Christleton Junction - 1986 - Gateway to North Wales

[61656]

52 minutes ago, BenW said:

Very nice mate - the grime on the front end looks really subtle.  Sent me down a rabbit hole looking for the loco's history!

 

D200 was such an iconic loco of the mid eighties, it’s easy to forget that not everyone knows about it. 
 

40122 (ex D200 and first of the class) was selected for special treatment by BR in 1983 and painted in green to be used for charter work as the whole class was being steadily withdrawn. It is occasionally confused with green 40106, which was famous for never making it to BR blue (see separate story!) and was also a spotters’ favourite. 
 

D200 was based at Carlisle and intend for mainly charter work, often working the S&C diagram to Leeds and back. BR at the time had loads of spare locos, just not always in the right condition or with the right ability to start. Hence D200 turned up in all sorts of places on all sorts of jobs. It was a fairly regular visitor to the Coast on both passenger and civil engineers’ trains. 
 

Due to its celebrity nature it was often fairly clean for an 80’s loco, but a week on the p-way makes anyone look rough, so there are photos of it in all kinds of states. The state of the White rimmed wheels and yellow axle box covers seem to have varied quite considerably. 
 

It’s a great reason to keep a 40 running beyond the class demise in January 85, together with a couple of departmental locos based at Crewe. Watch this space!

Edited February 28, 2021 by 61656

[P.C.M]

D200 looks great. One of the reasons for me choosing to model North Wales was the fact that the last class 40s could be seen quite regularly. You cant really model the North Wales Coast and not have a D200. Mine has worked all sorts of trains but is common the 1D32  from Stoke and return which also includes a run down the branch.

 

Cheers Peter.

[61656]

9 hours ago, P.C.M said:

D200 looks great. One of the reasons for me choosing to model North Wales was the fact that the last class 40s could be seen quite regularly. You cant really model the North Wales Coast and not have a D200. Mine has worked all sorts of trains but is common the 1D32  from Stoke and return which also includes a run down the branch.

 

Cheers Peter.

It’s such a great location to model.  By the mid eighties so much was 47 alternating with 47, the Coast had variety in abundance. 40135 is on my list in 97 guise, but it’s quite a long list and I really need to finish some of the jobs I’ve started before embarking on anymore!

A 127 parcels unit is one of my favourite not-on-the-list-yet projects. Getting a sound unit for a hydraulic DMU should be interesting!

[GordonC]

14 hours ago, 61656 said:

It’s such a great location to model.  By the mid eighties so much was 47 alternating with 47, the Coast had variety in abundance. 40135 is on my list in 97 guise, but it’s quite a long list and I really need to finish some of the jobs I’ve started before embarking on anymore!

A 127 parcels unit is one of my favourite not-on-the-list-yet projects. Getting a sound unit for a hydraulic DMU should be interesting!

 

Class 127 Loksound 5 decoder

 

https://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=297

[61656]

26 minutes ago, GordonC said:

 

Class 127 Loksound 5 decoder

 

https://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=297

Excellent. Other than time, materials and ability I can crack on!

[61656]

Here we see Scottish region 37/4 crossing over from the middle road to the Down Crewe. It will run down platform 2 to get to the loco yard. I’m still not sure what to do with this loco, it’s a long way off home soil! I may renumber it as Canton based 37428 to pull the electrically heated Christleton to Holyhead service, repaint it all blue to fill in occasional freight duties or sell it on to pay for a more appropriate type 2. Meanwhile it is being used in the speedlink fleet...

 

 

At the other end of the station, the Jocko has been fired up and run into the platform stub, to do two jobs. Firstly to shunt the trip freight the 37 brought in and secondly to demonstrate that I didn’t gauge the platform ramp as well as I thought!

 

This bit of platform needs some thought as it’s not a passenger road, but for access to the main shed. Initially I was going to have a wall along the back of the platform, but thought a small bit of platform facing would be useful for staff pick ups etc. I’m not sure it looks right though. There is at least one prototype at Worcester Shrub Hill, which gave me the idea. The trouble is that doesn’t look right either!

 

[61656]

Here’s another view to get some thoughts on. This is the Crewe lines to the right and electric loco stabling on the left. Originally I intended a tunnel or bridge portal (think Huddersfield). The stabling may either be fully walled or disappear into tunnel too. 
 

Further back someone suggested having the station the full height to the fireplace top, which I dismissed initially but keeps coming back as a better and better idea. Potentially a road could run over the end of the layout some 250mm above track height, possibly a bit like Lime Street. 
 

Has anyone got any thoughts on real locations to take inspiration from?

 

PS the glue’s still wet in the picture, so be careful touching it. 

 

[61656]

To be completely honest I’m as surprised as anyone that my little BFK project hasn’t been quietly shuffled off to one side yet, but here we are daring to look a little bit promising. There are still many opportunities for this to end up in the expected spares basket, but right now I’m more than a little happy with it. 
 

 

Of course, since I started it I’ve discovered that the two Mk2z’s so treated were used almost exclusively in the motorail rakes. 4 coaches and 2 car flats would look even more ridiculous than the usual shortened model railway rake, so it will be staying in my inter-regional set (if it actually makes the layout).   

[1977joey]

12 hours ago, 61656 said:

Here we see Scottish region 37/4 crossing over from the middle road to the Down Crewe. It will run down platform 2 to get to the loco yard. I’m still not sure what to do with this loco, it’s a long way off home soil! I may renumber it as Canton based 37428 to pull the electrically heated Christleton to Holyhead service, repaint it all blue to fill in occasional freight duties or sell it on to pay for a more appropriate type 2. Meanwhile it is being used in the speedlink fleet...

 

 

 

 

Hi 61656,

 

Keep her & renumber her as a canton 37/4, they were regulars on the north wales coast in the late 80's. I model N gauge & we only have the Scottish  one's available but i've renumbered & renamed mine, courtesy of  Railtec Transfers  Here's my 37429  Eisteddford Genedleithol & 37426 Y Lein Fach/Vale Of Rheidol

 

 

Loving your layout progress

 

Cheers,

Mark

Edited March 3, 2021 by 1977joey

[Mol_PMB]

Is this any good to you? IC Mk2 on the north Wales coast, and hauled by a Scottish 37 too.

I'm not sure if it's a Mk2Z though.

 

I'm sure I've seen a closer photo of an IC Mk2 BFK (non aircon, and with yellow stripe) in a Blackpool club train, but I can't find it now.

[61656]

37 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

Is this any good to you? IC Mk2 on the north Wales coast, and hauled by a Scottish 37 too.

I'm not sure if it's a Mk2Z though.

 

I'm sure I've seen a closer photo of an IC Mk2 BFK (non aircon, and with yellow stripe) in a Blackpool club train, but I can't find it now.

Great pictures and lots to learn from them. It’s about 7 years later than my period, but really interesting nonetheless. 
 

I think the roof vents are of the Mk2A/Z variety and suggest a BSO, although I can’t recall seeing a BSO in I/C before. It looks like it’s lost it’s I/C lettering. 
 

There were definitely a couple of Mk2C BFKs in general use on the West Coast, I’ve found a handful of pictures of those. 
 

 The ballast is fantastic and shows exactly how my nice shiny white ballast needs to be weathered. 

[61656]

5 hours ago, 1977joey said:

 

Hi 61656,

 

Keep her & renumber her as a canton 37/4, they were regulars on the north wales coast in the late 80's. I model N gauge & we only have the Scottish  one's available but i've renumbered & renamed mine, courtesy of  Railtec Transfers  Here's my 37429  Eisteddford Genedleithol & 37426 Y Lein Fach/Vale Of Rheidol

 

 

Loving your layout progress

 

Cheers,

Mark

 Great looking layout! Just a few miles further south 37/4s were in abundance, just not very common in my area in 86. Although a few made it through on the Crewe test trains. 
 

Now I’ve done a bit of transfer work, I’m much more confident about renumbering locos. Even large logo ones!

[WolfofBadenoch]

12 hours ago, 61656 said:

 Great looking layout! Just a few miles further south 37/4s were in abundance, just not very common in my area in 86. Although a few made it through on the Crewe test trains. 
 

Now I’ve done a bit of transfer work, I’m much more confident about renumbering locos. Even large logo ones!

Were the 37/4s not converted at Crewe around 1985 / 86? Could it be a newly converted loco out on a test run before dispatch north of the border?

[mallaig1983]

2 hours ago, WolfofBadenoch said:

Were the 37/4s not converted at Crewe around 1985 / 86? Could it be a newly converted loco out on a test run before dispatch north of the border?

I had a rather nice 37/4 & 33 combo on a Bangor - Crewe at Easter 86. Happy days.

[61656]

On 03/03/2021 at 20:36, WolfofBadenoch said:

Were the 37/4s not converted at Crewe around 1985 / 86? Could it be a newly converted loco out on a test run before dispatch north of the border?

Quite a few 37s ran paired with 33s on the Holyhead service, it’s certainly an option. 

[61656]

A good day of mixed running and working on the ballast. I’m slowly chipping away at the excess (note to future self, less is more when ballasting), and my patent pending 16mm wide wooden stick is making light work of it. I’m then topping up the thin areas - the photos really highlight where it’s needed. I’ve also started a light bit of weathering at the South end and I’ll slowly work round as the ballast progresses. 
 

First we see an 87, just detached from a Euston - Holyhead, on the stabling point. 

 

Next, resident 03, and potential next loco to the works for numbering and match truck painting, pulls a set of parcels vans out from White Lane sidings. It’s awaiting the signal to come off the loco holding road and into platform 4. Quite a handy place to keep my track rubber!
 

[61656]

On 03/03/2021 at 23:27, mallaig1983 said:

I had a rather nice 37/4 & 33 combo on a Bangor - Crewe at Easter 86. Happy days.

Were they in multi (both blue star?), both working separately, or was the 33 just ticking over?

 

 

[mallaig1983]

2 minutes ago, 61656 said:

Were they in multi (both blue star?), both working separately, or was the 33 just ticking over?

 

 

Sorry I really can’t remember the details. I was travelling home with a mate after spending Easter volunteering on the WHR and remember the excitement of seeing them. I can’t remember the numbers either I’m afraid. 

[61656]

On 07/03/2021 at 19:06, mallaig1983 said:

Sorry I really can’t remember the details. I was travelling home with a mate after spending Easter volunteering on the WHR and remember the excitement of seeing them. I can’t remember the numbers either I’m afraid. 

Both appeared to be under power leaving just now. Hellfire!

 

[61656]

40122 passing through on empty vans to the West Midlands. 
 

[mallaig1983]

1 hour ago, 61656 said:

Both appeared to be under power leaving just now. Hellfire!

 

The 16 year old me appears to be missing from the first droplight. Great reenactment and a lovely photo.

Andy

[61656]

On 08/03/2021 at 20:47, mallaig1983 said:

The 16 year old me appears to be missing from the first droplight. Great reenactment and a lovely photo.

Andy

Surely you were at the other side trying to get a glimpse of what was on shed?

 

When I eventually get around to passengers in coaches, FCFW is all yours on the Cardiff set!

[61656]

Hard to believe that this little chap was in Highland green and cream a couple of weeks back. It still needs some work on it, but I’m delighted with progress so far and a run out on an inter-regional working seemed only fitting. 
 

Not many PV mk2s made it into intercity livery, and hardly any are modelled (I think I’ve only seen one other), so nice to have this in the fleet. 
 

On to some more mundane GUV painting next!

 

Edited March 10, 2021 by 61656
Typo

[61656]

Meanwhile, the shed pilot has been renumbered as Chester based 03073, a dual braked loco making it much more useful to have around. The shed foreman has asked the driver to spot an open wagon down to the fancy new drivers’ messroom, complete with shed sign. Stop Boards have been added to the shed entrance too. 
 

Hopefully the p’way will be along soon to dirty the ballast a bit. 
 

[cheesysmith]

Mk2 in intercity, intercity in the 80s was actively ridding itself of the older mk2 coaches, the early pressure ventilated versions in the first half, then the D and E air con in the end of the 80s. This was mainly due to the higher maintenance needs of the older mk2. If you can get a copy, have a read of "the Mk2, the design that launched intercity" book.

 

As for the fireplace, hide it behind a high retaining wall. For example, look at sheffield. As for a booking ofice type above the station, look for old photos of normanton in west yorkshire.

 

Regarding the 127 DPMU, that is a easy cut and shut of the old lima DMU. Cut a piece of plasticard for the roller shutter door the size of a door and window. Then cut the model in half. Then cut the same sized bit out of the brake end. The roof section from the brake end needs adding back into the middle, and then fill/rub/paint.

 

 

Heres one in undercoat, waiting for the weather to improve before spraying.