(One lost image restored 13 May 03)
[Ref: This is bwzsaga4.html (URL http://home.att.net/~Berliner-Ultrasonics/bwzsaga4.html )]
S. Berliner, III's
times since the counter was installed.
continued from Berlinerwerke-Z Saga Page,
of which only three actually have the name "Berliner" on them:
(561-566 numbers from Brian Redman's Finder)
(562) Berliner Kindl Weisse
(Berliner Children White - a most inappropriate name, I'd say),
(565) Berliner Pilsner Spezial, and
(566) Berliner Edelquell.
Images from Z-world
07 Dec 97 - The BW announced the acquisition of two new Märklin 82351 (DB
Class Ssym46) twelve-wheel heavy duty flat cars to serve Berliners Bessere
Biffi Bauerei (Berliner's Better Biffie Builders) in the transport of depleted
uranium plate for the construction of Berliner's Better Biffies. Regular
readers may recall that depleted uranium is used to prevent tipping by vandals
while the biffies are occupied.
[Please don't nobody ask why the completed biffies
can't go out on same (too high, of course?)
- and then I'd have no excuse for a Z-scale Biffisch (Biffie
Schnable).]
NOTE: The BW had cancelled its order for a Märklin 82322 (DB Class O 10) four-wheel gondola with brakeman's cab to serve Elgin Marbles until a decent American hopper comes out. We can't use Airslide hoppers, which would seem logical, because the marbles would break (it says here!) and Airslides are too big (and you couldn't see the load); it doesn't take a very big car to hold one heck of a lot of marbles! Instead, the BW has deputized an already-owned, and even smaller (diminutive, really), Märklin 8633 [K. Bay. Sta. B. (Royal Bavarian State Railways) Class Omk(u)] four-wheel gondola with brakeman's cab for that service (since replaced by a set of FR zf314-2 hoppers).
8633 is the right number and I CAN show it to you; the 8633 shown on Brian Redman's mini-Club Finder is a Capri-Sonne reefer, as is that shown on Joris Ilegems' Z Collection; Joris, however, lists an 8633.10.10 (and others), with the correct gondola body style. I had thought it was not the K. Bay. Sta. B. Class Omk(u) but was wrong! Here is the 8633.10.10 (with "München 60002" decoration as on my car):
I have the framing lumber and 6½" (see below) x 4' Homasote sheet and most of the track sections for the yard extension, but decided to rearrange the track (leaving me with several 660mm pieces!) as follows (wish I'd dated this):
If you look at my revised plan, with the extension, it becomes abundantly clear that I really don't have much maneuvering room on the left ("east") end of the fourth track back ("north"), with only a 55mm and a 110mm section beyond the left end of the third double slip switch (shown "2X"):
RH "NORTH"
X=====|==========|=\\=======|============================================================X
55 110 2\\X
X=====|==========|===\\=====|============================================================X
2\\X
X=====|==========|=====\\===|============================================================X
2\\X
X=====|==========|=======\\=|============================================================X
"EAST" \\
\\
IN
So, I thought of revising it thusly:
55 220 LH "NORTH"
X=====|=====================|======//==|=================================================X
RH 2//X
X=====|==========|===\\=====|====//====|=================================================X
2\\X //
X=====|==========|=====\\===|==//======|=================================================X
2\\X LH
X=====|==========|=======\\=|============================================================X
"EAST" \\
\\
IN
This gives me far more flexibility. I have a partially-functional exra 8560 double slip switch; if it is salvageable, I might go a step even further:
55 220 LH "NORTH"
X=====|=====================|=======//=|=================================================X
RH 2//X
X=====|==========|===\\=====|=====//===|=================================================X
2\\X 2//X
X=====|==========|=====\\===|===//=====|=================================================X
2\\X //
X=====|==========|=======\\=|=//=======|=================================================X
"EAST" \\ LH
\\
\\
Well, as of 08 Dec 98, here's how it's working out; the extension is 6½", NOT 6", and by using a 55mm section and a 110mm feeder track in the "throat" (the "Flood Control Project"), instead of the 220mm piece intended, I can squeeze in a fifth track! Of course, that cuts down dramatically on the width of Railroad Avenue and the depth of the store fronts, but - - - hey, the layout's all track anyway and more yard space is always desirable!
NOTE: There is no consideration here whatsoever to the 108.6mm or 112.8mm double-slip adjustment tracks which will be used; they are all shown as 110mm here.
25 220 220 110 RH 110 "NORTH" 220 110 55 25+
X=|================|================|========|======\\|========|=================|========|====|==X
\\ LH
X=|================|================|========|========|\\======|//======|========|========|====|==X
RH RH 2//X
X=|========|================|======\\|================|===//===|========|========|========|====|==X
2\\X 2//X
X=|========|================|========|===\\===|======//|=======|=================|========|====|==X
2\\X LH
X=|========|================|========|========|===\\===|=======|=================|========|====|==X
"EAST" 2\\X "WEST"
110Feeder \\\
55 \\
IN
This gives me more room for a shunter and cars at the opposite ends, a detail I didn't give sufficient consideration to on the other schematics. However, since I already have a LH turnout and no more RH turnouts, we'll do it this way:
25 220 220 220 LH 110 "NORTH" 220 110 55 25+
X5|================|================|========-========|//======|=================|========|====|=5X
2//X
X4|================|================|========|===//===|========|========|========|========|====|=4X
RH 2//X LH
X3|=======|================|======\\|======//|========|//======|========|========|========|====|=3X
2\\X LH //
X2|=======|================|========|===\\===|======//|========|=================|========|====|=2X
/-\ 2\\X LH /-\
X1|=======|================|========|========|===\\===|========|=================|========|====|=1X
"EAST" 110 Feeder 2\\X Feeder "WEST"
110Feeder \\\
55 \\ ==> Normal direction of travel
IN
This version not only uses existing sections more effectively but also allows storing shunters in the yard on either end of Track 1 and also, if I ever choose to add Isolator sections to them, on Tracks 2 through 5.
14 Sep 98 - Construction on framing the extension started yesterday! 30 Sep 98 update; the framing of the extension is well underway. I am using ¾" alumin(i)um channels to brace it underneath; the present layout framing does not lend itself to extension. 18 Dec 98 - lente, lente, curritu noctis equii (slowly, slowly, go the horses of the Gods or so my Mother told me - I never took Latin); framing is nearly complete - I keep getting distracted.
COMPLAINT! - The Märklin 8998 Z Turntable has no known means of support; unlike the 8994 Transfer Table, which has screws in the corners. On moving the layout, I forgot this detail and inadvertently tipped it just beyond vertical and the whole turntable fell out, taking all the surrounding trackage with it! Curses, foiled again! 24 Dec 98 - I drilled and countersunk two of the blank turntable outer segments and screwed them down lightly with tiny FH screws (786380 - 10/pkg) stolen from the 8991 track bumpers (of which I am using a whale of a lot!).
Well, on 18 Dec 01, I finally took the trouble to unlimber the digital and take this extreme close-up shot of one of the screws countersunk into one of the 8997 Z Turntable Extension Set pieces:
The cut for the "Hon. Arthur E. Mayer Flood Control Project" (otherwise known as the notch in the top of the back frame member to allow access to the new extension yard) was made 16 Nov 98, at 18:00, thus allowing me to flop the layout over again (having now made sure the turntable is secured this time! - see above) to finish the framing and supports for the extension. Next, I'll have to either dope out the original control wiring or rewire the panel - yucccch! Eventually, all the buildings and such will go back on (hiding the fact that there's absolutely no scenery!) and the rolling stock will have a reason (however insane) to run once more. I have also been thinking of cutting two access notches at the ends (more "Flood Control" gates!) to allow roads through the "levée" (the back frame member - I've been working on the levée?); I just have to find room to snake the roads through the Mercerized Bents and Berliners Bessere Biffie Bauerei plant yards.
09 Jan 99 - I've given up on that extra (fifth) track at the back to leave more
width for Railroad Avenue and more depth for the store fronts; "more yard
space is always desirable" but there has to be some give to have the three
cross streets (Loansum Road, The Backhoe Road, and Py Road) and the
businesses on the six corners which will result. As it has been said,
"We'll see". The structural work on the extension is now complete,
except for a few angle braces; all that remains is to fit the stringers, ¾"
square stock, which hold the Homasote base at the right height in the framing,
and nail down the track. Next comes wiring and she scoons!
ES2O
GRAND CANYON (STRANDED
PAWN SHOP BANK SUITES (HOTEL) OIL) PI RHO FIREHOUSE
------------/ \-----------------------------/ \---------------/ \--------------------------
LOANSUM ROAD RAILROAD AVENUE THE BACKHOE ROAD PY ROAD RAILROAD AVENUE
25 220 220 220 LH "NORTH" 220 110 55 25+
X4|================|================|========|===//===|========|=================|========|====|=4X
RH 2//X LH
X3|=======|================|======\\|======//|========|//======|=================|========|====|=3X
2\\X LH //
X2|=======|================|========|===\\===|======//|========|=================|========|====|=2X
/-\ 2\\X LH /-\
X1|=======|================|========|========|===\\===|========|=================|========|====|=1X
"EAST" 110 Feeder 2\\X Feeder "WEST"
110Feeder \\\
55 \\ Normal direction of rail travel ==>
------------| |------------------------------------\ \\ \------------| |--------------------------
------------| |-------------------------------------\ \\ \-----------| |--------------------------
LOANSUM ROAD LEVÉE FLOOD CONTROL \\ PY ROAD LEVÉE
ACCESS GATE PROJECT GATES \\IN ACCESS GATE
I also thought up a {perhaps-}novel way to do streets and sidewalks; DRAW THEM right on the track plan, complete with curbs, Belgian blocks, bricks, sidewalks, cracks, joints, manhole covers, curb drains, and striping, print it out to size on card stock twice, lay down one full sheet, cut out the sidewalk portion from the second sheet and laminate it over the street layer. The thickness of the card stock will be just right for the curbs! For example (oversize):
BW-Z Telephone Access Plate
BW-Z Curb Drain Grate
Somewhere, I thought I had the story of how I powered an 8718
Silberling Control Car but I couldn't locate it. The new write-up is now
on the next page.
Also, somewhere in the Berlinerwerke-Z Saga, I mention the tiny tank engine with a smiling face and two diminutive female passenger cars that are based at Bright Moment Station and how a certain copyright holder, far from being pleased with the ecstatic joy these bring children when displayed on a portable layout, has enjoined me from showing them outside my home and threatened court action. It sounds so much like the time that Chevrolet Division threatened to sue the hobby manufacturers that made model Chevvies; the HIAA took them on and made fools of Chevvy and GM thought better of it. Well, I bought the ERTL toys I chopped up and I own them and can do what I damn well please with them, as long as I don't do it for commercial gain and I want you the see them and how they were done; come and get me, Grinch!
So, here is the conversion drawing (the reproduction is AWFUL - I'll try again, soon):
and here is the lil' fellow, himself:
and here are the young ladies:
I found a sub-miniature "Magic Mountain"-type detail in a doll house miniatures shop and plonked it down alongside Bright Moment Station for a kiddie amusement park.
The old 8962 Dürnau Station arrived from my Canadian Z friend (21 Jan 99, after all these years!); with my trusty new digital camera, you should soon see Dürnau in it's rightful place. I had thought briefly to swap it with the 2630 Passenger Depot ("Bright Moment Station").
Dürnau might be far more appropriate for the Bright Moment Station than the 2630, but it's TOO BIG! Who woulda thunk it! The 2630 is actually smaller, so it stays put.
I also got (21 Jan 99) the new Märklin Classic American Building Kit Series IITM #2641K Engine Company No. 8*, #2643 Signal Tower, and #2644Ed's Auto Repair, to be, respectively, the BW Fire Department on Py Road, the extension yard tower (where? - on top of the levée?), and the ES2O station (Stranded Oil). By shifting the sidewalk along Railroad Avenue forward ("south" or toward the control panel) about a ½" (10mm), I still have room for cars to pass each other on Railroad Avenue but now can fit the new buildings in without having them overlap the rear "levée" (back frame member of the extension).
In addition, I got some #78638 FH screws (the ones from the 8991 Track Bumpers) to fasten down turnouts and buildings and such and more bumpers (finally, I seem to have enough 8991s - some 12 of 'em!); I'll experiment and advise re holding down turnouts (mustn't short them out).
Ya just gotta take a look at Larry Hoff's brass Z-scale bobber caboose
at the end of my Z-Scale page; I want one
(or two)!
His Overton coaches and 25-ton Brownhoist crane aren't anything
to sneeze at, either!
Continued from:
For tall tales of the BW and its equipment and such, visit the Berlinerwerke Apocrypha page.
For more and better illustrations of the tall tales and such, keep in touch; I have my digital camera (11 Jan 99 - a belated Xmas present - an SLR, no less!), the requisite software loaded, and scads of server storage space. Now, all I have to do is learn to use it better; I already know how to process images (and then some, just in case you hadn't noticed!).
If you like this sort of nonsense, take a gander at Jim Wells' incredible 
and at the AW NUTS Magazine site, "A Publication of the A.W. N.U.T.S. Garden Railway Society".
Customers of the Berlinerwerke who fly (instead of using rail passenger service - horrors!) are invited to travel on Lion Air;
I'd be Lion if I didn't warn you to keep your tongue in your cheek on this one!
To contact S. Berliner, III, please click here.
of this series of Berlinerwerke-Z Saga pages.
`
To tour the Z-scale pages in sequence, the arrows take you from the Z-scale index page
to the first page, Z-Scale, then to continuation pages 2, 3 and 4, the Z articles page, the 6 BW-Z saga
pages, and, and finally to the current Ztrack page.