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6990WitherslackHall

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  1. 6990WitherslackHall

    The trackwork (2)

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Upgrading the trackwork
    04/08/23
     
    The layout is now fully wired up however this point next to the TMD is a bit troublesome.
     

     
    The loco I was using, 73212, would go on it and as soon as the they got on it, it would stall. It worked fine when it was set straight but it wouldn't when it was set in the other direction.
     
    However, upon closer inspection, I found out that the point blade wasn't touching the side of the rail properly so I carefully bent the end of it a bit to see if that would work. Needless to say, it did and the 73 now traverses over it fine. 
     
    The point blade after I slightly tweaked it.

     
    After that little setback, I tested the rest of the track with the 73. Everything was in working order. 
     
    73212 on track testing duties. 

     
    29/12/23
     
    A LOT of work has been happening since I last posted. I've completely rearranged the entire track plan and have discarded of (but haven't binned) the PECO manyways engine shed. I've lengthened the fiddle yard by ripping up some of the scenic section. Now it can accommodate a 3 coach train plus loco.
     
    The lengthened fiddleyard

     
    The new trackplan. Note 37421 in one of the new sidings. I was using it for track testing duties.

  2. 6990WitherslackHall

    Coaches and wagons

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Upgrading locos and rolling stock
    Currently, I only have a few items of rolling stock:
     
     
    BR Mk1 Ex-BG Network Rail generator coach
     
    BR Mk1 BCK Network Rail
     
    2 HHA Hopper wagons in Freightliner livery, 
     
    A pair of MJA wagons in Freightliner livery
     
    A pair of IOA wagons in Network Rail livery
     
    An ISP Snowplough
     
     
    I'm hoping to get some more at some point including:
     
    T7 Translator vehicle (converted Class 313)
     
    Caroline observation vehicle
     
    3 JNA falcon wagons
     
    Another Network Rail IOA
     
    Another Freightliner HHA 
     
    FEAB Spine wagons
     
    I've already pre-ordered a Mk2F BSO and TSO in Network Rail livery, a DVT in Network Rail livery and a nuclear flask wagon.
     
     
    26/07/23
     
    A couple of days ago I received this in the post:
     

     
    It's a FEAB Spine wagon twin pack which I brought from Rails of Sheffield for about £30. Not bad! 
     
    29/12/23
     
    Since I last posted, I cancelled 3 of the pre-orders I made and I'm still waiting on the DVT. But recently, I bought the new Network Rail Mk2f BSO off eBay and I'm hoping to get round to ordering the TSO at some point. So that brings my Network Rail track testing train to 3 coaches.
  3. 6990WitherslackHall

    Moving Oxendale

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    The layout
    As you've had guessed by the title of this entry, I've had to move the layout.
     
    Due to circumstances, it's no longer allowed to be in the spare bedroom next door so we've had to move the layout and the stock to the clubroom in Buckton. We started about 1:00pm on Wednesday and didn't finish until 7:00. Fitting it in my grandad's car was thought to be a challenge but we managed it - just. Due to the size of the layout, we thought it would be better to transport the layout first, set it up in the clubroom and then go back, collect the stock and take it back.
     
    Anyway, once we had the layout in the car, I suggested we take the controller and a couple of locos so we could test the layout once we set it all up. My Grandad thought this was a good idea so I went back upstairs and grabbed the controller and two locos. I also grabbed a few other bits and pieces such as track ballaster, the ballast, some glue, the signal and the switches. I put them all in a bag and put it inside the car. It only took a few minutes to get from Bridlington to Buckton which is handy considering we had a lot of stuff to move.
     
    Once we got to the location of the clubroom, we had to park in the drive so we could take the layout out. Grandad went and unlocked the door of the clubroom and we moved the layout from the car into the building. Once inside, I set up two trestles and put the layout on top of them. 
     
     
    The layout in its new home. 

     
     
    The track testing was done by my 3F 'Jinty' but it isn't that good of a runner. I started  in the lower line but I could tell it was struggling so the duties passed on to 0-6-0ST 8, which was more reliable. The good news is that everything works but could do with a once-over with the track rubber especially on the high level line.
     

     
     
    I took this photo a little later on in the day, after we collected the new back scene boards kindly made for us by West BS. You can also see the stock on a shelf above the layout. 
     

     
     
    Update (22/12/23):
     
    I've had to move Oxendale yet again last Tuesday to be temporarily stored in my parent's garage during the Christmas period and beginning on the new year. I moved all the stock, accessories and controllers the previous Tuesday and are now stored in my bedroom in boxes. The reason for the move is because the owners of the large garage we were originally in at Buckton now have plans to use the room. Since our insurance for the place runs out on 2nd January, we thought the sooner we left, the better. So we've spent the last couple of weeks packing everything up. 
     
     
  4. 6990WitherslackHall

    Steam locomotives

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Locomotives and rolling stock
    I currently own 5 steam locomotives.
     
     
    Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T 41224 (Bachmann)

    I brought 41224 at the Bridlington model railway show in September 2022. This is the second steam locomotive I've brought for the layout. 
     
     
    Ivatt 2mt 2-6-2T 41310 (Bachmann) 

    This was the first locomotive I brought for intended for the layout. It was brought from the modelling club I go to because they were selling most of the analogue locos and several items of rolling stock. 
     
     
    LMS Fowler 3F 'Jinty' 0-6-0T 47281 (Hornby)

    It was brought from eBay for around £20. I've replaced the chunky Lima couplings with the smaller, less obtrusive Bachmann ones.
    (It's missing them in this photo due to it being worked on)
     
     
    L&YR Class 21 0-4-0ST 51218 (Hornby or Dapol)

    It was brought from eBay for £20, in plain black. I put on the transfers and couplings myself. The real 51218 is currently on display in the Exhibition Shed at Oxenhope on the KWVR.
     
    Update: Unfortunately, 51218's motor has burnt out recently so the motor has been removed and it has now got a rolling chassis. That means it'll no longer be able to haul trains under its own power. However, it'll remain part of the fleet, double heading or top and tailing with other locos.
     
     
    BR Standard Class 4mt 2-6-4T 80136 (Bachmann)

    80136 was brought on ebay via Rails of Sheffield. The real 80136 is part of the NYMR's operational steam fleet.
  5. 6990WitherslackHall

    The station

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    The scenics
    Whether you're at a model show or flicking through a magazine such as Model Rail, the station tends to be the main feature of a few layouts. In my layout's case this is the same. 
    I am intending to have a station on the layout. I already have a platform: It's currently being overhauled and the smaller section of it is already complete. I'm also searching for a station building and waiting room as well. 
     
    This blog entry will be used for the progress I make on the the station overall as the platform already a has separate blog entry.  (Overhauling the old platform). 
     
     
    28/01/23
     
    Currently, this is what the station looks like:

     
    It's far from finished but it's slowly coming together. 
     
    Also of note, I had some Hornby Skaledale Station Lamps and Ratio LMS station fencing arrive yesterday via post. I've also ordered some Hornby Skaledale benches which will go on the station platform.
     
     
    31/01/22
     
    The benches arrived in the post today. There are two in one pack so I ordered 2 packs so I have four benches in total. That should be enough for the whole platform.
     
     
    05/02/23
     
    No modelling today but I visited the Keighley Worth Valley Railway for the first time yesterday. I decided to take some pictures of the station at Haworth and I'll try to copy the arrangement of the seats and lamps on my station. I also took a couple of photos of Ingrow West to get some ideas for detailing the platform.
     
     
    10/02/23
     
    I brought some people to populate the station last week and they arrived in the post a few days ago. 
     
    I ordered Bachmann Scenecraft's 36-405 1960/70s Station Staff and 36-402 1960/70s Standing Station Passengers.
     
     
    11/02/23 
     
    Went to the Festival of British Railway Modelling at Doncaster Racecourse today and got not one but TWO new station buildings! 
     
    The first one is a Hornby Skaledale model of Butterley waiting room.
     
    The second is a laser-cut country station kit from Lcut creative. I also brought a canopy for it from the same trader.
     
     
    26/05/23
     
    Since the last update, I've made a start on the Lcut creative station building. I've completed all the walls yesterday (it took longer than expected due to things going on). Unfortunately, I've misplaced the station platform and can't find it anywhere. However, I've got a replacement: a Metcalfe red brick platform kit. 
     
     
    27/05/23 
     
    I started making the new platform today and so far, it's looking good but I've still got a lot to do though. When it's finished, The platform will eventually be 71.5cm long by 8cm wide. 
     
     
    21/07/23
     
    Started work on the platform again after it has been stored on a shelf for a few weeks while I sort other parts of the layout out. I've decided to shorten it by a few centimeters in length as I brought a barrow crossing to go at the end on the platform ramp which has been installed on the layout last week. While it was on the work bench, I also shortened it in width as well. The platform is now 5cm wide which looks more accurate. 
     

     
     
    22/07/23
     
    I've completed the platform! Took me a while but I managed to finish it off this morning. I have also added supports fur the platform underneath, they should help to keep the walls straight. I've also built and completed the section on platform the station building will sit on.
     

     

     
    I must also admit that there were a few accidents involving glue and my finger which took some of the top layer of card off the platform surface. However I've painted over it. Also you might notice the white strip at the edge of the platform. I painted it on myself with the help of masking tape. 
     
    02/08/23
     
    Yesterday, I brought the seats, lamps and LMS fencing to the clubroom so I could start working on completing the platform.
     
    I started on the fencing and so far, it's looking good!
     

     
    I've also stuck on station totems on two of the station platform lamps, both of which can be seen on the platform. I've also coloured the back of both signs black.
     
     
     
    10/11/23
     
    I managed to complete the station in time (more or less) for the show in September. I only got 2 lamps glued on the platform, one of which had a station totem on but I managed to get the benches and the water crane glued in position. I did the people during the show. 
     

     
    Close up of part of the station. 

  6. 6990WitherslackHall

    Diesel locomotives

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Locomotives and rolling stock
    Class 04 11226 (Bachmann)

    11226 is my most recent purchase. It was brought from the model shop opposite Grosmont level crossing in September this year.
     
     
    Class 20 D8156 (Bachmann)

     
     
    Class 24 D5061 (Bachmann)

    The real D5061 is part of the NYMR fleet and is currently stored awaiting overhaul at Grosmont MPD.
  7. 6990WitherslackHall

    Coaches and wagons

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Locomotives and rolling stock
    BR 20T brake van
     
    Ex-LNER 20T brake van B16806
     
    Ex-LMS 20T brake van B950040 (Hornby)
     
    12T ventilated van B755180 (Bachmann)
     
    12T ventilated van B774447 (Bachmann)
     
    12T Plywood Fruit van B875716 (Bachmann)
     
    12T ventilated banana van B881945 'Fyffes' (Dapol)
     
    Ex-SR 12T ventilated van M523409 (Bachmann)
     
    16T mineral wagon B7433 (Bachmann)
     
    13T 3 plank wagon B457200 (Bachmann)
     
    13T 3 plank wagon M254661 (Bachmann)
     
    12T 7 plank wagon P58699 (Oxford Rail)
     
    12T PO 7 plank wagon 346 (Bachmann)
     
    12T Conflat A B702201 (Dapol)
     
    13T high sided open wagon B480215 (Bachmann)
     
    Covered Carriage Truck (CCT) M 37421 M (Hornby)
     
    Ex-LNER 4 wheel baggage brake coach E6305E (Hornby)
     
    BR Mk1 SO M4780 (Bachmann)
     
    BR Mk1 BCK (Bachmann)
     
    Mk1 suburban brake (Bachmann)
     
    Mk1 suburban (Bachmann)
     
    Mk1 suburban (Bachmann)
     
    Stanier Brake Gangwayed M 31004 M (Hornby)
  8. 6990WitherslackHall

    Locomotives

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Upgrading locos and rolling stock
    Currently on Draxbridge, I have three locomotives:
     
    Class 08 08585 
    Class 31 31602 Driver Dave Green
    Class 73 73121 
     
    Now, I have come to realise that I need a lot more in order to run a decent timetable. However, I can't just go and buy one. I'll have to save up for one or two then buy them when I get the chance. 
     
    The diesel classes that are seen on the mainline which I'm after are: 
     
    Class 20
    Class 31
    Class 33
    Class 37
    Class 43
    Class 47
    Class 50 - two are used by GBRf
    Class 56
    Class 57
    Class 59
    Class 60
    Class 66
    Class 67
    Class 68
    Class 69
    Class 70
     
    But, I have managed to get a new loco this week. And it's a Class 66!
     
    66783 The Flying Dustman

     
     
    27/07/23
     
    I brought another loco last week and it arrived in the post two days ago.
     
    66504

     
    This 66 will be a good match for my Freightliner HHAs, MJAs and my newly acquired FEAB Spine wagons. This now boosts the Draxbridge fleet to 5 locos. 
     
     
    04/08/23
     
    I test ran the new 66 on the test track today and it works well. All the lights work too! I also took the opportunity to test run the other locos and they still work as well.
     
    The Draxbridge loco fleet on the test track.

     
    A pair of 66s on Draxbridge

     
     
    14/08/23
     
    Brought another loco last Friday and it arrived today. It's a Class 37! 😁
     
    37421

     
    I've always wanted a model of one of these fantastic locomotives and now I have one! The purchase of this brings the Draxbridge fleet up to 6 locos! 
  9. 6990WitherslackHall

    The trackwork

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Upgrading the trackwork
    On the scenic section, Draxbridge had two sidings, one of which also acts as a headshunt, a crossover and a point that leads into the TMD shed. However, I think it could do with an upgrade as I'm not particularly happy with the current track layout. 
     

     
    So I set about thinking on how I could improve the layout. One of my ideas was I could add a pair of points on the two sidings. I had three points already but I could always buy some more if I needed any. So I set about coming up with a suitable trackplan until I made this:
     

     
    The plan would involve me removing the crossover, two points, and both sidings to get to where I wanted to be. I decided to start at the scenic end and work my way up from there. I then made a start by removing all the road vehicles and most of the people so they wouldn't get damaged. After I did that, I got to work pulling the track up. 
     
     
    A while later, I had removed the two points, the crossover and the lengths of straight track. I also took the chance to remove the headshunt and point in the fiddle yard so now the TMD track is just siding.
     

     
     
    The TMD siding (right) will have a bufferstop added on the end of the track. 
     
     
    This is where the point and headshunt was. Now it will be just a section of straight track. 

     
     
    28/07/23
     
    I've brought a left handed point as I was a point short. This will be for the two points on the new passing loop. I'm also planning to work on the layout tonight. My main task will be relaying the track and soldering all the wires to the track again (I had to cut them off to take the track up). Also I think I'll need some flexi-track in a few sections.
     
    01/08/23
     
    Last Friday, I did manage to work on the layout. I managed to pin down most of the new track barring the 2nd headshunt and the point. This was because I had to cut and install a length of flexi-track and I didn't have time to do it after I did the rest. However, I worked in it again on the Saturday (29/07/23) and I managed to complete it. I also started to wire up the track again and have put lengths of copper tape underneath the baseboard. I had to drill some new holes in the baseboard the wires to go through though.
     
    The copper tape on the run-round side of the layout.

     
     
    I had to replace the copper tape in some parts and this was one of them. Note the two wires temporarily tied together ready for soldering to the copper tape.

     
     
    The completed trackwork. 

     
    A closer view of the new trackplan.

  10. 6990WitherslackHall

    Installing the Signal.

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Electronics
    A while ago, I brought a fully wired up Dapol LMS semaphore home signal from Cropper's Models in Bridlington. It was originally intended for use on a new OO gauge micro layout I was working on. Unfortunately, that never happened and the signal remained in store for a while. 
     
    That was until Oxendale was built. I was sorting out some boxes and I came across it again. I thought "that would go well on the layout" and then it hit me: Rather than keep it in store, I'll use it on the layout!
     
    I never got round to installing it on the layout until a couple of weeks ago. I haven't wired it up because I'd lost the instructions that came with the signal and had no idea how to wire it all up properly. That was, until decided to use the power of the internet to search for instructions. 
     
     
    The installed signal.

     
    I initially wanted to go on the Dapol website and find the instructions there but then I came across this page on the Gaugemaster website. It even has a few diagrams of the wiring which is very helpful.
     

     
    I noted that the signal needed a switch and a transformer for it to work. Gaugemaster suggested using a GMC-WM4 12v Regulated DC power supply but after having looked on Ebay, Amazon and other model shop websites I found out that they had all sold out! The next closet thing to the WM4 was the WM5, a few if which I found on Ebay for around £20 so I've brought one of them.
     
     

     
    14/08/23
     
    Last Tuesday, I took the signal out of its location in order to test the motor and the light. I requested the help of another club member to help me test the signal to see if it would work. I plugged in the 12v supply (which arrived in the post that morning) and turned on the switch. It worked! With that out if the way, I turned attention to the motor that powers the signal. We used the plan mentioned earlier and temporarily put the 2 yellow wires on a switch. However, upon flicking the switch, the motor didn't work. In order to find out the source of the problem, we took apart the motor and tested it. Nothing. It just wouldn't work at all.
     

     
    Unable to locate the problem, I reassembled the signal and put it back in the box. I decided to contact Dapol the day after to see if they could help. 
     

     
    The day after, I phoned Dapol up but they couldn't help me as I didn't have a receipt for the signal (I only brought it a year ago!)
  11. 6990WitherslackHall

    Ballasting the track

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    The scenics
    18/07/23
     
    I've started the painstaking process of ballasting the track. I have decided to start on the freight only line first then do the BR mainline second.
     
    I started it by dealing with a small section of the high level line first. I used my track ballaster I brought on eBay and a bottle of Ballast Bond. I should note that and it was an absolute fath to use (the ballast bond, not the track ballaster) and I probably won't be using it again. I then resorted to the more easy method: 50/50 PVA and Water with a drop of washing up liquid in a spray bottle. I got more ground coverage than with the Ballast Bond and will now be using for ballasting the layout from now on. 
     
    This was the first bit of the mainline I tackled. I started on the line on which the platform is and worked my way from there.

     
     
    19/07/23
     
    Unfortunately, some of the ballast in the station area hasn't secured properly and is loose so I've redone the entire lot. Plus, the edges of the ballast weren't straight so I've used some lengths of wood to help it to keep the p-way straight.

     
     
    I also took the chance to ballast the headshunt while I was working in the area.

     

     
    I've also ballasted the rest of the mainline including the goods shed siding, the other siding and the running line. 

  12. 6990WitherslackHall

    Buildings

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    The scenics
    I'm currently sourcing some buildings for the layout. Itve made a list of what I need:
     
    Station building
     
    Waiting room
     
    Signal Box
     
    Lineside huts
     
     
    For the station building, I'm thinking of having a small one. I don't want a big one as it probably wouldn't fit in the space that's planned for it. However, it has to match up with the LMS theme and finding a suitable one has proved to be tricky. There's a few Settle and Carlisle ones which are Metcalfe and Hornby but I don't know what the size of the platform is and if it will fit. 
     
    For the signal box, I was thinking of having a small one on the platform or having one near the goods sidings. I had a few in mind but the Skaledale East one is currently my first option. 
     
     
    Hornby R8853 Skaledale East signal box
     
    Hornby R9534 Barrow Hill signal box (Limited edition)
     
    Hornby R9725 LMS signal box
     
    Ratio 536 Midland signal box 
     
     
    Finding lineside huts proved to be no problem as a quick search revealed a dozen. Some were kits from manufacturers like Wills and Ratio and pre-made ones by Bachmann and Hornby. 
     
     
    Update (13/01/23): I've sourced a Hornby R8853 Skaledale East signal box on ebay and brought it today. I should get it sometime next week. 
     
     
    2nd Update (21/01/23): I received the Signal box today. I've had it out of the packaging and it looks ok. It'll be put on the layout tonight.
     

     
    Update: took the 'box round and put it in position on the layout. I think it looks good!
     

     
     
    01/02/23
     
    Yesterday, I saw a Metcalfe Dent station building on one of the shelves in the new building my club is now in. I asked if I could have it for my layout. They didn't mind as they already had Hornby Skaledale S&C buildings for the layoutand weren't planning on using it. It was missing chimney pots and needed a bit of TLC.
     
    I think it might be a bit big in width for the platform but I might be able to extend the platform width for it to fit.
     
     
     
    12/02/23
     
    Update of the Metcalfe kit: It's too big in width so I needed to source a new one. Luckily, I went to the Festival of British Railway Modelling in Doncaster yesterday to get some stuff for the layout and I decided to find a new station building.
     
    I did. I found two buildings that would be suitable.
     
    The first is a Hornby Skaledale model of Butterley station waiting room and the second is a laser cut kit of a 20th Century station building by LCUT Creative. I had to buy the canopy for it separately.
     
     
    20/05/23
     
    I have brought another building! It's a Coal Merchants office made by Hornby for their Skakedale range. I brought it at Grosmont in the the model shop opposite the level crossing. I've also brought some Coal Staithes from the same manufacturer to go with it. They will go where the big hill was. 
     

     

     
     
    08/07/23
     
    Finally got round to temporarily putting the coal merchant's office and coal staithes in position on the baseboard. I think it looks good. 
     

     
    I've also been experimenting with the position of the signal box. Previously, it was located on the curve opposite the short siding. Recently, I decided to have a goods shed in that space. However I wasn't able to fit both in the same area o the layout as there wasn't enough clearance between the tack and signal box so it had to move. 
     
    I thought about where I could move it to until I thought "why don't I move it opposite the passing loop?" I moved it next to the track and carefully tweaked its position until I was happy. I then temporarily added a barrow crossing (the middle section of which, annoyingly, is just a bit too short)
     

     
     
    Overview of the signal box in its new location, the coal merchant's office and coal staithes and the goods shed. 
     

     
    21/07/23
     
    I finally started work assembling the LCUT Creative station building today. I've done the walls and glued them together and supported the corners with offcuts from the wall "sprues". It's finally starting to take shape. Think I'll paint the window frames and doors next. 
  13. 6990WitherslackHall

    Making the hills (2)

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    The scenics
    08/07/23
     
    Been a few months since I've posted in the entry but work on the hills has been progressing slowly. Hill 1 is now long gone and in its place will be a goods yard of some sort. The front of the hill faces will need repainting with a suitable colour but they're slowly getting there. 
     

     
     
    21/07/23
     
    I've been busy filling the gap between hill 1 (was hill 2) and the backscene. I think it's looking good so far. Also, hill 2 (was hill 4) has had some work done to it.
     

     

     
  14. 6990WitherslackHall

    Making the hills

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    The scenics
    While I've been working on the high running line, I've also been planning on what the other parts of the layout will look like. I was planning to have a hill in the right hand corner of the layout. We started work on it last week. We decided to build it up using layers of cardboard and then file it to shape once the glue had dried. 
     
     
     
     
    I went round to work on the layout yesterday. I brought some cardboard boxes with me as we needed some more to work on the hill only to find my Grandad had made not just the hill we were working on, but two more as well. They had newspaper on top of them which was applied in several layers (known as paper-mache) The largest hill (nearest the camera) and the 2nd biggest hill (furthest from the camera) weren't stuck down on the layout yet though.
     

     
     
    The largest hill was only half complete because he wanted me to have a go at making it so I decided to finish it off. It was made by using a cardboard base and then different sizes of cardboard cut into shape which was glued upright on the base. The newspaper was then put on top.
     

     
     
    As previously mentioned, the hill was not stuck down as he was unsure if I wanted it on: I had originally planned for the road and a goods yard in that area. Anyway, it looked better than being flat so I decided to hang on to it for now. I could always think of something else for the area with the hill in place. 
     
     
    The smaller hill is made from three polystyrene balls, with one cut in half. This photo was taken after I had cut a lot of the side away so that the Mk1 coaches could clear it. It's since had newspaper added on the side covering the balls. 
     

     
    The third hill is made cardboard and polystyrene balls. This was the hill that was originally planned as part of the layout and was going to be flat at the top so I could put some sheep and a Land Rover on it. It's flat-ish, but I think it could still work. 
     
     
    01/01/23
     
    Happy New Year! 
     
    Did some painting yesterday. This is only the first coat of paint (the first of many!) but I think it's starting to look better. It'll look better as I put more coats of paint on. 
     
    The first hill:

     
     
    Second and third hills:

     
     
    06/01/23
     
    More progress had been made on the hills when I went round. Part of the baseboard had been painted a greeny brown and the hills had more coats of paint added on. They also had the rock face painted grey/white.
     

     
     
    27/05/23
     
    We've made a new hill! This one is made from chicken wire and mod rock. It has taken us a couple of days to make it and it was a messy job to do. We've made the top of the hill as flat as we could so we could put the sheep and Land Rover on the top. 
     

     
    Also put some mod rock on hills 2 and 3 to even it out a bit. The top of hill 3 wasn't level with the trackbed on the freight only line so we've rectified that with the mod rock. 
     

     

     
    Also, we aren't going to be using hill 1 anymore. This is because I wanted a goods yard of some sort in that area.
  15. 6990WitherslackHall
    I have a station platform but it's looking a bit shabby and in need of some TLC. It was salvaged from the old layout and is made from MDF and cardboard stuck on top for the platform surface. It's made up of two parts: a small section and a larger section with the ramp.
     

     
    Rather than throw it away, I decided to give it an overhaul and use it on the layout. 
     
    I decided that I would strip the old platform surface off and replace it with the Metcalfe paving sheets which I brought for the pavement alongside the road. I would then stick strips of A4 paper cut to size on the edge of the platform. This is because the edges of the platforms were painted white to aid visibility when the blackout was on during WWII. I also had the brick paper which I used on the freight only line so I decided to use some of it on the platform. 
     
    I started on the smaller section first as I could get it done more quickly. I decided to salvage some of the old card and use it on the platform sides. That way, it'll be a smoother surface for the brick paper to stick to. There was also a small section of wood at the end of the platform, I think that was a fence or something, I decided to remove that as well. 
     

     
     
    I thought I'd start on the platform surface first. So I measured the width of the platform using the paving sheets and made a note of where the edges were. However,  I made a slight miscalculation and it was a bit too short (left). So I measured again and I cut another piece, test fitted it and it was the right size (right). I then glued it on top of the MDF using PVA and put some heavy items in top to help it stick. The first bit of paving would be saved for use on the loading dock.
     

     
     
    With the surface on the smaller section slowly gluing together, I thought I'd start stripping the platform surface of the larger section. Taking it off was easier than the first one. While doing so, I found out that it was made of two separate parts: the old surface held them together. I glued them together permanently using PVA later on, after I stripped the rest of the old platform surface off. 
     

     
     
    07/01/23
     
    A few weeks have passed since I last posted and the smaller section of the platform is now finished. I did end up using the old platform surface. I cut it to size and stuck it on the sides of the platform on the smaller section. Then I put the self adhesive brick paper over it. It looks a lot better than it did previously. For the platform edge, I used strips of A4 paper. 
     
     
    The platform in position on the layout:

     
     
     
    01/02/23
     
    I've resumed work on the second larger platform. I've put the card on half of the side of the platform and put brick paper over it.
     

     
    I need to take a photo of the end of the smaller platform so I can continue the pattern of the paving on the second platform section. 
     
     
    10/02/23
     
    Been a few days since I've posted anything on here but I've now completed the majority of the second longer platform. 
     
     
    I might also saw the section of platform I haven't done yet off and replace it with some more sundeala board I found.
     
     
    Update: I took the newly completed section with me and I decided to saw off the section of platform. The new one is made of two halves and, at the time of writing, is currently being glued together. It'll need to be filed along the sides to get them smooth once it's bonded.
     
     
    Both completed platform sections in position:

     
     
    08/07/23

    Unfortunately, a couple of months ago the station platform was misplaced and I could not find it anywhere. That meant I had to buy (or build) a new one. Luckily, Metcalfe make kits for station platforms so I brought one of these for the layout. The construction of the platform will be covered in a blog entry shortly.
  16. 6990WitherslackHall

    Making the freight only line (2)

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Making the layout
    The brick wall I made, which I mentioned about in the previous blog, was glued in-between the first bridge and the largest hill hill last Saturday. The footbridge was temporarily there to keep it in position as it kept dropping down.
     

     
    Also the wall stretches from underneath the buffer stop to just before the first bridge has been partially completed. It'll need the brick paper sticking on in due course.
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
    Went round yesterday and finished the job. It's now been done. I stuck the brick paper on the section of the wall at home. 
     

     
     
    The completed section:

     
     
  17. 6990WitherslackHall

    Making the freight only line

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    Making the layout
    I recently discovered some bridges from the club's old layout when they were located in the old parcels office in the railway station. The bridges were made entirely from wood and had been made by Grandad for that layout. The club moved from the parcels office to the Men in Sheds building near Tesco's (can't remember the year) and the old layout was dismantled and a new one was built.
     
    One of the bridge girders:

     
     
    Grandad then suggested having a higher running line to add operational interest and using the bridges on it. The line would stretch from one end of the layout to the other and have a bridge with the main running line passing underneath. The bridge over the main track would be at an angle, so we had to cut a length of wood to suit it. We decided to start on the bridge section first. We used pink ivory wood and other lengths of wood to make the piers on which the line would sit. We test fitted the piers in various places to see what would work. Once I was happy with the result, I glued them in place. 
     
    I had also found several lengths of wood which were perfect for putting on top of the piers and putting the track on top. We decided to use these. Grandad cut one at a 45 degree angle for the curve from the bridge to the straight section of the running line. Once we had set up the bridge section, we got to work in the rest of the line. We positioned the piers in different positions down the line and once we were happy, glued them into position. We decided to leave it overnight and let the glue set so we headed upstairs to work on Draxbridge. 
     
     
    The piers and the running line surface gluing:

     
     
     
    The next time I went round, we made a start on the track laying. For the curve, I knew that there wasn't a radius small enough to negotiate it the way we wanted it to, so we used PECO flexi-track. We cut it to size and nailed it in position. 
     
     
    The curve:

     
    I had just got to the point where the curve finished when I had an idea: why don't we have a point going off the running line and into the fiddleyard?
     
    It would be ideal because we could send the loco in and take off/put on a wagon in the fiddle yard, send it back and shunt it into the siding and get another one. Plus, we would have more operational potential with it and would be interesting to see being used at shows. With this in mind, we decided to do it.
     
     
     
    We cut some more pink ivory wood for the supports and glued them in place. After that, we got another piece of the wood we used for the running line surface and sawed one of the ends at an angle. This was so it would match up the side of the length of wood on which the point was on top of. We test fitted it first before gluing it on top of the piers. I continued track after beyond the point but left the new siding alone. The track was laid and glued down in place on the fiddle yard siding the next day. 
     
    The newly laid track on the higher running line:

     
    I started to put card on the piers supporting the running line last week. So far, I've only done the rail bridge and part of the wall. Once the whole thing had been covered by the card, it'll have brick paper glued over it. I'll have to see if I can find any in either Croppers or Mighty Lancer. 
     
     
     
    Whilst browsing online on the Hattons website for brick paper last week, I came across this:

     
     
    The good thing about this is it's self adhesive, so you only have to peel off the clear plastic on the back and stick in in place and you don't need to use glue. It comes with 10 sheets of it and I thought that this would be more than enough for the job so I immediately ordered a pack on the Friday (11/11/22) and it arrived on Tuesday this week.
     
     
     
    Then yesterday (19/11/22), I went round and decided to focus on the higher line. I took the self adhesive brick paper with me so I could start work on it. I started work on the first bridge which the road was going under. I had to measure out the height of the wall from the baseboard to the top of the piers so I could know what the measurements were was so I could cut the brick sheet to size. Then after a lot of cutting, checking the measurements and trimming, the first length of brick paper was on!
     

     
    I was supposed to complete it but I got distracted by renovating a signal box. I decided to finish the brick paper off the next day, which has now been done. 
     
     
    Two weeks after that, I started on the other side of the same bridge. It'll have brick paper on it by Friday.
     

     
     
     
    I found a piece of thick board that was the right size for the wall that will be glued to the side of the wooden surface on which the track sits. I cut some brick paper to size and stuck it on the piece. Unfortunately, there isn't any more of this stuff so I found by chance. I'll have to do some searching. It feels like MDF but I'm not sure. 
     

  18. 6990WitherslackHall
    For the lengths of wood under the surface of the baseboard, we had salvaged some of the wood that was on the previous baseboard but the majority of it had to be thrown away. We still had a few lengths of wood though so we cut some more to size. Some of the holes in the previous wood lengths we used were countersunk and others weren't so I decided to countersink them. After this was done, we screwed them all into place under the board and carefully lowered it onto the floor. We then set up the trestles and we both lifted the newly completed baseboard onto them.
     
    I had around 6 straights, 5 double straights, 2 short straights, 10 points (5 left handed and 5 right handed) and a lot of curves, all of which is Hornby. I thought I had plenty of track for what I needed to do but if I needed more of a certain type of track size, I would buy some.
     
     
     
    I decided to plan what the track plan would look like so I thought of some ideas. I wanted a roundy-roundy so I could sit back and just watch the trains pass by, but upon testing a circle of track, it overhung the baseboard so that was a no.
     
    The next idea was to have a U shaped track plan. One end of the layout would have the scenic area with a station and the other end would have a fiddle yard. I thought about adding a couple of sidings on the scenic section. The two would be joined by a curve which would have to have small or medium radius track. I then thought about how trains would operate on the layout. I initially thought about an "in and out" using DMUs, railcars, loco + autocoach etc but I realized that if I was running with, for instance, a steam locomotive with mark 1 coaches, it would need to run round the train. So the plan needed to have a run round at the station area. The headshunt would have to be long enough to accommodate a tender loco such as my Flying Scotsman. With that in mind, I then got to work and experimented with the various bits of track arranging it in different ways. After about half an hour, I had a plan more or less sorted. It had a run round with a headshunt, two sidings and two sidings for the fiddle yard. It wasn't pinned down on the board if I wanted change a few things when I thought of it. 
     
    However, the headshunt wasn't as long as I wanted it to be. It would fit my Ivatt tank with a bit of room to spare but my 2P 4-4-0's tender would be on the point that I'd need to change in order for the loco to run round. So I decided that I wouldn't run anything larger that a Standard 4MT 2-6-4T on it as it wouldn't be able to run round the train.
  19. 6990WitherslackHall
    Once I had the parcel the locomotive was in, I opened it up in my bedroom and gave it ab inspection. It looked like was missing a lot of parts, the most obvious being the headcode discs and cab handrails. I decided to make a list of what it was missing and it was made up of the following:
     
    Headcode discs
    Cab handrails
    Steps on the bufferbeam
    Vacuum brake pipes
    Sanding gear pipes
    More pipes
    electric cables
     
     
    I already had headcode discs as I brought them before the locomotive. The folded ones just needed painting BR green as they were yellow. I would fit them after they had two coats of paint.
     
    The majority of the pipe and cable work was on the bufferbeam. I knew I wouldn't be able to fit it all on as the couplings were in the way. I decided to buy these at a later date. 
     
    For now, I would concentrate on getting the headcode discs on the front of the locomotive and sourcing the cab handrails. 
    I had a look on the Bachmann spares website (where I got the headcode discs from) and see if I could find any Class 24 cab handrails on there. Sure enough, I did and brought some immediately.
     
     
    12/04/23
     
    The cab handrails arrived in the post yesterday. I was at the festival of British Railway Modelling in Doncaster so I opened the parcel when I got home. I'll probably fit them on the loco today. I've also brought a bufferbeam detailing pack so that should arrive next week.
     
    Just finished gluing on the cab handrails on one side of D5061. It's an absolute fath putting them on. I decided it would be best to do them one at time waiting until the one I put on first stuck properly and then do the second one. 
     
    I'm going to wait until the glue has dried on the last one and then do the other side. 
     
     

     

     
     
    Update: Just finished doing both sides. It was very difficult putting them in place but I got there in the end.
     
     
    The first side I did...

     
     
    ...and the other

     
     
    13/02/23 
     
    My bufferbeam detailing pack arrived in the post today. I'll have fun putting them on(!) Currently trying to figure out what goes where. 
  20. 6990WitherslackHall

    D5061: in preservation

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    History of D5061
    D5061 was preserved in July 1991 after which it was displayed at the Midland Railway Center 'Diesel Spectacular' on the 20th/21st during the same month. 
     
     
     
    Currently, D5061 based on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, having arrived there in the late 90s. 
     
    It was withdrawn in 2014 pending an overhaul but it's currently stored in a siding near the Deviation shed at Grosmont awaiting attention. 
     
     
    a couple of photos:
     

     

  21. 6990WitherslackHall

    D5061: BR days

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    History of D5061
    As mentioned before, the model is of D5061. 
     
    D5061 was built at Crewe Works in 1960. The locomotive entered service at March (31B)
    on 15 January. In October the same year, it moved to Willesden (1A) and then moved sheds again to 2A Rugby (2A) a month later. It then moved back to Willesden in April 1961.
  22. 6990WitherslackHall

    Getting the locomotive.

    By 6990WitherslackHall,


    How I got the loco
    The Class 24 was being sold via auction on eBay. One day, I happened to come across it while looking for new locomotivs for the layout. I looked at the photos and it appeared to be in good condition. The model was of D5061, a loco that is now preserved.
     
    Although it was missing a lot of detailing, I thought I would be able to buy some from somewhere such as Peter's Spares or from Bachmann themselves. 
     
    I thought it would be a good addition to the layout and so I bid for it.
     
    The day that the auction ended came and I kept a close eye on it especially near the time the auction ended. I was outbid twice but I soon got back into the race by bidding more money. Eventually, the last minute of the auction came and I put my bid up just in case someone tried to bid for it. Someone did in the last few seconds and then, it was over. I was certain that the person who bid for it would win, but did they bid enough to overtake my bid?
     
    No, they did not. I won the bid £3 away from losing to the person who bid a few seconds before the auction ended. Immediately after this, I purchased the locomotive and then patiently waited for its arrival.
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