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Yes, I have a picture of it at Fort William, it was what they were built for and it apparently performed the duty very well, they were also liked by crews on the Port Road boat trains. Following the loco exchanges after BR was formed, a Southern Region Original light Pacific (with an LMS tender 😀) seriously impressed in the Highland regions and was well liked by the crews. It was then decided to build a lightweight Standard Class 6 Pacific to be used in the Highland regions. For some reason, when built they were then allocated to Polmadie and Carlisle and mostly used on West Coast main line Class 7 duties where they were not liked, 72009 (very, very dirty) was even used on the Queen of Scots Pullman once from Glasgow to Edinburgh (also have a picture) and apart from 72001 none were ever used on the Highland regions they were designed for and Polmadie even scrapped its five after only 10 years service but Carlisle got another three years out of theirs. Never properly managed, as the people who wanted them never got them and the people who got them didn't want them, a disgusting waste of public money. 72009 was also shipped aroud a few depots in England, even trying to replace Britannias, but without success although it became unique by having green lined cylinders after a late works visit. I remember them from my trainspotting days, nice looking well proportioned locos, a little more "delicate" than a Britannia. Stewart

Very pleasant small exhibition, met an old workmate as well. Good to see Topp Trains there with a good range of used stuff and I came away with three steam locos and three open wagons (essential purchases for the continued construction of the 4mm shed layout of course) so I had no money left to buy any sweeties 😀 Well done to all concerned. Regards Stewart

Although not building an exact copy of Kyle of Lochalsh loco shed area I am now leaning towards representing part of the over bridge behind the shed rather than having the end of the shed against the backscene so will now have to apply "stones" to the outside back wall (it does not always pay to be lazy and take short cuts 🙄) I have now started making the individual components to check the proposed layout will work, the coal hopper is the Ratio kit but I think I will add the shelter over the wagon area that was fitted to the one at Oban. The plastikard components are for the Blacksmith's shop.

Slow but steady progress with railway modelling mojo returning. 7mm stopped as I can't decide if it is worth continuing with the halt as one or two scenic baseboards so concentrating on the 4mm engine shed build at the moment. Basic stonework now done but certain interior detail (office, mess room, foundry etc need to be completed and painted before the main shed is painted and the stonework grouted. Note ... It is overall a dimensionally accurate model of Kyle loco shed although the windows and stonework are NOT but as it is not meant to be a model of Kyle of Lochalsh (I had the drawings) which never saw a Pacific anyway, once painted and weathered to match the other structures intended, it will do for me as mainly a loco display. Check to make sure locos fit (especially Pacifics as the big Staniers and The Duke will also visit) before going any further so one from Polmadie and one from Eastfield seem fine (they also have to be detailed yet) (V1s/V3s were travelled behind regularly before the blue electrics arrived, then vanished, then returned). Not even thinking about the roof structure or cutting out the roofing tiles at the moment. 🙂 Regards Stewart

New baseboards built but more choices to make as I can't decide which layout (4 and 7mm dioramas really) should have one or two boards. Not as obvious as scale really as the 7mm is a small halt and the 4mm a loco shed so I have decided to build the 4mm loco shed first and see how it looks. Please excuse the large photos as still getting used to Windows 11 (don't like it very much, although the new laptop is super quick) I have kept the old Windows 7 laptop as updating AutoCAD and Inventor is not an option now that I am retired although I will probably download Fusion 360 on Windows 11 for a look one day as 3D printing is becoming better and more affordable these days. Small but reasonably accurate (rainwater goods added by me) ex GNSR halt in BR days. Beginnings of a rendition of The Kyle of Lochalsh loco shed (I had the drawings) which will take a while as there is a lot of cutting out to do as I have decided to add all stones and tiles individually. There are a lot of windows so a bit of interior detail and lighting will probably be appropriate. The grey spray was to see if it would look ok when painted before I went too far. 🙄 I suppose one day I need to have a good look and see if I can reload the missing photos, although since retiring sitting at a laptop has dropped way down the list of things to do. regards Stewart

Honda racer finished at last (very detailed kit) so work now continues slowly with the new baseboards. Stewart

I had a manager once whose nickname was Teflon as nothing stuck to him. Stewart

As mentioned above, I would have a look at Grainge and Hodder. https://www.graingeandhodder.co.uk/shop I have just collected three boards (I decided to collect as I thought there would be three packages but they were all very well packed as just one 🙄) from them which I have yet to assemble but they look very neat and appear to be good quality 6mm Ply. I discussed my needs on the phone, they were very helpful indeed and also supplied backscene boards as extras and supplied a full quote by email. At the time of my order, delivery was a couple of weeks. No connection etc. Regards Stewart

Railway modelling interest totally vanished after the garage work was completed, fortunately I also enjoy building 1:12 scale MotoGP Bikes and 1:20 scale pre 2000 F1 cars so the workbench has remained active. I have recently had a bit of a revival in railway modelling interest but in 4mm, not 7mm and have decided to build a small representation of a loco shed to house a collection of locomotives I actually saw working in the 1950s and 60s and a small diarama in 7mm to house a halt I built (a reasonably accurate model of Bridgefoot Halt on the ex GNSR). Five locos now in stock awating re naming/numbering and detailing, baseboards on order and the latest version of Templot loaded on the new laptop, just got to finish a 1:12 scale Honda RC166 250cc six cylinder racer from the 1960s first to clear the work bench. regards Stewart

Last train leaving Albannach Station. Building work required in the garage so layout and all content has had to be removed. The layout was never intended to be moved around (too heavy and awkward) so it was decided to just dismantle it and start something new when builder is finished. Bye for now. regards Stewart

Thanks for the comments, I do appreciate them. I had intended to go for the Dapol Mk.1s but as far as I can see they are only doing the early version at the moment, before the window frames were added to help cure the rot, and wasn't sure if they would have made it into the Blue/Grey livery and still been usable by the mid 1980s unmodified, so doing a bit more research. A bit fussy I know but with such a small layout everything is so close up and noticeable, probably have to go for a kit. Regards Stewart

Well it's taken me long enough to get to this stage after a lot of internet searching and a few new books of my own. Being mainly a steam modeller of the 1950s and 1960s I had no idea how much the Class 37/4s differed (even the number of lamp irons vary) so accepting the basic Heljan model this is 37402 only in 1986 "ish" Regarding weathering, I have "put the brush down" now and will leave the bodywork clean while I peruse more photos as I think it still needs a little more top and bottom of the sides. As with the J36 I took advice from YouChoos regarding DCC sound (I removed one of the motors as I don't need the power) and am very pleased with the results, big, noisy and fun to drive plus I can now control the roof fan independently of loco movement and switch off the rear lights when pulling a train. Some suitable stock next I think, so that I can pull a train or two. For those who don't know him "Oor Wullie" is a cartoon of a Glasgow boy in the Sunday Post Newspaper. regards Stewart

The J36 has been back on the workbench for a bit of weathering (used but not filthy) and since I have been so impressed with YouChoos and Zimo chips a Zimo sound card and stay alive. Superb running and now that I am getting used to it and adjusting it to suit, superb sound which has improved the whole "driving" experience. The additional 80s era begins with the long awaited arrival of my pre-ordered 37/4. DC only at the moment and once I have stopped playing, it will visit the workbench for a sound card and be "customised" to become 37402 from Eastfield. The Station Master is impressed as he has not seen anything that clean in a long time. Next thing is to find some suitable stock and I am surprised how little seems to be available in 7mm for the 80s/90s era. Regards Stewart

J36 finished but not weathered. The story ... On a running in turn with a grain delivery to a nearby Distillery complete and waiting as the sun goes down for a clear road home with the brake van. Regards Stewart

Stay Safe and have a Merry Christmas. regards Stewart

The J36 was having a potter round in etch primer to make sure everything was ok before top coats, numbering and adding all the finishing touches, plus the bits that make taking it apart again for adjustment a nuisance. (heat shrink crank pin "nuts" are very handy ) The tender weather board and patch on the side are not part of the kit but are correct for the loco modelled in 1950s condition. Stay safe. Stewart

Much as I try not to I often suffer from the very annoying "if all else fails read the instructions" syndrome and such was the case when I came to fix the new backscene. I was obviously too keen to see what it looked like behind the layout and did not look carefully enough at the pictures because as soon as I tried to line up the two halves I realised I had them the wrong way round. As the saying goes (polite version) "No point in being a fool if nobody knows" Anyway, the derelict out buildings are fairly typical of the era and it works better at the bridge end where the tree line now vanishes behind the hill and the road. The trees and hedges are quite a good match with the layout so I might add a couple of slightly lighter patches of grass on the layout area to blend better with the backscene grass. Stay safe. Stewart

A slight change in height for the backscene which, apart from the shadow of the tree (need to think about proper lighting now ) I think is a bit better. The local Laird keeps a small herd of Unicorns and this young one is going to a show in Aberdeen later, so the family are parking the road vehicles before leading it round to the platform (young ones don't react well to strangers) and supervising the loading of the horse box. Note how clean the cattle pen itself is, the junior Porter was tasked with the job and has even laid some fresh straw, but, has not yet moved the barrow of muck, so will get into trouble for that. The horse box is in the area for a racing friend of the Laird so has been "borrowed" for the day. Stay safe. Stewart

Hi Phil Yes I was indeed happy with the van, and I have two of them, which I purchased from you at an exhibition many years ago, one running (at the time I could only find one photo in BR livery) and one grounded in the goods yard. I don't think I have ever built a kit without making some additions/changes which is not normally a reflection on the kit, just personal choice as my "layout" is so small I can indulge myself in the little details on rolling stock. I sort of guessed this something like this would come up as earlier this year I finished a scratch build of the NB 6 wheel van to a drawing and photo of one in the excellent LNER Scottish Area wagons book by Peter Tatlow, again the only photo of one in BR livery. I will be very interested in hearing about your full range of wagons when you get yourself settled and restocked. Stay Safe Stewart

The back scene (Art Printers ID backscenes) has arrived and after letting it unroll for a few hours I have temporally held it in place with some small plastic clamps to see how it looks. On first viewing it does seem to give some visual depth to the layout (all 10ft of it ) which it needed and although I think I need to raise it a little bit as it looks a little low from rail level and blend it in more (behind the road needs some thought) with perhaps a few raised details here and there, but as a start I am pleased with it. I will leave it as it is for a few days to get used to it as I don't want to be distracted from the J36 which is almost at the enjoyable detailing stage, especially now that all the brass castings have arrived. Stay safe. regards Stewart

As a break from the J36 I was going to start on a 1:20 scale Tyrell 001F1 model but don't like having too many projects on the go at the same time so instead I had a read of the camera manual (last resort, read the manual ) to try and improve my photos by having a better understanding of what I am supposed to be doing by changing a few focus and depth of field settings. My mobile phone takes superb photos but I can't stop them rotating when published. Anyway, first attempt at better photos with a wee story. Signalman having a cuppa before the activity starts. Pick up loaded van from goods yard. Head off to pick up empty tanks from yard. Tanks coupled up so back to station area to collect rest of train and Guards van. Train now complete and waiting for the road. Local passenger arriving. Road clear and off we go. I need to experiment quite a bit more and I think I will also look into trying a printed backscene. No idea why the background to the signal box has turned pink. Stay safe. Regards Stewart

Late 50s again, DMUs just introduced on the line but whiskers not yet applied by the allocated shed, still plenty of unfitted goods stock in use. (the J36 currently under construction for this period was an unfitted loco, in use until 1961) Porter considering loading parcels after a comment from the Station Master regarding the time and the wee dug is ready to go but its owners are enjoying the fresh air so not thinking about boarding just yet. Photos can be terrible sometimes, that lamp post looks at an angle but it's not (honest ), perhaps I need new specs!! Stay safe. Regards Stewart

In the later 1950s it was always a worry for the staff when the Engineers Saloon called. Stay safe. Regards Stewart

They are finished and the garage (playroom ) is nearly back to normal again. Unfortunately the original information was incorrect as they told me the cast pipe coming up through the garage floor would need to be removed as the new plastic pipe would not pass through so I dismantled part of the layout to give them room and fitted dust covers over everything as concrete dust gets everywhere, as it happened it was not an elbow but a swept bend and the new pipe went it without any problems, still better safe than sorry I suppose. Having been totally unsuccessful in locating numbers for a couple of ex LMS coaches I have to build that were allocated to the Scottish region I purchased the two publications dedicated to all pre-nationalisation coaching stock taken over by British Railways. They are certainly very large comprehensive books and I found my coach numbers no problem, unfortunately I had wrongly numbered my ex LNER coach (genuine enough number but wrong regional allocation) so I changed that to an ScR number appropriate for a late build with an angle iron underframe. Contrary to how it must sound I am not really that bad, I just believe that when making something myself it's worth trying to try and get it right if possible, and once I knew for sure that the number was wrong I felt the need to correct it. Stay safe. regards Stewart

The garage, workbench and partly dismantled layout are still under dust sheets so no layout. Gas people are now being a real pain, half the roads on the estate are dug up and so far three notices of "we are doing the new connection to your home tomorrow" and three no shows. So I have uncovered a corner of the workbench and carried on with the Connoisseur Models J36 build. To add to the situation the RSU is playing up (new circuit board on order) so I purchased some extra bits for the I-Con Pico and am changing them according to the task I am doing and so far it is coping very well. Tender finished now, just needs a proper clean (I was surprised how much solder was still showing on the photo, must take more care) before applying some etch primer. Just to note, the kit will not make up the tender shown as there are quite a few extras from 62C models excellent range of NB parts (including the weather board) to represent the particular loco I have chosen to model. I try to take the easy option and always use a photograph from the period being modelled. Stay safe and well regards Stewart