The Corkscrew-Lines: January 2016

Update No.63 - 31.01.16

So here we go again my friends...welcome back. Corky here with the first blog update for what is already shaping up to be a very exciting new year for the Corkscrew-Lines. In this update I will be covering the progress being made with the seemingly ever climbing helix and how a start has now been made on the "Lower Yard" area on the main layout itself. I will also give you an update on the Dapol Class 73 saga because as you will have no doubt already noticed from the image below - all 3 of my machines have now arrived.

Dapol Little ED Line Up

Helix Progress

I am absolutely delighted with my progress over the last few weeks and following the last few months of trying to satisfy the insatiable appetite of the helix for flexi-track, I think my spiral track laying days may at last be reaching an end - well at least for a year or so. The helix will need to be constructed in 3 distinct phases to ultimately link all of the 4 separate levels on the Corkscrew-Lines. As I currently write this blog update at the end of January I am about to embark on the final double track turn which will see the completion of the first phase. I have endeavored to take my time and I have checked everything carefully as I proceeded with regard to trackwork and electrics. Every separate section of flexi-track has a pair of dropper wires to the DCC bus and the entire outside climbing track has been fitted with the excellent DCC Concepts Powerbase steel plates to give smaller magnet equipped engines a helping hand when handling longer trains. The total consumed footage of Peco code 75 has even surprised me and you can see just how hungry the helix was in the Totaliser section later in the update.

At the start of January a couple of complete turns had been installed

The now familiar tin cans signify another section of track has just been laid using Copydex adhesive

In mid January the helix had risen to almost 5 complete turns

After reaching the 5 complete turn stage I started to survey heights and calculate levels to ensure a smooth transition from the helix itself onto the second level of the layout. As is so often the case with my layout building, despite pre-planning and thinking I had a clearly defined plan, I had one of those wonderful eureka moments as a previously unseen opportunity presented itself. It has always been my plan with the second level of the layout to have the mainlines supported on risers to allow them to run around the layout at a height of approximately 3.5 inches above the baseboard level. This elevated mainline will give me the flexibility I need scenically and allow me the option of having branch lines running below them with the desirable visual separation I want. As already stated, the tracks from the helix need to ideally feed into the layout room itself at a height of approximately 3.5 inches from the top of the baseboard frames. I can easily accomplish this by having the tracks leave the helix on the same continuous rising grade of 1.5% and this was always my plan.

However, an appealing alternative solution presented itself. It occurred to me that I could instead add another complete turn of the helix giving me the required extra 3.5 inches of height and then have a horizontally level departure from the spiral onto the 7ft linking section heading towards the layout room. The huge benefit with this approach is it creates the opportunity to easily install a new 7ft long section of board underneath the helix linking section which can accommodate a pair of storage tracks which lead directly from level 2 of the layout. This is proving quite difficult to describe so just wait until the next update when I can hopefully show you the finished result - a pair of extra 7ft storage tracks (you can never have enough storage tracks) which are supported by the existing threaded rods with minimal extra effort on my part utilising previously unproductive space- absolutely Hellfire!

Mk 1 coach on level 2 shows the area being discussed

Another complete turn needs to be added and phase 1 will be complete

So barring any unforeseen problems, I am looking forward to showing you the completed 6 turn helix in the next update. Remember the low level return loop sits directly underneath the climbing spirals of the helix so there will be a total of 7 stacked track levels. This will be a significant moment so expect plenty of photos - Dreadful!

Lower Yard - The harbinger of things to come

As it looked like I would be nearing the end of helix work in a few weeks I turned some of my attention to fine tuning ideas for the all important Lower Yard of the layout which will act as the main staging area and loco change point for the layout to the south. The primary train storage area for the layout will be the 4th level at the north of the layout which will be exclusively used for train storage and will incorporate the northern return loop ultimately making the Corkscrew-Lines a continuous run layout. This 4th level will house dozens of fully formed rakes and trains ready to run through the entire line on the 3 levels below via the 3 phases of the helix. This is obviously a good few years away.

My approach to this layout will be to keep as many trains as possible away from the south yard to avoid congestion which will be almost inevitable for the first few years of layout operation. If a rake of wagons can be stabled within it's associated freight facility or a rake of coaches can sit in a free platform then this is how the layout will be operated. As an example, a rake of fuel tankers can arrive at the fuel storage and distribution depot and then following shunting can be left to be unloaded. The loco can depart light engine and be stabled in Lower Yard with others. Locos are far easier to manage and accommodate than 8ft long rakes of wagons. Taking this to its logical conclusion I will be attempting to add as many freight terminals and destinations to the lower level of the layout as I can. These can be actual locations physically on the layout or "off stage" areas or representations which only actually exist in my imagination and are represented by hidden sidings. A good example of this is the Power Station branch-line - but more on that in a future update.

Despite all of my best intentions the old modelling adage that you can never have too many storage tracks still rings true. To this end I started working with some ideas via the Anyrail software and tried to incorporate as many through storage roads as I could without compromising on the main line running through the area or the required junctions and leads to the aforementioned freight facilities. In the end the software could only really take me so far and i needed to start using actual lengths of flexi-track and Peco points templates to get a feel for what would work and what wouldn't. I find this stage of layout planning is quite organic and I try to leave the track sections in place for a few days so I can keep revisiting and making small adjustments and tweaks when new ideas surface. You will have noticed that whenever possible I try to think vertically as well as horizontally when it comes to model railways. It occurred to me that as this yard area would not be scenically developed, I could introduce storage elements that would never make sense in the real world but would help maximise train storage. Therefore I looked at whether I could use the DCC Concepts Powerbase system on a steep gradient to gain enough height for passenger stock trains to climb and then set back into a fan of storage sidings which partially cover the through yard below. I achieved this and gained storage for an additional 6 trains of 8 coaches.

Oh, I have almost forgotten to tell you I have given the entire Lower Yard area a name. As this is the first section of mainline track in the layout room and is actually the beginning of the entire layout with all the ensuing fun and games to come, I have decided to christen this area Harbinger. Therefore we now have Harbinger South Junction, Harbinger Yard and there will logically enough be a Harbinger North Junction to come - as and when I get that far with the track laying. So from now on I will refer to areas with their new names.

Harbinger Yard ideas - looking north.

This time looking south towards the Helix-House

With some of the variables decided upon I started to mark out the first sections of 12mm plywood with a view to using the cookie-cutter or open frame system of layout construction. The mainlines would pass through the area at the fore with the through yard occupying the middle section of the baseboards. Behind would be the climb to the carriage sidings and at the very rear would be the branch-line which runs around 3 walls of the layout on this level. It was getting congested but remember this area is essentially the southern boiler room for the layout and I didn't have to worry about scenic considerations. The mainlines needed to cross the through yard at some point so I decided to once again think vertically and to lower the through tracks slightly and elevate the mainlines slightly making a mainline flyover section possible at the end of the 16ft section on this wall. I will be producing some diagrams and sketches now I know where I am going with this area and I will try to add them to next months update. For now I hope the photos will give a rough idea of what is going on.

Early rough ideas for the mainline tracks crossing Harbinger Yard

Harbinger Yard south end track layout

Harbinger South Junction (Return loop to left)

Cutting lines clearly marked - time to get the jig-saw out of its box

With a new blade fitted the cutting was quick and easy

The first 8ft Harbinger trackbed board is finished

Harbinger South Junction area with return loop tracks to the top left

The second Harbinger board is marked out for cutting

Clearances are checked and gradients confirmed

Using the open frame system for the Corkscrew-Lines means it is simple to alter trackbed heights by using wooden riser sections screwed to the baseboard frames. By using my Micro-Mark digital level and a few very long spirit levels I was able to temporarily set the levels and make adjustments before driving home the screws to permanently set the heights. This is where the use of a single piece of 8ft pre-cut plywood really makes sense because that one board divides into 4 separate routes all becoming differing heights but there are no joins required in the trackbed. The mainline passes through Harbinger South Junction then starts to gently rise to clear Harbinger Yard. The first set of points off of the return loop takes coaching stock under the stub end staging before climbing quite steeply with the aid of Powerbase sections. Trains steadily climb until reaching an area where they clear a trailing set of points leading to a yard containing 6 dead end storage roads. I have not thought of a name for this yard - but I will! Any suggestions welcome...answers on a postcard to Corky at Jones-Towers. The prize will be helping me fit all the associated wiring for the layout...thought that would kill your enthusiasm!

The second set of points from the return loop leads to Harbinger Yard itself. This is accessed by a short downward grade containing a string of 5 sets of points each leading to a long through road. Depending on the individual train I am hopeful these roads will be able to contain at least 2 trains. It is unusual to have the entry point-work on a grade but remember this is a through yard so trains will only access it from the south and any loco changes or shunting will be carried out at the north end which will be level track. The reason for the single string of points is to ensure they remain visible and accessible because the aforementioned dead end yard will be sitting on top of some of the through yard trackage. The entry grade is slight and quickly bottoms out on to the top of the baseboard frames making this probably the lowest point on the Corkscrew-Lines.

Returning to Harbinger South Junction, the final route divergence will be from the Down relief line (the mainline here consists of Up and Down Main and Down Relief) where the mainline returns to double track before heading to the return loop. A set of points will allow access to 2 separate industries which will be located on the low level just to the left of Harbinger South and to the right of the entrance door to the layout room. I will cover the options for this area and my decisions regarding freight terminals next time.

The second board has been cut out and the through yard trackbed is being fitted

From left to right - ECS yard climbing grade, through yard and mainline

Harbinger Yard track base is screwed to frame below

ECS storage yard is temporarily installed to check clearance

Freight facilities will sit to the left of this area

Risers are installed for the dead end ECS yard

Climbing grade from Harbinger South Junction can be seen behind the risers

As it stands at the moment I have just commenced track laying in the Harbinger South Junction area so I can make the permanent connection to the low level return loop. Peco code 75 medium radius points are being used as a good compromise between reliability and appearance. On parts of the layout receiving the full scenic treatment I will wherever possible try to use large radius points. To make this area as easy to operate as possible I have invested in a box of DCC Concepts Cobalt IP Digital point motors and these will be installed in due course. If all goes well then these will become my default choice for mainline use with my collection of manual Blue-Point switch machines being used for any yards or loco depots where hand throwing would be the norm.

Foam trackbed is laid at Harbinger South Junction

Just about to cut the foam to reveal the point motor holes before gluing track down

As things currently stand at Harbinger South

Awaiting installation are Cobalt IP Digital point motors

Incorporating a DCC accessory decoder these should be both simple to install and operate.

"Checkpoint Charlie" - East and West connected!

The newly created Harbinger South Junction board now joins end-on with the low level return loop that sits under the helix in the Helix-House. Because of the way the threaded rods are installed, there is a section of the return loop base (approx 12") that simply hangs waiting to be joined onto the corresponding low level baseboard in the layout room. I pondered on how to make the physical connection whilst also ensuring I retained an element of adjustment flexibility. Then I realised I could mimic the way the threaded rods allow infinite adjustment via the nuts and washers by using a pair of long M8 bolts near the join area.

Harbinger South board trackbed is fitted and prepared.

A pair of M8 carriage bolts with domed heads allow infinite height adjustments

The connection between Helix-House and Layout Room has been made.

By using 3 nuts and penny washers in combination I can make millimeter small adjustments and tweaks to the area of connection but also leave the track-bed clear of unnecessary clutter. Each bolt is secured to the baseboard below the track-bed using nuts above and below the 18mm plywood. With a final nut underneath the track-bed working in conjunction with the bolt head above and securely clamping everything in place the installation was completed very quickly.

Traction Action - The Dapol Class 73

In the last Corkscrew-Lines update I had a bit of a rant about the new class 73 model by Dapol of E6003. I noted that the model had been released to the market with fundamental errors and flaws especially with regard to the lighting and DCC provision. It is not normally like me to express such strong opinion on this blog because I like to keep things positive and light hearted where I can - Dreadful! Now the other two models I had on pre-order have arrived I feel I can take another perhaps more considered look and share my feelings with you further.

The second locomotive to arrive was the standard release of E6039 in early BR Blue livery. The first little Electro-Diesel model I received was in the early BR Green livery and to be honest I can live with the shade of green used. With regard to the BR blue used on E6039 once again I think I can live with it. If this loco was sharing depot space with numerous other blue liveried locos from Bachmann, Heljan and Hornby then I think I may think differently because I know the Dapol shade would stand out as being incorrect or odd. The warning panels are far too lemony in colour however and I will have to try to rectify this in due course. Once weathered and coated in a layer of grime I am sure the liveries on all 3 locos will be toned down and over time my current concerns and disappointment with regard to colour shades will fade (no pun intended).

My main gripe with these models is with the poorly implemented cab lighting which remains on constantly and with the incorrect DCC implementation. The model of E6039 is currently a DC only powered loco - I have not yet dived in and fitted DCC chips to this and the first arrival E6003 because I want to see if a solution (replacement PCB) will be offered by Dapol. I think this is naive optimism on my part and extremely unlikely considering the current response from Dapol which seems to be a refusal to accept the scale of the issue, but I will wait and see. I can confirm however that the model of E6039 runs very sweetly on DC power and unlike many models reported on the internet forums remains intact with no small chassis and underframe parts falling off.

The final model to eventually arrive (after a very frustrating and prolonged period of exchanging numerous unnecessarily confused emails and phone calls to Dapol) is the limited edition version of E6001 in early BR green. This model is only available via the Dapol Collectors Club and I joined last autumn specifically to pre-order this model. Back then the model was still in the design stage and the problems and issues with regard to DCC control had not yet surfaced so I am more than a little nervous at this stage. Why? Because I ordered the loco direct from Dapol in DCC fitted form. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens when I place this loco onto the track next week and see if I can control it using my Roco Z21 DCC system. I have to be honest I am not looking forward to this because something tells me things may not go according to plan.

The Three Musketeers, or should that be the Three Stooges?

To sum up the current situation with my Class 73 fleet, I have mixed emotions. The model looks fantastic with regard to body shape, detailing and crispness of mouldings and the accuracy of the bogies and grills. The colours used are not quite right with the yellow warning panels and the shade of blue being particularly unfortunate. I am lucky in that I am a green diesel man so compared with others modelling the banger blue and later periods I have gotten off lightly. With regard to the lighting and PCB issues I am unfortunately still not in a forgiving mood. I consider these issues to be totally unacceptable on an expensive current day model release. My personal dealings with Dapol with regard to my attempting to join the Collectors Club - an extraordinarily long winded and awkward process, to chasing up the posting of E6001, which was again an incredibly frustrating process, leads me to conclude they just don't get customer service. People today have expectations from manufacturers with regard to basic communications and where necessary remedial action regarding defective products. It sounds very harsh and I have chosen my words carefully, but I have to conclude from personal experience that Dapol treat their customers with a degree of contempt that I found quite shocking. As things currently stand the likelihood of me ever buying another item from Dapol is slim. I am saddened by this because as I said earlier I like to be supportive of our manufacturers and remain positive but the whole class 73 experience has been very disappointing to say the least.

Visiting Corkettes

Corky and Wibble - Sounds like the World's dodgiest firm of solicitors

I was absolutely delighted to receive a call from the one and only Wibble the other day. He was nearby and wondered if the Corkscrew-Lines was open for business? For Wibble we are always open so a very enjoyable evening was spent with the Wibbler thrashing the nuts off of my newly arrived class 24 (see last months update) and generally having a great time. I could try to convince you that he dressed up especially for the visit in an authentic drivers uniform, but the reality is he had just finished a shift with GB Railfreight and was still in his work attire.

Wibble in residence at Harbinger South Junction.

Another grandee of the Corkette ranks paid a visit to Jones-Towers recently. The wise old owl and railway sage that is Andrew Gibsy-Wibsy - Oh My Lords! - Dreadful! With biscuits under one arm and a collection of 1970s railway and bus posters under the other (we know how to have a good time here at Jones-Towers!) he entered the Corkscrew-Lines inner sanctum. As with the visit of Wibble, the limited amount of track so far laid in the Harbinger area was subjected to a pounding by sound equipped class 24s and 37s - Hellfire. This was Gibsy-Wibsys first introduction to the Roco Z21 system and you can see from the pose below that he was quite happy with it and the miniaturised thrash being produced

After a lifetime of dedicated service to the real railway (at least when management were looking his way) Gibsy-Wibsy retired last month. So what do you buy as a retirement gift for a complete Ned and Crank (a condition to be celebrated of course) who has a fascination for Inter-City services which once ran from the Brighton area? A genuine cast headboard of course - and an original too, not just a replica. The Sussex Scot headboard Gibsy-Wibsy is proudly displaying has adorned numerous engines including one of those Deltic thingies he informs me. He couldn't remember which one of course because they all look alike!...Only Kidding Napier-Boy!

As Madonna put it..."Strike the Pose"

A proper retirement gift - who wants a bloomin' watch?

I suggested I could assist him in fabricating a suitable bracket so the headboard could be mounted on the bonnet of his car. He seemed strangely reluctant to go down this path and informed me he would probably just stick it on the wall in the loo instead. Now isn't that something to look forward to Mrs Gibsy-Wibsy? Dreadful!

It is always a great pleasure when our old friend Posh Colin visits. And I naturally mean old as in long standing and not geriatric...although, come to think of it! Sorry Colin - only kidding mate. Colin has very kindly adopted (been press-ganged into) the role of my DCC and IT guru. I am extremely grateful for this because the levels of pleasure I derive from investigating DCC system glitches are only equalled by spending a day wielding a hot soldering iron in my opinion...and just to clarify I hate soldering! There is now a permanent DCC connection to the reverse loop and Harbinger South Junction so the sounds of DCC equipped locos can once again be enjoyed. The Roco Z21 system is extremely capable and being able to operate locomotives and now points (more on this next time) using your mobile phone is incredibly flexible and easy. If you feel there is a "but" coming up then you are correct because the huge failing with this system is the almost complete lack of documentation and instructions from Roco. The booklet which came with the system is more of a brochure which tends to tell you what the system can do rather than telling you how to do it. Thankfully there is a growing body of websites and you-tube clips which provide the vital information required by technophobic numpties like me so I eventually get there and with Posh Colin's help things are currently progressing well when it comes to digital control.

Posh Colin & Corky with their DCC Throttles!

As part of the transition from DC to DCC power I have made the Roco Z21 installation semi-permanent by providing a hook up to the DCC Bus at Harbinger South and placing the Z21 Command Station and Router on a dedicated shelf above the layout and out of harms way. By using small cable ties threaded through the steel shelving supports everything is now organised and tidy. The shot below shows the equipment before the wiring was secured using the cable ties. I am trying to make notes whenever I can regarding how to get the most out of this system and crucially Colin has been helping me sort out the process for getting visiting Corkettes to download the Roco app onto their smartphones and then importing the Corkscrew-Lines data file including loco roster and track layouts for controlling the points. This is going to be a steep learning curve for me and I must admit if a similarly specified system did come onto the market with more extensive documentation (not difficult) then I would be tempted to make the switch before I invest further into the Z21 with additional boosters and dedicated kit. Who knows, after another few months of frequent use I may feel differently about the Z21 - we will see.

Cable ties and a dedicated shelf make the DCC install semi-permanent

Full Sized Railway Adventures

Just an interesting comparison this time my Corkette chums between the type of traction I was used to dealing with as a driver and the latest generation of train to enter service on the network. My first solo driving turn as a passed out driver was with a Hornsey depot based class 313 unit between Moorgate and Hertford North on the Great Northern route from Kings Cross so I will always have an affection for these dependable workhorses. Compare the recent shot of a Southern class 313 at Brighton then with the extremely impressive and brand new class 700 units inside the new Three Bridges depot. These fixed 12 car units will be entering revenue earning service imminently. I wonder if we will look back at class 700 units with affection and nostalgia in 30 years time? I suspect we will because the one thing that never changes on the railway is the constant change.

Driver waits for departure time with a Brighton to Seaford service at Brighton

The new order on the Thameslink route

Final class 700 testing and training at the new Three Bridges depot

Corky's Miscellaneous Musings

Have no fear my friends - you are nearing the end of this mammoth update - Oh My Lords! It is time for a few odds and sods, breaking news and my valued opinions...I heard that!...who said ramblings? Firstly, having endured the last few weeks of pretty horrendous weather in the Garage and Helix-House, I am delighted to confirm that everything has remained water tight and dry. With occasional use of a small electric heater, it has been cosy, warm and secure inside the Helix-House and with a few months of winter use now under it's belt the structure has to be considered a complete success. I have taken the odd snap at the recent weather and include a couple of comparisons below.

At last a break from the rain - a rainbow over the Corkscrew-Lines

Warm, dry and a fantastic place to build a railway layout despite the weather

Next up is a snap of 300 suitcase, IDC (insulation displacement connector) or Scotchlok connectors which I will be using to connect dropper wires to the DCC bus on the layout. Some people say these are an inferior way to make a connection when compared to a soldered joint. They may be correct but my personal experience of using these on the first version of the layout meant I had no hesitation in stocking up ready for the wiring tasks on this current layout. These are fast and easy to use and I have never had a failed connection. As always, I searched for the best price on line and these work out at just a few pence when bought in bulk so it really was a no brainer - which is just as well for me - Dreadful!

Bring on the wiring chores - I am ready!

You will already know that Gibsy-Wibsy visited the Corkscrew-Lines recently. He brought some of his OO Gauge stock with him so it seemed like a good opportunity to check out running on the unfinished first phase of the helix. A Heljan class 33/1 was placed onto the ascending track and a rake of 10 Bachmann Mk1 coaches were assembled and hung off the back of the "Bagpipes". A dead start on the gradient was made and after a tiny bit of wheel-spin the loco pulled the whole train easily and smoothly up the helix. This is fantastic because the loco is not fitted with magnets in conjunction with the DCC Concepts Powerbase that is installed on the climbing grade - it didn't need them. If I had any lingering doubts that my smaller locos will struggle to climb the helix then they have now been erased. To be honest, whilst deeply impressive to watch, the fascination of running a train up the helix and then having to back it down again to the bottom soon wore off. Looks like I will have to crack on with laying some more mainline and coupling the helix up to the rest of the layout - Hellfire!

A snapshot of a Crompton with load 10 laughing at the helix grades!

A couple of recent announcements from the model railway world have definitely been very well received here at Jones-Towers. Firstly the announcement by Heljan that they will be producing a model of the Class 07 shunters which were so synonymous with the Southampton Docks complex - absolutely fantastic news. I commented in an update last year that I considered this to be the only significant omission in the loco roster for the Corkscrew-Lines and I was confident that as nobody else had taken the plunge then Heljan would step into the breach and plug the gap. The loco is planned for release in 2017 and I hope they are able to make as good a model as they normally do. There is room for a couple of these charismatic locos on the Corkscrew-Lines and it is pleasing to note there is hardly anything now left on my "must have" list.

The second announcement is potentially a game changer because Peco have announced an entirely new trackage system based on their existing Code 75 system. They will be producing Bullhead track with correctly spaced OO Gauge wooden sleepers rather than the current HO Gauge fudge. I will continue to lay the existing design of Code 75 track as most of the lowest level of the layout is actually only for train storage and fiddle yards and not for full scenic treatment. However, I will be an early adopter of the new Bullhead rail and subject to a matching range of points also being introduced, I will make the full switch to the more realistic track from level 2 onward. Who knows, if it is really impressive then I may lift the current track from level 1 in scenic areas (easy to do as it is fixed with Copydex) and replace it with the Bullhead. Any lifted track will not be discarded as it can be used on the helix. We have waited decades for Peco to release a more realistic British based track system as an alternative to the current ranges of compromised HO based systems. As a railway modeller who has neither the time or inclination to hand-build his track this is absolutely fabulous news. A mass produced Peco trackage system will never be able to duplicate the look of hand laid track but it will still be a quantum leap for those of us currently trying to disguise a system that obviously looks so wrong. Well done Peco - better late than never and you'll be getting plenty of orders from me.

And finally, what does a family of railway professionals do to unwind and relax following a hard day ensuring the full size trains keep rolling? Why we all sit around the table and play a railway based board game of course! Posh Colin recently arrived at Jones-Towers bearing gifts. He presented us with a brilliant strategy based game called "Ticket to Ride" which the whole family enjoyed playing. It would appear we simply cannot get enough of trains of all shapes and forms in this house - but I expect you already knew that didn't you? Thanks Colin - Absolutely Dreadful!

Ticket to Ride - Hours of fun for the whole Railway family!

The Corkscrew-Lines Progress Totaliser - Hellfire!

Back by popular demand is the Corkscrew-Lines Totaliser which gives a very quick overview of where I am with regard to track-laying and infrastructure projects on the layout. It is just a quick and easy way to monitor my progress (or lack of) as the project progresses. Anyway, the 16ft of Peco flexi-track required for each turn of the helix (that's 32ft of course for both up and down lines) has certainly helped to increase the helix total to a staggering 148ft laid so far...ouch! The low level return loop is counted as mainline track despite actually being installed under the helix and is included in the 35ft total. As I am still wiring up and finishing the installation of Harbinger South Junction I have included the total number of point motors fitted but not yet confirmed the full installation of the associated 6 sets of points, hence the 0 total figure so far.

So there you have it my lovely Corkette chums - another new year and another new update. I stated last time that I intended to produce an update a month during 2016 and I have only just managed to scrape in with the first effort of the year by the skin of my teeth on the evening of the final day. Hope you enjoyed reading it and I hope you'll check out next month's update too. Take care my friends. Corky will be back again before you know it - Dreadful!

That's all for now folks!

Corky

Sunday 31 January 2016