This should be subtitled ' Reality Strikes'!

Those following this blog (and the entry in the 'layouts' forum) will remember the initial concept was for a series of dioramas depicting a Great Western secondary main line and an associated branch - the branch would leave the main and gain hieght (effectively on a helix) - mostly unscenicked - reaching the terminus at Ambridge via an intermediate station & various lineside industries. The concept was designed round the layouts original home in a large garden shed with a layout area of 10' x 7' 6". The hope was that, at some distant future, the layout would move to larger premises and become more 'lifelike'. However, you will appreciate that there have been fairly drastic events in the last year - and the layout is now going to be constructed in a space of 12' x 6' 6".

From the outset I felt it would be difficult to create what I wanted in a layout with about three interconnected levels and some hard thinking (aided by a calculator) showed that really the concept was impractical given the requirement for baseboard clearances, working gradients etc. Something would have to go - either the 'main line' (a 'roundy-roundy' or the branch & it's terminus. Neither option really appealed - I wanted the ability to 'watch the trains go by', and shunt the terminus with associated industries such as the dairy, a brewery, a gasworks etc (greedy, aren't I!)..

At last the light dawned. I could get about 80% of what I wanted by bulding TWO layouts, one above the other..

Ambridge & its environs will sit above 'Upton Dene' with a decent heiinterspace of 450mm (about 18"). Whilst there is no direct linkage, by using a 'cassette-type' fiddleyard on both layouts, the 'branch' trains can leave Upton Dene, arrive on a cassette on the lower level & be hand-transported to the upper level to complete the journey. I'm pretty certain this is not an idea unique to me - in fact IIRC Peter denny used the same sytem on 'Buckingham' - and even automated it!

I hope the above diagram makes everything clear, including access to the operating well. The lower f/y will be mounred on wheels, somewhat like a tea-trolley & be capable of removal into the operating well or aisle (it backs onto the workbench area). Operators will then 'duck under' the upper layout whilst passing through the gap.

Desgin parameters:-

These have not changed really. Set in GWR territory (Cotswolds area) with a time span of 1920-1934 and modelled in 'EM'. Track construction will be the 'EMGS' 'rivet & ply' method using 2mm headed rivets. Cosmetic chairs will be added to scenic areas. Minimum radius (unfortunately) will be 36" ( set by the 6' 6" operating area). Baseboards will be 9mm ply for sides & trackbed with high-density urethane foam for ground-work - see the 'Dairy for Ambridge' entry in the 2010 comp. Operation will be via DCC - and yes, I'm aware it is not as easy as 'two wires does it al'!

One regret is that the dairy/viaduct scene will have to be re-built as this originally spanned 7' 6", but hopefully the modelling will improve anyway! I will also take the opportunity to add another lineside industry (to mask the f/y) - probably a railhead for a cotswold stone mason ( a little like the one at Box).

A major consideration is the minimum radius that all stock will have to negotiate. Whilst I do not imagine a 'King' & 14 thundering by on the main (the fiddleyard will only be about 5' long!) I do have a 'Hall' in the 'wundy box' andthe 'Bulldog' under construction may need 'adjusting' too. To that end, modelling has already commenced with a 'test track' - a B6 LH curved point, 9' 00:straight-switch (GWR Practice before 1925) with sufficient leads on main and branch to take a 4-6-0 tender loco or a 70' toplight coach. It will also allow me the opportunity to evaluate 'Dingham' & Sprat & Winkle' couplings etc. as it will have to be a 'mini-baseboard' to accomodate the 'Tortoise' PM &electrics!

Of course, I've still got the old workshop to absorb into the new room, and decorative work to do on the new house. And of course - sell the old one. Anyone want a nice 3-bed semi with workshop, garage & chalet shed???

Regs

Ian