young37215

The blue and grey re-runs are long overdue albeit Bachmann prices are increasingly eye watering. With the usual 15% to rrp discounts, £50 a coach compares with Ebay prices that I have seen Mk1s changing hands for in recent months and I don't think Bachmann will struggle to sell them. Personally I have more Mk1's than I need for WHL4 although I am interested in the electrical pick ups because I plan to add lighting to the coach fleet. I know that there are options available to add pick ups to existing coaches like the DCC Concepts wheel springs, but if Bachmann make the bogies with electrical pick ups available through their spares outlet I will be taking a close look. I am still working my way through the maze of epoxy resins that I might use for the lochans. I have not yet got certainty as to exactly what the Woodland Scenic Deep Pour water comprises but I am failrly certain that it is epoxy resin. Compared with alternative clear epoxy resins, it is at least 3 x the price meaning if I can find one that can be coloured and I feel comfortable with, I will probably try this.

Nice job with the duff, the original 47569 was 1 of 2 ETH 47's I never had for haulage. Having repainted a couple of locos in the last year or two I know how rewarding it can be when you get to a finished loco.

Nice idea Ian but the shape of the lochan will be irregular and I want to create the illusion of depth which I think will be best achieved using a resin. I know nothing of resins so I had a read up on them yesterday and find that, as ever, there are lots of choices. It seem that epoxy resins are the least toxic and easiest to work with, @TheGreenHowards suggested resin is a polyester resin which stink and are rather toxic albeit are noticeably cheaper. Although I cannot find out exactly what the Woodland Scenics product comprises, from the comments in their marketing it seems fairly evident that it is an epoxy resin. WS also caution care with the paint used to colour the base landscape, it seems that emulsion can react with their product and so I'll need to use something else to cover and seal the area. In addition to some more running I will be working on the lochan area landscape over the coming week. My aim is to create an area where a 10mm depth of resin will be required and I'll see how the landscape works out before making a final decision on the product I use to fill it. Having filled my head with questions about the choices of resin, some running was required to provide a distraction. 37112 approaches Garelochead with an Oban service.

Thanks to everyone for their response, this has been a useful exercise and gone a long way to clarifying my thoughts. I have also learnt a new word, lochan is not something I had heard before. From the responses and my research I consider a resin product will give the best effect for the lochans on WHL4. I have looked at a few resin options and all seem similarly priced and fairly expensive. I am currently leaning towards the Woodland Scenics product where I think the Murky Deep Pour is the way to go. The link below shows an excellent resin pour in a diaroma where the landscape most closely resembles WHL4. Whether I add the Modpodge will be a decision taken after the resin has been poured and allowed to dry. As a next step I need to do some more work on the base of the lochans. I think a layer or two of clingfilm covered with plaster cloth will create a watertight area as well as raising the height of the central floor area into which I pour the resin. I am hoping that by raising the central height I'll reduce the amount of resin required. As a starter I'll trial this on the small lochan first to gain some experience and see how things work before attempting the bigger area. Watch this space, I might need to have a few days of running to build up some momentum before starting!

Progress with the mountaineous section has been slow largely because I cannot quite get clear in my head what I want to see. I plan to include a loch running along side the track as it approaches the gradient summit of about 1000mm in length and 120mm width as shown in the picture below. The smaller area marked will also be filled with a water effect product as a test and learning experience for the loch. I need to tweak the landscape and paint the 'floor' of the loch a darker colour to emphasise the depth. It will require a resin or similar product to create the water effect which is something I have zero experience of. I have watched a few Youtube videos where Woodland Scenics Deep Pour water has been used to good effect and am tempted to try this out. It is not cheap, £40 plus a bottle for 12 fluid ounces and I need at least 2 bottles for the loch. Does anyone have experiences of Woodland Scenics Deep Pour to share or counsel to give on what else I could use to create the visual appearance of water? What I am looking to create is a variation on the bottom end of Loch Eilt to the north of Glenfinnan. If I can recreate the reflection effect I will be a happy camper

Failures only so far as I am aware. It's not a service that I am very familiar with but I do like the variety of the green and cream coaches in an otherwise blue and grey world. They get two round trips a day on WHL4, not very prototypical but this works well in operating the timetable. Rattling into Crianlarich with an Oban to Glasgow train, 37012 slows for the stop. The Comer post bus makes its debut in pictures 3 and 4.

With a modest amount of effort WHL4 has a 4th BSOT with SC9005 now available for service. I went for the cheap and cheerful, time saving approach again by not doing the internal work to create the buffet counter and standing area which saves a few hours work. Only 1 of my 4 BSOT's has been treated with the full conversion, whilst I plan to do the full conversion over time, having run the BSOT fleet for several months I have not noticed the difference. Weathering and the red stripe designating the buffet area are outstanding, otherwise the coach is complete. I'll repeat my previous observations that the addition of 20 g of lead (10g at each end over the bogies) to bring the weight up to similar to the Bachmann Mk1's makes the coach feel more robust and easing the back to back on the factory produced tight wheel sets can only help improve running. Having made these adjustments to my 3 existing BSOT conversions the improvment in running is noticeable, I do not recall a BSOT derailing since they have been updated when previously they were prone to doing so on the entry and exit small radius pointwork of the main fiddle yard. Renumbered coach and window covering added. Guards periscopes cut away, a layer of roof dirt weathering will cover the scratches End steps removed and painted over. I'll leave the Hornby molded hand rail and pipework Ready for service, I'll swap this with a BSK into one of the Mallaig rakes

Spannerman's Flickr photographs are up there with Ernie Bracke's as a source of reference material for the 1980's modeller of the WHL. I did not know that Test Car 6 was used when Scotrail ran their trials with 37175, it would be an interesting train to reproduce. An early morning Fort William miscellany today, 37108 with 08.45 to Mallaig using the green and cream steam hauled stock. 37017 runs around the 07.00 Mallaig to Glasgow whilst 37033 waits quietly its next booked duty, the 14.30 For William to Mallaig. Note to self, I must install the MAS lights that I bought for Fort William months ago!

'Tokenless Block' was the method of working using electrical equipment to interlock signals to ensure only one train could access the section. TB used essentially the same method as the rest of the line, the major difference being the absence of a physical token. There are plenty of more extensive explanations on the www for those who are interested. Having finished the signal box detail work for now I want to finish testing (aka playing trains) the mountaneous section before adding scenic materials. Chasing the down sleeper is 7B02, 06.06 Sighthill to Mallaig Junction Yard seen arriving at Ardlui with 37011. The last picture shows a tail lamp fitted OAA, having made the effort to add tail lamps I am pleased with the result. It is easy enough to lift the wagon on arrival at the final destination and swap it around so that the tail lamp remains at the rear of the train.

My understanding of the reasons behind the introduction of the 37's on the WHL was twofold. 27's were scheduled for withdrawl and the more powerful 37's would speed up services. This was classic BR cascading, the 37's had been displaced from much of their passenger work in East Anglia and were looking for a new home. As others have stated, the curvature of the line meant that higher than average wheel wear was experienced but from what I have read, this seems to have been accepted as the price of the more powerful locos. The transition from Bullhead to heavier Flatbottom rail will have offset some of the increased wear. The mountaineous section is getting a good test because, despite my best efforts the joint between the 2 baseboards is not quite flat. They are only a mm or two out which should be capable of being eased out but this is made difficult because accessing from underneath is not easy. I have not encountered any derailments on the section, my Accurascale 37's with it's fixed middle wheel have both had a number of passes, and suspect that the addition of scenic material will reduce the visual appearance that currently irritates me. 37111 continues its journey north over the mountaineous section.

Slowly onwards with all 5 signal boxes nearing completion. Although a lot of work has been required which will not be obviously visible, I plan to have lighting in the boxes which should make the detail more visible. The knowledge that the boxes are reasonably accurately detailed also makes me feel good. Mallaig was reasonably straightforward once I had found a picture of the internal layout. The view below only requires the addition of a seat and a signalman to be complete. Crianlarich has been fiddly because the dimensions of my model are smaller than the real thing. On WHL4 the signal box has 3 sets of windows to the platform whereas on the real thing it is 4 which make WHL4's signal box 25% undersized. As a consequence the lever frame has been shortened from 24 to 20 and even then remains a tight fit. I need to add desks for the signalmans train register and the 2 token machines. Annoyingly I painted the desks red, not brown which I want to correct. I managed to get the right colour white for the windows! Crianlarich was one of the few signal boxes on the WHL which was occupied full time. This meant that all of the signalling equipment was contained within the box, on the down platform side this comprised most of the instrumentation in addition to the lever frame. I had to trim down the Ratio equipment to fit the box, when superglued in place it looks the part. Awaiting repainting and fitting is the residual furniture and equipment for Crianlarich. Despite being a junction, only 2 token machines were required because the line north was tokenless block through to Rannoch. In between the signal box work I started a new running day. 37111 had charge of the down sleeper and is seen waiting departure from Crianlarich.

Ardlui lever frame completed and the track diagram installed but the box remains work in progress. I need to complete the residual furniture and equipment for the box which includes 2 token machines. These are so small that painting is real challenge, I will need a smaller brush to do the detail on the machine. A new pair of eyes would also help! The Tyers 12 token machine out of the 3D printer looks like something out of Star Wars Trimmed and filed with an initial coat of paint on the casing, the pictures do not show how small these are. Other furniture comes from the Ratio signal box detailing kit, the desk contains the signalmans train register.

Given that most of the signal boxes only contained lever frames and were uninhabited for most of the day, I cannot see that heating the boxes will have been a major concern. I do'nt recall seeing chimney smoke coming from any of the signal box or station building pictures that I have looked at along the way. My suspicion is that post the end of steam, coal for the fires will have been less easily available hence the introduction of electric heaters in signal boxes and, in all probability, station buildings. I also think more widespread use of electricity for lighting explains some of the cable trunking that appeared in the 70's and 80's. Ever onwards, yesterday I completed Arrochar signal box and made good progress with Ardlui. In the course of working on Ardlui I discovered an error made on the construction of my signal box where there door faces west, not south as it does on the real thing. It is no big deal and I won't be changing anything, it is just a minor irritation which I have been blissfully ignorant of for the last 5 years. It is largely invisible on the layout being on the farside of the usual viewing angle. Of greater concern is a lack of pictures of the inside of Ardlui signal box other than the lever frame. By this I mean the area where the residual signalling equipment was relocated on the demolition of the station building which leaves little option but to make an educated guess as to the make up of the area. Completed internal arrangement of Arrochar signal box, 2 down Ardlui 15 lever frame takes shape, the 2 end levers were repainted and are currently drying.

I am not sure we will ever know the reasons unless an old WHL employee materialises on RMWeb and can explain. Modelu have done themselves proud in producing a Tyers 12 token machines in a very short time. My thanks to Chris for his help, I collected several token machines yesterday which will help in my signal box detailing efforts. First for detail was Garelochead which using the Ratio signal box detailing kit of which I had bought 3, I created the 18 lever frame that was found at Garelochead. I painted the levers in different colours and using a picture from Flickr, installed the levers to reflect the actual set up in the signal box. The only other item that I can find in the signal box was a track diagram which I printed out from a picture found on Flickr and stuck this to the window frame in the box. Job done, all of the residual signalling equipment will go in the station building when I get around to detailing it. 1 signal box done, 4 to go. Ratio signal levers painted in their sprue for ease of handling Lever frames were painted black Track diagram in minature Completed internal layout of Garelochead signal box

I finally managed to get 2 sets of suitable Hornby Commonwealth bogies from Ebay after 6 months of searching albeit rather expensively at £20 a set. These clip easily on to the chassis and after adjusting the back to backs, seem to run smoothly. Running quality is critical for me and was the main reason for my determination to get Hornby bogies. Now I can focus on creating additional BSOT's, I plan numbers 9005 and 9003 which were early SCR arrivals. First up will be 9005 where a 1983 picture of one side of 9005 is below. The only picture I can find for the opposite side is an early view with the old BSO number E9373 which can be seen at the Facebook link at the bottom of the post. Ideally I would like a better picture of both sides to determine where the red stripe above the windows should go and the Buffet signage that was applied to the window on the side opposite the counter. I cannot find any pictures on Flickr, does anyone have any suggestions as to where I might find pictures for 9005 and 9003? https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10230917969868684

What a constructive response which sounds very positive. I will correspond with Modelu and see where it leads. If anyone else is intested in the Tyers 12 it might be an idea to register your interest with Modelu, obviously the more they sell, the more attractive it becomes to produce a new design. My researching the signal boxes has led me to conclude that only 2 of the signal boxes on WHL4, (Ardlui and Crianlarich) had more than lever frames in them. Photgraphic evidence of Arrochar and Garelochead shows this reasonably clearly which simplifies the work I plan for now which will be signal box detailing only. I plan to fit out my station buidings at some stage meaning I will still need 8 token machines. What will be more challenging is finding pictures of the internal layout of the station buildings along the line. I have plans of the internal layout of the standard building but nothing for Crianlarich. Given it has been quite a challenge to find signal box pictures and I do not recall seeing any internal pictures of buildings along the way, I am not optimistic of internal station building pictures being available. Of course if anyone knows or can suggest where I might find anything I would be grateful. The last of my research projects, Garelochead. Another chimney with no obvious signs of an internal fire/stove can be seen as late as 1987. Only the lever frame can be seen in this internal shot

Unquestionably slates, my error. This is what can happen when a southerner models Scottish landscapes! I am considering approaching Modelu to see if they can do a custom order of token machines. I need 8 and only want the machine, not the machine and cabinet which is what Modelu currently offer. I would also like the machine to be a Tyers No 12, at present they only make a Tyers No 8 because my research has identified that the Tyers No 12 was what was used on the WHL. You can see the red machines in a couple of the pictures of the last few days. Tyers No 12 is subtlely different from the No 8 Crianlarich token machines, Tyndrum token machines,

Yes thank you. It is of limited use for the WHL although Arrochar is one of the few signal boxes it covers albeit in relatively superficial detail. The 1970 shot pre demolition shows the lever frame to the eastern side of the box. There is nothing else visible indicating that the rest of the equipment must have been in the station building. Again there is a chimney but no evidence of a fireplace which leads me to suspect that electricity had been connected and an electric fire had replaced the coal stove of old. The 1977 picture shows how the residual equipment was crammed in and the thunder box added for the signalmans convenience. All were removed after the introduction of RETB and the destaffing of the station. Note the roof has had the tiles slates removed which appears to have been replaced with felt of some decription. No expense was spared to provide passenger comfort on the WHL in the 1980's as the extensive, airline style passenger lounge shows! The token machines can just be made out at the back of the box on the western side. The Ardlui box on WHL made by Ed Hall matches the 1984 shot quite nicely although I need to add the thunder box.

Whilst away I have been looking at the Arrochar signal box with a view to deciding on the internal fit out for WHL4. I would like to get this as close to reality as I can hence my researching for pictures of the internal layout in the 1980's. The signal box on the south end of the station platform was bog standard WHL design, the 1984 view below shows very little of the usual paraphinalia that would be expected to be seen in a signal box. I have read that that token machines, telephones and other associated equipment were frequently housed in the station building which I assume must have been the case at Arrochar. Mr Llangollen Signal Man has some helpful material covering much of the WHL, his 1984 view of the Arrochar 17 lever Saxby & Farmer frame is a good starting point. The internal signal diagram on the wall above the lever frame has reflections of what might be token machines although these are not visible in other pictures around the same date. More pictures of the internal layout would be helpful. Externally there were a couple of unique features namely the adjoining relay box and the chimney. Other pictures indicate that there was no fire in the building on the 1980's, again I am guessing that the fire had been removed some time earlier. This 1978 view appears to support my view of a lack of fire, there is no smoke coming from the chimney and if there was no fire on a day like this then I suspect there was no fireplace! In summary I have enough information to fit out the signal box although I am not 100% certain on all of the detail. If anyone has any more detailed information I would like to hear from them.

Interesting pictures and thanks to those for their input. Ernie Bracke's albums are a priceless resource. I think that the trunking to the south of Arrochar identified by 03060 is new, it looks quite clean and was probably installed post RETB when the signal box was decommissioned. Prior to this I fancy the catch point was moved at the same time as when the point giving access to the yard was moved. Post signal box closure I presume a ground frame will have been installed for yard access although I am not aware of its location. Below is a pre RETB photo showing 3 point rods which I am guessing were the actuator and facing point lock for the main point with the third rod controlling the catch point. There is no sign of any trunking in this shot and on the basis this means less work, I will settle for this as my template for the south end of Arrochar. To the north I have also found a picture that shows the trunking is channelled to the side of the down platform. This is good news because it means on WHL4 the trunking cannot be seen from normal viewing angles so nobody will ever know if I actually install any!

Agreed the bogies are expensive but given how critical they are to good running, I did not fancy trying to make the Replica or Bachmann options fit. I too remember fondly the days of paying under £20 for a Bachmann Mk1, today you are lucky to get change from £50 for anything remotely in demand such as an SO or an SK. At the end of the day this is supply and demand, after 6 months of waiting I managed to get my hands on 2 Commonwealth bogies at a price I cursed but was prepared to pay. I hope to recover a sizeable percentage of my outlay by selling the BR1's that the Commonwealths will replace, it will also be interesting to see if the remaining 4 Commonwealths sell. We are away now for a few days break. This will not stop my research, any excuse for a wander through Flickr is good news as far as I am concerned. My current focus is on Arrochar and the rodding and trunking that came out of the signal box which I will attempt to replicate on WHL4. (I ignore the signal wiring which I consider too small to be visible). I am clear on the rodding, 2 rods to the north and 4 to the south run to their respective points on the western side of the station. What I am less clear about is the cable trunking on the eastern side that appears in a number of pictures of arrivals from the north. I suspect that this crosses under the track once alongside the platform and runs to the signal box at the base of the platform. Trunking to the north of the station, lower right of picture Trunking has disappeared from view in this picture, I suspect that it is underneath the platform edge out of shot. To the south the point rodding is clearly seen on the lower right of the picture but no trunking is visible on either side There is no visible sign of any cable trunking running south of the signal box on either side of the track that I can find. This seems strange, on the assumption that the trunking was for power cables I wonder if the south tapped into the existing power supplies that fed the lights in the yard? I wont be losing sleep over the trunking. I want to create an impression of the the real Arrochar station and its notable features, not an exact scale model.

Nice idea but if the Bachmann bogies are adaptable which I doubt because the Hornby bogie is very different, the task will be beyond my capabilities. In similar vein to buses, I have waited for several months and 6 Hornby Commonwealth's turned up on Ebay yesterday of which I quickly secured 2. They are expensive for what they are and I hope to recover some of the outlay by selling the B1's that I will be removing. If anyone else is considering a Commonwealth bogie fitted BSOT conversion I suggest that they look at the attached link. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225897267486?hash=item349886c11e:g:CGcAAOSw6-1lahjP&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0Bsr%2FX3Bl3wDmJ92%2FmxuzZ7T9cRbBm0hkcHORkxUWSa1soFNQSZSdWiPXmCcRlYqbOJXvjdBNJsxoVu1zA7QmDnkGb4G0Uu5y%2FGOZjLQ%2B%2FxI9gz5anTeT7V3ndKJ8wpsCUiX3e%2FzjX%2B7Jel5s4M%2BAGiiFnzUTZIA%2BrdxdpeOCgdJGp3kRzjif%2FmMj0pB%2BfA6xIJC8gzJgAAiMjU9ZvoAbb0335qCyKGxclrxqn8EG599S8dah9Mo0SiqWYDnVD75UB5HjBlHAicFFzh%2FwxoaiPA%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR_TN56qbYw

The signs look good Alain, they would make an interesting video showing them working. Personally I would have expected Father Christmas to be on the ground frame pulling the signal levers rather than in the cess. I hope that his PTS (personal tack safety) is up to date!

For some variety I have updated and reprinted the 1981 WTT, the first year of full 37 operation on the WHL which although similar in many respects to 1983, has a number of subtle differences that will hopefully keep me on my toes when running. Elsewhere I continue to scour Ebay in the hope of finding a suitable donor coach for Hornby Commonwealth bogies that I require for another BSOT conversion but they are in short supply. It seems that there is a general shortage of supply of blue and grey coaching stock full stop at present judging by the price at which some of the Bachmann coaches are selling for. The last of the current crop of pictures, 37085 arriving at Crianlarich with a heavily laden 7D13, 15.20 Corpach to Mossend.

Hi Alain A happy new year to you. Ed Hall keeps a low key profile and has no online presence that I am aware of. As far as I know he is still in business although it it is a couple of years since I spoke to him. I believe that Andy @thegreenhowards had some work done by Ed for him recently and he may be better placed than me to update you on what Ed is up to. I have a contact telephone number for Ed which I will send to you in a PM because I don't consider it appropriate to post it on an open forum. My brain is working overtime on the mountaineous section and the potential for a loch of some description. Until I reach a conclusion I will keep running trains. Below 37049 is seen again heading south with 6E46 alongside Loch Lomond as it heads towards Arrochar.