Over the past couple of days while making progress on the design work for my 2010 entry, thoughts have come back a couple of times as to what I will do with Blackcombe Torr.

This was the original track plan.

The change focuses around the complete removal of the mainline, along with all of the TPWS gear. The brick bridge on the left hand side would be replaced with a smaller 2 part stone structure (probably half girder half arch). The branchline will be removed either leaving a loco length headshunt or more likely removing the two points (purple dots)and replacing with a single B/C 9 and a catch point on the loop to protect it. The two points with red dots should ideally be replaced (both being A6s) however I doubt its possible without major track alterations. The plan here is going to be drawing up the layout in Templot and seeing which (if any) is possible to be replaced with minimal realignment. The biggest change is on the right hand side. Instead of the original 4ft fiddleyard, the intention is to add another 3ftscenic baseboard which will contain the other end of both the works runaround loop along with the branch loop. The branch line will then continue off scene to a 2ft fiddleyard (intended to handle a 2 car DMU service).

The new plan

Along with the scenic changes I am also planning a number of modifications to improve running, most importantly fitting some C&L dowels to sort out the alignment issues, and relaying the short lengths either side of the baseboard joint. There will also be a througher inspection of the track to eliminate any other defects.

The left hand fiddleyard will be a new treverser, 4ft length

Now this is all more of a long term plan (certainly I am not looking to start until after the new project is finished), though that said there is a possibility some of the repair work might be started over the summer if I hit any delays with parts etc for the new one (really must get a name sorted!) The intention is to get a layout built principally for my 80s china clay stock thats not going to be suitable for the 2010 plan.