Imagination, inspiration and the double tuning fork…

What follows is not my usual distillation of a model, locomotive or layout. Nor is it a design idea forged in the imagination, rather it’s a reflection on the success of a project and perhaps some instruction for anyone looking to follow in its path…

Kohlenbachbrücke was an experiment and a complete success. Its intention was a self contained layout where ad-hoc simple mindful operation was the aim, rather than an extensive collection of stock or a detailed scene. Yes, the result was scenic, but that was the result of falling in love with the concept and celebrating its success.

During its construction I didn’t really place any ‘foreign’ stock on the layout except those PiChem wagons. However, in the knowledge it was moving to a new home and the little red diesel leaving I dug out my other little red diesel and my imagination fired…

What if the scheme could be recast for the Claremont and Concord?

Further, since it was designed specifically for operation and only four items of stock, could it the layout be drawn up as a set of principles that help size it for any stock, any scale?

The rules first, these I feel must be respected to ensure it fulfils the design intent:

“self contained layout for ad-hoc simple mindful operation”

1. Only one locomotive
2. Only four freight cars
3. Magnetic hands free uncoupling
4. Manual turnouts

This scheme can be recast in many different ways, the constraints should be just four freight cars (two of two types) and one locomotive. These fix the lengths of the sidings and position of the magnets.

• A - loco and 2 cars for industry B
• B - loco and 2 cars for industry A
• C - one car for industry A
• D - loco or one car for industry A, whichever is longer.

Casting this as the Claremont and Concord would result in quite a compact scheme. Two old timer fuel oil tanks, two 40ft box cars and a GE44t. A little more space and a Ballard and Wantage would see perhaps two short cement hoppers, two 50ft box cars and a SW1200/1500. 

This double tuning fork is not a new invention, nor is how I operate it (see the video to watch that) but rather, what is perhaps my take is the rigid application of stock selection to facilitate the purest of mindful experiences when playing with the result. How would you use the scheme? Could you envisage a shelf cameo in your study to fulfil the same premise? I’m about to embark on a new layout that doesn’t meet these requirements and already I’m feeling nervous about it’s operational success… it’s great to have distilled this, to have realised and recognised the source of the success. I wonder where it will take us all? Until next time, more soon…

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