Update - No.10 - 10.06.11

Originally sent via email to friends and family only in June 2011

 Hello again Everyone - It's me!
 

A 2nd corner is completed

A 2nd corner is completed

Plywood mountains!  In the last week or so I have managed to produce another set of baseboards and a frame section to allow me to turn the corner (go round the bend again!) and progress towards the helix.  Once another similar set of boards have been constructed and erected then I should have the full 4 levels running from the Layout Room doorway along a further 2 walls to the helix and only the central peninsula and final corner sections will remain.  Once I have reached the helix - hopefully some time next week, I can then ensure all the baseboards are adjusted and levelled and then commence track laying.  Yes, after 10 updates, I am actually considering laying some track and running a train!...dreadful!  I attach a few shots showing progress.

New Arrivals on the CorkscrewWell, as I suggested last time, I have been making some purchases on E-bay over the last few weeks of model buses and lorries which I resisted buying when new in the hope they will be available in the future at a reduced price.  Luckily for me I was right, many of the models I've picked up are 20% what they cost when new so I have purchased some real bargains.  You'll no doubt remember I stocked up on green buses for my "Tilling" fleet a few months ago, well this time it was the turn of Devon General in it's famous maroon livery.  Atlanteans, Regents and AEC Reliance are now waiting for their bus garage!

Devon General arrivals

1950s/1960s coaches

I also picked up some lorries in liveries I need including Blue Circle Cement.  The classic Scammell Routeman is to be created with Bulk Cement body from the articulated rig shown.  This is a long term project so I'll report back on this in a few years!  I also show a shot of some fantastic touring coaches of the 50's & 60's which will fit right in with my chosen era and area.

 
Big news on the motive power front is the arrival of another of Bachmann's superb "Warship" diesel hydraulics.  The loco is in the standard green with small yellow panels and is typical of a 1960's western region loco and essential for what I want to model.  This loco joins a similar one already owned in the other classic colour scheme of maroon with small yellow panels.  These locos are an absolute bargain at only £70.00 already fitted with a DCC chip.  The tooling is getting old but the overall shape is still just right and compared to other new releases at sometimes well over £100.00 they are a fantastic buy.  Their pulling power is also legendary so the helix will not pose a problem even with a full rake of coaches.

1960s Lorries - Dreadful!

You'll notice I also have a pair of the classic western region 6 wheel milk tanks.  These were picked up for a song on E-bay and despite being in the wrong livery, once they've been resprayed into a more prototypical overall grime and crud, they'll blend in well with the rake I've already assembled.  You simply cannot model the west of England in the 1960's without milk trains and retain any credibility.

Warships and Milk!

Full Size Railway Adventures
Off to Yorkshire and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (where they filmed the Railway Children) to enjoy their Diesel Gala with my old mucker...Johnny "make mine a Napier" Herbert.   All sorts of heritage traction was sampled including particular highlights for me, the newly restored D7600 (Class 37 or Tractor) in my favourite livery of early BR green with small yellow panel.  I saw her last year in terrible mid restoration condition at the NRM so it was a real delight to see her looking as new.  I also sampled D0226 "Vulcan" the unique 0-6-0 shunter which was a forerunner of the ubiquitous "Gronk" and made some extremely pained, laboured and interesting noises when hauling our passenger stock up the steeply graded sections of the line.  She also managed to produce enough clag to block out most of Yorkshire from view.....Hellfire!.....marvellous stuff!

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway adventures!

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway adventures!

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway adventures!

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway adventures!

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway adventures!

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway adventures!

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway adventures!

There were also double headed "Duffs" and "Rats" in both liveries to enjoy and also, if you like that sort of thing, a Deltic trundling along.  All in all a great day and I would recommend this line to anybody.  The stations, staff and whole atmosphere is fantastic and the whole line is a real time machine.  I always like preserved lines which have a defined identity and ensure stock is consistent and everything is authentic.  The K&WVR gets a thumbs up from me.

In the next thrilling instalment.....

If all goes according to plan I'll finish another full section of frame and baseboards and will be able to show you all of the baseboard sections from the return loop next to the door to the helix base. 

There will be shots of some classic traction in everyday use at Boston, some interesting moves through Risegate on the "Joint Line" and photos of the extraordinary discovery of a working class 50 in Crowland hauling passenger trains.....yes, honestly!

You'll also be surprised by some of the recent visitors to the Corkscrew and just how enthusiastically and thoroughly they inspected progress so far!!!

Okay, that's all for now folks....enjoy!

Where's that kettle?

Cheers, Corky.

Please accept my apologies for any confusing terminology used in the updates, especially relating to "Neds", "Cranks", "Hellfire", "Oh My Lords", "Dreadful" etc etc.  These terms will be fully understood by the Enthusiasts (pity them all) but almost certainly totally incomprehensible to normal folk.  I understand it is possible to obtain "An Idiot's Guide to Railway Enthusiasm" from the likes of Amazon or any reputable bookshop which should help considerably.....ha!