A Clockwork Festival

Looks like fun!  I was smiling all the way through the video.   Thanks for posting.

Actually, that is from 2011... but still a great report and video!

Hopefully, a report will be posted about this year's event, too.  I was fortunate to be able to attend this year, lots of cool clockwork trains to see and I got to meet several of my fellow "Springheads".  Attendance was lower than past meets, but the weather was perfect.  I took about two dozen locomotives and ran every one.  The only casualty was a broken spring on my Marx Triplex.

This is a picture of my spot on the table (the green gauge 1 coach in back isn't mine):

Perhaps the highlight of the meet was getting to see the ambitious ARM1G clockwork project in action.  It is a scratchbuilt gauge one clockwork locomotive designed for amazingly long run times.  It is wound by a modified cordless drill with a counter to ensure the springs aren't overwound.  I look forward to seeing the finished locomotive someday.

People, if you haven't watched the referenced ARM1G video, you're missing some amazing engineering.  

The meet looks like a lot of fun..I wouldn't mind going to the next one..In the video those sweeping curves for clockworks looks like they really make for a longer run. Right after watching this, I began yet another search for dual gauge track for the garden layout, but it's pretty pricey and my ambition for reinventing the infrastructure does not beyond taking Rustoleum to some Hornby Track.  I hope they put out the video for this years meet..

Bruce

Bruce,

48" diameter gauge 1 curves can be purchased fairly inexpensively. (Ya gotta have 20 ft. diameter curves , ya know!) You can make 2 - 3 rail curves out of 3 - 2 rail curves by removing the tie strips and making new sleepers then  hand laying the 3 rails on them.  The curves can be straightened out for straights or wider curves before being hand laid on the new sleepers using a couple of track guages  to keep the rails in gauge as you're laying it.

Of course if you've got deep pockets, I believe  3 rail brass track is available commercially.

Dave

The track in the video is handlaid, however dual gauge O/G track is available from Sunset Valley with your choice of aluminum, brass, stainless steel or nickel silver rail - this is their track page.  An outside, dual gauge track is on my wish list... those broad, superelevated curves are just the thing for clockwork locomotives!

James,

Those prices are quite reasonable.

Do wish I could purchase new track instead of having to reincarnate some of the 48" diameter .332 brass gauge 1 track I do have, into dual gauge 45/32 mm.

Oh the Joys! of planning a  new outdoor layout.

Dave