New thoughts

While working on the wiring for Rospeath Lane I've been reflecting on what to do about Boscarne Junction. It has been a longstanding desire to construct a model of this junction, hence, all the information I've gathered over the years.

My thoughts started when I made the decision to scrap the idea of developing Heath End, and reorganise the Man Cave. In the reorganising I've created space for Rospeath Lane, Fiddlers Wharf, with the scenic boards of Trethedy Wharf, on display. So I started to wonder if there will be room for Boscarne Junction in the Man Cave?

The last plan for Boscarne Junction appeared at SolRail 2023. Though I really liked the scenic potential of this plan, the baseboard would be even more cumbersome than Rospeath Lane's. Especially in transporting to a show.

I'm approaching my 70th decade and I believe van hire will become more difficult. This would probably lead to the previous tack plan becoming a static model. Then because of some baseboards being difficult to manhandle along with the space it would take up in the Railway Room, it would be extremely difficult to erect Rospeath Lane prior to any show invites.

My previous plan for Boscarne Junction

So:

• Could it be designed to be an exhibition layout?
• What would the minimum number of operators required at an exhibition?
• Would it be possible to fit the layout in a car?
• Working to these constrains could I still create a reasonable representation of the junction?
• Could the baseboards be more manageable?
• Could a better design create more space to erect Rospeath Lane prior to a show without dismantling all or part of Boscarne Junction?. 
• Should I consider that eternal itch to build a late 1930s GWR banch line terminus rather then build Boscarne Junction?

While mulling over the above thoughts, I mentioned to Bob How that because of the reorganisation of the space I had, it was likely that I'd be satisfying an itch to build a GWR branch line terminus rather than Boscarne Junction. This would enable me to have all layouts, Rospeath Lane, Fiddlers Wharf in an operational state and a good section of Tredethy Wharf on display while building the BLT. He expressed disappointment and commented that many people have built GWR BLTs to a high standard. I replied it was only an idea and I'd give it more thought in a years time once Rospeath Lane was nearing completion.

His comment resonated with me, as I too would be disappointed not building Boscarne Junction. As Bob said, seeing GWR, SR and ex LSWR locos and stock all mixed on the same layout is enticing and one of the main reasons why I became interested in the junction. It would also be a shame if all the information I've gathered on Boscarne Junction along with The Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway would not be put to good use.

I believe the bare minimum number of operators required would be 2, so for a show four operators in two teams (at a push maybe three operators working in rotation). The split would be something like;

• One on the Wadebridge cassette board and running trains through the layout
• The second at the Bodmin end looking after both cassette boards.

The Jubilee Challenge has made me think in more detail about the cost to exhibition managers of inviting layouts. So instead of hiring a van which would still require a car for the additional operators, could a new design allow four operators along with the layout to be transported to shows in two cars?

Those are the criteria and the start of some meandering thoughts while I progress Rospeath Lane.

Scalefour Cumberland 23 (SolRail 23)

My demonstration table at Scalefour Cumberland 23 (SolRail 23)

We all tackle planning a layout differently so felt worried about sitting behind a table titled "Planning a Layout in P4". Why should my way be any better than the next persons?

Well, I shouldn't have worried. A number of people stopped, even sat down and to ask questions. All seemed interested in both projects on display. Obviously, some thought what I'd produced was OTT, but most kindly gave positive feedback along with asking when they might see the layouts.

On the other side of the coin, I also learnt much from fellow demonstrators and modellers within the room. So this weekend has been an extremely interesting and enjoyable experience.

A Temporary work area and SolRail 23

I'm still waiting for power to be installed in the Log Cabin. The house rewiring took longer than expected, and we decided to postpone connecting the log cabin until other outside work is completed in order to finally get the interior signed off.

In the meantime, I've recently negotiated a small area in the snug at which I can work on a few projects. I'll have to see if the better half will allow me to solder, but for the moment I've been working on the 1/8th scale model of my proposed Boscarne Junction.

I'd planned to make this scale model mainly to help with thoughts on baseboard construction and to see how it will look visually. As I've been cajoled into setting up a table titled 'Planning a new layout, Boscarne Junction' at Scalefour Cumberland 23, it will come in very handy. Unfortunately, as I've been distracted by entering the Scalefour Jubilee Challenge, I'll still be building the model.

There will be another 1/8th scale model of my Jubilee Challenge project on the table to discuss with those that might be interested.

Calculating possible weight for the baseboards

I wanted to calculate the weight of my baseboards using insulation and plywood. This was after reading about the weight of another modeller's baseboards made totalling from plywood.

Googling the weight of different thicknesses of plywood, I came up with the following rough calculations for one of the 5ft x 2 ft boards.

• The top of 3mm plywood & insulation - 2.1kg
• The 2 ends of 9mm play (1kg each) -2kg
• The front Facia - 0.3kg
• Back screen (inc. insulation at bottom) - 1.6kg
• Internal sections of insulation - 0.5kg
• Track approximately - 0.5kg

So my best guess at the weight of one of the 5ft x 2ft baseboards without scenery, track etc. will be approximately 7kg (15.5lbs). I've tried to make an allowance in the figures for glue and baseboard dowels. So the 5ft x 2ft baseboards might only weigh the equivalent of 7 bags of sugar or a little more. Size wise still too cumbersome for one person to carry but two people should easily be able to manhandle them. 

One problem rearing its head is the size or rather shape of the final scenic baseboard at the Bodmin, Wenford bridge end of the layout. Question being will it go through a standard door width in the configuration I'm planning? The creation of an 8th scale model of the layout should help me answer this question.

Thoughts on Baseboard Construction

I have mumbled a little, on a couple of blogs, about my thoughts for baseboard construction. The baseboards for Boscarne Junction are going to be relatively large. If I used the plywood and softwood sandwich technique they’d require two people to move them. The basic idea is to build baseboards that I’ll be able to lift and move around when I’m in my 7^th decade.

When visiting York Model Railway show in 2019 I became intrigued with Gordon Gravett’s baseboards for Arran Quay and way he’d sandwiched insulation board between thin plywood. I was not sure about using the same insulation board for the baseboard tops but he had made it work. This method of construction must have created a very light baseboard easy to lift and move/transport.

Many years ago I purchased a number of 2ft x 4ft x 1 inch sheets of insulation board for creating hex terrain for wargaming. There are still eleven sheets left from that project which are taking up space in my shed. My intention is to rather than dispose of these sheets is to make good use of them for Boscarne Junction’s baseboards.

As my insulation board is only 1 inch thick I’ll not be follow Gordon’s methods fully but to borrow his general idea. Hopefully the drawings below will help to explain my intentions better than words.

Version 9

Just when I thought version 8 was the final track plan, I’ve now produced a version 9.

When starting to consider how the layout was going to be operated, my thoughts went to the enjoyment I gained when invited to operate other layouts. Especially those where a signalman controls a signal box and the train driver has to obey the signals. The use of bell codes, interlocking lever frames, and train driving to signals fascinated me. It all added to the operating experience and is something I'd like to pursue for Boscarne Junction.I questioned how I going to include this feature into my model?

If I'm going to create off scene signal boxes in the Fiddle Yards, which use bell codes to communicate with Boscarne Junction signal box, I have a problem with the Wenford branch. There was no signal box at Dunmere or on the Wenford branch. I believe the Guard of the Wenford train walked to Boscarne signal box to retrieve/return the key for the Dunmere Ground Frame. Then the train crew operated the two ground frames. I thought this is something I’d like to include in the model.

In an attempt to include this type of operation, I’ve decided to separate the layout into three operating areas

1. Boscarne Signal box & Wadebridge Fiddle Yard (There would be the possibility to split Wadebridge Fiddle Yard away from the Boscarne Box).
2. The Bodmin North, Bodmin General & Wenford Fiddle Yard.
3. Train Driver who’ll also control both Boscarne and Dunmere ground frames as the train crew would have done.

In doing the above, should give a reasonably authentic operating experience to this layout.

At this point I’d like to thank David Woodcock again. I’ve only been able to consider doing this due to his contribution with the signal diagrams and locking tables. Many thanks David.

I started mess around with the plan to see if I could squeeze in Dunmere Ground Frame and the junction turnout into the track plan. The only way I found was to move the whole of version 8 track plan back to the left. This dramatically reduced the scenic area before the level crossing which I’d created in version 8. I felt this compromise for home use was well worth taking as it will increase operational interest. There were always thoughts with version 8 I’d add a further scenic board at the Wadebridge end for exhibitions, version 9 will be no different. Still a bit left to do as there are still a few scenic items to identify and mark on the plan along with checking on edge profiles and land contours.

 

Above is how the layout will look when at home. I briefly mentioned that the track plan is now drawn to fit the baseboards. This is due to the comment about knowing angles for baseboard construction. I will construct the three baseboards making the curved scenic section with the same diverging angle (23 degrees). They will either be stackable on each other when boxed or I should be able to construct a rack into which they will all slide.

Below is my cursory thoughts for exhibitions.

Further thoughts on the track plan (v.8)

 I wasn’t going to revisit the track plan until the man cave was empty so its internal dimensions could be confirmed. That was until I was able to squeeze in a day’s visit to Boscarne Junction after being in Torquay for a wedding. The visit was to take photos of the wider surrounding area. The site is now dramatically over grown compared to the photographs I have which were taken in the early 1960s. That said the embankments, paths, field boundaries seem to not have altered. Plenty of photographs were taken which I hope will enable me to replicate the topography around the junction.

While at Boscarne then subsequently looking at my track plan I began to feel I’d drawn it a little out of proportion. Siding 2 (along the back towards Bodmin North) looked too long. In reducing its length  has made it feel more in proportion. In doing so I’ve been able to move the whole track plan to the right a little which has slightly increased the visible track left to the level crossing.  In my attempt to balance the space available between scenic and fiddle yards I’ve had to reduce the overall length of the junction and sidings. There is approximately 13.5ft between the two quarter mile posts as opposed to 17.3ft for a scale quarter mile. Even so, the hope is this will still create a recognisable layout with the ability to operate as near as possible realistic train movements to a replica BR timetable.

Boscarne Junction v.8

To give me the possibility to add a further board at the Wadebridge end I’ve also twisted the track plan slightly. In doing so means the track beyond the level crossing (towards Wadebridge) now runs parallel to the baseboards sides. This will allow the fiddle board that I’ll be using at home to be connected to the extra scenic baseboard if it ever is invited to a show.

Next thoughts:

1. How to build the baseboard supports and at what height should the layout be?
2. How to integrate lighting on the model as well as prevent other external lighting to affect the visual effect. 
3. Need to think about the overall operation of the layout (my initial thought may need to produce v.9 of the track plan)

Could I have planned the layout better?

The new "Man Cave" is an extended Dunster log cabin and in part of its construction there are two walls that protrude into the internal space of the room.

Initially I was thinking about turning Rospeath Lane into a "roundy roundy" but these two walls hindered this to some degree. Many plans were drawn but I began to realise that it would become a very ambitious layout. One that may require more time than I have left to bring to a reasonable state of completion. Also I started to have thoughts about how I was going to continue with exhibiting a layout along with improving and learning more about the hobby. That the main reason why Boscarne Junction has been born.

So could I have designed it any better?

I've tried a few different ways of fitting the plan into the space but didn't want to compromise too much on the track plan. My main though was to keep the integrity of the track layout with the only compromise being taken on the siding length. The result being the track plan below.

After posting my thoughts and ideas on a couple of forums I received a good few replies with excellent suggestions. The major problem I had with the track plan above was transferring cassettes between Bodmin North/Wenford and the Bodmin General cassette boards. One suggestion was to curve the Bodmin North line so that the Bodmin North/Wenford and Bodmin General cassette boards could be combined.

I was not sure about curving the Bodmin North line as I felt it would deviate too much from the original and therefore loose some of the genuine feel of the junction. Even so, I played around a little and finished up with the plan below.

I must admit it solves the problem very well with transferring full and empty clay wagons between the Bodmin North/Wenford and Bodmin General Lines. The other bonuses this plan gives are; 

• It will allow me to include the Southern Railway bridge over the River Camel. 
• With enough trees this compromise of curving the Bodmin North line could be masked quite well.
• The trees will also be a natural break between the bridge and junction to give a tantalising glimpse of trains running over the bridge to/from Boscarne to Bodmin North/Wenford before they appear at the junction or disappear into the cassette board.
• By extending the Bodmin North line will allow any shunting of Siding 2 from this end to be contained within the scenic section of the layout.

As this curve brings the two lines closer together I need to work out the land contours leading up to the Southern Railway Bridge. Also the new baseboard is going to complicate storage and transportation. 

One of the many decisions I need to make is whether to include a track around the back of the layout.  This would be used to exchange clay wagons between the Wadebridge and Bodmin cassette boards rather than carry a cassette the length of the layout. I need to discover how regular clay traffic travelled via Wadebridge and along the North Cornwall Line. Then decide if this is a movement I'd include in the timetable.

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. 

This blog might be about to get a new lease of life

Though Tredethy Wharf has been a good introduction to Scalefour modelling it has not been a layout that I’ve been tempted to operate at home. When set up at home it’s normally just there as a static diorama collecting dust. That said I have enjoyed taking it to shows along with helping out on other layouts at shows. I’ve become to realise making an exhibition of myself in front of a layout is a rewarding experience. Meeting up with friends who help, the meeting of fellow modellers along with the public who ask questions, or just seeing peoples/children’s facial expressions makes the whole event worthwhile.

I feel all that remains for me to do with Tredethy Wharf, apart from a little bit more titivation, is to build more stock for different era’s. These might be late 1960s Blue class 08s with clay hoods, even possibly consider 1930s stock. I’ve had many complementary comments along with much encouragement to keep Tredethy Wharf available for exhibitions. But I know I have much more to learn, more skills to conquer along with some mental barriers to cross

Rospeath Lane was been design to give me these challenges but it is a layout that has not really been designed as an exhibition layout. With two main baseboards being 4’6”x3’ it will be difficult to handle and transport by myself. By the time it’s in a state to exhibit I’ll probably be to infirm to manage it. Even though progress has stagnated during the last 18 months I’m still very committed to continuing with Rospeath Lane but only as a home based layout.

So what can I build to continue and expanding by exhibiting experience?

Back in April 2020 I posted a blog titled ‘Deciding on the next project’. At that time all five were designed to fit in the ‘Man Cave’ at the previous house. In revisiting these ideas one stands out more than the others as a possible exhibition layout. Then to add further incentive to this idea I had the opportunity to purchase, from the late Jon Lord’s collection of rolling stock, an Adams O2 converted to P4. A very nice model indeed.

I took this as a sign that the project to look at in more detail as a successor to Tredethy Wharf is Boscarne Junction. It will follow on nicely from Tredethy Wharf, keeping in the family so to speak. All the rolling stock I have build and likely to build for Tredethy Wharf will potentially be used on Boscarne Junction. More importantly it will give me many new challenges to overcome especially represent a real location.

Planning and ideas are continuing to develop so more posts will follow shortly.

Photos of Bridges at Boscarne Junction (part 2)

These are further photos I took in 2012 of the bridges at Boscarne Junction. This are of the Southern Railway bridge over the river Camel.

Looking from the direction of the GWR bridge

Closer view from same direction as above photo

View along footpath bridge from Dumere end

Looking across at railway bridge from footpath bridge

Looking towards Dunmere from footpath bridge

Looking down from Railway bridge up stream

 

Looking towards Boscarne along trackbed

Looking towards Dunmere along trackbed showing footpath

Looking towards Dunmere along trackbed

Photos of Bridges at Boscarne Junction (part 1)

Boscarne Junction is now probably not a first choice for a future model. However, when I was in Cornwall it was still a serious option that was on the table. The two bridges over the river Camel at Boscarne would be an important part of any layout of this junction (fictitious or accurate) and to record these was one objective while I was there. So for anyone that might be interested, a few photos follow showing the bridge that carries the old GWR line to Bodmin General over the river Camel:

Photo looking back up the line to Bodmin General from Boscarne Junction

Looking down stream on the south bank.

Looking across stream from the previous photo



Looking back up stream on the south bank.

As a guide for scale, my trusty stead is 10.5 hands tall to top of saddle (107cms or 42 inches in old money). I'll publish photos of the bridge on the SR line to Bodmin North in a future post.

Wenford DVD

I recently purchased a DVD produced by Branch Line Video titled 'Memories of the Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway'. I had mulled over the purchase for a while but as the front cover had a picture of a Beattie Well Tank at Dumere Crossing I thought it might contain something of interest on the Wenford Bridge line. Being not sure what to expect I was, after viewing, extremely please with the purchase. I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone interested in this area and the workings of the Wenford Bridge line.

It comes with two DVDs, the first covers the history of the line starting with brief footage of the North Cornwall Line then moving onto the main subject highlighted with many stills and brief cine film. Of more interest to me is the second DVD. It has cine film footage of two trips down the Wenford Bridge branch. One starting with footage of workings at Wadebridge and progressing to an empty clay train working hauled by a Beattie 30585. The second of a Brake Van special hauled by 1369. Both have anecdotal commentary from men who worked the line. Footage is not surprisingly showing its age but still fantastic to see.

Thoughts while decorating

While decorating, my mind is tending to wander a little......

I keep getting thoughts about the amount of stock I have planned to build for Boscarne. The realisation that I have to plan my next purchase due to the extended lead times of some manufacturers means I have to place my next order soon. Also the need to know what I need so I can purchase other items when I come across them (as they might not be in production for long). These thoughts are causing me to ask myself continuous questions. This flipping decorating malarkey is also putting me well behind schedule! How can I get myself back on track?

My original idea was/is to base both layouts in 1961/62. During this period there were many changes to the locos shedded at Wadebridge and seen on this branch. These changes give opportunities for the following locos to be used: 1 x Beattie Well Tank, 1 x 13xx, 1 x N Class 2-6-0s, 1 x O2, 1 or 2 x 45xxs, 1 or 2 x 57xx, 1 or 2 Class 22 Hydraulics, plus an 1 Ivatt 2-6-2T 2MT. This is 8 - 11 locos to convert or build and detail. This is without listing all the coaching and freight stock required.

Hmmmm .... Irrespective of the fact that all the above will also be seen running though Grogley Junction, I'm thinking this may be a little too much to be my first objective for a reasonable timetable to be represented. Granted I would not require it all straight away but Boscarne Wharf Junction layout is only suppose to be, a test P4 layout, a layout on a plank, something I can put together in a reasonably short period of time!!!! Trouble is it is starting to grow arms and legs and becoming more than I originally planned. This might not be a bad idea as ultimately, if it turns out OK, it could be an extension to Grogley Junction. Question is, just for now, do I need to cut down my thoughts for Boscarne's initial stock list? Doing so may enable me reach a state of completion that will allow me to progress onto the main project, Grogley Junction, sooner rather than later. Think I need to put some blinkers on ......

My thoughts over the last few days are turning to considering the 1970s as a possible era for Boscarne. The line was freight only by then. I think passenger services ceased in 1967 but Wadebridge was kept open for freight via Bodmin General until 1974. I would only require two locos and a few freight wagons plus clay wagons with or without hoods depending on year. One Class 08 and, depending on when in the 1970s, one of the following, a Class 22 or Class 25 or Class 37. The thought of hearing a Class 25 stood idling in amongst the trees on a hot summers day (it's a shame we can't depict a misty/rainy Cornish day with dripping trees) while waiting for the 08 to bring full clay wagons down from Wenford is attractive.

Operationally this will be limited but would enable me to reach a point where I could say 'finished for now'. I could then move on to the main project, Grogley Junction. Two problems are: I would struggle to justify running these locos through Grogley as its track would probably have been rationalised in the 1970s and I think all wharf sidings on the line were closed or lifted by 1969.

I'll keep stripping and painting ........ and thinking.

A little progress (not a lot)

For those of you trying to follow my meanderings with this project I must apologise for the lack of postings recently. It has not been intentional. A situation has arisen that means any spare time has to be spent stripping ................. wall paper, from six rooms plus hall stairs and landing of a three bedroomed house. Then all I've got to do is redecorate, all in evenings and weekends plus any days holiday I can take at short notice. Oh well I didn't have much else to do in my spare time !!! If anybody wants to buy a house by the sea with a 22' x 13' garage (suitable for a model railway room), give me a shout!

With all that said I've been able to find a few moments here and there to work on the quarter scale model.

It's starting to come together but I still have a little bit to do.

I was hoping to be able to hide all entries/exits by well placed trees but the exit to the Bodmin North line is being difficult to mask. Looking through the trees, up river, it is easy to mask both exits at this end of the layout. As you progress further towards the signal box and level crossing it gets more difficult to mask the Bodmin North exit.

Looking up river.

Looking towards Bodmin North exit from opposite the wharf siding.

Also I have been thinking about adding a provender store on the wharf siding not typical on this stretch of line but thought it might add a little more interest. At the moment I think it unbalances this end of the layout so I am undecided about whether to include it. If I do include the store, the siding will have to move slightly closer to the running line to give a little more room around the store.

With provender store

Without provender store

After trying the cottage in a couple of positions I've decided that it looks best in the position shown on the photograph above, which is roughly its actual location. It seems to balance the signal box in this position and stops the signal box looking like an orphan on that side of the track.

There is a lot more undergrowth to be added. In all the photographs I have seen the bank at the back looks heavily covered with trees and bushes. The level crossing also needs to be represented in some form along with the gates at the entrance to the Wharf siding. I am also going to play around with adding more trees and bushes at the front of the layout as again this edge seemed overgrown in the 1960s. At the front the trick will be adding enough to indicate this overgrown vegetation but still allow good viewing angles between and through the trees.

I could really do with another site visit to get a true feeling for the place and take a few shots of the cottage and road area around the level crossing.

Possible Locomotives

 Class 22

Just discovered Genesis Kits and their Class 22 pilot scheme loco kit (D6300 - D6305). These were all shedded at Laira shed during my chosen period. As yet I haven't turned up any photographic evidence that they would have been used on the Bodmin General to Wadebridge duties but one would be a good addition to my collection.

In stock to build I already have one old MTK kit which is earmarked to be D6339 as seen on the branch in 1962 near Grogley Halt. This will be built with the split headcodes (two roller blind route indicator panels) and finished in green with yellow warning panels and the 25kV warning signs. I also have a Silver Fox Models resin kit which is earmarked to be D6315 as seen at Wadebridge in 1961. This one has the folding head code discs and will be finish in all over green livery (no yellow front ends).

Recently, while scanning though one of the railway magazines in a newsagent (should have bought the mag really), I read that Dapol are going to produce a model of a Class 22. It's like waiting for a bus.

Beattie Well Tank

Kernow Models have come up trumps with their proposed model of a Beattie Well Tank. I've been putting off buying a kit for one of these locos as I'm not sure of my skills at soldering brass kits together. OK the model will be OO but hopefully not too difficult to re-gauge. At the pace I am going, Ultrascale may have a conversion pack ready by the time I need to run a Beattie ..... here's hoping. I've just got to decided which one to order out of the three they are proposing to produce.

Beattie Well Tank 30586

 I've been browsing the web for photos and discovered this little gem.

What an excellent photo of the one that did not survive into preservation.

Taken 17th July 1962 and can be viewed as part of ricsrailpics collection on Flicker. He has published many photos from the 1960's up to the present day.

Getting side tracked (again)

With all this talk about pink foam on '4mm scale agonies' blog and using it for baseboard construction, it got me thinking about my proposed quarter scale model of Boscarne. I purchased some foamboard weeks ago just for this purpose but it has been languishing beneath my bench waiting for me to pluck up the courage to make a start ever since. I say courage but the will is probably more to the point. I've never really seen the need to build a scale model of a proposed project before. I know Mr. Rice and Mr. Norman advocate it as good practice but I've always thought I held a good picture in my head of what I wanted to achieve. With my Boscarne Junction layout I am/was having problems with deciding how to make a start on the baseboards, especially the Y shaped board at the junction end. This started to convince me that building a quarter scale model might be a good idea.

After wangling a day off in lieu, for some weekend work I did a few weeks ago, I decided to make a start. Should I have finished off the A7 point kit? That might be a good question and yes ought to be my answer but I felt in the right mood to attempt something new today. Also I have to build baseboards before I can install and use any points I construct. I also have to decide on how to construct the baseboards. So the point can wait a few more days.

This model is nowhere near finished but it is being a very useful exercise. It has already given me a better idea how to tackle the Y shape baseboard. It has also highlighting that I had not thought enough about the ground contours in Y of the junction. As you can see it is this area that I am still working on. It's very easy to draw contours on paper but to see them in 3D brings them to life.

I am not sure how far I will detail this model over the next few weeks. Adding trees of some description should help me decide how to break up the layout into frames to create views that the trains can pass though. Adding the few buildings is also a must just to check sizing and position. I am still not sure about adding the cottage/house that is behind the signal box at the real location. Need to give this some thought, but to be honest I've never been that confident about scratch-building buildings.

It's a shame there is not a building on the same side of the railway as the wharf side but on the opposite side of the road to act as a scenic break for the fiddle yard. If I do build the cottage/house it might fall foul of my fictitious history and be moved to this position ..... would probably balance this end of the layout better by being moved.

Sorry about the quality of the photos but I had to use my phone to take them as my camera is playing up.

Fiddle Yard idea

I have only just found time to read the latest Scalefour News and found the article by Bryan Johnson on his Thurstaston project very interesting. He has already spent many years collecting and building locos and stock while continuing with researching the site. Something that I wish I had been able to do. What I did find really interesting was his thoughts on fiddle yards. Like myself he is proposing the cassette style fiddle yard and like myself he has freight trains that travel in one direction though the layout that need to be returned to their starting point behind the scenes.

My decision for a cassette style fiddle yard was made for two main reasons:

1) saving space,

2) the need to swap full/empty clay stock between fiddle yards behind the scenes.

Though I am worried about walking stock between the fiddle yards I could not think of another way to move the stock from one end of the layout to the other. But Bryan is suggesting installing a hidden track behind the back screen. What a thought.... Could still use cassettes but then slide the cassette across the board to align with the track that runs behind the layout. This would help avoid the catastrophe of a dropped cassette, containing eight or more precious hard to replace Ian Kirk clay wagons, while moving them between fiddle yards. Need to look at how this can be incorporated into my baseboards but I do like it.

Nice one.

Boscarne Junction + Wharf (4)

I've been thinking for a while about building a quarter scale model of the layout. Seems a little over the top for a test bed but then nether have I built a quarter scale model of a layout before. A test model of a test model, I'll be making Russian dolls next!

Whether I build this quarter scale model or not, I need some idea, as a starting point, of the external contours of the layout. So I've spent a couple of hours this evening looking into the scenic contours around Boscarne Junction. I have eventually decided that the height of the trackbed above river will be in the region of 26 feet (104 mm on the layout). This is not as high as I was expecting but the decision has been made after many measurements on Google Earth and also looking at all the photos I can find. I've marked other heights on the track plan below (trackbed being zero). These are all best guesstimates with an eye on trying to create a good impression of the real location.

The trackbed to Bodmin North looks as if it rises slightly. At the moment I am unsure of the gradient but thinking it might be around a 1:120/150. Thing is, I doubt that this would be that obvious on the layout. So may not recreate this gradient. I do like the idea that the Wharf siding should be slightly lower than the branch so have added a 1 foot drop (4 mm) from siding turnout to just past the gate. This will be approximately 1:100 gradient and should leave about 2 feet of level siding to play with.

Though I knew of the footpath that crossed the line I was unsure of its exact position and had purposely missed it off the plans. While looking though some photos on the web I discovered a photo of this path crossing the river over a bridge adjacent to the rail bridge on the Bodmin North line. This looks an interesting feature so I've started to draw this in on the plan but cannot decide how to squeeze it into the rest of the layout. A little more investigation is required over the next few evenings before I finish adding this footpath.

The other scenic item that I'm questioning is the Mill Race. I am beginning to think that in my alternative history in the early 1960s, as possibly in reality, it would have been disused. So an overgrown, if not completely hidden by undergrowth, Mill Race will be probably modelled.

I am beginning to get a good feel for the layout now. Starting to see a 3D image and I'm surprised at how low the contours are. Still have ideas about changing the track plan slightly to increase operational potential but not convinced myself yet. Have only got a couple of weeks left to decide, as once baseboards are being built the track plan will be set. I will have to revisit my proposed timetable to see if my thoughts can be justified.