It's been a couple days since the last post and I have been busy. The oval base framework is now complete and track laying can begin in earnest. I had a big clean up last evening and so took a series of photos from the "Tyseley" turntable area all the way round to the existing scissor crossing, the only remnant from Penmaenpool. So here is a guided tour of blank plywood:
Starting with the turntable, while waiting on other tasks to dry I added all five of the servicing roads. This area will be scenic but will be really useful for turning tender locomotives and displaying them.
Moving to the left, toward the town centre, The tracks take the second 90º curve before leading onto a longish straight stretch along the Bordesley Viaduct. The Moor Street entry point is also in this view, the curved point being temporarily shown to identify the spur leading to the "hoist roads". In front of the track into Moor Street will be the small engine shed for servicing tank engines (where the drafting brush is). Not part of the prototype but a significant rule 1 decision:
Next the long straight. The back scene will be the parapet of the viaduct with very low relief roofs, etc. painted or appliquéd on the white board. In front of the main line will be the "hoist roads" complete with the 20 ton hoist that used to be in this location. Shunting here, by the way, was done by electric capstans, wire rope and chains. Some nice features to model:
Then the main line dives into Snow Hill tunnel for the next two 90º curves but the tunnel area will have two loops for storing made up trains, one Up, one Down. The area above will be entirely urban scenery pertaining to the late 1950s. Most of the buildings will be made like stage "flats" with diminishing scale toward the back to give a sense of depth.
This shot needs a lot of imagination! Moor Street's passenger platforms will be assembled on a diagonal framework with the station building on the front of the existing boards. The platforms will stretch back across the room to the right side of the second picture. There will be an access space behind to reach the "hoist roads".
Which brings us to the last scene where the oval tracks re-emerge behind my small work bench and the scissor crossing:
I am well chuffed with the progress so far and feel the decision to rip up Penmaenpool was right. There is going to be a lot more operational interest plus the opportunity for playing trains when the grandchildren visit. There are challenges as well, such as the working traversers and hoist, but the good news for those items is I know their dimensions and design.
The coming week's plan is to at least complete laying and wiring up the outer Up main line and have trains running by next Sunday evening. I would expect to do more track laying, certainly the inner Down main line and also start on the "hoist roads" and the servicing area for tank engines. Only then will I start to construct the diagonal station framework.
Right, back to work!