Update - No.17 - 26.08.11

Originally sent via email to friends and family only in August 2011
 
Hi Guys, me again.

Yes, it's actually happened (at last I hear you cry!)....track is laid on the Corkscrew Lines!!!!!

Track is laid on the Corkscrew-Lines

Not an enormous amount, only about 10ft but it's a start and "from small acorns" and all that blah blah.  I chose the return loop on the lowest level as the logical starting point - this area is called Shinbash Lane for reasons which will become all too apparent if you walk into it!  The return loop necessitated a bulge in the standard 3ft baseboard depth to almost 4ft so some additional carpentry was required.  You'll see the newly jig-sawed trackbed section for the area in the hallway and the baseboard bulge to accommodate it in the accompanying photos.  I also did a few mock ups of the tunnel mouths and signal box to get a feel for the look of the loop before I continued to construct the risers which lift the trackbed a couple of inches from the baseboards.  This area is a tiny oasis of scenic model railway in the dark plywood desert of low level hidden storage sidings.  The trains will emerge on the single track section from the subterranean gloom of the low level for only a few feet before diving back into the darkness and the fan of storage loops.

Track base is cut from a single sheet of ply

Track base loosely placed to check dimensions

Bulge in Shinbash lane area added to support the track base

Track base on bulge

Perspective view with Shinbash Lane shown from high level

The photos show the completed baseboard with bulge - the largest single baseboard section on the entire Corkscrew Lines, whilst it is removed from the layout room and placed on the dining room table.  The baseboards were sealed with matt black paint and the trackbed sealed with a suitably earthy coloured emulsion.  Then the 5mm foam track underlay was laid which will give the correct ballast height and profile whilst also cutting down on the amount of noise the trains will make.  Finally you can see my improvised but highly effective system for securing the flexi-track whist the adhesive sets (we like a lot of soup at Jones-Towers) and the first trains being tested on the new permanent way.  Naturally the track still needs to be permanently wired and ballasted but as far as I'm concerned - job done - track work started! - Dreadful!!

Baseboard removed from layout for track laying to begin

Foam road bed added and baseboard frames painted

Rear view of Shinbash Lane Signal Box

Surely it's time for tea!

Track laid and weighed down with tins whilst adhesive sets

First train to run on the Corkscrew-Lines - hooray!

The first train to run on the Corkscrew Lines was a Bachmann Class 03 shunter with a selection of freight stock.  She trundled around the curves perfectly and the Guard was quite happy as he had a Queen Mary bogie brake van to sleep in - "Absolutely Dreadful".  A selection of locos were selected for running trials including a pair of Cromptons which looked perfectly at home passing the small Shinbash Lane signal box on their way to Lower Yard - "Exceedingly Dreadful".  Trackwork needed no further adjustments and this layout builder is very happy - Oh yeah!

Full Size Railway Adventures

Nothing to report on full size adventures this time.  Any free time has been taken up with planning and constructing my miniature empire instead.  We have however had loads of visitors to the layout as compensation.  Sarah's oldest friend, not that she's old you understand, Christina paid a visit last weekend so I am happy to report we once again have some shots on the update which include lovely glamorous ladies.....I really do spoil you all don't I?  After a couple of days Christina was correctly referring to the layout as the Corkscrew which was a major improvement on her initial reference to "the train set" which didn't go down too well with senior Corkscrew management....ahem!  Just remember Christina - expect your flange to squeal on tight curves....it's perfectly normal!

Sarah, Becky & Christina

Other guests included my good friend and old neighbour Jeff who moved into his new house in Crowland just a few weeks before we did next door.  Needing some timber, Jeff decided to see what was available in the yet to be finished Jones garage across the drive....cheeky bugger!  I kept a close eye on him when he entered the inner sanctum this time just in case....only kidding Jeff, you're welcome to play trains any time.  Lord Dowsby decided to arrive wearing the same shirt as me - it's a long story!  Don't worry, Corkettes do not have to wear a uniform, although many seem to have anoraks and flasks - funny that!!  Incidentally, he really is that tall - he's not standing on a box.  Final visitors this time are Christopher and Michael who dropped by on their recent journey from Yorkshire to Sussex - a hefty diversion from the normal route but then you don't get to visit a Corkscrew every day do you?  Quite a selection of Corkettes this time.  Not sure what to call a large gathering of Corkettes - perhaps a whoop?

Corky & Jeff

Corky & Lord Dowsby - the shirts?...don't ask!

Colonel Raspberry (soft fruit infantry) & Michael Zimbala

New Arrivals on the Corkscrew

My system for laying track involves using a trackbed of 12mm plywood which sits on top of 9mm plywood risers which are in turn attached to the baseboard cross members I have already assembled.  The system allows for contours and landforms both above and below the track level but also allows limitless fine tuning and adjustment of the track height for good running.  I will use hundreds, nay probably thousands of small wood screws for the risers and as space can be limited under the baseboards I thought I'd invest in a new bit of kit to ease the work.  I have bought a Bosch Ixo cordless Li-Ion powered screwdriver at a bargain price and already I'm feeling the benefits.  It has a built in light and even has an attachment to allow screwing around corners.......what man hasn't longed to screw at right angles at some stage??!!?? - My Lords!  Anyway, it is very small, light and powerful and will speed up the future engineering possessions for Corkscrew track-laying.

Cordless Screwdriver

In the next thrilling instalment...

The next update may be a while coming (phew I hear you all collectively gasp!) as we are off touring Europe in a few days time and I will hopefully have a large number of digital images to sort through when we return.   As the first section of track is now laid and the system for producing the track-base is now established, I anticipate the track-laying will speed up and the next area to be tackled are the low level storage sidings.....watch this space!

Until next time my friends, keep well and please drop in if you are in the area.  Now, where are the teabags?

Corky