Bettyhill

[rob74]

Hi all,

 

I can't remember posting on here about it but I am currently building a boxfile layout as a test piece for my rather new found modelling skills bought about by my membership of Stockport & DIstrict Railway Modellers.

It's fictional, based on a rather fanciful and ambitious scheme to build an alternative route to Kyle and Mallaig via a more coastal route from Thurso (for the record, I've found no reference anywhere to such a scheme!!). In my imagination the scheme got off the ground and got as far as the small fishing village of Bettyhill, on the far north coast, at which point the money ran out due to problems encountered including the inclement weather. Bettyhill became a terminus for what remained of the single track line. Facilities are limited to the small single platform station with passing loop with a small goods siding and shed. Fast forward to the late 1950's BR, and services include a passenger service provided by (then pretty new) Class 26/27 locomotives hauling either a 2 coach formation (about as much as the track plan can handle), or a single coach with CCT. Goods services are mixed, with fuel, mixed goods (foodstuffs etc), coal and minerals being shipped in and a regular train taking the local produce (fish in the main) back to Thurso and on to Inverness and beyond. Bettyhill by this time has grown to a small town, similar in size to Scrabster, near Thurso. 

The track plan is based on Port Pennan, by Ken Gibbons. As my skills are limited, I will be using Metcalfe kits to populate it. So far, I have built the scenic section using two box files, with an extra box file providing a two road fiddle yard. I have glued a section of 3mm lite ply to the bottom of the scenic boxfiles to provide extra rigidity, and another piece inside to form the base for the track to be laid. On top of this I have glued 2mm A4 foam sheets for quieter running. The track plan is down, using Peco code 55 rail and electrofrog points. Electrically, it's a simple DC setup, with track feeds in relevant places and isolation provided by insulated fishplates. Point control is manual via piano wire in brass tube. This has been tested with a borrowed Gaugemaster controller and my only loco (at the moment), Dapols class 26 D5326. It worked without a problem from the fiddle yard. Aside from having built the Metcalfe platform kit and wayside station, this is about as far as I've got mainly due to work and health issues. As I'm not skillful enough to scratchbuild a train shed, I'm using the Metcalfe building for now.

 

I do, however, have one question that I would like to open up to the forum regarding coach formations. I have two Minitrix Mk1's both of which won't run well on code 55 track due to their wheel flanges being too deep and contacting the sleepers. Also, I have no idea what type they are and they were probably produced to replicate 70's/80's coaching stock (blue/white). I've been trying to research correct 2 coach formations for West Highland or FNoS line trains (Pennan being near Fraserburgh) with not much luck. So I'm wondering if anyone can provide any info for late 50's formations, probably blood & custard or crimson I'd guess, 2 coach formations which may have run in these areas?

I'll post some pics up of track plan and progress so far when I've found them

 

Cheers

Rob



 

[Jerry1975]

Hi Rob,

 

This sounds just up my street, regarding coaches etc, some were just one coach and maybe a wagon of sort like a fish van or similar, I'm not sure about two coach formations but I'm guessing a brake and a mk1 or mk2 coach.

 

Looking forward to more.

 

Jerry.

[rob74]

Hi Rob,

 

This sounds just up my street, regarding coaches etc, some were just one coach and maybe a wagon of sort like a fish van or similar, I'm not sure about two coach formations but I'm guessing a brake and a mk1 or mk2 coach.

 

Looking forward to more.

 

Jerry.

Hi Jerry

 

Well I had a look around on the net and could only find reference to class 37 hauled 3 coach formations on the West Highland line running BCK, SK, SK on the N Gauge forum. Port Pennan photos show a single coach with a CCT or a van between loco and coach.

 

Cheers

Rob

 

 

[1722]

Hi Rob,

 

Really like the looks of this, Port Pennan is a super little track plan. Are you using the train shed to cover the end of the line?

 

Chris

[rob74]

Hi Rob,

 

Really like the looks of this, Port Pennan is a super little track plan. Are you using the train shed to cover the end of the line?

 

Chris

Hi Chris,

 

At the moment, no. The reason being my skills aren't up to scratchbuilding. Ideally, I'd love it, but for the time being, I'll have to make do with either the Metcalfe kit I've built or get someone to scratchbuild it for me. 

 

Cheers

Rob

[andyram]

This sounds like an interesting project. I look forward to seeing this develop.

[Alex TM]

Hi Rob,

 

Sounds an interesting concept.  Had the line been real, I would not have envied anyone who tried to get the scheme going; just look at the physical challeneges, let alone the weather.

 

You may find it interesting to look up bcnPete on this forum; his layouts based on Kyle, and Coombe Junction, may offer you some inspiration (albeit he works in 2mm finescale).  As your skills develop have a look at places such as Plockton or Duirinish for some interesting suitable small station buildings.

 

As for stock, class 26 with a couple of coaches and a van or two sounds about right; if the line had survived it would have moved on to class 37 power in the '80s.  HAve a think about industry, too, as that may give you some further stock ideas (e.g. fuel oil for trawlers, etc).

 

Good luck with this.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

[rob74]

Hi Rob,

 

Sounds an interesting concept.  Had the line been real, I would not have envied anyone who tried to get the scheme going; just look at the physical challeneges, let alone the weather.

 

You may find it interesting to look up bcnPete on this forum; his layouts based on Kyle, and Coombe Junction, may offer you some inspiration (albeit he works in 2mm finescale).  As your skills develop have a look at places such as Plockton or Duirinish for some interesting suitable small station buildings.

 

As for stock, class 26 with a couple of coaches and a van or two sounds about right; if the line had survived it would have moved on to class 37 power in the '80s.  HAve a think about industry, too, as that may give you some further stock ideas (e.g. fuel oil for trawlers, etc).

 

Good luck with this.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

 

Hi Alex,

 

Yes, I've taken a short ride along the A836 main road to Thurso via Google Earth and it's pretty challenging even for road builders I would think! However, my imagination didn't extend much beyond the railway following the general line of the road. Looking south, any line towards Kyle would be similarly, if not more, challenging!

 

Rob

[rob74]

Hi all,

 

Some early pics of the layout:-

 

Original Bettyhill (Port Pennan) track plan

 

 

Box file scenic section constructed

 

Mock-up of track plan

 

Mock-up of track plan (with Dapol 26 and two Minitrix coaches for scale)

 

 

Rob

[rob74]

[1722]

Looking very good. Works very nicely ina box file (or two!).

[Marly51]

How about modelling the ‘real’ Free Kirk building in Bettyhill for your layout, Rob?

http://www.scotlandguides.org/static/images/freechurch.jpg

 

Marlyn

Edited January 21, 2018 by Marly51

[luke the train spotter]

Looks very good. I am considering that track plan for my next layout so am following with interest.