brammie

Following completion of recovery work on numerous lengths of track, I started testing the Clackwick layout on Dec 24th. It was clear the following morning that Santa had brought more than the usual range of presents, but nothing whatever appropriate to my layout. However, one large package contained a build-your-own wooden HMS Bounty. The parts schedule includes no less than 135 product lines ("Deadeyes" for example numbering 52), so I can't even guess at the total number of parts. I do know that after four days of graft I am probably halfway to having the hull completed. Meanwhile Clackwick waits patiently for its' former attendant to return to the railway room.

Removed the remaining panels this afternoon, and checked out the supply connections to the related track lengths and points: Final tally; five or 6 rail lengths and two sets of points to be individually wired, but some lengths of track (virtually out of reach with the side panels fitted) need to be cleaned and polished. Recovery work starts tomorrow.

Following a busy period on the domestic front, I was finally able to make a start today on what I percieved earlier as significant problems with the track supply on Clackwick. Having constructed the framework and side panels in 2005 I didn't quite know what to expect, but once I got going it was a relief to find that I had built the supporting timberwork with some degree of foresight. Twenty or so screws removed, two panels lifted out, one mains plug disconnected and all was revealed: It was also pleasing to discover that I appear to have incorporated track/point supply pickups to the majority of individual sections. I identified those found on the first area investigated by attaching a short length of masking tape to the track - topside: Two or three track lengths/points within this area were found to lacking individual supplies and these will be added to the "worksheet", for corrective action later in the week. Tomorrow will see a further area inspected, but for the moment I am much relieved.

Thanks for that advice RH. It occurs to me that the running problems associated with corrosion at the joiners happens mainly at the remote areas of the layout, so my guess is that when wiring up I found it easy to put in a large number of droppers adjacent to the operating "pit" and made do with fewer elsewhere. However, I now see that I can access the remote areas quite easily from underneath if I remove the upright screen boards that form a double layer to the backdrops (wood/trees). Re points; I need to dig out a spare from the box and have a look at the wiring arrangement - pretty sure they are code 75 insulfrog. Once I've got one in my hand it should become clear what it needs for a permanent fix. Visitors from UK at the moment, so no further progress for a few days.

Thanks RH. That was my plan, but from the sparking (albeit slight) at the points it would be prudent of me to include all thirteen sets of points. I never figured that I would be doing "upside down" soldering at 75 though!

Clouds on the horizon? No, not a new scenic feature for the Clackwick layout, but a slightly alarming discovery made yesterday whist prepping the layout for a visit by a fellow enthusiast from UK later this week. Whilst spring cleaning the track prior to test runs I noted a white deposit on some of the rail joiners. Having been directly involved in aircraft avionics for all of my working life, my immediate reaction was "galvanic action". This is a chemical reaction that occurs between disimilar materials when in contact with each other, significantly increased when an electrical current is passed between the materials. The obvious conclusion is that I don't have enough droppers from my power source to ensure that all parts of the track (including points) are individually supplied. I also noted slight sparking when my two Class 20 locos in consist passed over certain of the points (not previously seen). The obvious, though unwelcome, conclusion would be that each individual stretch of track (including every point) would have to be separately supplied through a "ring dropper". Whilst I shall start to install new droppers as soon as time permits, I reflect that my layout is some thirteen years old and may simply be worn out. I wonder if this is inevitable, and whether other members have similar had experience. Top

As part of the (likely) finishing touches, I've added a small wood to the East of Clackwick Station:

An old schoolfriend is visiting next weekend - a fellow layout enthusiast, albeit on a slight smaller scale. I'm tied up getting the layout ready for him to have a "sit and play" session, but I have to wonder whether I am in the minority with my layout being constantly "out of action - in development".

First to be completed in the latest upate (all courtesy of Langley Models) is the Eastern National Depot on Church Road: The Grey-Green terminal has seen the addition of one of those open top sea-front route buses, so popular in the summer months at Clacton. I need to change the livery to reflect Eastern National ownership, and occupy with some passengers: A visiting family of holiday makers are offered carriage of their luggage "in me barrer mister" in front of Clackwick Station. A tidy some of money was to be earned by local lads in this manner at weekends in the summer months. A paper seller has joined the general melee in front of the station: Charlie Wheeler's - with better lighting (I think). A small shooting party from "The Big House" with their dogs, unaware that just over the hill are the Nisen Hut boys poaching rabbits. OMB has erected a scarecrow on his veg patch in the hope of saving some of his greens from maurauding crows:

Been a busy week, following the arrival of a delivery from Langley Models (pics to follow). However, I wasn't happy with scenery at the Nissen Hut bunker so have replaced it with something more green:

The Eastern National Depot on Church Road Clacton now renamed to reflect 1950s ownership, and distressed and weathered to reflect condition. Awaiting oil drums, tool boxes, engine parts and the "depot cat" - all on order from Langley.

Nice work Mick. I might well try that technique.

First stage of the next diaorama; The Eastern National Bus/Coach Depot on Church Road Clacton c1955. A long way to go, but the idea begins to take shape.

My first attempt at video - chopped from 5 mins to about half by Flickr. Nothing like professional, but better to come I hope. https://www.flickr.com/photos/165741652@N02/30751560867/in/datetaken/

Tried a different lighting technique for the pigsty scene. Looks better to me, so have replaced the two pictures on the previous post.

Mr Syrett, one of our Elm Grove neighbours in Gt Clacton during the mid '50s raised two pigs for Christmas slaughter every year. Those who had passed on their kitchen scraps throughout the year were rewarded with a fine joint of pork every December. With Elm Grove not being represented on the Clackwick layout, I have relocated the pigsty to Jaywick, adjacent to the Nissen huts. Mr Syrett can be seen in conversation with "young Bramwell" who is on his way home from school. Looking on is Mr Syrett's helper. Another local with thoughts of the approaching Christmas joins the gathering with a sack of fare for the pigs.

Settled for cab light only on the rear loco, so both Class 20 Locos now running as planned - apart from a very small speed difference for a given throttle setting, which I am hoping to iron out when I set the consist up. Now to complete the final two diaoramas.

Had both fully working for a short while this morning, but took the body off once too often and disturbed something which took out one of the cab lights. Had enough for today, time to order in a curry.

Think I've got your meaning Rob. My intention is to run nose to nose, so header lighting requirements would be limited to the lower left cab front of the leading loco (only). When running in the opposite direction, same header lighting for the leading loco (only). This works fine through the yellow wires. My intention was to use the white wires to illuminate the cab of the trailing loco (since I presume it would house a driver), but can't get it to work.

Pleased to report that both Hornby TTS Class 20s running again, each with lower left head light at the cab end - and working apporopriate to direction of travel. DCCconcepts 2mm Tower PROTO White, although they do lean towards amber. I have 1K droppers in series, but may just double that to dim the lights. I understand the white lead to be intended for the other end of the loco (the front, but the rear on Class 20 "cab first"), but I can't get a squeak out of mine. I've finished for today, but if anyone can put me right on the white lead lights, I would be grateful. Hopefully when this marathon is over I can set the locos up for consist.

Both Class 20 TTS decoders back from Hornby - reprogrammed to run pointing in either direction. Currently installing header lights in both locos. Plan to set up a "consist" when completed. Meanwhile, the layout is in the process of two new diaoramas - one a small piggery set up by one of our neighbours on a council estate in Gt Clacton. The other, a terminal for coach traffic from London together with an adjacent bus/coach service/repair depot.

How do you mean? I have driven a Lima Class 20 fitted with a Lenz chip for the drive, and a TTS chip and speaker fitted for sound - drive, but no sound.

Having purchased a second new Hornby Class 20 TTS I was somewhat miffed to discover that both of my two Class 20s would operate only when pointing in one (the same) direction - thus preventing nose to tail operation. Both decoders in the post to Hornby for software update.

Richard, I could understand the occasional wagon derailing with one loco at each end of your wagon run. How did it work out with the locos coupled at the front - assuming you tried that?

Adjacent to the Nissen huts at the west end of Clackwick stands an old wartime bunker. This was used in the early '50s by local lads and lasses for liasons that warranted discretion - the scene below being fairly typical of the time. The young lad who lived at number 15 is being entertained by the twin daughters of "old man Belcher" (OMB), who lived at number 21: What is not appreciated by any of those present is that OMB has had his suspicions for some time, and is making his way from number 21 to the scene: Very shortly after this, the yound lad was to be seen scampering at speed from the scene, clutching his trousers to stop them from falling down, with OMB in hot pursuit.