Anew venture...
Well, a long time has passed since I last blogged on this forum - and a lot of virtual water has passed under the virtual bridge - some of it quite rough1
The main disruption has (as is usual) age-related health issues. First, I have developed (or rather ' am developing') 'Extemity Tremor' or shaking hands. Annoyingly my left hand (the dominant one) is the worst affected. Whilst it is not yet debilitating it IS time-wasting - particularly when soldering small objects. Second, my eyesight is definitely degrading, some of which is diabetes-related. So the last few months have been spent in contemplation.....
Firstly - I can still make models. It just takes a lot longer, and working in the smaller scales is becoming more a trial than a pleasure. Second - it's not going to get better.
So the aim has to be to concentrate on achievable results against the day when all I will be able to do is 'play trains'. A change of scale is inevitable -better to start NOW than leave it 'til I'm forced to change! A visit to Leighton Buzzard and the purchase of Leleux's well-illustrated guide actually provided the inspiration. So - 014, or larger? I have already dabbled in 014, and I'm not convinced that for me it has the 'legs' to provide a long-term approach. 16mm? This APPEARED to be the province of Garden Railways, minor engineering and 'out of scale' clearances etc more suited to the conditions likely to be en countered. I had decided that anything I built would have to follow 'normal' - ie standard model railway practices and would be on baseboards indoors.
So what conditions have I set myself? First, the layout must be capable of fairly rapid progression. IE kept 'reasonably' small but well-detailed. However, the layout should also be modular, capable of extension using scenic 'boxes' (this with exhibitions in mind). Standards would be - 32mm gauge, using 7mm wheels - thus providing the finer profiles. The track to be hand-built, using rail held to wooden sleepers by track-spikes (hence flat-bottom rail). Any pointwork to be electrically-operated from a central control panel, with locos powered by DCC with relevant sound units. All buildings to be based on relevant prototypes. Lastly, the project has to financially self-supporting by disposing of my extensive collection of items in 2-, 4- & 7mm scale. Fortunately aquisitions will be reasonable as the rolling-stock is ~BIG and a huge amount is not required (No 28xx's with 100-wagon coal trains!).
So now the practicalities..
First, the track plan. A definite 'back of the fag packet' design
The baseboard is from the old 2mm layout which never really got started, and explains the constricted dimensions.The 8' x1'6" (2 boards) concentrates on the 'workshops' area - providing stabling for the 'few'(?) loco's intended, and a 'wagon servicing facility' . The main line' will provide access to storage cassettes and/or other scenes when built. However, that is the limit of 'the dream' thus far as I'm awaiting supplies of rail (Codes 85 & 125) before further progress can be made. The reason for 2 different codes is to check which will accept the wheels! The drawback is of course that code 125 is 'Bullhead'...
Whilst waiting for the rail, some rolling stock (well, 3 'Hudson' tipper wagons) have been purchased for evaluation from two different suppliers (more of that in another entry) and a kit of a diesel 'Simplex' ('Arkle)' which ran on the LBLR. again,I'll cover construction/modification of that in another entry.
So there we are. At least I'll avoid joining the 'pipe and slippers' brigade for a while!
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