Strathmuir 4mm 1988 Scottish Region

[87023Velocity]

Hi Stephen,

 

Thanks! Unfortunately work on Strathmuir has stopped due to time/work constraints (it needs 2 new fiddleyards building, lighting rigs and convert to DCC). The plan was to have it at Wigan in 6 weeks time but decided to pull it from the show and concentrate the available time on Dallam as that is due at Stafford in February. Hopefully Strathmuir can be progressed after Stafford, the layout is boxed back up but some stock may be progressed over the coming months.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

Edited August 20, 2017 by 87023Velocity

[87023Velocity]

Hi Everyone,

Bit of an update for Strathmuir. The plan was to exhibit at Wigan last weekend but due to lack of spare time it was pulled earlier in the year. We now have the opportunity to go for Wigan 2018. Now that quite a bit of additional stock has been progressed for Dallam ready for the Stafford 2018 exhibition, some planning can now start for Strathmuir. It needs fiddleyards at each end, originally these were 9ft long at each end with cassettes. The question is stick with the original format or change to continuous format which would remove handling 7-8ft cassettes. The problem with continuous set up is the space required to set up for testing etc, which would probably need to be done in the garden, hmm, need to have a good chat with Chris.

 

Anyhow maybe a little bit of stock could now be worked on! A suitable candidate posed on Dallam(I used the layout because of the lighting!).

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[Richie Kynaston]

Hi Simon,

Love the layout, not come across this thread before, so very nice!

 

Thanks for the comments guys, there is more stock in the pipeline for Strathmuir. Below are 4 of the 7 locos I have got planned to tackle over the coming months.

 

20170331_192915.jpg

 

from left to right, 37153 Large logo blue but with all black around windscreen and black grills 

37413 Loch Eil Outward Bound in Large logo

47597 Large Logo blue with Scottie dog

20148 in BR Blue - this will be paired up with 20066 again in BR Blue.

The 37's and the 47 will need another brief dip in Superstrip to remove some small areas of paint which is remaining.

 

Also got a 26 and another 47 which will be heading for the Superstrip soon - these are both being finished in Redstripe Railfreight livery as 26026 and 47322.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

 

Im just about to start on EM gauge, converting a 56 initially, but i'd like to think I can build confidence and skill to end up with a workbench looking like this with a couple of locos undergoing upgrade in the not too distance future!!

 

Hi Everyone,
Bit of an update for Strathmuir. The plan was to exhibit at Wigan last weekend but due to lack of spare time it was pulled earlier in the year. We now have the opportunity to go for Wigan 2018. Now that quite a bit of additional stock has been progressed for Dallam ready for the Stafford 2018 exhibition, some planning can now start for Strathmuir. It needs fiddleyards at each end, originally these were 9ft long at each end with cassettes. The question is stick with the original format or change to continuous format which would remove handling 7-8ft cassettes. The problem with continuous set up is the space required to set up for testing etc, which would probably need to be done in the garden, hmm, need to have a good chat with Chris.

Anyhow maybe a little bit of stock could now be worked on! A suitable candidate posed on Dallam(I used the layout because of the lighting!).

Cheers

Simon

 

Wow, talk about perspective - those wide angle lenses really can make N gauge things seem huge

 

Richie

[87023Velocity]

Hi Simon,

Love the layout, not come across this thread before, so very nice!

 

 

Im just about to start on EM gauge, converting a 56 initially, but i'd like to think I can build confidence and skill to end up with a workbench looking like this with a couple of locos undergoing upgrade in the not too distance future!!

 

 

Wow, talk about perspective - those wide angle lenses really can make N gauge things seem huge

 

Richie

Hi Richie,

 

Thanks for the comments, the 37 in the last picture is my attempt at a 009 version!

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Evening all,

 

Just been in the loft and stumbled across 2 more part finished projects for Strathmuir.

First is this Replica Railways BG finished as a Re-Railing van ADB977012 which was outbased at Fort William I think.

 

Wire handrails have been added along with whitemetal buffers.

Next is a Lima mk3. The roof has been modified to represent the roof on the prototype. The bogies have also had the WSP added to one side of each bogie.

 

Lazerglaze will be used on the Mk3, just need to do around another 4 vehicles. Also replacement wheelsets with brake disc inserts have been added. Footsteps and other underframe detailing to be added.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

Edited October 11, 2017 by 87023Velocity

[87023Velocity]

Evening,

 

A couple more items of rolling stock currently being worked on for Strathmuir are these 2 Cambrian Sturgeon wagon kits. I was surprise how quickly they both went together to get to the stage shown below.

 

 

These will both be finished in yellow minus the door bangers. These will join my 2 Salmon wagons and will probably look at adding a couple more of each to form a 8 wagon mixed rake. For a load I will probably get some C&L flex track.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Well the Sturgeons are almost done. Have left the hand wheels off for now as will probably use some brass 51L ones and put them on seperately after painting.

Here next to a loaded Salmon, going to replace the SMP panels with some C&L track.

 

Just realised need to add the longitudinal timbers aswell for the track panels to sit on.

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Hi,

 

Now the Stafford show is over (which was excellent btw), Dallam will be put to one side whilst Strathmuir is prepared for Wigan 2018 (October 6th & 7th). Ideally all the work which is planned will be completed by the end of August with Spetember left for testing and cleaning stock.

The following is certainly required:

 

1. Buy a tray to carry the tea and coffee on
2. New fiddleyard boards
3. 2 more lighting units to match the 4 used on Dallam
4. Extra lighting poles to support the above
5. Stock resprays, renumbering detailing (mainly locos)
6. General tidy up of the scenics, additional road vehicles maybe
7. Also the plan is to change from Cab control to DCC but only for the track. Points will remain non DCC control for now.

And all that needs to be done in 6 months. hmmmm

 

Once I have cleared the garage from all the rubbish created working on Dallam (hopefully this week), myself and Chris will make a cutting list for the wood required to build the fiddleyard boards and lighting units.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

Edited February 6, 2018 by 87023Velocity

[KeithHC]

You forgot the tray........

 

Keith

[87023Velocity]

Lol, not only did I forget the tray at Stafford, I also forgot to take anything to clean the track! Will amend.

 

Simon

Edited February 6, 2018 by 87023Velocity

[87023Velocity]

Managed to get some clutter and rubbish cleared away tonight but must admit the garage was pretty cold!

Temptation got the better of me so ended up getting board 5 unboxed and placed on a set of Dallams legs with the lights.

26043 taking the breakdown crane back to depot.

37428 rolls a loco hauled service into Strathmuir.

 

This board has not been opened for around 3-4 years and apart from a few cobwebs, looks ok.

This board can now be used to design the mating fiddleyard boards.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Strathmuir was built as a DC cab control layout back in 1998/99 (seems a long long time ago!). Anyhow the plan is operate using DCC. So the Lenz system was slaved into board 5 and connected to both power feeds on this board (1 between the two points feeding the toes and one feeding the point under the bridge). The switching of the frogs had been undertaken using the slide switch on the Seep point motor, however I may add in a seperate microswitch.

Once the track had been cleaned 08243 was given a run across the points, the points being switched manually. All works ok, obviously the change to DCC will be more involved than this little test.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[Tug002]

Managed to get some clutter and rubbish cleared away tonight but must admit the garage was pretty cold!

Temptation got the better of me so ended up getting board 5 unboxed and placed on a set of Dallams legs with the lights.

2018-02-06 19.43.46.jpg

26043 taking the breakdown crane back to depot.

2018-02-06 19.42.58.jpg

37428 rolls a loco hauled service into Strathmuir.

2018-02-06 19.41.52.jpg

 

This board has not been opened for around 3-4 years and apart from a few cobwebs, looks ok.

This board can now be used to design the mating fiddleyard boards.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

Saw 26043 in the quoted post and 47322 in another - they're STILL around...

[87023Velocity]

Saw 26043 in the quoted post and 47322 in another - they're STILL around...

Indeed they are, here is 47322

57002 by rob50037, on Flickr

 

26043

26043 (D5343), North Weald (Epping Ongar Railway), 30/09/2017 by Lee Scott, on Flickr

 

Think I prefer 57002 as 47322 in Redstripe, though the DRS livery is nice.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

Edited February 7, 2018 by 87023Velocity

[87023Velocity]

Opened up board 3 tonight and scenic wise all ok. I even managed to power this board with the Lenz system going via the original control panel. The control panel links into board 3 to control the whole layout.

One thing that stood out tonight was the signals. These were made using Eckon kits with a little bit of modification back in 2001. At the time I think the only other option was Roger Murray??? Anyway I reckon these need to be replaced with something a bit better.

The one next to the 08 no longer shows yellow.

These are definately showing their age.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[Tug002]

Indeed they are, here is 47322

57002 by rob50037, on Flickr

 

26043

26043 (D5343), North Weald (Epping Ongar Railway), 30/09/2017 by Lee Scott, on Flickr

 

Think I prefer 57002 as 47322 in Redstripe, though the DRS livery is nice.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

Brilliant - never seen a 57, but here's a pic of 26043 taken 30/7/17 (sorry,only a 2 megapixel phone snap):

The loco at its home line.

[87023Velocity]

Another board unboxed tonight, this is the board containing the station building and footbridge. All looks in order so far. Again there are 2 signals on this board to replace. With boards 1-3 thought I would check the points operate, well they would do but I had taken the CDU for Dallam, doh!

Here are a few pics with the 08 and engineers stock in the yard and freshly painted Eastfield 37 on a Speedlink.

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

The final 2 scenic boards for Strathmuir are now set in position. A couple of issues have been found with board 2. There are 2 dead sections of track and damage to the rail on a 3 way point - this was caused when the board was boxed up by me and I had not realised at the time.

The damaged 3 way.

Shot of the full layout.

The P-Way cabin with crane, shark and dumped catfish.

 

So got a few repair jobs to do.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[KeithHC]

The crane and the shark must be there to repair the broken track conveniently.........

 

Great layout and now another to follow.

 

Keith

[87023Velocity]

The crane and the shark must be there to repair the broken track conveniently.........Great layout and now another to follow.Keith

Hi Keith, thanks, yes they are well positioned for the track repair, just need the Britania Models Tamper which I have still not finished.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Hi,

 

Few more snaps from Strathmuir then going to need to crack on with some actual work!

Pipers on the platform.

Driver walking to the 08 stabled in the yard.

The Post Office in Strathmuir

P-Way staff lineside

Found 47406 Rail Riders in the loft, here it is on a short parcels including a TPO vehicle.

 

And these are the timetables we used for the fiddleyards, there is another for the control panel in the middle.

We did not have much faith in the Lima HST power car as you can see it says + 47! I did say I would fit another motor bogie but never got around to it.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

Edited February 13, 2018 by 87023Velocity

[87023Velocity]

Well so far, things are going to plan of sorts. The conversion to DCC has been undertaken by basically switching all cab sections on then connecting the DCC, there were never any shorts before and with the DCC all been ok, once I am happy with the testing it will all be tidied up. Certainly if you drive against a point it will short and trip out but also derail. I may split the layout into power districts though but this could be done by grouping sections into each district.

Stock wise, picked up a Inspection Saloon for a decent price second hand. The plan is to model 45020 in Scotrail livery which has B4 bogies fitted as seen here http://www.departmentals.com/photo/45020a

Coupled to 47593 Galloway Princess waiting in the yard at Strathmuir.

I thought fitting the replacement B4 bogies would be a simple job but looks like some adjustments will be needed as ride height is too high.

Looking at the photos of 45020 from 1986 & 1990 which I can find, it looks like one of the side doors has been sealed shut, windscreen wipers repositioned and a few other mods.

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Tonight rather than work on Strathmuir we had a drive upto Peter's house (Eaton on here) to discuss Strathmuir and view his new layout that is currently under construction. Chris currently has a Strathclyde liveried class 303 (DC kits) EMU which will be hauled through Strathmuir on its way for tyre turning due to issues at its usual lathe - thats our excuse to run it. Anyway Peters centre piece of his layout is a viaduct based on that at Broadbottom, seemed daft to ignore a possible shot of a class 303 on the viaduct. Its around 1985 and a recently transfered Strathclyde class 303 crosses the viaduct on a Glossop to Man Picc working.

Peters layout will be pre grouping so no chance of any ohle going up and also the later brick supporting piers would need adding.
Peter's layout looks excellent and the picture of the viaduct does not do it justice, it will certainly be something to see at its first show which will be atleast 18 months away at minimum.

Cheers

Simon

Edited February 22, 2018 by 87023Velocity

[87023Velocity]

Evening all, finally managed to make a start on some of the stock which will be used on Strathmuir at the upcoming Wigan show.

 

Here we have a Vitrains 37/4, been fully stripped as you can see using IPA. All the diesel locos will be receiving Shawplan Extreme Etch roof fan grills. For the 37 below, a surround for the fan has been formed using 10thou plasticard laminated.

 

Fan surround fitted in place.

 

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Evening all, now my diy tasks are out of the way, I have now got some time to work back on Strathmuir.

When the layout was stored 13 years ago, the original fiddleyard boards were scrapped as we had been thinking of changing to a continuous run setup.

Therefore keeping to the original fiddleyard set up, 2 of the boards for one end have been progressed this evening. Each fiddleyard is 8ft long consisting of 2 4ft boards. These have been constructed using 9mm ply with 3x1 Redwood bracing. We will be using the original cassettes for storing the trains and the fiddleyard boards do not need to be too fancy for this. The scenic boards for example have the sandwich style plywood cross members.

 

Also the lights for the layout are from Dallam, as Strathmuir is longer, additional light support poles have been constructed. These will be rubbed down then painted grey to match the others.

 

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Simon