Update No.70 - 07.10.16


Going out on a high!

Hornby Magazine for October 2016

Hello everybody, I hope you are all well. For those of you who do not already know, another article covering the construction of the Corkscrew-Lines has been published in Hornby Magazine. The October edition features a 6 page step by step guide to using the DCC Concepts Powerbase system with OO Gauge stock. I was particularly happy with this article and especially the use of the photos showing the helix and even managing to sneak a small photo of the layout onto the front cover. This is the current edition of the magazine which is now on newsagents stands - although the next edition is published on the 13th of October so you'd better be quick if you've not already purchased a copy. This will almost certainly be my last article showing the current layout as I have reached a momentous decision - the Corkscrew-Lines mk2 is being dismantled.

Those of you who know me personally will be fully aware of the problems I have been experiencing over the last few years with an ongoing back and lower lumber disc condition. Since the Corkscrew-Lines were started I have had back surgery and extended periods of debilitating sciatica and whilst I am currently fit and well I know that I am always going to be susceptible to further issues so I need think very carefully about my long term health and wherever possible I need to ensure I try to reduce the risk of aggravating my condition. This unfortunately is completely at odds with continuing with the current version of the Corkscrew-Lines. When I started work on the layout and committed to the large, multi-level OO Gauge project back in February 2011 there was no reason to think I would be unable to see it through to completion - albeit over a decade or so. As things currently stand however the project has pretty much ground to a halt. A combination of long lean-in distances,  stretches to the upper level, protracted bending to fully access the lower level and the sheer bulk and weight of the baseboard sections when transported are not conducive to looking after my health going forwards.

Putting it bluntly, this model railways lark is supposed to be a thoroughly enjoyable hobby which helps to relieve the stresses and strains of the real world problems we all face. When the hobby starts to cause you physical pain and discomfort and you start avoiding working on the layout because it hurts - as I recently found to my cost during a ballasting session on the lower level, then it is time to stop and re-evaluate what you are doing and why. Over the last month or so I have of course desperately looked at ways I could perhaps adapt the current layout or change certain features to make ongoing maintenance and construction easier. It became increasingly obvious that if I diluted and pared down the current scheme and incorporated my revised ideal baseboard heights and depths that the resultant layout simply didn't enthuse me enough or excite me enough to proceed. Having reached this difficult conclusion it was extremely poignant that on that very day the latest edition of Hornby Magazine plopped onto my doormat. Talk about life twisting the knife!

So where do I go from here?  Having decided any further work on the Corkscrew-Lines mk2 layout was pointless I thought I would mull over what aspects of the layout had given me the most pleasure and how I could try to incorporate the best ideas and most successful aspects of the current layout into its successor - oh yes my friends, rest assured - there will indeed be a Corkscrew-Lines mk3 - Hellfire! I particularly enjoy the challenges associated with the complicated construction methods for the baseboards required on layouts with multiple decks and I cannot imagine I would ever build a layout that didn't have a sense of actually going somewhere with a long mainline run and a feeling of purpose.

I am going to keep my powder dry for now and not reveal fully what I am up to in the garage but I will confirm I have actually started work on the new layout. My new adventure follows many of my now established themes. It is certainly overly ambitious - which is surely my trademark and I wouldn't have it any other way. This time however it will be constructed as a series of much smaller "chunks" which can receive partial scenic treatment as I proceed (I am conscious that I never reached the stage where scenic work was started on the previous 2 layouts!). There will as you would expect be complicated and unusual woodwork and a different twist on the multi-level approach. I have no doubt many of you will be surprised by the actual railway subject and theme I have chosen to model and I am fully aware that many will perhaps be disappointed that the new scheme is such a radical departure from the previous versions. All I ask is that you keep an open mind when I eventually go public and you let me try to win you over. Please remember this change of direction was enforced due to pragmatism over long term health issues. I didn't welcome it and I didn't want it but I have now started to embrace the changes and my modelling enthusiasm and desire have returned after many weeks of doom and gloom.

So there you have it my Corkette chums. After over 5 years of regular updates I will now be leaving the blog dormant for a few months whilst I decide if I am to continue with it or choose a different medium to update the great unwashed as to my Corkscrew-Lines progress and adventures. I hope you have enjoyed the updates and I want to thank everybody who has contributed, supported and encouraged me along the way - you know who you are! It has been great fun - Dreadful!


That's all for now Folks!


Corky!

Update No.69 - 25.08.16


A far more interesting update this month I hope you'll agree my lovely Corkette chums. Corky has at last pulled his finger out and done some proper modelling - Hellfire! There has been an extraordinary frenzy of woodworking with accompanying sawdust production of late with significant track laying activity again. The recently absent Corkscrew-Lines Totaliser makes a welcome return at last - Dreadful! Clicking on the images will produce a larger higher resolution version.

Adams Radial enters the loop on the test track with the recently arrived ex-LSWR stock

Paper Junctions

The last few months have been a frustrating period. Despite desperately wanting to crack on with laying track and installing the electrics and generally maintaining my previous momentum, I have been forced to ease off the pace due to a recurrence of previous back problems. In the last few weeks however I have at last been pain free and able to get into the garage and start some serious civil engineering again. Being pragmatic about my recent inactivity I have regrettably decided to abandon my previously stated objectives for 2016. I have instead decided to try if at all possible to concentrate on the most significant goal of completing the mainline on the lowest level. If I can have trains circling the lowest level from the return loop to the top of the already laid turns of the helix before the end of the year I will be happy. The icing on the cake would be the construction of a temporary return loop at the top of the helix to permit continuous running. The branch line, yards, freight facilities and storage loops can be added as and when but the first objective must be completing the mainline.

Lowest level on the northern wall of the garage is cleared ready for track planning

Track laying on the layout so far has taken place on the southern wall of the garage and includes Harbinger South Junction, Doombe Carriage Sidings and the mainline which climbs and crosses Harbinger Yard and curves into the western wall. The northern wall of the garage has seen no track laying so far. This area will include some significant junctions allowing Harbinger Yard trains to rejoin the mainline and also the branch line to the Power Station (more on this in a future update) whilst incorporating numerous gradients and complicated curves and track formations. I really should learn to keep things simple but I absolutely love planning interesting track layouts and adding bonus operating features as I go. I normally have an idea of how things will look in my head and then produce sketches and then mark out the plywood and start cutting wood. For this area however I thought I would try something different. I settled on the track formations for junctions and then marked them out onto paper sheets and used these as templates. I could move the templates around as required to fine tune mainline curves and separation distances as required. I inevitably always imagine I have more room for points and crossovers than I actually do so the templates are a quick way to keep checking everything will fit.

The templates idea was a success. I produced 3 junction track layouts which worked well and I could place them on the baseboards close to their final locations knowing their dimensions were accurate. The next step would be linking them with mainline curves of a set radius. I have recently decided on a desirable minimum radius for mainline trackage of 30 inches but this is very difficult to quickly mock up using lengths of flexi-track. Then it struck me that I could also produce paper templates for the curves using similar techniques to those used for the junctions. A few years ago I purchased a quantity of A2 sized sketching pads at an art store for just a couple of pounds each. Here was an ideal opportunity to use them. By taping 6 sheets together on the floor I could draw arcs using a trammel and then cut out paper templates of the correct radius for the mainlines.

Kitchen floor is commandeered and six A2 sheets are attached and then marked out using a 30" radius arc for the inside of the 2 mainline tracks.

Adjustable Trammel (a brilliant bit of kit from Micro-mark form the USA) allows quick and accurate arcs to be marked out.

Lengths of flexi-track are held in place using tins and jars of food.  Note the use of a 30" radius tracksetta template for the inner line

Using suitable rolling stock, the minimum safe passing distances are established and the outer mainline is also held in place and measurements are taken.

Once the twin tracks have been measured and the arcs drawn using the trammel it is time to cut them out.

The track centre line and sleeper widths are drawn on with an inch added either side to allow clearance for bridges and tunnels etc.

To swing or lift - decisions, decisions!

It quickly became obvious whilst positioning my paper junction and curve templates that the easiest way to ensure everything would fit and link up correctly would be to install the critical junction pointwork and then concentrate on the gradients and curvatures required to finalise and then link the track formations. This would mean working from both ends of the previously laid trackwork and then meeting somewhere in the middle of the northern wall. An inevitable consequence of adopting this strategy would be the need to at long last tackle the bridging section across the doorway to the garage. I have previously discussed this area and how tracks will ultimately cross the doorway on 3 separate levels when the layout is completed. The only way this can work will be via a swinging section that hinges into the layout room and enables all 3 levels to move as one. I have never previously attempted a bridging section so I have been thinking long and hard about how to proceed. I think it is almost inevitable that a first attempt will ultimately be replaced by something more permanent or better designed. With this in mind, and considering it will possibly be a couple of years before the second level of the layout is completed, I have decided to keep things simple and produce a temporary lifting gate. 

The doorway area and the gap to be bridged between the lowest level baseboards

The structural end panel which will be opened to allow tracks to cross the doorway.

The lifting gate section will not simply carry a double track mainline. Because of the limited amount of room on the northern wall I have been unable to incorporate the junction for the branch line on this side of the room. The only place this important junction can be located is actually on the lifting section itself. This should not present too many problems as long as I can get the track formation to successfully fit and reliably hinge. This is not rocket science, it just depends on accurately laying the track and installing a means of transferring the DCC bus power through the hinged connections. Incidentally, I will eventually produce a scale track plan for the lowest level so you can fully understand how all of the mysterious lines I constantly mention actually fit into the Corkscrew-Lines grand scheme. I may even produce a video tour of the line towards the end of the year when the mainlines are completed. I may regret making such rash commitments and promises I fear!

An opening is cut into the 18mm ply end panel

The view from the other side showing the mainlines from the helix

The first logical order of business was to cut an opening into the 18mm plywood panel to allow the tracks to cross the threshold. The tracks from the helix have already been laid almost up to this panel so levels and gradients are already set. By drilling small pilot holes through the plywood and then joining them up I was able to quickly and easily cut a rectangular section of the panel out using a jigsaw. The opening does not have to be perfectly accurate as it will eventually be disguised as a tunnel mouth or overbridge. The paper template for the junction - "Chariot Junction" so named because it swings so low and so sweetly (hopefully) - which will sit on the drop down gate was then placed onto a scrap piece of plywood and offered up to the existing mainlines using sections of flexi-track. With a little jiggling and by using the newly created curved track template it was obvious that everything would fit - just!

Chariot Junction template and flexi-track curves are mocked up

It fits but the angles and curvature means careful track laying is required

Line to the right is the start of the branch line which heads around all 4 walls of the room

Branch line nearest and double track mainline heading to the helix to the right

Track layout seen through the opening - obviously the levels will be corrected for the final installation.

As is my normal modus operandi, I produced some quick sketches of what needed to be produced and then got cracking. The conservatory became a temporary workshop and the lifting bridge section was knocked up from softwood and plywood. This is going to be a basic design to allow me to easily bridge the gap. Lessons learned will no doubt be incorporated into the next design which will need to incorporate the next baseboard level in a swinging design.

Basic ideas are sketched out ready for wood working

Conservatory serves as a temporary workshop and components are cut

Underside view showing plywood end which will rest on a lip fitted to the plywood end panel.

Completed drop section is placed across the doorway and adjusted for height 

The drop section is a substantial piece of woodwork built to a similar standard to the fixed baseboards around the layout. A lightweight solution would normally be preferable in this sort of situation but as this section was to carry a junction and had to include the corresponding 3 point motors and associated wiring I needed to ensure everything would be suitably robust to allow for trouble free running. This may not be a thing of elegant beauty but I don't really care at this stage. If it performs reliably for a couple of years I can concentrate on getting the mainlines laid and running trains and then revisit it if deemed necessary for aesthetic reasons.

Having mocked up the heights and distances I proceeded to construct a small connecting section on the opposite baseboard which will accommodate the hinges and ensure the tracks have a completely level passage throughout the construction. I will show you this area next time as I do not yet have any images taken of the hinge elements. Once I was completely happy with the heights I proceeded and fitted the plywood section to the end panel which will act as the lip the drop section rests on when in the lowered position. An element of micro adjustment will be available once the track i laid but it is obviously desirable to get the woodwork as accurate as possible at this stage .

The lip section is fitted allowing the drop section to align with the trackbed section beyond the plywood end panel

The hinges were fitted (a pair of substantial door hinges) and once again everything was checked and double checked for alignment. A few minutes of sanding was required to ensure the drop section sat perfectly flush to the end panel and the carpentry phase was complete. To finish the basic installation and to ensure the drop section could be lifted and stored in the upright position I fitted a couple of cheap and cheerful cupboard handles and a simple holding latch. So far so good. Next time I will move onto the scary bits - laying the track including the PCB sections and installing the electrics - Hellfire!

Holding latch allows the drop section to be safely stored in the upright position so access to the layout room is unimpeded.

Drop section in lowered position showing level alignment with the mainline trackbed leading to the helix

The addition of a pair of simple cupboard handles mean lifting and lowering the drop section is quick and simple.

Corky's Continental Capers! - Having a good dangle!

Now here is something you certainly don't see every day. A recent visit to Germany gave me the opportunity to visit the city of Wuppertal in the North Rhine Westphalia region. Now there are literally thousands of tramway networks, monorail systems and lightweight rapid transportation systems in the world but I have never experienced anything like the system used by the locals and visitors along the bottom of the valley which geographically defines the otherwise unremarkable city of Wuppertal. The Schwebebahn (floating tram) system began operation in 1901 and consists of 8 miles of substantial steel supports which straddle and span the river Wupper which runs along the length of the valley for 6 miles, and then a further 2 miles of elevated tramway over the main streets of the city. What is so special about this tramway you may well ask? Well these trams hang below the overarching steelworks and dangle 39ft above the river - this is the remarkable "Dangle-bahn"

A typical Dangle-bahn tram is about to make the incredibly tight turn at the end of the 8 mile run at Oberbarmen. The tram will reappear over the furthest bus in this image ready to return to Wuppertal and Vohwinkel.

I was fortunate enough to see the pet preserved original tram set - the "Kaiserwagen" which was operating a charter service

A tram dangles over the river Wupper on approach to Hauptbanhof

With judicious use of my elbows and a surprising turn of speed for a man of my age and physical condition, I managed to bag myself a seat immediately behind the driver (or should that be Pilot?) for a run along the entire length of the line from Oberbarmen to Vohwinkel. Being a confirmed Crank I have of course sat in a similar position in trams, trains and buses in numerous cities around the world but I have never encountered the unique Dangle-bahn sensations of swinging and rolling through curves and overtaking road vehicles vertically. It takes some getting used to but when you consider the trams run completely unencumbered by the normal traffic, pedestrians and bovine incursions experienced everywhere else in the world then the system makes perfect sense. Originally designed as a tramway solution for Berlin but never adopted in that city, the line is now unique and for anybody with an interest in alternative means of transport it is a fascinating 30 minute journey.

Drivers eye view

Cyclist is about to be overtaken - literally!

Tram departs a typical elevated station

Dangle-bahn

When the trams reach the end of the line they make in implausibly sharp 180 degree turn and start back in the opposite direction. At the western terminus of Vohwinkel the main tram car shops and maintenance depot sit just beyond and within the turn-back and are accessed by an ingenious swinging section which acts like a set of railway points but in a more overhead monorail fashion - Hellfire!  Another benefit of Vohwinkel is the excellent cafe which sits directly under the line. As Mrs Corky was getting a little over excited and giddy by the whole dangling sensation...why wouldn't you? I thought a cup of coffee (the Germans don't really do tea - pity, otherwise a very civilized nation) and a small slice of cake might be a good idea. Mrs Corky and I concluded that everybody should have a good days dangling given the opportunity - Absolutely Hellfire!

Cake, Dangling trams and Mrs Corky - life is complete!

The main car shops at Vohwinkel with swinging pointwork above

No traffic lights or pedestrians to worry about up there.

A tram leans into the curve over the Wupper river

At Wuppertal mainline station a DB class 145 freight loco (built by Adtranz and producing 5,632hp) glides through with a freight

Corky engages some of the Wuppertal locals - they didn't say much!

Latest arrivals on the Corkscrew-Lines

As I mentioned in the last update, the Hornby ex-LSWR 58' Maunsell rebuilt coaches have indeed now arrived at Jones-Towers. There will no doubt be numerous reviews for these coaches in the modelling press in the next few weeks so I will not devote too much time describing them here. Suffice to say they are everything I have come to expect from Hornby and another superb set of stock with exquisite detailing and livery application. These coaches will be used on the Southern region local workings which are not covered by push pull stock. Indeed, they look particularly good behind the recently arrived Adams Radial tank - Dreadful!

Latest coaching stock for the layout - in BR crimson

Wonderful hum-drum, everyday, workmanlike stock

From one stock extreme to the other. Set 43 are a matched pair

Exceptional rivet detail and separately applied handrails and handles

Anybody for a trip to Lyme Regis...If only!

Always on the lookout for a bargain, I couldn't resist adding another early pilot scheme diesel loco to the Corkscrew-Lines roster a few weeks ago. Hattons were advertising examples of the excellent Heljan class 16 (North British Locomotive Company 800hp type 1) in my favourite green with small green panel livery. At a price of only £72 as opposed to the more usual £130 it seemed foolish not to go ahead and grab another of the ever reliable and smooth running Heljan locos. These locos obviously were never very regular performers in the south west but they were based at Stratford in East London during the 1960s and frequently appeared on the cross London freights heading for destinations in North Kent and Surrey via Clapham Junction. In my proposed and admittedly slightly unlikely scenario, the Corkscrew-Lines enjoys a series of regular high security MOD freight flows, where for security reasons the train is diagrammed to run without loco change and access to yards. The top security trains are worked throughout by Eastern and London Midland based locos and crews. A southern based conductor driver joins the train at Clapham and together with the original crew the train is worked to the appropriate MOD exchange yard on the layout. Trains will consist of ammunition or fighting vehicles and maybe the odd troop special too. This scenario allows the use of all kinds of early green diesels from almost any region including class 15, 16, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26 etc.

Another wonderfully plain and workmanlike early BR diesel joins the Corkscrew-Lines ranks

The Heljan class 16 makes friends with another recent arrival.

The MOD base idea has been firmly planted now for many years. In fact I am so fascinated by the idea of trains conveying tanks, armoured cars, ammunition and troops that I have been amassing a collection of appropriate vehicles for many years now. The Bachmann Warflat wagons (due to be released in 2017) are obviously eagerly awaited and I hope there will be follow up models of the Warwell and maybe some other more obscure military wagon types. I want the Corkscrew-Lines to have a Salisbury Plain vibe with lots of excuses to run military trains to multiple destinations. There will be a need for military shunting locomotives to take over from the mainline diesels and the first of what may develop into a fleet of quirky shunters arrived at Jones-Towers a couple of weeks ago.

I have of course already received one of Dave Jones locos in the shape of the Kernow Models Adams 02 tank which if I am honest proved to be an inconsistent and at times stuttering performer. No such problems with the Hunslet J94 Austerity. This is a DJM produced and packaged loco commissioned by Hattons Models and in the form of Army 0-6-0ST 98 "Royal Engineer" which arrived in a very smart box with plenty of foam packaging and with the now normal yellow ribbon holding everything together. There are etched nameplates, fire irons and a small pack of buffer beam accessories in the pack. The loco is certainly cute and has a nice paint finish and is definitely a major improvement over previous attempts at the Austerity 0-6-0 ST models. Is it a game changer? Not for me to be honest. There is nothing obviously wrong with it but then again I am still unconvinced by the coreless motor approach or by some of the pipework and detailing which seems a little heavy handed and crude. I think DJM have made a competent start but I personally do not perceive a quantum leap in fidelity or improved running quality over other manufacturers despite the claims made by the seemingly over zealous following Dave Jones has gathered on forums.

Excellent packaging and a very smart box

An otherwise excellent body is spoilt somewhat by crude pipework and buffers

The 0-6-0ST happily hauls a 4 coach rake around the Jones Towers Test Track

I am an enthusiastic collector of die-cast cars which fit in with my modelled 1960s time frame. I have almost taken it for granted these days that new models will be well detailed and have accurate dimensions. A few of the very latest releases however have seemed to raise the bar even higher. The latest 1960s saloon cars from Oxford Diecast include the sublime BMC Farina, Rover P4 and perhaps my new favourite - the exquisite Volvo Amazon illustrate this perfectly. Although the accompanying images show the cars rather cruelly enlarged, I'm sure you will agree that when it comes to accurate models of the hum drum everyday saloon cars that we need for our layouts we have really never had it so good - Dreadful!

Wonderful models of classic saloons

Adventurous Volvo owner is obviously planning a trip to the continent by ferry soon

The Corkscrew-Lines Progress Totaliser - Oh Yeah!

Corky's Miscellaneous Musings!

Every now and again you see something special that instantly provides either new ideas or inspiration for your modelling. During a recent visit to Battle Abbey I took the photograph below as we approached the historic entrance to the site. As I was composing the shot it occurred to me that this sort of structure could provide a perfect scenic centre-piece for a future section of the Corkscrew-Lines. Just imagine a castle type structure used as a scenic break or incorporating a more modern addition - perhaps a tunnel mouth or as part of a stone lined cutting. A structure like this could also justify a line up of classic touring coaches parked outside as the drivers await the return of their passengers following a guided tour of the castle. Watch this space my Corkette chums!

Just crying out to be modelled

So that's about all I have for you this time. Track laying is once again proceeding well and having now set myself the revised target of having trains completing the lowest level mainline run to the top of the helix by the end of the year I cannot allow my pace to slacken. Just today I started work on marking out the next baseboard section ready to be cut out using a jigsaw. This board will include "Manyways Hill Junction" which is a pretty significant junction on the layout and once completed will leave only approximately 25ft of double track mainline to be laid on the lowest level. The problem is the mainlines will be flying over other routes, yards and trackage so a softly softly approach will be required to ensure ultimately everything connects seamlessly. Right now I am in a track laying frame of mind. Next week I may want to go back to ballasting or maybe I won't mind a few hours wielding a soldering iron and adding track feeds. that is what makes this such a great hobby. It is actually dozens of skills and disciplines all rolled into one. I consider myself to be the modelling world equivalent to an Olympic Heptathlete - and if you were to see my magnificent physique my friends I am sure you would understand why - Oh My Lords! Hellfire! - Dreadful!

Until next time my friends, take care and enjoy your modelling.


That's all for now Folks!



Corky!