The Corkscrew-Lines: April 2016

Update No.66 - 30.04.16

So here we are again my friends - another month passes and another update is published. I am sure you will all be pleased to hear my worrying crisis of modelling faith, as described last month, has passed and I am completely re-enthused by the Corkscrew-Lines project once again. This month's update is a little unusual in that it mainly covers side projects and activities which although not directly part of the ongoing main layout construction, will ultimately make a significant contribution to the layout's progress going forward. As a result of a very time consuming project to remodel, redecorate and rearrange many of the rooms at Jones-Towers over the last few weeks, there has unfortunately been no new track laying progress and as a result there is no Totaliser for April - such a shame! I have to agree it is a pity I have been unable to spend much time in the garage but that does not mean I have nothing to share with you this month - oh no, quite the opposite - Dreadful!

Whoosh! - Oh my Lords, Hellfire!

Ned-Cave Mk2 and reverting to my childhood!

For the last couple of years I have had exclusive use of a bedroom on the top floor of Jones-Towers. This room has been used to house my large collection of transport books, magazines, models, paraphernalia and anything else which apparently "normal folk may consider a little odd". This Ned-Cave, as I like to call it, has become an essential hide away when I need to construct kits, dip into my book collection for research or just listen to music whilst planning the next phase of the Corkscrew-Lines construction. However, the way we were using some rooms in the house wasn't working as well as it could for Mrs Corky and myself so a few weeks ago we decided to carry out some fundamental changes to many of the rooms including redecoration, new furniture, new storage solutions and changes of use. One result of all this change was a necessity to move the Ned-Cave down a floor from the top of the house to a first floor double bedroom. The disadvantage of course was having to move everything (and I have a lot of "essential everything") but there would also be some significant advantages when the hard work was completed.

The Ned-Cave mk2

As with most modellers I frequently require to run-in or check on the mechanical condition of a new loco or item of rolling stock. Despite having a huge permanent layout in the garage I do not have a permanent test track but instead I assemble a basic oval of Bachmann sectional track whenever required. This is all a bit of a faff and I have long desired a permanent test track. Whereas the original Ned-Cave was built into the roof space and suffered from a sloping ceiling and compromised roof line, the new cave would have full height ceilings. It immediately dawned on me I could once again think vertically as with the Corkscrew-Lines and by using similar steel shelving uprights and brackets I could construct a permanent test track above head height. There was a small selection of the steel uprights left from the installation of the shelving system in the garage and by using the laser level again (see update 52 - Jan 2015 for full details), I could quickly and easily add considerably more storage space into the new Ned-Cave. I calculated how many more uprights and brackets I would require and duly ordered the components from the same supplier I used for the garage conversion ironmongery at a bargain price of £60.00 including postage for all 19 uprights and 40 brackets.

New brackets and uprights arrive.

Desk is installed into the new cave and process of moving everything begins

Bookcase being restocked and metal shelving components gathered.

Steel shelving system spreads around the walls.

Spray booth corner

I mentioned above that I assembled a small test track oval of sectional track each time I needed to test a loco. Unfortunately over time the track sections had become damaged and unreliable so it was time to either replace them or find an alternative solution. Whilst I was pondering on which track system to use the whole house re-organisation was taking place and another issue that needed to be resolved was also rattling around in my subconscious - what to do about the niggling DCC control issue. The Roco Z21 DCC system is now permanently installed in the garage which is absolutely fine and where it needs to be. However this means I have no easy access to any DCC hardware in the main house despite this being the primary place I carry out any DCC chip installs on locos. So an ideal solution would be a cheap and easy to use DCC system for use in the Ned-Cave. Then it occurred to me that Roco produce a controller that would perfectly fit the bill and could very conveniently be plugged into the main Z21 system in the garage as a tethered throttle if I ever required it - perfect. The system is the Roco Multimaus and it sits in the market dominated by the likes of NCE's Powercab and Gaugemaster's Prodigy ranges. It normally retails for around £150.00 and is highly regarded for its ease of use and flexibility. Roco had also recently announced a new wireless version of the Multimaus to work with the Z21 system which is almost identical to the tethered version, the only obvious differences being a grey finish instead of red and the obvious lack of a cable. Purchasing this in the future would allow me to have an easy alternative to a mobile phone based throttle for visiting operators but still with a very familiar layout of buttons and controls.

In a marvellous eureka moment it struck me that I could kill 3 birds with one stone (never literally you understand) and not only obtain a new basic DCC controller but also replace my damaged test track sections and at last gain an improved and enlarged permanent test set up in the Ned-Cave with the purchase of that perennial schoolboys favourite - a new train set! Hellfire! A little research showed that Roco do a large range of "Digital Starter Sets" which include a full Multimaus system, a loop of track and selection of rolling stock for around £200.00 - an absolute bargain. I plumped for a set containing a German prototype Bo-Bo centre-cab diesel, a working breakdown crane and a ballast wagon, a generous loop of top quality track and even a point and siding. A quick mental calculation showed the combined cost of the DCC controller and track if purchased individually exceeded the £200.00 cost of the set even before the loco (DCC fitted) and stock was factored in. If I advertised the surplus German loco and rolling stock on eBay I may get £75.00 back making the actual cost of track and DCC system only £125.00. This was a complete no brainer! I placed an order with A&H models for the set and it arrived the next day.

A new train set - how exciting!

Multimaus controller and rolling stock included.

Generous supply of quality track sections and DCC control box.

Full Multimaus system for a bargain price - Hellfire!

The required pieces from the set.

The train set was quickly set up on the lounge floor and for a wonderful hour or so I was transported right back to my youth and the excitement of simply playing trains. The Multimaus DCC controller was incredibly easy to use and the included loco was of considerably better quality than I had expected. It was smooth, quiet, equipped with full head and tail lights and of course already fitted with a DCC chip. It did occur to me this loco was no doubt part of the basic Roco range but it far outperformed the recent Dapol class 73 models. This whole train set malarkey was great fun but I wanted something more permanent. I progressed with the fitting of the shelving system in the new Ned-Cave and started measuring up and calculating what extra Roco track components I would require for the permanent test track. A quick check online showed the Roco track was easily obtainable and bulk packs designed to expand the starter sets could be picked up which incorporated a similar discount to the starter set. I subsequently purchased enough track components from The Engine Shed in Ford to give me a roughly 40ft continuous loop around the top of the room with a 5ft passing loop and an additional 6ft siding. This elevated test track is installed above window and door level and can be accessed by standing on a footstool. It is completely out of the way and does not compromise the use of the room but is ready to be used at any time - Dreadful!

The Roco track system is very impressive for a train set type product and of a very high quality. It clips together very easily and sits on a pre-moulded ballast shoulder. It has only been a couple of days since the test track was installed but it is already working perfectly. I am currently awaiting the arrival of a Roco power clip which will allow me to swap between analogue and DCC power so I can test run locos before and after DCC chips have been fitted. Having a loco trundle around the room over your head whilst sitting at the desk working on something else is proving to be a very interesting and satisfying experience. The pain involved in moving the Ned-Cave down a floor has been completely justified simply by the addition of the J-TTT (Jones-Towers Test Track).

Passing loop area of the J-TTT (Train set stock in the loop)

Passing loop now installed and the siding will be done next.

J-TTT passes high above the desk area in the mk2 Ned-Cave

Traction Action - Magnets & Gas Turbines

Last month I showed you some shots of my fantastic Rapido Trains APT-E. You will recall that I had a problem with the wiring on a single trailer car and I could only work the train as a 3 car formation. Well after conducting some online research via internet forums and then taking the advice of Rapido Trains, I have now managed to correct the fault without recourse to sending the offending vehicle for repairs. I now have a fully functioning 4 car APT-E set complete with twinkling lights in the computer coach and that glorious racket from the twin speakers. Posh-Colin visited the Corkscrew-Lines a couple of days ago and was most impressed with the slippery silver beast and particularly the amount of noise it made - totally prototypical I have no doubt. This is without question a beautifully designed, crafted and engineered model which is fantastic value for money. I have no regrets about ordering it and I can only hope that as Rapido are now working on the prototype HST power cars then this is the beginning of them becoming a permanent and well established manufacturer of British prototypes.

Strange futuristic goings on at Harbinger South Junction - Hellfire!

Oh My Lords!

Computer banks and flashing lights

Screaming around the return loop in the Helix-House

The first modelling session carried out in the new Ned-Cave involved the first trial fitting of magnets to the base of some of my steam loco fleet. This is all part of the adoption of the DCC Concepts Powerbase system, a product that I have permanently installed on all of the gradients on the Corkscrew-Lines. With the steel plates fitted under the tracks, the second stage is the fitting of magnets under the locos which I consider may struggle with the grades on the layout and in particular the unrelenting climbs on the helix between the layout levels. I have a long way to go and I am learning new techniques all the time when it comes to the magnets but so far it all looks very promising. An image below shows a West Country class pacific on the workbench in a very undignified pose whilst being fitted with a selection of magnets. I will cover my conclusions in much greater depth in a future update but for now the system does seem to be the solution I was looking for on the Corkscrew-Lines. As with everything there are compromises to be made and as long as you are prepared to invest some time when it comes to testing and fine tuning the magnet placement then a satisfying and significant improvement in traction can be obtained. I consider this process to be necessary only for my steam loco fleet as my diesels have no problem lifting 8 coach trains up the helix. For other modellers with steeper track grades than those on the Corkscrew-Lines magnets fitted to diesels would be a quick and easy fix as large magnets could be easily disguised under diesel bogies.

Selected steam locos await their turn for the magnet treatment.

West Country class - Bude, sits in the loco cradle and receives it's test magnets

Latest arrivals on the Corkscrew-Lines

Rapido Trains don't only make rolling stock, they have recently announced a new range of track accessories including a magnetic uncoupler for use with the Kadee style uncoupling system. Marketed as Railcrew On-Off Remote Uncoupler, this very clever under-track electromagnet will only work when the included switch is flicked and also shines a beam of light up through the ballast to illuminate the underside of the couplers to ensure rolling stock is stopped in precisely the correct position for uncoupling. I will be fitting these uncouplers throughout the layout so started off with a bulk order of a dozen to get me started. I will cover the installation and operation fully in a future update.

Another selection of die-cast vehicles have arrived during April including a magnificent new casting of the Duple Roadmaster coach by Oxford Diecast. At £13.00 from Hattons it was just too good to resist. Further Oxford Diecast small commercials and another of the gorgeous BMC Farina models have arrived. A bargain find for just a couple of quid in a market were the EFE sports cars - excellent!

In preparation for further works in the Harbinger Yard area I have been assembling a collection of Peco points, plate bridge sides and woodland scenics ballast. I am hopeful I can resume track laying and layout construction in the next week or so once the current household changes and alterations are completed.

Full Sized Adventures

Just a couple of days out this month with a transport related interest to share. Earlier this month we travelled back to Lincolnshire and the Fens to visit our great mates Lord and Lady Dowsby, or Keith and Laila as I'm allowed to call them. The journey from Kings Cross was via a Hull Trains class 180 unit and I took the opportunity to take a few snapshots of the station before we departed and once we arrived back later that day. I was a driver at Kings Cross for many years so I will always have a soft spot for the place although it didn't look anything like as clean and pleasant when I worked there.

Virgin Trains East Coast

Kings Cross

Hull Trains class 180

Class 365, or "milk float" as we drivers called them

At completely the other end of the railway spectrum to Kings Cross is the Brighton gem that proudly boasts that it is the oldest operating electric railway in the world. A fun afternoon a few weeks ago was spent trundling along the Brighton seafront on the 1883 opened Volks Railway. Enjoy the shots of the wooden stock and the unusual way the trains run through the central carriage sheds as part of the journey. A slow, bumpy and totally fascinating way to travel - Hellfire!

Volks Railway, Brighton

Corky's Miscellaneous Musings...

Only one thing to mention this month - bullhead track. Peco announced it's intention to produce flexi bullhead track this year and if the reaction was favourable then it would also produce accompanying pointwork. No time frame was offered for the pointwork and as things currently stand, there is no certainty that the points will actually be produced at all. Then another announcement earlier this month made me sit up and take notice. DCC Concepts have announced they also will definitely be producing OO scale bullhead track with correct sleeper spacing before the end of the year. Their product will be more expensive no doubt but will be manufactured from super conductive stainless steel and the photos I have seen of it show it to be super realistic with regard to chairs and sleeper detail. Crucially they have confirmed it will match the rail height of Peco code 75 track. The most exciting news however is a firm commitment from DCC Concepts that they will also be producing a full range of accurate OO gauge pointwork, crossings and slips over the coming years. A medium radius point will hopefully be an early release allowing someone like myself who has no time or inclination to produce hand made points to at last have scale looking trackwork.

In view of the above announcements I have decided to adjust my proposed timescales and defer the Shinbash station section of the lowest level of the layout until the new bullhead trackwork is available. This will then be a test section to see how easy it is to lay, how good it looks and how much it is likely to cost in comparison with the existing Peco code 75 range. I have a feeling once the realistic trackwork is available there will be no looking back so rather than relay entire sections of the layout I will hold back and only do it once. The rest of the lowest level will be laid with existing code 75 Peco track and ballasted and weathered as best I can. Most of the lowest level will be devoted to storage trackage so I don't think there will be any need to relay in the future. With another 2 full scenic levels to construct there will always be new sections to lay rather than relaying existing yards. At last - realistic trackwork is almost here - Absolutely Dreadful!

I had another eureka moment earlier today. I was thinking about potential track layouts for the 3rd level of the layout. This is the Western Region inspired level and will incorporate a large terminus station, a modernisation plan diesel depot and a couple of large freight facilities. This level will be at roughly shoulder level and I have always envisaged a lot of plain running track and typical west country scenery. The breakthrough came when I imagined running the mainlines counter-clockwise around the room and allowing the mainlines to pass over the operating aisles with a possible duck-under arrangement, although I am confident there will be over 6ft of clearance. This would free up a 16ft wall for a homage to the wonderful terminus at Penzance. It would not be a copy but would draw heavily from it and could accommodate full length (8 coach) trains with ease. This started me thinking about other sections of the line and it occurred to me that I could produce lengthy sections based on the wonderful seawall between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth. Tunnels, beaches, rock faces - Hellfire! I need to construct level 2 first of course so this could be a few years away but it is still very exciting.

So let's hope I get back into the garage in May and I crack on with finishing Harbinger Yard and progressing with the mainlines. As always, thanks for reading the blog and as Arnold would so eloquently put it - "I'll be back!"

That's all for now Folks!

Corky!

Saturday 30 April 2016