DavidMcKenzie

Hi Jack, Looks like a great idea for a layout and the potential to run class 90s in many different liveries is always a good thing 🙂. All the best, Dave

You've captured the feel of the wcml perfectly, top stuff 👍.

A bit of a pain with a new model I'm sure, but after your efforts fixing it, it really does look the part on the layout doesn't it. What you've done with that dead space corner of the fiddle yard is very impressive. It is a great use of space. All the best. Dave

Thanks Phil, life's been a bit busy this end and wiring seems to have taken most of the modelling time over the last few weeks, but I am looking forward to a running session at some point to get it out on the layout.

Top stuff Jeremy, the layouts taking shape and I like all of the scratch built buildings 👍. It's really nice to see something other than the mountains modelled in a Swiss layout. All the best, Dave

Hi Steven, I haven't had issues with decoupling so far, but after reading your message I took a look at the coupler heights and found the difference in height you mentioned. Do you have specific situations where it details? So far I have only really run on straight track of larger radius curves. All the best, Dave

That looks really good 👍.

Hi Duncan, I hope you are well. Thanks for your kind comments, all credit to yourself and others in the community who have given me many tips and support along the way. Not to mention all the motivation from seeing cracking layouts such as your shirebrook👍. All the best, Dave

Jumping around a little with the modelling unfortunately. I just got stuck into the mk2 coaches before realising that I am missing the correct transfers for the 1 on the side of the first opens. I decided to switch to attacking the RES class 90. I am still undecided if this or intercity is my favourite livery on the 90s, they both suited the loco very well in my opinion. As for the layout, when I've had time to tinker it has been mainly wiring in the last few weeks. I am trying my best not to build a birds nest out if it all.......🤭. All the best, Dave

Jumping around a little with the modelling unfortunately. I just got stuck into the mk2 coaches before realising that I am missing the correct transfers for the 1 on the side of the first opens. I decided to switch to attacking the RES class 90. I am still undecided if this or intercity is my favourite livery on the 90s, they both suited the loco very well in my opinion.

I understand that it's not idea for anyone not wanting to modify the model, but one upside to having the rubbing bar and the buffers as standard in the extending position is that it's pretty straightforward to model either accurately. Removing material carefully with side cutters before regluing the buffers is a lot easier than adding material to move the rubbing bar further forwards. All the best, Dave

That's a brilliant selection of photos which you've posted. Top stuff, thanks for sharing.

Getting started on these is perhaps a good way to ensure swallow liveried MK2fs are in the next round of Farish releases 😀. All the best, Dave

That looks like a cracking project Simon. I'm looking forward to seeing this one progress. I'm sure you'll end up with a lovely model at the end of it. All the best, Dave

The 321s made it out onto the layout as well. Another lovely model released recently. It feels like a little golden spell for modelling the wcml in ngauge. All the best, Dave

The 321s finally made it out onto the layout. Big thanks to everyone who made this model happen 👍. It's made modeling the southern end of the wcml in the 90s possible. I'm very much looking forward to the 313s now. All the best, Dave

The class 90 got to stretch it's legs. Bachmann have really done a great job producing this model. All the best, Dave

I've just stumbled upon this thread, don't know how It's passed me by previously. Looks like a brilliant idea for a layout. All the best, Dave

A little break from work on wiring and automation of the fiddle yard allowed a little time to weather another 90. I'm looking forward to getting it out running on the layout at the head of a rake of mk3s now. All the best, Dave

Hi Ian, Sorry for the slow reply, had a busy few weeks this end. The spirals are a kit from (German) eBay, but they are not overly complex. https://www.ebay.de/itm/353762968912?var=623124624155 The spiral has an O.D of 95 cm and I.D of 75 cm. The twin lines have rough diameters at the track center line of 87.5 cm and 81.5 cm. The internal line has a rise of ~ 1 in 21 and the outer ~ 1 in 31. As for the question about long term operational stability I am afraid I just don't have enough experience yet. But even older models (Farish 90s, 87s, 47s, 37s or 08s from the late 90s) seem to be able to pull 8 coaches up the incline without issue. The main thing I've noticed in operation is that I need to keep on top of track cleaning more than I've ever needed to on the flat sections. I had a go with a new tooling 37 and it managed a funny mix of 18 mk1, 2 and 3 coaches without seeming to struggle. I'm never going to run something that long in reality, but it was interesting to see what was possible. I have added some plastic builders edging strip to catch anything which details. I haven't actually needed it yet. But hopefully it will work as a catch fence if anything ever details on the spiral. Hopefully this helps, let me know if I can help with any further specific details. All the best, Dave

Hi Phil, Great spot you've found to model, looks like a perfect backdrop to watch trains go by. Looking forward to following your progress. All the best, Dave

Hi Simon, I hope you are well. Nice to follow your progress, it is coming together isn't it👍. The different levels will add a lot of interest to the layout. All the best, Dave

Top stuff 👍. They have come out really nicely haven't they.

Great to see the layout progressing again 👍.

That station building has come together nicely hasn't it 👍. Top modelling, I'm looking forward to seeing it out on the layout.