to contend with.

It was at that point, having once again been confronted with more, (and an even more hazardous) mess, that Bluebottle's famous wail came to mind ' I don't like this game mine captain . . .'  (all followers of the Goon Show will know EXACTLY what I mean)!

And no, Dear Reader's, I won't keep you in suspense this time (awwwwwwwww!)!

The cage was persuaded (somewhat enthusiatically I must admit - though no damage resulted, and no cages were hurt in the making of this model), and the Head Frame legs were both CA'd AND Pinned - just in case!! (we can't have a pair of legs running around loose - not done - sah!!)

And the Cage - the cause of all the problem?  As a 'punishment' and as an additional disincentive for it to escape, it was both CA'd AND Pinned to the floor, AND had two 1' x 1'  lengths of timber put in above it - across the top of the collar 'windbreak - just in case (the fact that it was totally protypical was a mere detail).   These were also glued - and were /are VERY solid!

THE CAGE WAS NOT GOING TO ESCAPE AGAIN!!

(Kaiser's Management had said so - can't have errant cages escaping - bad for morale - and production - it might give other machinery ideas above their station)

And it hasn't - at least, not yet . .

But there is always, still, that niggling, nagging doubt and thought, that one day, sometime, and when I least expect it, there might, once again, be another attempt.

The tensions are still there.

And you Dear Reader's, thought that N-scale model railways were unexciting . .

Thank you for calling (and reading this edition of Komata's Blog).  May I invite you to come back again, soon (perhaps tomorrow?). You will accept?  I hope so, but until then . .

Happy modelling

Komata

"TVR - seving the Northern Taranaki . . . "