Mortimer is finished and this is the next episode in the C&A saga - Vezmar Mining and Redpale Creek.

This section spans the window wall on the upper deck and links Spangler Gap to the outskirts of Atherton.

This is the latest paint and weather job - C&A’s number 3 locomotive.

It started life as a Bachmann “Russian Iron” in mint condition dcc fitted, which I got on eBay for somewhere around a ludicrous 45 dollars. No one else was bidding – right time/right place I guess.

Other than fitting a tender light and replacing the decoder (and painting of course), I haven’t made any changes.

After leaving the tunnel at the summit of Matrimony Hill, the C&A main heads east and passes through Mortimer. This is a small but moderately busy town which services passengers and general freight traffic for a few local industries. Fess Allman is the Station Master and he (like many of those employed by the C&A) is an unusual character. More on Fess and his curious staff at a later date…..

This blog is going to cover my efforts to stop a helix looking like a wedding cake.

I am doomed to fail……………

However, my objective is to use every trick, tool and all advice given along the way, to minimize the visual problem that a helix presents.

This may look a little odd ..................

The Cornhill & Atherton is a double deck RR in 11' x 9' - so space is tight.

The Helix takes up a lot of room, so to avoid losing valuable real estate, Atherton yard sits on top of the Helix.
Disguising a helix is difficult unless you have a lot of space to mold some kind of mountain around it.

The bit of scenery below (nicknamed "The Blob" for now) is intended to try to convey a sense of a mountain top in a very very small amount of space.

I am supposed to be working on the mountain behind the Engine Terminal which tops the Helix, but I got a bit distracted (it's not a crime). So here is my first ("semi serious") attempt at a structure.

Origins are an eBay purchased; Muir Models vintage kit.
As far as kit contents and instructions go, we are in "box of sticks and a vague clue"  territory, but I see this as an advantage. I've come close to scratch building the whole thing so, my confidence levels for future kit bash/scratch build have gone up considerably.

To be honest, this is as more a test of me taking a video and uploading it to YouTube..........
However, the turntable works with zero wobble which I am very pleased with, having spent an age building to tight tolerances and doing a lot of adjustment.
 

Need to work on camera focus but everyone has to start somewhere
 

Finally got the turntable finished and installed - Just needs the Digitrax auto reverser and approach track linked in and we're good to go..............

Turned out much better than I thought for a cheap eBay 1963 vintage kit (Cliff Line).

There are many bargains about on eBay for the patient - (I recommend casual hunting on a laptop  while half watching TV).

Haven't posted for a while........

Just too  busy "Working on the Railroad" so cyber time has been relegated.

Anyway, for those of you who remember I am following 'top down' building principles for a small double deck layout.The top deck track work is almost 100% complete and I just needed to build a turntable for Atherton engine terminal.

Here it is........close to completion:

I’m talking about the moment when the thought: “Is it a model?” turns into “Yep, it’s a model”……….

I am curious about what people think are the primary culprits when it comes to realism killers.
This isn’t intended to be an opportunity to criticise people’s work but more a way of identifying improvement opportunities.

 As Prof Klyzr says “Aim to Improve” and there never was a better bit of advice.