Update - No.25 - 21.01.12

Originally sent to friends and family only via email in Jan 2012
 
Well hello again one and all.....I'm back.....hurrah!  A belated happy new year to you all.  I've been very busy toiling in my plywood laboratory lately and progress has been made in all sorts of areas.  No European shots this time, just shots of the layout and visiting Corkettes.

Mrs Corky purchased a sort of "just add water" DIY website kit for me for Christmas.  This means, when I eventually pull my finger out and get on with it, I'll be producing a Corkscrew Lines website with full details of everything I've done so far and loads of photo galleries detailing progress.  I'm not sure yet if that will mean the end of the updates.

There's always time for tea!

Construction Progress...

The Blue-Point switch machines I ordered from the USA finally arrived so I have now fitted an actuator and integral micro-switch to all of the points so far laid.  I still have to fit the flexible tubes and rods and associated push-pull knobs so for now it's a case of groping around under the layout and flicking the points manually.  I'll be working my way through the points and finishing the job over the next few weeks.

Lower Yard South board ready for wiring chores

The modular construction of the layout came into its own for the wiring chores.  I simply removed each section of the layout and took it into the games room to be worked on.  I protected the pool table with a sheet of plywood and popped the layout sections on it like it was an operating table.....Dreadful!  Now wiring is not my favourite aspect of this magnificent hobby so I try to keep everything as simple and organised as possible.  Because the storage areas are not in general view and I want everything to be as reliable as possible, some of the soldered joints and connections do look a little industrial.  This doesn't bother me.....as long as everything works.
 

So where does this wire go?

Not only is it neat...it works too!

Corky's soldering workstation

Blue Point switch machines pre-wired

Being able to remove individual baseboard sections make wiring so much easier

So far - so good.  Rooster and Wibble arrived a couple of weeks ago with some locos and we had a very enjoyable session of running trains around the yard and on the truncated main line.  I had only reassembled the layout the day before and fitted the DCC connections for digital operation.  There were some derailments caused mainly by differing couplers and temperamental stock but as the session progressed things settled down and all ran well.  Rooster brought along a couple of sound chip fitted locos and it was great to hear a loco with it's chip programmed for maximum momentum wind itself up once it departed the yard......Dreadful, absolutely Dreadful!  Wibble's blue Peak with a rake of Pullman's thundering down the main line was a joy to behold (pity it wasn't green)....Oh My Lords!!!

In theory, that should have worked!

Rooster's mastering of DCC amuses Wibble!

Destroying all model railway stereotypes - what a bunch of cool dudes eh?

Corky with PMT

When will it be my turn to play?

   

New Arrivals on the Corkscrew-Lines...
 

Having now waited almost 3 years since they were announced, I am at last the proud owner of a Dapol model of a "Baby Warship" or Class 22... or to be really accurate for my time frame, a North British Type 2 Diesel Hydraulic........Hellfire!  This is an iconic locomotive for anybody modelling the Western Region in the 1960's so I was desperately hoping the loco would live up to all the hype.  Thankfully it does.....it's superb.  Everything from the fantastic packaging to the separately fitted lower body panels is just right and once it's been through the paintshop for some weathering and the headcode panel blinds have been fitted I'm sure this little beauty will look fantastic.  For now I've given the "Baby" a little cushion to sleep on and a saucer of milk and he seems to be settling in fine.....despite him seeming to have a permanently sad face.....ha!  If only finances would permit the acquisition of a DCC sound decoder and a very large speaker......Dreadful!!

Surely the best packaging yet for a OO loco?

How cute is that!

In the next thrilling instalment...

The Lower Yard and it'd connection to the outer helix and the route to and from the Docks will be tackled.  This will include shots of the helix area and the flyover lines at Lower Yard North.  I really must produce a diagram showing how the helix will work...who knows, maybe I will in time for the next update.  Don't hold your breath though...shocking I know!

Green is king on the Corkscrew-Lines

Till next time my Corkette Chums.

Corky