Max Legroom

Hi Rob Overall size is 5’6” x 9”. The scenic section is 48”.

Here is Clyde Street in place on shelf brackets. And a couple of shots of the first trains. I'm pleased to report that everything works well. Haymarket's 25087 is a Bachmann model as is the 04.

So here is the finished layout (though there is always room for more detail). Next step is to recheck all the wiring and get some trains running.

On further checking the excellent corrugated fencing is actually produced by Model Railway Scenery! It just goes to show how well we are supported by numerous companies. I’m hoping to finish the layout this weekend so more photos to follow.

Hi John. I've just checked and the fencing is by Scalescene not Scale Model Scenery. Apologies for any confusion. Max

The fences are from Scale Model Scenery and look really good. They are flat printed but this isn't noticeable. The road entrance to the yard has a corrugated iron gate and this is painted corrugated aluminium though I can't remember the source. Possibly one of the US scenery companies.

I've added the basic ground cover. The signal post is a Ratio lattice post. Here is a view from the actual Clyde Street. The phone box was recently replaced by a nice modern one (Bachmann) and I like the contrast with the run-down nature of the place. At some point the original wooden gate across the track was destroyed and replaced by whatever was to hand - hence it doesn't fit properly! Some young scamps have added graffiti to the wall. Next job is to add bushes, grass tufts and detail.

I've always thought that the 31s in GFYE, double arrows and later style number font looked very smart.

I've always wondered why the class 60s were built as a completely new loco rather than a development of the class 58 platform with advanced wheelslip protection etc added. It seemed a strange decision when the 58 was a simplified modular version of the 56.

Your modifications to the chassis block of the 88DS have made a big improvement to the appearance.

The level of detail on these wagons is very impressive. I liked the way the buffers have been picked out in green primer. Something seen on a lot of wagons but rarely on models. Strangely, the green part of the buffer shank retracts which isn't correct as far as I know. The buffer shank could benefit from a touch of silver paint. The finish is slightly glossy which is great for a new wagon but could do with a quick pass of matt varnish for a typical condition. I can't wait to get to work weathering mine. Here it is next to a Bachmann OBA and a 40+ year old Hornby OAA which is destined for the scrap box. (I never did get round to lowering the ride height and my weathering consisted of painting the wagon with matt black enamel which was then wiped off and a rusty wash to the underframe. Hopefully, my attempts to weather the Rapido version will be a bit more subtle!) As noted in other posts, this is a step up from the Bachmann OBA in terms of underframe detail.

I've made a bit more progress on the scenic side. A Martin Welberg grass mat has been chopped up and spread around. Next job as the yard surface and a bit more ballast. The aim is a cloudy winter day.

Here are a few shots showing progress. Thanks to various distractions (new type 3s, 4s and 5s) things have taken longer than planned but the ground cover should be going on shortly.

Thanks 45125. The drain pipes would be a nice detail to add to the Bachmann model.

Does anyone know what the pipe work hanging down from the body around the central tank is for? Some kind of drainage pipes perhaps? They appear on a lot of the ScR 40s.

A really nice wagon. Mine did have a couple of minor blemishes to the finish of the barrel and had lost some white paint but nothing that couldn't be fixed with a touch of paint. The buffers have been painted black and just a dirty wash around the chassis and sole bar is now required. Nothing too dirty! Also worth mentioning is the friendly service from Rainbow Railways.

Just taken delivery of Loch Eil in basic DC form and I have to say that it is stunning. The level of detail and finish is superb. Next step is to add a spare ESU decoder but I’m tempted to upgrade to sound to really do this thing justice.

It’s a small yard with a disused station platform at the rear. The idea is that the track front left ran down to the river. Off-stage, lines are imagined to branch off to various industries and a dock, so the layout is a head-shunt for these industries. It’s really just an excuse to run a few small industrials and give me a DC test track.

The layout is set in Glasgow in the late 1970s /early 80s, hence Clyde Street. Having said that, it could easily be on Tyneside or Severnside.

Clyde Street is inspired by a plan in James Hilton's excellent Small Layout Design Handbook. First up is the baseboard - plywood surface on a timber frame - and some code 75 track salvaged from various projects over the years. The track is now glued in place, simple DC control added with one isolating section. The track was spray painted with Railmatch sleeper grime which ran out halfway through the job! Track painted a rusty colour, sleepers picked out in random colours, washes added and finally dry-brushed to pick out the details and give everything a nice weather-beaten look. I deliberately didn't tack too much care with track alignment. And here it is after ballasting with Woodland Scenics fine cinders. Backscene is plywood with an ID Backscenes cloudy sky.

Hi all I'm pleased to report that Portmahomack has now gone to a new owner. A new Scottish-based micro, tentatively called Clyde Street, is coming soon.

Just discovered this thread. What a brilliant little layout! I can see it inspiring a few distillery micros.

Does anyone know roughly when it joined the departmental fleet? I’m guessing just prior to the 1991 photo but wondering if it might be a bit earlier.

Here are a few pics showing how the bridge and scenery were constructed. And here is an overall view of the right-hand board showing the progress to date. Next up is the loading platform and low-relief storage building.

Here is the right-hand end of the layout. I've added a small extension board so that I can stage two shortish trains on each of the main and freight lines. There is also an offstage area for the line to the docks in the foreground. The siding at the front will be used as an exchange siding to justify some of the nice industrial shunters currently available. In reality, the exchange would probably have taken place further down the line but this arrangement does add more operational fun! All of which means that I need to get on and build a bridge to disguise the exit through the hole.