brammie

Latest update features "Charlie Wheeler's" corner. I've scruffied the area up a bit, which is much more in keeping with the man. Note: Picture replaced 8 Oct 2018 - more detailed image.

Thank you Knuckles.

No Ouroborus, I needed the grunt of the two locos together to push a track cleaner around my layout - one alone will not do it. The second loco was a Lima, which ran fine with a Lenz chip but to run it with sound it needed the Hornby TTS chip (I tried using the Lenz chip to drive and a TTS chip for sound, but no go). As reported in my earlier posts, I simply could not speed match at anything other than one speed despite trying a range of options.

Finally had to admit defeat with the LIma Class 20. Despite resistor trials and CV adjustments it simply would not have it in consist with the Hornby - one circuit of the layout was enough to convince me. However, all is not lost: Despite most suppliers having nil stock of the Hornby Class 20 TTS, I found one this morning and placed my order. There is still hope!

Reflecting on earlier thoughts that much of my layout was underpopulated, I am gradually recruiting more staff and attracting new people to the area. The Golden Fleece landlord has seen an upturn in business, and taken on an additional staff member to cope with new customers: The Area Inspector chats to the Grey Green driver, whilst the conductor arranges with his mate to meet in the bar later: The local market now enjoys music from a small band: A replacement footbridge has been brought in from a closed station, and seating provided for the increased number of waiting passengers:

The scene you refer to is based on a setting some two miles out of Clacton towards Thorpe-leSoken. The culvert takes the upper reaches of Holland Brook under the line as it heads out towards the coast, some four or five miles distant.

Passengers await the arrival of the 10.07am to Liverpool Street, stopping at Colchester and Shenfield only. Immediately in front of the weather shelter stands B/E Bramwell; his summer leave now over, the 10.07 will take him part way to his RAF station in south wales. On the nearside line a local train to Wivenhoe waits for signal clearance. In "Clackwick Diaoramas 1" I made reference to a split backdrop that needed attention. The backdrop in question was a cutting from Townscene Sheet 6 and, contrary to my self-criticism, was exacty as it should have been. Anyway, to make it easier on the eye I have done another cut and paste: The Coal Merchant has seen an upsurge in business, and taken on another two workers at his yard:

In earlier pictures the warehouse had all the signs that it had been abandoned, so more detailing was urgently needed here. The first of the new scenes concentrates on the Goods In/Goods Out area where a new (Langley) crane has been installed and supporting staff added. Collett Goods 2260 waits to shunt back to the loading bay to offload its cargo.

In an attempt to break up some of the wide open spaces on my layout, I have included several small dioramas. Most are based on my experiences growing up on the edge of the Jaywick marshes and in later years on a council estate in Gt Clacton. Having considered my first round of pictures showing various aspects of the layout, it became clear that many areas were simply too short on detail. As part of an ongoing review, the first three are now just about there: To the right can be seen the local scrappie's yard. On the left is the coal merchant's. (I've just noticed that I need to do something about that backdrop split in the corner!) A closeup of the scrappie's yard. "Charlie Wheeler's" bunker, near to Gt Clacton. This was Charlie's "office", where he cut firewood to sell. He could regularly be seen cycling about the area touting for custom in the mid '50s.

Joy of joys - resistors arrived. I needed to finish off some domestics before I could retire to my railway room, but got soldering this morning and soon had a 4ohm 5 watt connected in series with the Lima Class 20 motor. Grrrrr ........... still runs 20% faster for the same throttle setting. Next step; source a range of larger value resistors.

Several locos go to make up my static display, these being: Class 03 Shunter D2280 has been part of both my layouts since the start of the first build in 1999 - although little used on either layout. Notwithstanding, in common with many of my Bachmann locos that incorporate conductive wheel bearings, it has adopted a "fully disabled lump" when running. Ergo, D2280 had been relegated to being a member of the "static display team". However, it occurred to me in the last few days that a diesel loco (as opposed to steam) should be at the front of the crane and recovery kit on the basis that it might well be required in an emergency - and so should be ready to go, rather than waiting to be "fired". J72 68727 has been retired to a quiet corner of the layout - meanwhile, I am on the lookout for a replacement 03 Shunter. Standard 4 Loco 75075 was a "previously owned" purchase by my wife when she attended the first of two "toy fairs". Having opened the box of my present, a cursory inspection of the underside of the loco was enough to persuade me that I would need to create a new area on the layout for static display. I am not aware that 75075 ever had any connection with Clacton, or even Essex. The second (and last) "previously owned" toy fair purchase by my wife. My first look was enough to book a further place in the static display.

I will be pleased to Paul. If nothing else "going public" with this review of my layout has identied many areas to me where I need to either "finish off" or simply add more detail. I have a number of ideas, several already being actioned, and will post on the finished article as each development reaches conclusion.

In the mid 'fifties Ivatt Class 2 number 46464 operated regularly between Clacton and Wivenhoe, with occasional trips to Colchester. This odd loolking little loco became a firm favourite with "spotters", and invariably attracted a small crowd when in steam. I am reminded that I need to do something about the five minute weathering job I carried out on this loco! Collett Goods number 2260. An excellent slow runner. Certainly "out of region". Can't remember how it came to be part of my layout, but happy to have it. J72 68727 The bulk of these locos were employed in the NE of England, but I suspect that I may have seen one at Ipswich as a boy - which would explain it being on my layout. Suffers badly from "the Bachmann lump". Think I read somewhere that a new model (with sound) is in the offing.

Following a day trip to Ipswich docks as a thirteen year old trainspotter, it was inevitable that if I took up modelling a layout it was bound to include at least one Class 20 Diesel loco. The subsequent model layout evolved to its' present form and, although not noted on the Clacton line in earlier times, a "previously owned" Lima in 1950s livery joined my layout - D8041. It ran reasonably well on DC, but when fitted with a Lenz Silver decoder improved significantly. The fly in the ointment was my layout point arrangement which included up to four consecutive turnouts on one leg - the Lima Class 20 stuttered and stopped routinely. The answer, it seemed to me, would be to run two Class 20 Locos together, nose to nose. Then Hornby announced their Class 20 TTS and, despite the chassis number and livery, I ordered one. By this time my original ZTC 505 controller had expired in a big way, and I had acquired an ECoS controller - "consist" had become a keyword. When the Hornby arrived the body was changed for D8041 and the decoder address changed to suit. Meanwhile, I had obtained a second "pre-owned" Lima Class 20 D8024, to which I fitted a Lenz decoder, and ran it on test. Not good, but it ran. The D8024 body was then switched to the old D8041 chassis, giving a good running Class 20 in the livery I wanted. Feeling that I was well on the way to achieving my "consist", I then fitted a stand-alone TTS Sound Decoder to D8024. Bingo, two Class 20 Diesels wth sound. The problem came with trying to speed match; there is a 30% speed difference for the same throttle setting - and no CV5 or CV6 on TTS. Re-fitting a Lenz decoder to the motor enabled speed control as required but, with the TTS wired for sound only, it was (to coin a phrase) mute. At the moment, the TTS decoder has been re-installed, and 4ohm 4watt resistors are on order in the hope that in-line connection with the motor will have the desired effect.

Quite some time I would think Matt - he's been there 9 years!

Britannias were regular visitors at Clacton. Three models grace my layout and, whilst I cannot be sure whether all or any ever operated out of Clacton, they represent those that did. I can recall now, sitting in class at the high school a couple of hundred yards from the main line and hearing that siren whistle. I prayed for the end of the school day, and then raced to the tracks hoping that the "Brit" had not departed. "Britannia" 70000 with carriages. This model is fitted with Loksound decoder. Awe inspiring sound! "Robin Hood" 70038 with a goods load. "Firth of Clyde" passing the top signal box.

I have to say that my choice of locos for The Clackwick layout has been significantly influenced by my experiences as a 13 year old trainspotter. Certain locos stuck in my mind from that time and I begin to think that it is no coincidence that several of them have returned to steam or smoke again. By the same token, a well meaning wife has been behind a certain element of "authenticity corruption" in her choice of birthday/christmas presents, who's origins cannot be attributed to any part of Essex. Oh well; "Guest Locos" Steam locos to be regularly seen on the Clackwick line include the following classes; J39, B1, Britannia and Ivatt Class 2. On a trainspotting day trip to Ipswich Docks as a young man I was absolutely captivated by a working Class Class 20 Diesel, and it became a must for my latest layout. So, my locos: J39 64838 passes over Holland Brook with a light load. J39 64970 in repair at Clackwick shed. B1 61010 Wildebeeste at the Coaler. B1 61399 waits for the turntable after completion of shed work.

A few more images showing other buildings on the layout. The first being the local garage: The local pub; The Golden Fleece: Boleyn Way Nissen Huts, Jaywick. We lived at No 15 (with my Mum and my dog outside) on the edge of the Jaywick marshes for several years up to 1955: "The Big House", at the opposite end of the layout. The RH is about to leave for the railway station - his chaffeur, having changed from his labouring clothes, also makes his way to the Armstrong SS.

Hi David, I'm new to the site, and slowly uploading details of my "Clackwick" layout - now in its' 14th year of development. As an old Clactonian, I remember well Marks Tey station - although (to my regret) I never visited. Good luck with the development of your layout, and more so with your ongoing treatment. What gauge is your layout? Mike

The buildings on the Clackwick layout have come from a range of sources during the thirteen year build period to date. They range from "substantial" to "trivial", but all conform to the same basic theme - being "that out of the box" is far from finished. The first to be pictured here is the goods warehouse; I begin to see that some of the "visitor" damage has yet to be repaired and several other aspects of this area are far from finished, but will be embelished with far more detail in the next few weeks: "CJH Corner": In addition to the CJH factory (initials of the friend who gifted it to me as a kit), this corner is home to the local coal merchant and to a scrap dealer. Again, it now occurs to me that much detail is missing - to be added in the next few weeks. Clackwick Station from the track side: Clackwick Station from the street:

Thought I should say something about Clackwick control systems before going on to layout details: My loft layout in Dorset had relied on two single-loco controllers "of the day". Although my loco inventory was still quite small when we moved house, the new layout possibilities soon provided indication that a more sophisticated form of control would be required. I was quite inspired by the "new" ZTC system, and so invested in a 505 controller, and associated gear. The new layout slowly took shape, old locos were "chipped" and new locos and rolling stock added and the scenics slowly progressed. Then, one weekend we had visitors. Friends of my (German) wife from earlier times. On the Saturday I fired up the layout and did a demo for the benefit of their two pre-teen sons, they loved it. On Sunday morning I was out of the house for a few hours, and on my return found the two lads on their own "playing" with my layout. They had managed to fire it up, and were carrying out "crash tests". I bit my lip, ushered them out of the room, and locked the door. Following a quiet afternoon they left, and I checked out the damage. Not good, in fact to the point where I simply lost interest in my project. I closed the door, and left it for several years. I can't remember what prompted me to pick up the cudgel again but, once started, I got to grips with it and soon had the layout restored to status quo. The exercise also provided me with new initiatives, and during my lull, sound had made its' way into the modellers' world. It wasn't long after I had restored operations to normal running that my ZTC controller failed dramatically, taking several loco chips with it. After much deliberation, I went for the ECoS controller as a replacement - and am well pleased with the way it performs. So, details of my control system: The ECoS Controller: Lighting and De-coupler Switching: Track Layout and Point Position Indication:

Prior to moving to a large house in Germany in 2005, we had occupied a bungalow in Dorset. Whilst there I had developed a layout in our loft, but soon came to realise that a layout located just under the roof of a house was uncomfortable at either extreme of the season without environmental control, and far from ideal as far as smooth operation of locos was concerned due to extremes of temperature. When we moved to our present home (with 5 large double bedrooms) in 2005, I immediately claimed an upstairs bedroom for my intended layout. I must have spent many months planning and finally settled on a theme; Clacton-on-Sea terminal circa 1955, relocated to the Colchester main line site (to accomodate a "through" station), and surrounding scenics based mainly on my earlier childhood experiences living near Jaywick in Essex. The room that my layout occupies measures 5mtrs x 5.3 mtrs, with two doors; one in/out, and another leading to an outside balcony. To faciltate access to both doors and a large window, the layout is built along one of the 5mtr walls, and extends at one end to 4.1mtrs in width and 3.1mtrs in width at the other. I believe that the resulting shape is referred to in geometrical terms as a "right trapezoid". A central "operator area" measures 1mtr x 3.8mtrs. I haven't actually measured the continuous outside loop, but it must be in excess of 15mtrs. The height of the supporting boarding is 80cms. Anyway, I am a great believer in that saying "a pictures paints ..... etc" so: I have a large library of pictures of the layout; if there is sufficient interest in my blog I will include more detail (with explanations) in following posts. I would add that although I thought at times that I was near to finishing the project, as I continue to add to the diaoramas I see more and more that needs to be done.

Yes, shame about Maplin.

Thank you for that Rob. I'll now need to find something else to worry about until the resistors arrive!

The DF for the resistors I have on order is 4 weeks - a long wait. Meanwhile, doubts begin to enter my mind regarding the obvious effect of "dropper" resistors on motor generated back emf and how the TTS decoder might possibly interpret this.