Calmack

Just come across this thread as I am doing some research on Crianlarich station for my own layout. Reading about the sleeper coach I have found this photo online of an LMS sleeper car adjacent to the engine shed, along with a pullman coach(?). https://www.flickr.com/photos/93910018@N02/16549692617

I have been looking at West Highland Line and Kyle of Lochalsh / Thurso line trains in the Andrew Vines 'Diesels in the Highlands', Michael Palin's Great Railway Journey in 1980, videos on YouTube, and other pictures on the internet. I have been trying to work out formations. An obvious difference between Mk1 SO's and SK's is that the SO has only a few roof ventilators, whilst the SK has many. The brakes I try and recognise from the coach side patterns - the number of seating area windows and pattern of brake area doors and windows, also noting that the BSO's may be BSOT's (Buffet label in end window and short red line above the window). I have also noticed Mk2z or Mk2a coaches in use also. The train at the end of the Michael Palin film I believe is Mk1 SO/TSO and Mk1 BFK hauled by a class 27. WHL trains in the 1980's were mainly formed of 3-4 coaches, though there would be more coaches in the high season. The tank wagons (TTA not OTA which are the timber wagons) were only used in mixed trains between Fort William (fuel depot) and Mallaig for the fishing boats. How the tanks were shunted onto the train I do not know.

I have recently been looking to pseudo-model the West Highland Line / Kyle of Lochalsh Line about 1980 onwards. Well, it's a branch line that could be pretty much anywhere in the UK. I've picked up a book that has lots of pictures of diesel-hauled trains in the Highlands - 'Diesels in the Highlands' by Andrew Vines, Ian Allan Publishing. Then it is just a game of trying to identify the coach types. I think there is an even larger book out on diesels in Scotland. Also, on Michael Palin's Great Reilway Journey in the UK in 1980 he finished his journey going from Mallaig towards Glasgow. The train he caught was a class 27 (Iwould reckon), haulling 2 coaches - Mk1 SK (or SO) and Mk1 BSK (or BSO). Whatever formation you have there should be at least one Brake coach.