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.

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.

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.

Further thoughts

While driving to work this morning I was reflecting on what I was doing the previous evening. Watching the Barcelona v Chelsea game, more sleepers where being cut and stained. I also opened the P4 point kit and read though the instructions. This brought me to thinking about my lack of progress with Boscarne. To create another short piece of test track and/or build the point kit is fine but I don't feel I'm making any progress. Building baseboards is where my head is really at at the moment and putting this off until I have more information on the Boscarne site is frustrating me. So why have I not put the wood to the saw? It's because I have this demon that says it has to be right. Boscarne is a real location so my layout should reflect this, including the correct height of rail above the river bed. Without this information I don't know the height of the baseboard edges. Hmmm.... is this so important?

This layout is suppose to be a test bed to see if I can achieve an acceptable standard. It is not an exact model of the real Boscarne Junction. A real location it is but with a fictitious history applied creating a junction that is different to the reality. I've already shortened the track plan and moved the river closer to the junction. I do need to keep an eye on the scenic areas to try and capture the feel of this location but it should not matter if I am a few feet out in the height of rail over river bed. I need to start building the layout soon.

So Bank Holiday weekend coming up should be an ideal opportunity .... but working Sunday and Monday, this is after a trip to Stratford upon Avon, for a bit of culture, on Friday/Saturday. Baseboard building will have to be postponed until the following week. At least I've made the decision to make a best guesstimate of track height. If it doesn't match reality I'll have to live with it.

1st February already

Well were has January gone? One month on and not a lot has happened with the project. I've been spending most of my spare time consolidating my wargaming projects and finishing off units that have been on the bench for far too long. Still have a few to paint but, while painting, I have been mulling over baseboard sizes for the Boscarne Wharf layout. As I could be moving house in the next couple of years I have to plan this layout to be portable. Nether do I think I will be changing the car for a while so it will need to fit into the back of a Peugeot 306. Not a lot of space. Looking at track plan and available space in car, 3.5 foot is the maximum board length. 3.5 foot legths also fits the track plan well making the scenic length 10.5 feet long and adding a further 14 inches to the Grogley end increasing the temptation to add a halt. I've not finalised width but I'm considering that junction end be "Y" shaped following the shape of the track plan. Thus giving baseboard ends that are 90 degrees to the track and not cutting across at an angle. This would make this end approximately 2.5 feet wide depending on scenics. This would also create two narrow fiddle yards splaying out at an angle to each other. (Would this create a problem in operation?). The other boards could be as narrow as 18 inches. I may be able to get away with three square baseboards 3.5 ft x 2 ft but keeping the boards narrow will mean less scenic work. Also by introducing an irregular shaped baseboard will test my fledgling carpentry skills. I do need to keep in mind that this is supposed to be a test layout. It is better to fail and learn than not learn at all.

Boscarne Level Crossing

Just been checking out some of Malcolm Smiths photos of the line and come across an good photo of the level crossing at Boscarne. Bottom Photo on this page It shows that the land fell away from the level crossing very steeply down towards the river. The buildings in the left of the picture must be what was the mill etc and are well below rail level. So I doubt whether the Wharf siding would have connected directly with the mill, not unless the mill was extended. Would think that the Wharf siding would have been at a slightly lower level than the main running lines. With this evidence I think I may well leave the buildings off the layout, but would really like to visit the site again, if possible, taking photos of these buildings.