West Highland Line V4, a 1980's West Highland Line layout

[young37215]

A couple more pictures from Thursday's operating session with freight trains crossing at Crianlarich. 37011 heads south whilst 37051 heads north.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2022 by young37215

[young37215]

More playing trains at present, partly to test out how having two sets of Alcan hoppers works in practice and partly because I did'nt feel like doing anymore work at Ardlui. Having watched the latest Everard Junction video and seeing his landscaping techiques in action I feel more confident abut my plans for Ardlui. Whether this new found confidence leads to anything tangible only time will tell!

 

37049 arrives at Garelochead with the new rake of Alcan's comprised of Bachmann grain wagons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2022 by young37215

[young37215]

Spent a few minutes planning work for the coming weeks. 4 main areas to focus on:

• Garelochead south end of scenic section. Rocky cutting leading to the main fiddle yard needs completion
• Ardlui scenery continued development
• Mallaig section needs lifting onto the workbench for the scenic work to be completed and the extension to the station constructed
• Mallaig Junction fiddle yard needs lifting onto the workbench for 3 servo controlled point motors to be relocated

In reality each task is modest in terms of work but because it is the fine tuning that makes or breaks the appearance I feel under pressure to do the best job I can. As ever breaking the tasks down into parts makes it look more manageable and I feel more motivated to crack on. Moving the 3 point motors should not take long so I will focus on this first because it always feels good to tick a job off of the outstanding list. On the back of that I continued to run trains, 37014 is pictured arriving at Mallaig with the teatime train 1630 ex Fort William which it runs around and awaits its return departure at 1840.

 

 

[ISW]

1 hour ago, young37215 said:

Mallaig Junction fiddle yard needs lifting onto the workbench for 3 servo controlled point motors to be relocated

Rob,

 

What's the background to the relocation of the servos? Obviously, their location is rather dictated by the associated turnout location. Are you moving them from 'above' the baseboard to 'under' the baseboard, or are some fancy cranked linkages involved?

 

Ian

[young37215]

On 30/08/2021 at 19:51, young37215 said:

Compared to some WHL modellers (you know who you are!) I am doing very little at present. We did have a day of running trains last week which reinforced an operational concern that has been occupying my thoughts for some time with Mallaig Junction Yard fiddle yard not working as it needs to when running to timetable.  The problem is that the run round loops are not long enough to hold typical length freight trains of 8 or so wagons resulting in trains fouling points and blocking off access to other loops. 

 

The 5 road fiddle yard needs changing to function more effectively; the before and after plan below shows visually what I intend doing. 3 shortish sidings will be removed and replaced by extending the existing run round loops. The net effect should be a 100% increase in the length of the 3 extended loops creating greater flexibility and comfortably allowing 10 wagon trains plus loco into each loop. A further bonus will be the removal of 2 sets of points and less shunting both of which should reduce derailment potential. A 3 way point has been purchased and will be installed over the next few days. 

 

 

 

Sidings lifted and revised track placed in position prior to cutting it to fit and wiring up

 

 

  

The relocated servos reflect the changes to the pointwork in the fiddle yard that I outlined above. I also intend adding more droppers to optimise the track power continuity. I spent time working on this yesterday but am nowhere near finished. An empty ballast train of mermaids headed by 20045 departs the sidings at Crianlarich and heads for the quarry on the Oban line for a refill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2022 by young37215

[ISW]

On 02/11/2021 at 09:16, ISW said:

What's the background to the relocation of the servos? Obviously, their location is rather dictated by the associated turnout location. Are you moving them from 'above' the baseboard to 'under' the baseboard, or are some fancy cranked linkages involved?

 

3 hours ago, young37215 said:

The 5 road fiddle yard needs changing to function more effectively; the before and after plan below shows visually what I intend doing. 3 shortish sidings will be removed and replaced by extending the existing run round loops. The net effect should be a 100% increase in the length of the 3 extended loops creating greater flexibility and comfortably allowing 10 wagon trains plus loco into each loop. A further bonus will be the removal of 2 sets of points and less shunting both of which should reduce derailment potential. A 3 way point has been purchased and will be installed over the next few days. 

Rob,

 

Sorry, missed that bit.

 

Ian

[young37215]

On 03/11/2021 at 10:48, ISW said:

Rob,

 

Sorry, missed that bit.

 

Ian

 

Not a problem, not everyone eats, sleeps and dreams WHL4!

 

It is irrittating that the dam servos are not being a little more cooperative. Slowly things move forward and I hope to complete the activity today so that running can be restored. 37039 and 37264 from a couple of days ago seen with the daily freight services between Mossend and Oban which pass at Crianlarich.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2022 by young37215

[young37215]

By the end of yesterday Mallaig Junction fiddle yard was back in its rightful place on the layout with the 3 servos tested and fully functional. A little more work is required on the control panel to reflect the revised track layout and I may choose to add another couple of droppers but to all intents and purposes I can tick this off as 'done' on my list. Todays unresolved question is play trains or work on the 2 scenic items on the 'to do'list.

 

37081 heads the 1245 Mallaig to Glasgow seen as it transits Garelochead and crosses 37049 on the northbound Alcans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2022 by young37215

[03060]

1 hour ago, young37215 said:

 Todays unresolved question is play trains or work on the 2 scenic items on the 'to do'list.

 

 

Morning Rob,

 

Much as we are all eager to see how you develop the scenic work both south of Garelochhead and around Ardlui I can appreciate that this is best done only if you are 'in the mood,' so whilst a days playing trains might be felt as a missed opportunity it might also help to drum up that enthusiasm and those visions for you to create those dream scenes that you are trying to replicate.

 

I look forward to seeing the results of today's activities ....whatever they may be ! 

 

Regards,

Ian.

Edited November 5, 2021 by 03060
Correction.

[mallaig1983]

You’re spoiling us with photos recently Rob. Some great shots and the layout really captures the atmosphere of the line. I’m enjoying your Ardlui updates too and I continue to find inspiration from WHL4. 

[young37215]

It probably will not surprise readers that playing trains won the day. There was a serious part to this, testing that Mallaig Junction fiddle yard all works and the continued learning from having 2 Alcan rakes of hoppers. The former all performed well, the latter is proving more challenging. The Alcan hoppers first ran as a block train in 1984 when it replaced 1 of the 3 daily trains between Glasgow and Lochaber running in a similar path. I am running the Alcan's as an additional service which means I have to work out extra paths and find a way to stable the hoppers whilst they are at Mallaig Junction fiddle yard which are proving more challenging that I had anticipated. 

 

On a more positive note I have received the materials to enable me to crack on with the front of the station at Ardlui where 37039 on 8B05 crosses 37012 with 1B14. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2022 by young37215

[young37215]

Embankment leading down to the A82 and the station underpass at Ardlui largely completed today using plaster cloth and Sculptamold. The underpass brickwork is not yet fixed in place hence the gap around it. 
 

Sculptamold and paint needs to dry before I can start on dressing the area. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2022 by young37215

[mallaig1983]

That’s some very effective painting of the stonework Rob. It looks the part. Really starting to come together now. Oh the joys of waiting for the sculptamould to properly dry. 

[03060]

19 hours ago, young37215 said:

 

 

 

Hello Rob,

 

Is that a 'trick' of the angle of the lower 2 photos being taken or have you prototypically modelled the change of gradient that is genuinely found part way along Ardlui station area ?

 

It's not noticeable in the top 2 photos that's all, which are taken more square on to the site of where the gradient appears to change in the lower 2.

 

Impressive attention to detail if you have !

 

Regards,

Ian.

[young37215]

18 hours ago, 03060 said:

 

Hello Rob,

 

Is that a 'trick' of the angle of the lower 2 photos being taken or have you prototypically modelled the change of gradient that is genuinely found part way along Ardlui station area ?

 

It's not noticeable in the top 2 photos that's all, which are taken more square on to the site of where the gradient appears to change in the lower 2.

 

Impressive attention to detail if you have !

 

Regards,

Ian.

 

Short answer is yes, I am attempting to create the gradient profile surrounding the mountainside on the western side of the station within the constraints of available space. I am not quite happy with it yet but with a little more Sculptamold I think I can get there. The view from the picture below is what I want to create, it needs a lot of trees and bushes. 

 

 

I am happy with the underpass and surrounding area, again lots of bushes and undergrowth needed.

 

 

The eastern bank to the immediate north of the station where there is a copse of trees is the area I am least happy with.

 

 

Edited November 11, 2021 by young37215

[03060]

45 minutes ago, young37215 said:

 

Short answer is yes, I am attempting to create the gradient profile surrounding the eastern side of the station within the constraints of available space.

 

 

Morning Rob (and all),

 

Sorry I think that we might be at slight crossed purposes as I was referring to the trackbed and platform  gradient which changes somewhere around the points area in the sidings and is quite evident on some photos or DVD footage of Ardlui.

 

The best example of this that I can find at the moment is this photo by Ernie which if you look along the length of the Alumina train illustrates how the line gradient profile changes between the descent from Glen Falloch to the ascent up towards the Arrochar area. I thought that this showed up in the lower 2 photos of your OP but couldn't see it in the upper 2 .... and also that it was very brave if you had recreated this on your model.

 

 

All totally irrelevant in the grand scheme of things as I certainly think that you are capturing the 'feel' of the Ardlui area with what you are doing. Looking forward to seeing it progress. 

 

Regards,

Ian.

[young37215]

On 11/11/2021 at 09:08, 03060 said:

Sorry I think that we might be at slight crossed purposes as I was referring to the trackbed and platform  gradient which changes somewhere around the points area in the sidings and is quite evident on some photos or DVD footage of Ardlui.

 

The best example of this that I can find at the moment is this photo by Ernie which if you look along the length of the Alumina train illustrates how the line gradient profile changes between the descent from Glen Falloch to the ascent up towards the Arrochar area. I thought that this showed up in the lower 2 photos of your OP but couldn't see it in the upper 2 .... and also that it was very brave if you had recreated this on your model.

 

Clearly I misinterpreted Ian's question. The answer is still 'yes', the gradient change of the rail through Ardlui station is represented although visually it is not quite as pronounced as is the case in reality. To create the effect I added 3mm strips of cork to the trestles under the baseboards at each end of the station which makes the gradient transition evident at the mid point of the station. 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2022 by young37215

[BoD]

Now that’s what I call attention to detail.  
Looking forward to seeing the scenics completed.

[Charlie75]

I have being reading through this thread for several days now, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. 

What a fantastic model railway, with lots of lovely scenery, attention to detail, and rolling stock. 
 

It’s nice to see a layout with the correct amount of vegetation on the embankments, as so many layouts, just have the odd tree or bush, and that’s it. I appreciate tree’s are quite expensive, but to achieve the realism that you have, I think investing in the vegetation is very important, as it gives a greater depth to the landscape, and makes it look more realistic.

 

I shall continue to follow your thread, and marvel at this lovely layout.

[young37215]

On 14/11/2021 at 11:02, Charlie75 said:

I have being reading through this thread for several days now, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. 

What a fantastic model railway, with lots of lovely scenery, attention to detail, and rolling stock. 
 

It’s nice to see a layout with the correct amount of vegetation on the embankments, as so many layouts, just have the odd tree or bush, and that’s it. I appreciate tree’s are quite expensive, but to achieve the realism that you have, I think investing in the vegetation is very important, as it gives a greater depth to the landscape, and makes it look more realistic.

 

I shall continue to follow your thread, and marvel at this lovely layout.

Kind words, thank you. The scenery is what creates the feel of the west highlands which is what I want to achieve. A first layer of scenic material ground cover has been laid at Ardlui, I’ll see how it looks when the glue has dried. Trees and bushes can go down once I am happy with the ground cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2022 by young37215

[mallaig1983]

Wow. That’s made a huge difference very quickly. May I ask what products you’ve used? Very effective bit of work. Yes you can’t really skimp on the scenery with a West Highland layout. It all adds to the atmosphere.

[young37215]

On 15/11/2021 at 16:22, mallaig1983 said:

Wow. That’s made a huge difference very quickly. May I ask what products you’ve used? Very effective bit of work. Yes you can’t really skimp on the scenery with a West Highland layout. It all adds to the atmosphere.

It’s all Woodland Scenics materials, the ground cover is a mix of blended, fine and coarse turfs. The bushes are a mix of clump foliage and bushes. I have fine leaf foliage to provide more height in addition to the trees. WS are not cheap but I managed to buy a good quantity at a discounted price in the Modelzone fire sale some 10 years ago and it’s nice to finally get around to using it.
 

The fencing has been installed around the underpass entrance and I have started to add bushes although there’s a lot more to do. There is a small rocky outcrop at the north end of the station which is the first time I have actually used the WS rock molds on the layout. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2022 by young37215

[mallaig1983]

Thanks Rob. I have used some of the Woodland Scenics turfs, grass fibres and underbrush myself and thought I had what I needed. I’m happy with the results (so far) but looking at what you have done with the more overgrown areas I think I need to put a few more weapons in the arsenal for other areas on my layout.

Your progress is impressive and the rock looks great.

 

Andy

[young37215]

WIth the help of others on RMWeb I appear to have found a solution to planting WS trees. A hole created using a suitable size drill bit and a little bit of pressure when inserting the tree creates a friction fit that feels reasonably secure. I have made a start at planting, at this stage I am looking to get a blend of trees and bushes which will take a bit of time to determine. For a first step I am delighted with the effect adding trees has, Ardlui is beginning to look how I want.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 14, 2022 by young37215

[03060]

1 hour ago, young37215 said:

 For a first step I am delighted with the effect adding trees has, Ardlui is beginning to look how I want.  

 

 

 

Wow, that's looking superb, Rob !