Update - No.13 - 03.07.11

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

Hi Guys, time for another update........can't believe your luck eh?

A cuppa for Corky

I'm getting quicker at assembling baseboards and frames and now I seem to spend less time planning and head scratching and more just trying out solutions and then adapting them to work.  A good case in point is the peninsula section which like the rest of the layout will need 4 levels and needs to be rigid but also modular so it can be taken apart should we ever need to move house in the future.  I had a variety of techniques in my head before I started, some simple but somewhat limited regarding baseboard depth, and others using a cantilevered ply monocoque which I'd still be building in 2 years time!  In the end, as always, the solution developed as I went along.  I decided to have an electric radiator attached to the end of the peninsula but recessed so it wouldn't be knocked.  Once I'd assembled a panel to hold it and attached it to the first 2 levels of baseboard it became obvious how I could assemble the rest of the structure.  Needless to say, there is a heavy reliance on bolts as usual, and a standalone full height "spine" board, but nothing complicated. it just all fits together like a jigsaw puzzle and is as strong as the rest of the layout and retains the ability to remove individual baseboards if required.

The peninsula woodwork

The peninsula woodwork

The peninsula woodwork

Pinkie pays a visit

You'll see the peninsula growing in the attached shots and hopefully get a feel for the way it has been assembled.  A bonus from my perspective with this method of construction has been the end of the peninsula has effectively become a self contained scene where I intend to merge all of the scenic levels into one view.  Think of a steep river gorge with a pair of mainlines crossing a river at the bottom with a tall viaduct and another mainline gracefully arching across the top of the scene.  By framing this scene with a large wooden surround, you have to keep on walking to the far side of the peninsula to see what's going on with your train once it departs the scene.  You cannot just stand at the end and wait for it to reach you because you'll loose sight of it.  This encourages you to walk further down the aisle and stay with your train as it travels around the layout......another bonus.

The peninsula woodwork

Last time I shared with you my dilemma regarding continuing with the baseboards and finishing them or tackling the helix and the trackbed.  Well, I have just spent the weekend developing a template board for the inner part of the helix which I'm confident will mean I can quickly produce the loops I'll need to go between the levels.  It was important to do this now before I enclose the helix area in further baseboards and cannot access it easily.  Now I am happy I can get the loop boards into position with little drama even with the area enclosed, I've decided to press on and construct the final 5 frame sections and the remaining 12 baseboards they'll support.  It's all straightforward stuff and easier than most of what I've done so far so I have set my self (probably unwisely) the target of having all the baseboard sections erected by the end of July (2011)!  Whilst I've thoroughly enjoyed doing the woodwork involved in devising and constructing the layout, I'm starting to yearn for trackwork and movement from trains so let's hope all goes well and I can get the initial construction phase finished soon.

Lord Dowsby inspects progress

I'm quite excited about the way the helix template should make life easier for me so I'll share the details with you next time - an instant insomnia cure.....ha!  It's getting darker in the layout room - not from an aggressive emotional perspective or a spreading foreboding, but from a distinct lack of light bulbs!  It hasn't helped sticking the peninsula in the room and 2 of the 3 light bulbs now being obscured by the top level.  Tomorrow an electrician will be calling in the evening to discuss what to do next.  Greg was the guy who did all of the electrics when the house was built and he installed all of the high level lighting sockets.  I'm hoping he'll say what I have planned is easy and I can then crack on and spread a little light so to speak.  First job will be a large fluorescent light fixture over the helix so I can see what's going on as the loops are added.

Anyway, that's enough woodwork and electrics for this update!

New Arrivals on the Corkscrew

Nil, zip, nada, nowt, nothing............makes a change eh?

Full Size Railway Adventures

As I outlined last time, the latest injection of Neddy-Crankness came courtesy of the North Norfolk Railway's diesel gala last weekend.  I met my partners in crime, Andy "Wibble" Whitehead and newly signed up Corkette, Richard Owen, at Ely and we then trundled our way to Sheringham where the fun began.  You'll see from the attached shots that the usual mix of English Electric and Sulzer traction was evident along with a couple of bonuses.  The major draw for me on the day was the promise of a trip on LEV-1, the 1980's attempt to produce a low cost railbus for rural routes using as many off the shelf bus components as possible.  The resulting railbus was as close to a Leyland National bus as could be imagined, but without rubber wheels!  Although the project ultimately failed, it is a fascinating machine all the same.  Regrettably, on the Saturday, the machine was misbehaving so was not available for public use.  Fitters were overheard referring to the bright yellow wonder as the "gas chamber" which would suggest issues with the exhausts.......pity!

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

An unexpected bonus as a result of LEV-1 disgracing itself was the introduction to the service of the wonderful German "Waggon-und Mascinebau" railbus built as part of the trials of similar machines in pockets around this country in 1958.  This particular beauty was without doubt the highlight of the day for me.  It's fabulous repertoire of squeaks, rattles, burps, groans and protestations was an absolute joy.  The highlight was the flatulent rasp emitted just before each gear change which reminded me of the Morris Minors I've owned in the past.  Absolutely wonderful and even more satisfying because I'm hoping to receive a model of this very machine very shortly thanks to Heljan.  They have announced a whole range of the early 4 wheel rail-buses including the W&M and AC Cars models ....Hellfire!  

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

 I must apologise in advance for the self portrait shot of the 3 Neds in the aforementioned W&M railbus.  Not a pretty or pleasant sight for other members of the public but a salutary reminder of what can happen when men of a certain age and disposition, who stop taking their medication for the day, are allowed to gather in groups and encouraged by events like diesel galas or rail-tours.  Oh my Lords!!!......absolutely Dreadful!!  Fish & Chips on the seafront at Sheringham too......Hellfire!

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

North Norfolk Railway Nonsense!

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

Completion of the peninsula baseboards and an introduction to the Helix template.....oh you lucky, lucky people.  You really don't deserve all this do you?

Now then, where's that kettle?  Toodle Pip! 


Corky