Update No.64 - 28.02.16


Hello again everybody. The Corkmeister here with the latest edge of your seat, adrenaline filled and totally thrilling update. Oh okay I'll admit it's just me blathering on again about my train set but hopefully you'll still find something of interest in my inane ramblings. As predicted last time, the big news this month is the completion of phase 1 of the helix - Oh My Lords! - Absolutely Bald Headed!

Helix House is now fulfilling it's primary purpose - Hellfire!

Helix Progress- Phase 1 Completion

So at last the first phase of the helix is completed. Well I say completed because trains can now climb and descend the 6 and a half turns successfully but in all honesty there are still some minor tweaks and adjustments to be made. Probably the biggest advantage with adopting the threaded rod system over the more conventional wooden blocks method of helix construction is the resulting level of adjustment which is always available. When viewing trains climbing it is noticeable that there are some very small dips and lifts which can be eradicated by making small changes to the height of the baseboards by simply moving the nuts up and down the rods. To be honest these changes are probably not really necessary because trains are not struggling unduly on the grades so this is really a case of gilding the Lilly.

All seven track levels shown and the bonus storage sidings to the upper right.

The construction process requires the individual quadrant sections of each turn to be lowered onto the structure and then the trackbed and track-laying work is followed by the electrical work which all has to take place whilst in situ. There are inevitably some messy stages and a certain amount of cosmetic retouching is now required on the lower levels in particular which have born the brunt of the work taking place above. This is nothing more demanding than a really good clean and then a final coat of matt black paint to blend everything. Once again, this is not actually essential as the helix is in fact simply a means to an end - a tool to allow the trains to climb and descend between the levels of the layout. Once I reach the stage where the CCTV system is installed in the garage to remotely monitor a train as it progresses on the helix then visits to the Helix-House will become infrequent and apart from occasional maintenance and cleaning chores they become effectively unnecessary. However, there is something very satisfying and fascinating about watching the trains winding their way up and down the stacked loops which means I want to try and present the neck twisting spectacle as well as I can because for me personally the aesthetics of the helix are actually as important as how well the structure actually performs.

Train reaches the current summit and enters the "Helix to Level 2 link" section

Talking of how well the helix performs, the signs are all positive in that my benchmark train of a typical Bachmann, Hornby or Heljan Bo-Bo diesel locomotive hauling my chosen maximum length rake of 8 mk1 coaches can climb the helix without assistance or any slipping. Even dead starts half way up the grade can be confidently accomplished which means the assistance provided by the DCC Concepts Powerbase system is only actually required for the smaller steam and diesel locos in the fleet. These more diminutive classes which through a lack of driven wheels and consequential loss of tractive weight cannot normally haul more than 4 coaches can now take full advantage of the magnetic crutch the Powerbase plates provide. This is exactly what I expected and is precisely why I installed the hundreds of steel plates in the first place. I have now started to experiment with the fitting of the powerful magnets to small locos but I'll cover that a little later in this update.

Trains at top and bottom of phase 1.  Note the single track return loop to the right which is actually on the lowest level of the entire helix structure.

The resident leather swivel stool is normally tucked under the baseboard to the right.

The accompanying photos show a test train comprising a Bachmann class 43 Warship with a typical rake of 8 mk1 coaches as it climbs the first phase of the helix. The loco could almost certainly handle a couple more coaches and if I fitted it with Powerbase magnets then it wouldn't surprise me if perhaps 15 coaches could be lifted without fuss or drama. Hopefully the accompanying images are pretty much self explanatory and show the first six turns of the helix which sit atop the return loop at the bottom of the stack. As mentioned earlier I need to do a certain amount of touching up and cleaning and give all of the tracks a coat of track-magic but for now I have to consider the helix so far to be a total success.

Note suspended sidings below main running level and the curving mainlines to the middle right which are the link to level 1 of the Corkscrew-Lines and are awaiting the final few feet of track to be laid which will happen in the next couple of months.

Eye level view in area of 5th to 6th level transition area on the helix and the DCC Bus wires which run around the inside of the helix.

A swivel stool is a must in this environment

Note the DCC Concepts Powerbase is fitted to the Up line only and is only needed by smaller locos with less tractive ability.

View from the main layout in the garage. This is a view that will become impossible once scenic work takes place on the Corkscrew-Lines. Note return loop level sits below helix

Apologies for this slightly murky view showing Harbinger South Junction to the lower right and the mainlines trackbed curving from the left to link with the helix.

When completed the helix will almost reach the ceiling in the Helix-House

The Hanging Sidings of Babylon

In last months update I mentioned an idea to create some additional train storage roads by hanging them off of the existing threaded rod framework in the Helix-House. As with all model railways and especially ones as large and ambitious as the Corkscrew-Lines, adding additional storage tracks for stock is always a good idea. Well slotting some extra storage roads into the Helix-House actually proved to be very simple to achieve and I easily managed to create a floating board which carries 3 very useful 7ft long sections of track which has now been lowered onto nuts and washers and sits about three and a half inches below the main lines linking the helix to level 2 of the layout.

The construction of the board follows identical techniques to those used on the link line above it which I will be describing in depth a little later in this update. I love the idea of having the 21ft of additional storage tracks by utilising what would have been redundant space. My plans and ideas for level 2 of the layout are still evolving so I am not sure what the sidings will be used for yet. Perhaps they will represent an off layout industry or simply be additional carriage sidings or represent a branch line. The options are pretty much endless. When it came to giving the sidings a name, a fun working title until their final purpose was decided upon was Babylon Lane. They are of course the magnificent hanging sidings of Babylon - Dreadful!

Babylon Lane Sidings are in place and level with the baseboards of level 2

The suspended Babylon Lane Sidings are in the background of this view

Babylon Lane is level with the top of Level 2 of the layout

Babylon Lane is level with the top of Level 2 of the layout

Helix to Level 2 Link

As you will have seen from the early photos in this months update, the linking section between the 6th turn of the helix and the start of level 2 of the layout has now been installed. As some of you have been asking how I installed the DCC Powerbase system, and how I adapt the plates for above baseboard wiring, I thought I would cover these issues using the linking section as an example. The techniques used for this section are identical to those I have used during construction of the entire helix.  The conservatory was requisitioned for a weekend and work proceeded as shown below...

Two standard sections of baseboard are joined together using a softwood spine section on the underside to make assembly easier and to stiffen the whole structure.  The spine is attached using countersunk wood screws along it's length which are then filled and sanded smooth.

Holes for the threaded rods are pre-drilled using templates and the whole structure receives a couple of coats of "Tempests Teapot", or matt black as I prefer to call it!

Once turned over the top surface is marked out for the 6mm Plastazote foam trackbed.  The up and down foam track-beds are glued down with Copydex adhesive.

The Up line will be fitted with DCC Concepts Powerbase.  At 1 yard length intervals a steel plate is cut ready to accept a power feed cable from below.

When the precise location of the modified plates is known the foam track-bed below is cut to provide a channel for the electrical feed.

The Powerbase plates are now prepared to be permanently installed and laid out ready for gluing.  The blue film is left in place until just before the track is fitted.

A thin coating of the ever useful Copydex is applied to the plates and they are laid onto the foam track-bed.  The Copydex takes a couple of days to fully dry which leaves plenty of time for minor tweaking and adjustments to be made if required.

Ensure the modified plates are installed first so they line up with the cut areas of the track-bed.  The electrical feeder wires will run under the plates with the ends turned up and soldered onto the running rail above.

I find food tins are perfect for applying just enough weight to the steel plates whilst the Copydex sets.  My approach to track-laying follows the principals used on the full size railway with an element of flexibility and movement possible by never using adhesives which cannot easily be removed without destroying the track.

This close up shows how a tin can apply pressure where the plates meet their neighbours.  I leave the tins on overnight before track laying.  Any plates which need to be moved can still be lifted relatively easily by running a scalpel blade underneath and gently lifting.

The final phase is of course laying the track which once again uses Copydex adhesive and applied pressure using tins.  I normally wait a day before removing the tins and then installing the electrics along the front of the board with feeder wires running under the plates to the furthest tracks.

With electrics now installed and painted black, the board is lowered onto the threaded rods immediately above Babylon Lane Sidings and any adjustments required to vertical and horizontal levels are made using spirit levels.
 

An eye level view on Level 2 shows the lines from the helix sitting above the previously fitted Babylon Lane storage roads.

This wider view form the garage shows how the main lines from the helix will enter level 2 and also how they will leave level 1 via the curving baseboards shown in the middle foreground.

Harbinger Yard Progress

Completion of the helix has diverted my attention slightly from Harbinger Yard but I have managed to lay some additional track and points and for the benefit of all you lovely Corkettes I have produced a rough sketch showing the track layout at Harbinger South Junction (you'll be expecting more plans in future now I suppose!). Tracks have been identified but I may amend these names if I feel it is appropriate. The Up and Down mainlines are pretty self explanatory but the Up Relief and Down Reversible need a little more explanation.

The Up Relief line leads off of the first set of points from the low level return loop. This line turns and immediately dives under the carriage sidings which will be installed partially above Harbinger Yard. You may remember I had not thought of a name for these sidings previously. Well my old mate Gibsy-Wibsy during his last visit suggested Doom as a logical extension of the use of the name Harbinger for the main yard. Well I have decided to go along with this but I have amended it slightly by adding a couple of extra letters to hopefully retain the amusing connection with Harbinger but lose the more sinister connotations. Therefore we now have Doombe Carriage Sidings to add to the route map - Hellfire! The Up Relief line emerges from below Doombe and then climbs (with the aid of yet more Powerbase plates) before reaching a trailing set of points providing access to the 6 storage roads of Doombe Carriage Sidings via a set back move.  The Up Relief line curves beyond Doombe and will eventually rejoin the mainlines again, but more of that in a future update.

A rough sketch showing the basics of Harbinger South

The Down Reversible line also acts as a relief line from the mainline but it's primary function is to allow access, shunting and run-rounds moves in association to the freight terminals to be constructed at each end of Harbinger. The two lines which curve away from Harbinger South will run to freight terminals which sit in the area now christened Lowgate East. One will probably be a dairy and the other possibly a quarry or an unloading pad. I need to spend more time running through my options for these areas before committing. The mainlines which exit the sketch to the left become the low level return loop which sits at the bottom of the helix. Access to Harbinger Yard itself has now been installed along with the row of five sets of points leading to the 6 yard roads.  At least 5 of these roads will be through tracks and I am hopeful that the majority of the roads will accommodate 2 complete trains. When the 6 tracks in Doombe Carriage Sidings are added to those in Harbinger Yard then I already have more than double the low level train storage capacity I had over the original version of the layout.

Please remember the sketch only shows the lines already laid. The area will become far more congested when the mainlines leading to the helix are added. You can see how the routes will interact in the mock-up below which also includes the branch-line which will fly over all of Harbinger South. More of my ambitious plans regarding the low level branch-line and the branch junction at Lowgate East in a future update. For now I have included some shots of progress in the Harbinger area.

Mk 1 coach is in Doombe Carriage Sidings which sits partially above Harbinger Yard. The mainlines approaching the helix curve round to the left and the branch-line flies across Harbinger South Junction.

Tins in place whilst Up Relief line track is installed. This line runs under Doombe CS before climbing towards the trailing points giving access to the sidings themselves.  The Doombe baseboard is seen laying on its side at the back of the layout.

The Up Relief line is shown here. The trailing points giving access to Doombe CS will be installed to the extreme left of this location and Harbinger Yard will be laid in the lower foreground.

Mainlines including the Down Reversible crossover have now been partially installed in this view.  The spirit level is on the slight downward slope leading into Harbinger Yard.

Lowgate East is shown to the left in the area of the yellow spirit level with Harbinger to the right.  The elevated Doombe Carriage Sidings baseboard is shown to the right with the mainlines to the right foreground.

Track-laying progresses with the Down Reversible and the Up Relief lines.

Through lines in Harbinger Yard are now being laid following the installation of the 5 sets of points at the yard throat.

Harbinger South Junction point-work is now installed.  The crossovers from Down Reversible to Up Mainline can be seen here.  The lines to Lowgate East will flow from the points in the middle left.

DCC Points Control

In the last update I confirmed my decision to use DCC Concepts Cobalt Digital IP point motors. I have now installed 7 motors and can confirm they are operating well. Unfortunately the installation process has proved to be a long winded affair due to the numerous vagaries of the Roco Z21 system when it comes to points control. Once again this system proves to be less than satisfactory in my opinion when it comes to programming and interrogating devices. Once a solution to an issue caused by insufficient instructions and poor manuals has been reached then the system seems to work well enough but I remain unconvinced by the Z21 and would seriously consider replacing it if a better supported alternative became available.

Having installed the points and made sure all was working well I encountered another issue when tapping the mobile device screen to operate the points. A quick tap on the mobile phone or tablet screen will correctly show the Z21 display change with the points being thrown. However, if the tap was not heavy enough or too fast then the actual points on the layout will not move. This completely negates any benefits the screen display of point settings gives you as you cannot rely upon its accuracy. I always prefer a physical switch to a software solution (such a Luddite!) so long term I intend to install the recently announced DCC Concepts Alpha Central switch panels on the layout. To conclude, once again the Z21 system has failed to impress me which is a real shame as tapping a screen to throw a set of crossovers should have been an absolute pleasure.

DCC Concepts Cobalt Digital IP point motors easily installed at Harbinger South Junction.

DCC Concepts Cobalt Digital IP point motors easily installed at Harbinger South Junction.

Traction action

You will no doubt remember my Corky rant last time regarding the disappointing Dapol Class 73 models. I mentioned my trepidation at running the Dapol class 73 which I received via the Dapol Collectors Club. You will remember that this was the limited edition model of green liveried E6001 and I had rather rashly ordered it pre-fitted with a DCC chip to ostensibly save me the time and trouble of fitting a chip myself. Well I eventually plucked up the courage to place it onto the DCC controlled tracks at Harbinger and give it a few test runs around the low level return loop. As feared all did not go well. The loco crawled and stuttered then stalled on the very generous curves and completely failed to impress. I have placed it onto the "awaiting works attention" pile and can conclude by saying Dapol have blown their opportunity to redeem themselves slightly following the hopeless PCB defects on the earlier locos. I am no closer to reconsidering my decision to where ever possible avoid Dapol models in the future.

Onto happier matters and in particular some herculean efforts by some of the smaller and pluckier locos in the Corkscrew-Lines ranks. Now the helix has been completed I thought it was time to stick some magnets underneath a loco and see what difference the steel Powerbase plates made. A logical first candidate was the Bachmann class 03 shunter which I have been using as my test loco for newly installed trackwork. I already knew what this loco was capable of so it would prove to be an ideal test mule for the DCC Concepts Powerbase system. Firstly I tried the loco on the helix in its unmodified form and it quite happily hauled a rake of 4 Bachmann mk1 coaches to the top. There was a little wheel slipping but the loco could always restart even after a stop mid climb. My first experimental step was to fit a pair of the smallest round magnets from the DCC Concepts Powerbase starter pack. I simply fixed them with Evo-Stick onto the loco base-plate and waited for the glue to set. When I placed it onto the track I have to admit the results were disappointing as there was barely any difference in pulling power.

It was obvious the magnets needed to be closer to the rails and the steel plates and to be fair this is clearly explained on the DCC Concepts packaging. As a very quick test I simply allowed another pair of slightly larger magnets to magnetically affix themselves to the original pair. The resultant double magnets now sat slightly too low and would foul point-work but operated without issues on plain line and could therefore be tested on the helix. I started ambitiously and attached a rake of 8 mk1 coaches behind the shunter and turned on the controller. The tiny loco romped away with the rake and easily climbed to the top of the helix without issues. This was of course very satisfying and I am confident that if I fit the recommended magnet cradles which are available as a pack of etches then I should be able to get to the optimum height and start equipping the fleet. I fully expect the likes of Pannier tanks and 08 shunters to climb the helix with rakes of 10 mk1 coaches or more without suffering a hernia and their big ends going bang! Hellfire!

As a first stage some small magnets are fixed to the base of the 03 shunter

Larger magnets are placed on top of the originals and the haulage difference is dramatic

Visiting Corkettes

Last weekend the Roosters came to stay at Jones-Towers and as this was the first visit to the Corkscrew-Lines Mk2 by my old mate Rooster I was looking forward to showing this elder statesman Corkette my progress so far. A fun time was had by all and during our all too brief spells in the Helix-House and the main layout room we played with some sound fitted locos including my current favourite - the deeply impressive SLW Class 24.  Rooster had brought along one of his own models - a fully weathered and sound fitted parcels railcar which trundled backwards and forwards at Harbinger South quite happily.

Rooster waits for a train to arrive from the return loop at Harbinger South

Rooster's pet - a weathered and sound chipped Heljan Parcels railcar - Dreadful

The multi talented Rooster has now opened a chain of restaurants! Is there no end to the man's talents? - Dreadful!

Full Sized Adventures - Ahoy There!

Once again our great mates Jo and Neil joined us a few weeks ago for a very pleasant day out, this time exploring the delights of Portsmouth Harbour and the Spinnaker Tower. The day consisted of our usual mix of tea stops, cake stops, boat trips, tea stops, vantage points, tea stops, cake stops and generally having a good laugh. The brief itinerary consisted of a train trip along the coast-way line from Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour station - alas no burbling Cromptons or rumbling Thumpers these days - shame! Then it was time for a boat trip around the harbour including a close inspection of the numerous warships currently berthed whilst awaiting deployment or repairs and modifications. It was during the boat trip I suffered a very traumatic loss as there was a sudden and cruel gust of wind resulting in my favourite woolly hat being blown clean off of my head and into the churning harbour waters below. Whilst I was trying to come to terms with the loss of a dependable long term friend my fellow adventurers were falling about laughing!...Who needs enemies eh?

I have numerous black and while images of Cromptons and Thumpers in these platform from the 1980s.  I hope to scan and print some later this year.  For now, this will have to do I'm afraid.

All aboard the Solent Cat for a trip around the harbour.  Little did I know at this point I was about to lose my trusty woolly hat - I still get emotional just thinking about it.

HMS Warrior - Portsmouth Harbour

The dominating Spinnaker Tower

HMS Daring & HMS Diamond

If you have read these updates from the start then you will know I have numerous obsessions and passions which run alongside my love of trains. Joining the ranks of die-cast cars, postal vehicles, classic buses, signal boxes, trams and too many other things to mention are now the magnificent and majestic dockyard cranes which I always seem to be drawn to whenever I see them around the world. I have included a few shots including cranes at the dockyard itself and the Gunwharf Quays development. Every new shot of a dockside crane would be accompanied by much leg pulling from Jo in particular. How we artists suffer for our art!

A T-Rex of the Dockside Crane world

HMS Kent

Cross Channel Ferries

Rather surprisingly there wasn't a queue at the Solent Cat refreshments counter!

Another magnificent specimen of the dockside crane makers art - stop sniggering Jo!

Imagine some models of these bad boys on the Corkscrew-Lines

Gunwharf Quays 

The weather on the day was changeable and unfortunately the clouds began to roll in as we headed for the Spinnaker Tower. The views were extraordinary of course but the combination of ever changing light and tinted glass on the observation levels caused issues for the camera metering and white balance levels. I found the most satisfying and impressive results came once I switched to monochrome in Adobe Lightroom. Having visited the amazing CN Tower in Toronto a few years ago and enjoying a fantastic 3 course meal served by a waiter in the revolving restaurant, I found the Spinnaker Tower to be a typically British affair where the restaurant was actually a self service cafe. Once you had chosen your pre-packed sandwich and bottle of drink at the counter you grabbed your tray and fought for a table - hopefully with a view. This is in no way a critisism as I thoroughly enjoyed the Spinnaker Tower experience and the views are certainly fantastic.

Looking towards the Isle of Wight

Arriving and departing Wight Link ferries

Gunwharf Quays

A Southern train arriving at Portsmouth Harbour station

Here's a first. I have never taken a self timer photograph before of another camera which is also taking a self timer photograph! Jo's camera is placed upon the telescope and the timer is set so everybody smiles and waits. In the meantime I set my camera on the floor and set the timer.  The result is the shot below - just a bit of fun

Watch the birdie - but which one?

Spinnaker Tower

Corky's Miscellaneous Musings

Whilst bobbing around Pompey Harbour and feeling sad about my missing hat, I tried to cheer myself up by thinking of possible new adventures Jo, Neil, Sarah and I could have in the near future. Maybe we could take a balloon basket flight over the Southdowns, or perhaps we could spend a day watching a show and fine dining in London. How about chartering a helicopter or taking a run out on the Orient Express? Then it struck me...all the tea and cake you could wish for, no need to travel too far and no charges for admission - a day spent on the Corkscrew-Lines helping me install the wiring for the new point motors! The group reaction is best summed up by the image below. They said they would think about it. Honestly there's just no pleasing some people!

Much staring at feet and Neil Coley-Woley looks positively hostile!

Another lovely sunset over the Helix-House

Just a couple of months into each new year I await the arrival of my favourite annual publication. The Model Railroader Planning issue is stuffed full of layouts which make my modest efforts in the garage look quite pathetic. If you want to see how our American cousins approach model railways and designing their layouts then this is an excellent place to start. The Corkscrew-Lines resembles a typical North American layout in so many ways with similar concepts of multi-decks, use of a helix and a very long construction period. Although I will always remain a British prototype modeller I gain so much inspiration from MRP each year that it has to be my favourite source of ideas when planning my own humble empire in a garage.

The Corkscrew-Lines Progress Totaliser - Oh Yeah!

This month's Totaliser reflects the completion of phase 1 of the helix and the beginning of some serious main line track-laying. The Babylon Lane storage trackage at 21ft is included and this section will hopefully expand greatly from this point as progress is made with Harbinger Yard.  The 5 sets of points for Harbinger Yard South have been laid but are not yet motorised - hence the figure of 7 being shown under the electric control section.

So there we have it my friends - you are all now up to speed with developments. I hope to continue track-laying over the next few weeks paying particular attention to Harbinger Yard. There will also be further developments in fitting the magnets to locomotives and I may share my ideas with regard to the swinging gate across the entrance doorway to the layout room.  Take care and see you again soon.


That's all for now folks!


Corky