Dunmar

Hi, Thanks, Yes I was aware of these drawings from another source and yes they may be of some use . I can use all the help I can get. It will be inevitable, but ' modellers licence ' will have to come into use at some stage, in limited quantities. Bill.

Hi David, Thanks. My man on the ground. You may well come to regret saying that. I'm not sure at this stage whether I go down the road of photographic background or painted, as I previously did on Kinlochewe and Glenfinnan but the area behind the station doesn't look as it poses too much of a problem. For the time being I shall put you on hold. Bill.

Hi Ben, Thanks. Thought you might be the first to get back to me. With regards to my proposed track plan , I want to keep the pointwork to a minimum. So my first question would be what did it look like around 1974 and again in 1985. I'm more concerned what it looked like at the North end as I am happy enough with the South end. Again photos of the period in question are thin on the ground , or am I just not looking in the right places. Bill.

Hi, The destination for my next exhibition layout is the Far North Line. What has brought me here, well having exhibited Kinlochewe and Glenfinnan which were based on the West Highland extension I decided I would give the West a rest! However, which station should I model. I had looked at 3 possibilities - Wick, Brora and Helmsdale. First and foremost is size. Glenfinnan when at home has to be operated in my loft, it takes up a lot of room. I need a smaller more manageable layout. Now I'm not saying this is my last exhibition layout, but we ain't gettin' any younger. Helmsdale appealed to me as it has a nice sweeping curve approach into the station, I just love the signal box. That footbridge will be a challenge. It just feels right for me! My chosen era will be mid 70's to late 80's, now there's a surprise. I have been doing a lot of research on line and there is no shortage of material however, what I can't find details of is the track layout from this period especially the north end. There are a handfull of photos but they aren't clear enough. I would be satisfied with details of the pointwork on the approach from the south which is clear enough, and the setup on the north side which isn't. I also intend to install my working semiphores which I built and have been languishing in a box on my work bench. Any help forthcoming will be greatly appreciated. Bill.

Hi, If you think it is ZIMO, then with sound on , move loco off along track at medium speed and then hit zero on handset, if loco continues to move and doesn't come to a stop, press key 2 on the handset which is the ' brake ' and there should be a braking sound and the loco should come to a halt. Then its ZImo. I can then help with reducing speed and volume of sound! Bill.

Hi, I have just fitted a Peco 3 way Insulfrog point at the entance to my fiddle yard. I have used this type as it suits my purpose and fits in with my requirement. The layout is DCC and powered by a Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance 2 . My question is , I wish to use 2 Seep PM2 point motors from my previous storage yard but I notice that one of the operations could result in one of the motors moving two point blades - would this be okay ? If not, how should I install them to overcome this. I intend to install a CDU to protect the motors. I also noticed on other posts on here others have removed the over centre spring, is that necessary ? Regards, Bill.

Having purchased my copy of Modelrail magazine I settled down yesterday evening to read through the article on Connel Ferry. Sadly, and somewhat shocked to read right at the end that Peter had passed away just before the article went to print. My only connection with Peter was through these posts and the one and only time I spoke to him when he came up to Bonnybridge Model Railway show in Scotland with Connel Bridge. What a lovely man to talk to. I'm sure he will be sorely missed by the modelling fraternity. Bill. (Glenfinnan).

When I painted Glenfinnan station building I used a testor pot from B&Q. It is a fairly thick consistency and using a small flat brush, starting from just under the gutter dab the paint on and work along lengthways, work your way down the wall , overlapping each time till you reach the bottom. Allow to dry overnight. It took 3 coats to complete the effect I needed. You can find a pic here on the forum. Bill.

Hi, With regards to lightening the ballast colour, on my Glenfinnan layout I used Woodland Scenics but chose slightly different colours. Might I suggest you try a similar paint colour to the ballast such as Railmatch Track colour or one of the Rust colours with a little White added to it and try 'dry brushing ' the ballast using a flat brush and drag the brush across the ballast. A bit of trial and error, might get better results! Bill.

Hi Andy, If you search for Glenfinnan under topics it should appear. I also have a Facebook page, again search for Glenfinnan exhibition layout. Bill.

Ah! Yes Warley, what a mad weekend that was! Will watch how you get on with the Peco bullhead as I intend to use it for my next layout. I used C+L finescale for Glenfinnan and that was fiddly enough. Have posted a couple of pics of the oil terminal I came up with, purely fictional, but functional. Will you be building the signal box? Bill.

Hi Andy, Not been on here in a while, but just been reading through your post and it brought back memories of when I was building Kinlochewe- seen elsewhere on this site. I based the track plan and surrounding area on Mallaig in the 1970's / 1980's. It may be of some use to you. Will follow your posts with interest! Bill.

Hi, In all honesty, I have only recently stumbled on this amazing layout! I too have modelled a real location - Glenfinnan station on the West Highland extension, but to be able to model so much in the space that you have is unbelievable. Can I enquire how you are operating your semiphores, and what mechanism are you using? Bill.

Hi, At the risk of hi-jacking this thread , can someone point me in the direction of a replacement speaker to fit inside a Bachmann CL20 which is fitted with a Loksound 3.5 decoder. I want to get a better base sound. It presently has what looks like a 20 x 40 100 ohm fitted that has too much treble. I know there is a base reflex available but it looks too large. Is there an alternative ? Bill.

Hi, I have only just come across your post about your proposed plans for a model of Glenfinnan. I have for the last 5 yrs been exhibiting on the UK show circuit my own version of Glenfinnan based on 1970/1980's practice which is featured on this site. If I can be of any assistance to you I would be only to glad to help. Regards, Bill.

Hi, I have recently fitted a Digitrains Zimo V16.03 sound decoder to a Bachmann 37 for a colleague using a Zimo LS 40 x 20 x 09 speaker and the result is nothing short of spectactular. Some months earlier I had a similar version in a Vi-trains 37 , the only difference being it had a bass reflex speaker fitted to it, nonthe less it produced an excellent and clear sound. I then opted to have the decoder re - blown by Digitrains for the V17.07 version with 'Speedlock ' and whilst I was satisfied overall with the running properties I felt that the overall sound quality was not as good as the previous sound file in that there seemed to be a lot of background 'clatter ' whilst sitting stationary, much to my annoyance! I tried changing the speaker in case it was faulty but to no avail, the problem still persisted. I decided to shelf the problem meantime. It wasn't until I got down to do this recent sound fitting that I got it out again. I'm now looking at the possibility that something might have gone wrong during the re-blow or maybe the amp is damaged , but how can I find out. Can it be checked out on a programmer??? Regards, Bill.

As part of the Scottish contingent I shall be there with my colleagues exhibiting 'Glenfinnan'. Please drop by and say hello! Bill.

Hi, A welcome return to this popular show, and as ever some stunning layouts including my own ' Glenfinnan ' This is a Joint effort by Bonnybridge Club and Scottish Diesel + Electric Group which promises to bring the best there is in Railway Modelling including the clubs own ' Allanbridge ' layout. Get yourself along to the show which promises to be a great weekend. Photo's by Nigel Birkin. Bill.

Hi,Did you use the same CV changes on the Bachmann 47 as you did on the CL31? Bill.

Hi Richard,Have changed the CV settings you suggested and my Bachmann 37 now moves off slightly better than the one in your video. I used your settings along with the Hornby suggested ones in a Vitrains 37 and 47 and they are as smooth as silk,both of which have the 20 x 40 base speaker fitted. Bill.

Looks smoth enough once it gets going, but is it not possible to correct the moving off? Will let you know how I get on with mine once I have made the changes.Bill.

Hi Richard,Thanks for the info, I've spent most of this morning trying to get this Bachmann 37 to run smoothly but with little success. Both my Vitrains 37 and 47 seem ok but just might try your option on them to see if there is any difference. Oh! and I will be getting in touch for another 20 x 40 speaker☺!

Hi, Having received my replacement CL37 TTS decoder from Hornby I set about fitting it to Bachmann model. I got the the same 'stutter' and set about changing CV151 to 255 and CV152 to 1. but it doesn't like the Bachmann 37. The Vi trains 37 fairs much better and respond to the change. Are there any other CV's I should be looking to change or considering the previous posts regarding faulty decoders should I treat mine the same as it still stutters??? Bill.