Update - No.12 - 26.06.11

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

Hello again Boys and Girls, I'm back!

Ready to start work on the peninsula section

I know last time I said I would be starting work on the trackbed sections for the helix, and that was the plan, but it hasn't yet happened.  I had another moment of madness and realised I could use the outer loop of the helix boards to allow direct access from the low level storage sidings into a new scenic area of the lowest level boards.  This is not an area I would prioritise first but I have to ensure whatever I do now can accommodate it in the future so I have put the helix track work on hold until I can finalise a plan.  Sorry guys, I know you expected to see some track but this makes better sense long term and should mean whatever track I do lay will stay down and not need to be ripped up.  Just so you know, the new scenic area will be approximately 2' x 15' and will be a marine terminal similar to Weymouth or Newhaven with boat trains, including Pullmans, hauled by Bullied Pacific's for example arriving to meet ocean liner departures.  There will also be docks and a branch to a fuel terminal which will be off scene and part of the outer helix area perhaps.....maybe!  To make sure this will be viewable from a chair on castor's, the lowest level of the layout has now dropped to just 12" from the floor for half of the peninsula area.  Not ideal but it works and adds to the drama and fun of the layout......Oh My Lords!!

Ready to start work on the peninsula section

Ready to start work on the peninsula section

Ready to start work on the peninsula section

Ready to start work on the peninsula section

Ready to start work on the peninsula section

The next major phase of the Corkscrew Lines has commenced with the first baseboards and plywood now cut for the peninsula section which projects into the centre of the room and which will be the major scenic section of the layout with less track and more spectacle with multiple bridges and land form rises.  You can see from the attached photo's that I have now completed the other helix joining frame section and this will allow the 4 levels to leave the helix and head into the middle of the room.  Work is well under way with the baseboards and I'll show you this next time.  The shots with this update show the end peninsula framework being constructed.  This will act as a support and visual frame for the layout at the end of the peninsula.  The lowest level will be hidden but the 2nd level will have a pair of mainlines at different heights crossing a river with a towering viaduct above which takes a double track mainline on level 3!!!  It makes perfect sense to me and I can picture it clearly in my head.  Hopefully you can better imagine what I want to achieve when the peninsula is completed and the levels are better defined.  The photos show a mock up of the peninsula dimensions using my old favourites....green archive boxes.  I need to allow a recess for the electric radiator which will be attached to the baseboard's nether regions!!  The garage is well insulated but needs half an hour or so of heat on the coldest days just to make the room more inviting.

Another issue which is becoming more pressing as my Frankenstein Monster of a layout rises from the timber and ply' is lighting.  I have managed so far with just 3 ceiling suspended bulbs but now need better illumination and a permanent, modular and simple solution.  I am thinking of having baseboard mounted, low energy, compact fluorescent bulbs fixed every 3' or so to illuminate the level below.  This needs some thought and research and a conversation with an electrician.  I future-proofed the room and had high level lighting sockets fitted when we built the house but I just need to make sure what I plan will work.  As they say, watch this space!

New Arrivals on the Corkscrew

As you can see from the photos, I have been at it again with the ironmongery!!  Another 300 penny washers have arrived (unfortunately this refers to their size and not their cost), together with a pack of screwdriver bits and another 1,000 small wood screws for the start of track laying (all will become clear in due course).  The significant purchase has been 100m of electrical wiring for the DCC command bus and the associated dropper wires.  In other words, I am now gearing up for track work and wiring.  You see.....there will be trains running on the Corkscrew soon......honest!

Ironmongery & Wiring

You can never have too much plywood!

Baseboard timber

A couple of the other shots show the latest substantial order of plywood and timber which I am hoping will allow me to complete all of the baseboards and framing for the layout.  As I have now run out of workbench space in the layout room, I'll need to fabricate the remaining pieces in the hallway as I mentioned last time.  I am undecided at this point as to whether I should plough on and complete all the remaining boards before commencing track work or take a break from carpentry and do something different.  As I have a system and flow already established for the baseboards it may be best to just carry on and get them all finished in the next few weeks or so.  I'll let you know what I decide next time.


In the next thrilling instalment.........

Well next time I hope to show you the central peninsula under construction and outline my plans for the levels and thinking behind it all.....sounds groovy eh?  I will also share with you my latest full size adventure on the North Norfolk Railway for their diesel gala when I fell in love with a 1958 flatulent German who took me for a ride!

All the best my little lovelies and welcome to the latest 5 Corkettes who have lost reason and sensibility and joined the ranks!  All Corkettes are welcome to drop by for tea and tiffin and a personal progress report.

Enjoy life and if at first you don't succeed, give up and make a cuppa instead!

Corky