My version of Boscarne Junction

Blimey it was way back in 2008 when I was first contemplating building a layout of Boscarne Junction. That one was going to be a fictional take on the junction using some what might have beens. Why fictional? Well it was going to be my first foray into P4 and I wasn't confident about building a model of a real location to an acceptable standard. Tredethy Wharf has given me some confidence that I could achieve a reasonable model of Boscarne and if I don't give it a go I'll never know.

So after much thought and a few plans drawn I think the plan below is the best I can do to represent Boscarne Junction in my new 'Man Cave'.

I've used an old OS map of the junction for scale. A few compromises have been made so it fits in the room and be functional. These are:

1. Shortened Siding 1 (the exchange siding) by approximately a scale 152 feet
2. The curve of the line to Bodmin General has been increased
3. The river and therefore the bridge over the river on the line to Bodmin General has been moved closer to the junction.

There are a few quirks with the track plan that I only noticed when looking through photographs of the junction.

1. There is a very slight curved running through the first turnout just after the level crossing.
2. The first turnout from Bodmin General is curved towards the GWR line but straight towards Siding 1.
3. It looks like the catch point at the Bodmin end of Siding 1 is part of the turnout. I'll try and post a photo to confirm this in a follow up blog.

There are a few niceties that I need to think about:

• How to transfer clay wagons between the hidden sidings a little more securely than on Tredethy Wharf.
• Will it be DC or DCC or even have the ability to to run both.
• How to build very lightweight baseboards so that in 10 years time, when I'm a little frailer, I'll still be able to exhibit the layout.
• What support structure should I build for the layout? The supports for Tredethy Wharf are now more stable but they take a lot of time to erect and dismantle.
• Should there two control panels, one for Boscarne Signal Box the second for the Ground Frame, or just one control panel.
• Where and how to install the Control panels.
• The cassettes on Tredethy Wharf need improving so need to look for better designs.

More thoughts and problems to solve will no doubt come to light as this project progresses.

It's a shame that I couldn't include the SR bridge over the river Camel but even so I'm hoping the layout still captures the feel of the junction.