Yes, it’s nearly eight months since I last ‘writ’ something for this blog. But it’s not been eight months of complete idleness in the construction of Bosmelin as there’s been bursts of frantic activity, periods of self doubt, periods of re-planning and periods of, yes, finding other things to do rather than railway modelling. So today’s update will be a compilation of where I am today with the project and why.

Concept: originally Bosmelin was to have been a reasonably close representation of Boscarne Junction and built as an exhibition layout. But two things have happened which means this has to change:

1) I realised that it was going to be boring. 2) Covid has presently destroyed the exhibition circuit and while I expect it to recover, I think it will be changed when shows do start up again.

Baseboards: basically the individual boards were too big and heavy.

Size: The layout planned was too big. It would have been impossible to set up fully in The Railway Parlour and as previously explained have to have removable boards when not in use so others could use the garage.

The Parlour: the outside door to The Parlour was ‘period’ for the garage built in the 1970s and was starting to rot. So a new door has this very day been fitted – double glazed and draught proof. It was for various reasons decided that it would open inwards but the consequence of this is that where the door is when open the width of the Parlour is somewhat diminished.

Bosmelin 2021 With all these factors in mind a major decision was taken in the summer of 2020 to re-plan layout so that it was more usable at home, with lighter individual boards should it ever be transported, and so that it fitted the parlour, accommodated the new door and allowed access for other users of the garage.

I’m actually rather more pleased with the outcome actually. The new plan allows the layout to be used as a long end to end or with the addition of a small board and a large dose of ‘Rule 1’ a circular layout.

We still have the basic track arrangement of Boscarne Junction but this is supplemented by another ‘input line’ ostensibly a branch of the North Cornwall Railway – this line is the link that makes the circuit.

The Bodmin and Wadebridge is essentially the ‘end to end’ running the whole length of the garage passing through ‘Bosmelin.’ I should have room for a representation of Nanstallon Halt & Siding now. Plus, and this is to be decided a mineral branch similar to the Ruthern Bridge line from Grogley.

Baseboards: have been modified and built – including some with sinuous curves. The new plan appears below. And that is where I shall end today but there is more to tell another day.

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