bickybtrains

I think I have managed to figure out the final placement if the buildings at the coal mine. Photos to follow.

I don't remember that, I do plan to have a cross section of the mine below the helix, showing tunnels, etc..... saw a guy do a gold mine on you tube. The MGR loader will have empties go in and full one come out. The empty train will travel down the helix to the lower sidings The lower sidings have a connection to the helix on loop 5. That loop is dedicated to the coal mine. I have a backscene showing a power station in the distance. So it will look like that train just came from that power station. Subsequently a full MGR train will travel up the helix and exit the loading hopper full. It will give the impression of a working loader. I'll set up an adreno sound system to have sound of the MGR wagons being loaded, also one of the shafts will be operational.

I have been working on the coal mine as a mini project. Taking a rest from wiring. I have managed to figure out the MGR loading facility. Got to do s bit of track work to accommodate the screens. Overall I'm pleased on how it is working out. This is the MGR loading facility Overall view of the coal mine showing both up cast and downcast shafts. A class 47 and MGR wagons testing the clearance at the loading hopper.

On my old layout I had a coal mine, and to continue with that tradition I going to have one on the Bickley Central. This time it will be a full blown model with both up and down cast shafts. I will have one of the headgear working. A bunch of pulleys and motors should do the trick.

I use an alligator clip lead attached to a nine volt battery. Since I am using tortose motors, its easy to see if they work. It gets a bit tricky for the polarity of the points since I'm using the internal switch of the tortose to do the frog polarity. I have terminal strips in easy to reach spots on the layout where the wiring of the tortose motors terminate, so it easy to trouble shoot. The long retaining wall at the terminus station is split into three, they are held in place by magnets. Behind those walls are the terminal strips that connect up to the tortose motors. Im trying to have all the wiring at eye level or at a comfortable seat level.

So I'm back at wiring, still got a ton to do. I have four power distrcts, so hopefully it all works well when finished. Doing the testing on the helix was a relief since I have no issues with the wiring there. I was expecting a few glitches on the helix, however I guess I kept all the polarities correct. Good thing to have is a red and black marker to mark the polarities of the track. I did have a bit of an issue in the storage sidings. All the points were done wrong, I had Reversed the polarities on them. It was an evenings work fixing up that SNAFU. All the droppers are in, the main bus wires are in, just got to get all the electronic gadgetry sorted out. Tomorrow I'm going to work on the colliery and start working on the buildings that were salvaged from my last layout. My plan is to have the layout running by Christmas.

I did a test train with my class 40 it can handle a 10 coach train on the helix.

Very pleased with the helix, just a few minor adjustments and it will be running like clockwork.

Running some trains on the helix to determine its capacity. My Bachmann class 25 can handle an 8 coach train on the inner loop of the helix, without slipping. So my capacity for passenger trains is 8 coaches I guess. I wasn't planning of running larger trains than that anyway. Pretty chuffed that my wiring on the helix is OK. Now to the arduous task of wiring the whole latout. I have most of the droppers in place, all the fish plates soldered. I still got a pile of tortose motors to install and wire up. All in all this part of the project is going to be a headache.

Another update from The Bickley Central. I have been busy installing retaining walls. One at the main terminus station and the other at the colliery. Now back to wiring.

In one corner,I have a model of manor farm. Manor farm was my grandmothers family home for many years. I always loved the farm, going there as a kid. The view of Ferrybridge power station over the fields, the coal trains rumbling through the town, the smell of industry, it all seemed so long ago.

More photos of some work. This one is the lower station. This a concrete brutalist style station. Kind of based on Stafford somewhat. I used scalescenes Clasp kit, as the basis of this model.

So its been a year since I started with pen and paper.

So I have put a road bridge over the entrance to my Helix. Stiill haven't finished all the wiring, but waiting for the inspiration to spend hours with a soldering gun.

To keep my sanity I have to split up jobs on the layout. Last night I was busy wiring up point t motors. I think I have at least 54 point motors to wire up and install. So far I have 25 installed, so I guess I'm half way there. Today was back scene day. Besides getting glue in my hair i think I'm well on the the way of getting that beast completed.

Just a quick shot over half my loco fleet. The other half is being chipped and going through a full service and necessary repairs.

I decided a while ago not watch tv and spend the time on something more useful. I find splitting the jobs into intervals of 1 evening wiring another building models etc. makes the task easier. The big task is coming soon and that is getting the whole thing running.

I took a break from wiring and finished up both stations. The terminus station platforms are finished, and the lower mainline station has its platforms in place.

I think the fun part is electrical. I still got to hook up everything. David Holmes a fellow Buffer MRC member is helping me on that. Usually I ballast after scenery.

So over 600 feet of track, 250 hours I can officially announce that the main lines of the Bickley central have been laid. My fantastic, patient wife did the honours of the last spike. June 25 at 9.41 pm.

Tonight's project was the new back scene boards and the motive power dept. I have only about 20 feet left to lay in on the main lines and I can get wiring.

Well I did manage to get it, but at a price. It isn't easy, I'm in the reno business and it's funny what stuff suddenly becomes rare. For example; steel doors I have been waiting for three months for them. Vinyl windows are taking 8 weeks till they are delivered. It's crazy.

Finished the lower station track. The photo is showing St Andrea Parkway station. To the right is the outer loop main line. St. Andrea Parkway can accommodate some lengthy trains.

Track laying is progressing very well, I am about half way through laying the main lines.

Thanks. Its a fun project, I only spend an hour or two on the layout. The weather is nice outside and my dog loves to go for walks.