cadder toad

Fifty years ago my first layout was laid on foam underlay - the kind with recesses for the sleepers. Maybe a dozen points. Baseboards sat on the carpet, all track straight from the Hornby boxes. No particular effort into levelling the track. 50+ locos, coaches and wagons ran everywhere except one or two had different issues on different stretches of track. It was temporary and only set up for high days and holidays. Over the years I was able to fix some of the glitches but not all, although given more time I would have. Sometimes it can be frustrating but there's a process to ironing out the minor faults. Toy train performance can be very good. (That was the aim in the 00 concept after all)

...If the wheels don't turn, what does it tell me and is there a fix? Don't bother with no. 3 until you're really convinced that no. 1 is ok - ie point is truly level... If the loco began to run when the wire was touched to the right leading wheel for example, it could mean, pickups on centre and trailing wheels on right side are not working. Look for dirt or the point curvature may be causing the wheel to move sideways, for example.

I would do three things with this problem before spending money on anything. (No. 1 being most important) 1. Check the point is truly level and all railheads are on the same plane. A spirit level is adequate for this, checking that the point is level across its width at various points(placing the spirit level across the rails). I would adjust by using cardboard or plastic spacers as required, usually 0.5-1mm is enough 2. Look underneath the loco and make sure all pick ups are touching the wheels - you can usually see if they're not. Move the wheels side to side and make sure they still touch. You can also check pick ups using power and flying leads - a more thorough method 3. Once the point is level and you're happy with the pick ups, run the loco slowly and if it stops then get a length of wire, clip to one rail and take the other end to each wheel in turn(each wheel on the rail on that side) and see when it restarts. It might not restart so repeat but with the wire clipped to the rail and wheels on the opposite side. It might be easier to remove the loco body to do all this. Hopefully the answer will have revealed itself but if not then there are a number of further potential solutions, some already suggested and all these have merit too. All part of the fun of railway modelling!

The map shown by compond2362 doesn't show the NB Stobcross branch which ran to Queens Dock on the opposite bank to Princes Dock. The Princes Dock branch on the map is shown as jointly owned by three cos. incl NB. Need the wagon have been used for export traffic? I'd imagine portable engines were used in Glasgow industry and also in docks, farms and quarries across Scotland

Alphanumeric headcode displays were dropped in early 1976. It was announced in the March 1976 issue of Railway Magazine. I remember this as it was the first time I bought the magazine. I was never a regular buyer as I preferred Modern Railways.

The 0100 from Queen St is mentioned up thread but did it run in the 80's? I thought it stopped about 1976/7. I never saw it but do remember hearing it. Where I stayed was 3-4 miles from the line and on a quiet night then I would hear this train for a long period as it made its way through Glasgow's north west suburbs. I think the stock - or some of it may have returned on the 6pm-ish train to Queen St. If so then presumably for traffic reasons. On an unrelated point, I think two sets of stock may have been stabled overnight at Oban, so the last arrival was the second departure the next day.