Update - No.19 - 30.10.11

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

Hello again my lovelies........Corky's back!......Hurrah!!

What delights and treats do I have in store for you this time? - well..... read on for tales of daring-do and adventures in the darkest corners of our continent with locos that resemble overgrown Swiss army knives and some photos from the Corky archive of miscellaneous artefacts of interest to all of you who drink from the Nedding cup!  Over-hyped......Oh My Lords....Never!

Let's start with progress on the Corkscrew Lines themselves.  You'll know by now that I have created the low level return loop and this has been secured to the appropriate baseboard and the track work laid.  Before I continued to create the adjoining baseboard's trackbed sections, I tried to think through scenarios where I may need to remove either section in the future and how this could be done, particularly with the corner board which will become awkward to remove once baseboards are fitted above and alongside.  I decided to construct a separate bridging trackbed section which could be dropped into position once the two baseboards were installed and the track work them becomes complete.  You'll see what I mean from the accompanying photos showing the whole assembly undergoing final wiring checks before being taken to the layout room.

The first sections of layout wiring have now been fitted.  A pair of heavy duty layout bus wires run under the track work using 2.5mm copper household twin & earth cable.  Smaller 1.5mm diameter dropper wires are soldered to each separate track section and then attached to the bus wires using IDC (suitcase) connectors.  A few seconds with a screwdriver to tighten the jumper wires between trackbed sections and the first 2 baseboards were live.  I spent some time ensuring stock ran smoothly over the joins and all went really well with no major problems.  The first set of points has now been installed allowing trains access to the storage roads once they have navigated the return loop.  I am going to use manual turnout control wherever I can as I feel electric point motors will not give me the authenticity or satisfaction and feel of portraying a manual or "absolute block" railway of the 1960's.  I will inevitably need to use some electric point motors for more inaccessible parts of the layout but complicated electronics or computer control of the layout does not float my boat so I will try to take on the role of a signaller pulling levers rather than setting a route using buttons wherever I can. 

I am using Peco code 75 points with the centre springs removed so some form of positive latching of the blades is necessary.  I have decided to make all of the points as DCC friendly as possible so I have modified them and added switching for the frog of the points so the flow of current is not solely relying on the point blades themselves.  My chosen point actuator is the New Rail Models "Blue Point" from the USA which is a compact modern take on the wire-in-tube system and contains a built in switch for the wiring mods'.  The first machine has been fitted but I am currently waiting for a delivery of beefier actuating wires for a more positive throw on the tie-bar.  Once the new wire is fitted the first set of points can have their fascia mounted push/pull knob fitted.  All thoroughly riveting stuff I am sure you'll agree....lol!  Once the point works reliably then the second baseboard section will be fitted into the corner where I am shown acting suspiciously in the photos.

Full Size Railway Adventures

A selection of shots from the Nene Valley Diesel Gala last month.  Enjoy!

New Arrivals on the Corkscrew 

No significant new arrivals since last time, just sundries for soldering and track laying.  Next month should be quite different though as Dapol have announced the release of the class 22 diesel-hydraulics at some stage during November.  I have been waiting about 3 years for these and have had a pre-order placed for a pair of these cheeky little scamps in green livery for about 2 years.  I just can't wait.....Dreadful!  Note to self - must stop clapping my hands together and jumping up and down.

European Nedding Highlight of the Week
Well you lucky people, pack your suitcases and grab your passport.....this time we are all off to Zurich HB station in this brand new section of the updates.  After a fascinating journey via one of those TGV thingies, Mrs Corky and myself arrived for a couple of days in the wonderful city of Zurich which boasts loads of interesting transport gems including trams, bendy trolley buses, rack railways, paddle steamers and of course the iconic small bright red AC locos which I've long wanted to see.  If you are very good boys and girls I'll maybe show you the Dolderbahn and Polybahn lines next time but for now I've selected some sample shots of the types of trains you'll see at the main station.  The elaborate layout of lines around the station throat is astonishing and trains from Italy, France and Germany are regular visitors which keeps things interesting.  But it was the gorgeous little SBB AC electrics which kept me amused.  With their curved windscreens, spoked wheels and raised steel numbers they were so cute I wanted to give them a hug and take one home in my pocket........ahem, sorry getting a bit carried away!  

In the next thrilling instalment...

Next time I'll probably show you some shots of the Zurich rack railways (Doubly Dreadful) and you never know, there may even be some shots of progress on the Corkscrew Lines themselves.....oh my Lords Lords, what a lucky flange of Corkettes you are!! 

Until next time my little Corkette chums, keep warm, keep the kettle boiling and most importantly, keep the modelling faith......oh yeah man!.....Dreadful!

Corky