RMweb Gold young37215 Posted February 21, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2020 (edited) A little time away from layout construction today. I recently acquired a body shell of 37049 which I renumbered to 37081 despite the inaccuracy of the missing cantrail dividing bars found on the RSH built locos. 37081 has replaced the bodyshell on the chasis of 37401 which was getting little work on WHL4. I intend adding Loch Long nameplates, Westie’s and the Eastfield bodyside white stripe. I have wanted a Loch Long for some time largely because it was the Eastfield pet loco and regularly used on the Edinburgh to Oban adexs that ran on Summer Sundays in the early 80’s utilising a rake of Mk3’s normally found on Edinburgh to Glasgow services during the week. I renumbered my 3 Mk3 coaches to SCR allocated ones, specifically those known to have traversed the WHL on the Edinburgh to Oban adexs using Railtec transfers. I moved the ETH connectors to their correct position on the underframe and fitted Hornby close couplers which I had in stock. Of course whilst fitting the close couplers to the last coach I managed to disconnect one of the screws that secures the coupling cam which meant I had to strip the coach and re-fit the screw. Fortunately the guidelines found in the Oxford Rail Mk3 thread were very good and made the task an easy one. I added passengers to the coach whilst it was in bits. Apart from a light weathering of the coach roofs and underframes, the Mk3's are now complete. The push pull rake with Bachmann DBSO renumbered coaches coupled with Hornby 'Roco' style not so close coupler ETH socket moved from the centre to the outside of the coach underframe as per the real loco hauled Mk3's Edited February 21, 2020 by young37215 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meanach Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 I wish they’d got as far as doing the sleepers before they were taken over . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted February 23, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2020 (edited) On 22/02/2020 at 16:45, meanach said: I wish they’d got as far as doing the sleepers before they were taken over . Given the errors and failings with the Oxford Rail Mk3's I am not so sure, there are a number of errors and well documented problems with the Oxford Rail offerings. For example I have only just realised from the pictures in my last post that the steps have fallen off one from one door and are loose on the others. The old Lima/Hornby Mk3 sleeper is a far more robust coach, albeit with less detail, and with an updated NEM coupling fitted it would be my MK3 sleeper of choice. If someone gets around to producing a better MK3 then great but I hope that it is not Oxford. Edited February 23, 2020 by young37215 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted February 24, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 24, 2020 A little progress and a lot of thinking at present because I have to make some decisions about linking the lower and upper sections as well as which stations/scenic sections will work best between Crianlarch and Fort William. I also need to decide if I have the space to include a station between Fort William and Mallaig and work out the amounts of fiddle yard storage that I need to be able to run the full working timetable. In an effort to work out what works best, I have cleared space and will trial some track plans on the baseboards in the hope that the best solution becomes clear. Some work has been completed and trains can now run between Fort William station and Mallaig Junction Yard where I have installed 26 droppers to power the track. This is under test with a loco and several coaches in the as yet unconnected section. Everything else is set up for the start of day of a running session but, because I have lifted several sidings which are required to store rolling stock when running the WTT at present, I have not started the days operations yet. I am hopeful that I can link the upper and lower sections today and start running trains. Fort William station is connected to Mallaig Junction Yard Raring to go at the start of the days operations 2 southbound trains which will start from Fort William once it is connected thus freeing up space in the fiddle yard Sidings to go. The 2 in the middle and 3 to the right will all disappear with the area being made a secnic one. The line to the far left is the connection to the upper level. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallaig1983 Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 On 21/02/2020 at 18:56, young37215 said: A little time away from layout construction today. I recently acquired a body shell of 37049 which I renumbered to 37081 despite the inaccuracy of the missing cantrail dividing bars found on the RSH built locos. 37081 has replaced the bodyshell on the chasis of 37401 which was getting little work on WHL4. I intend adding Loch Long nameplates, Westie’s and the Eastfield bodyside white stripe. I have wanted a Loch Long for some time largely because it was the Eastfield pet loco and regularly used on the Edinburgh to Oban adexs that ran on Summer Sundays in the early 80’s utilising a rake of Mk3’s normally found on Edinburgh to Glasgow services during the week. I renumbered my 3 Mk3 coaches to SCR allocated ones, specifically those known to have traversed the WHL on the Edinburgh to Oban adexs using Railtec transfers. I moved the ETH connectors to their correct position on the underframe and fitted Hornby close couplers which I had in stock. Of course whilst fitting the close couplers to the last coach I managed to disconnect one of the screws that secures the coupling cam which meant I had to strip the coach and re-fit the screw. Fortunately the guidelines found in the Oxford Rail Mk3 thread were very good and made the task an easy one. I added passengers to the coach whilst it was in bits. Apart from a light weathering of the coach roofs and underframes, the Mk3's are now complete. The push pull rake with Bachmann DBSO renumbered coaches coupled with Hornby 'Roco' style not so close coupler ETH socket moved from the centre to the outside of the coach underframe as per the real loco hauled Mk3's 37 081 Loch Long is also my favourite loco as it was featured in Rail Enthusiast magazine when it was put into its white stripe livery so I have also modelled it for my Mallaig layout (Just started a thread for it). Mine is based on the recent MMRS limited edition of 37 026 Loch Awe. I would of liked two examples of that model so I could have both but funds wouldn't stretch. I'm absolutely loving this thread. Thanks for the continuing inspiration. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted February 27, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 27, 2020 A landmark today as I finally managed to connect the lower level to the upper and run a train through to Fort William. The delay is largely due to my inability to source chipboard which is my baseboard of choice. My traditional suppliers B&Q have stopped selling it as, so it seems, have most DIY and hardware stores. 37011 had the honour of leading the ECS to Fort William as a positioning move to start the days operations with the first southbound train to Glasgow. The train should start from Mallaig but I have not completed the baseboards for this yet. In addition there are 2 freight trains awaiting departure from Mallaig Junction Yard. Before I secure all of the track and start the scenic work, I want to see if I can run the WTT in full with the current sidings and fiddle yards. I think it works but will only find out by running through the days movements over the extended line which now totals approximately 50m in length. 37011 waits for the route to be built 37011 climbs the 1:32 gradient to the upper level 37011 rounds the curve above Garelochead and heads to Fort William approaching Mallig Junction Yard arriving at Fort William arrived at Fort William Run round Awiating departure to Glasgow 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meanach Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 Fortwilliam is looking a little longer then when I last saw it ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted February 28, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28, 2020 14 hours ago, meanach said: Fortwilliam is looking a little longer then when I last saw it ? You’re correct, it’s had a 300mm graft in the middle. It means I have had to extend the platform but at least the extended length allows load 6 with ease. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted February 29, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 29, 2020 I am awake at this ungodly hour because by my wife and dog are both snoring loudly. Yesterday saw me run a fair part of a single day of the WTT comprising 130 individual movements without any major problems. So far, so good… Lower fiddle yard start of day from left to right: 37049 1415 Sighthill to Corpach 37264 and 37022 0712 Blyth to Fort William 37011 ECS to Mallaig to form 0700 Mallaig to Glasgow 37178 0600 Glasgow to Mallaig 37081 0806 Glasgow to Oban 37012 0837 Glasgow to Mallaig 37085 0606 Sighthill to Mallaig Junction Yard 37108 1449 Sighthill to Oban 27041 1605 Oban to Sighthill ECS Mk3 push pull Edinburgh to Glasgow rake 37081 0740 Oban to Glasgow Upper fiddle yard start of day from right to left 37014 0707 Mallaig Junction Yard to Sighthill 37192 1520 Corpach to Sighthill 37011 ECS approaching the upper fiddle yard. The gap between baseboard enables me to remove the fiddle yard to work on it. I need to decide what to model in the area to the left and behind 37011, either Fort William depot or Bridge of Orchy station. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BoD Posted March 5, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 5, 2020 Some lovely stock and weathering there. I may have said before, but I do like the idea of you being able to run a system with the trains having meaningful schedules. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 7, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 7, 2020 I am working on finding the best solution I can for a station on the Mallaig extension and for a run round at the end of the line. Initially I favoured Glenfinnan where trains regularly passed each other but this means that trains also need somewhere to run round, a Mallaig fiddle yard as such. I am now favouring Mallaig itself because this delivers both of my aims in one go and uses less space. Mallaig will sit above Garelochead and to the side of the main fiddle yard. I aim to blend the scenic elements of Garelochead and Mallaig so that each station effectively uses the same scenery thus, I hope, creating a greater feeling of space. The track layout will be based on the pre 1982 design with semaphores still in use and a working signal box. I have laid some track to get a feel for what can be done in the space available and I think a station approximately two thirds scale size can be made to work. There will be limited scope for scenery but I think that I can create the flavour of Mallaig with what I have to work with. The scaling down does not concern me, most stations on WHL4 are similarly scaled down as are most of my trains. I now need to wire droppers and pin the track down and connect it to the rest of the layout and see how it works with running the WTT. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dougjuk Posted March 8, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 8, 2020 Good idea Rob, Mallaig would be a better solution especially for the running of a timetable. Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 8, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 8, 2020 4 hours ago, Dougjuk said: Good idea Rob, Mallaig would be a better solution especially for the running of a timetable. Doug I think so although I will only know for sure by running the timetable to see if it works. Mallaig brings the number of station up to 6 with potentially one more to come. I like the theory behind running to a timetable but I still want to create credible replicas of the stations I model and have some distance between the stations to enjoy running trains. I keep reminding my self that the worst that can happen is that if I have built to many stations then I will simply have to remove one or two of them. In between the construction of the Mallaig baseboards I have been continuing to run trains. Below are a few pictures of 37049 and 37085 as they pass each otherat Crianlarich with offsetting Glasgow and Corpach originated freights. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 9, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 9, 2020 Mallaig, this is Mallaig. All change please. Mallaig is now operational with the track pinned and power connected. 37033 had the honour of being the first powered arrival bringing the 1636 from Glasgow into Mallaig on time at 22.32. It is early days but Mallaig seems to fit in to what I am trying to achieve, I do'nt intend doing much scenically until I have proved the timetable but I will make up a temporary platform at the very least. For those who are interested, the rocks at the station throat are recycled from my greyhound's drinking water bowl and have been dutifully saved over several years. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallaig1983 Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Rob, I notice you're not using cork underlay on your layout. On my thread I asked for the pros and cons for corking (or not). Can I ask your view on it please? Latest phase is looking good. Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 10, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 10, 2020 (edited) 8 hours ago, mallaig1983 said: I notice you're not using cork underlay on your layout. On my thread I asked for the pros and cons for corking (or not). Can I ask your view on it please? Hi Andy I used 3mm cork as an underlay on WHL 3 but did not notice any benefit so I have not used it on WHL4. Perhaps the fact that I use 12mm chipboard means that cork offers less benefit? I have no real idea and on the basis that it's expensive, I have chosen not to use it this time. I do use the cork that I have to create small gradient changes and to pack areas where I need to. For example I used it in strips on the southern approach to Crianlarich to raise the line by 15mm to create the falling gradient into the station. Now that I am effectively running the whole of the WHL my needs for siding space has changed. In the main fiddle yard I have created 4 new sidings underneath Mallaig where rolling stock not in everday use will live. I think I will have to reduce this to 3 when I motorise the Mallaig points because the servo brackets have a 70mm drop which will obstruct the sidings. I can also fit a further 2 loops in the Oban area which I prefer to sidings because I find avoiding shunting reduces derailments. This just about gives me sufficient sidings for my current amount of rolling stock but little headroom should I buy anything more..... The new sidings Sidings neatly hidden by the Mallaig section Space in the Oban area Edited March 10, 2020 by young37215 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dougjuk Posted March 11, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 11, 2020 Looking forward to an operating session tomorrow, lets give that timetable a good run. Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 11, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 11, 2020 Looking forward to an operating session tomorrow, lets give that timetable a good run. That is the plan. Trains have been running over the last few days, first up 37026 heads north from Crianlarich with a Mallaig bound train A few minutes later 37081 arrives with a train from Oban to Glasgow New comer 37017 at Crianlarich with an Oban bound train 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 13, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 13, 2020 A days running draws to a close which has shown that the WHL WTT movements can be replicated in operationally on WHL4. Thanks are due to Doug Johnson for his help yesterday in testing my attempts at creating the WTT, fortunately he only managed to find a few minor mistakes which were straightforward to correct. Mallaig gets a big tick, it works really well and delivers precisely what I wanted. In terms of the one remaining area where I am undecided on what to do, operating the layout leads both Doug and me towards an extended scenic section rather than an additional station between Fort William and Crianlarich (Bridge of Orchy was the likely choice) or Fort William depot because in both cases the limited available space would mean making to many compromises. I will complete a little more running before I commit to the scenic section although I am pretty clear in my mind what I will do. I am still a little short of siding space in the main fiddle yard but this is not insurmountable. Mallaig Junction Yard will be increased from 4 to 5 loops as and when I wire in the droppers which will make operations easier. Otherwise I am pleased with how well trains have run with few derailments other than those caused by Operator stupidity. 37012 brings the London bound sleeper into Crianlarich The last southbound train of the day on WHL4 is the empty Alcan hoppers returning to Blyth seen here also arriving at Crianlarich with 37022 and 37264 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dougjuk Posted March 13, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 13, 2020 A really good day of operating and discussing, once the track layout is finalised we can have another days running. I am getting used to the timetable and can say the more I understand the more entertaining it gets. Looking forward to the next day we can arrange. Once again great work Rob. Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 03060 Posted March 13, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 13, 2020 Hello Young 37215, Just a quick distraction from your modelling but how have you arrived at your carriage formations, please, as in is it observational or have you used a source of information ? I've looked back to p.4 of the thread when you were renumbering coaches and appreciate that you've gone for a 'feel of the time' approach against model availability and practical length, I see from one photo that you have at least 20 B/grey coaches (not including then Mk.3 set) and also from recent 'start of day' pictures which trains you've divided them into. The reason I ask is that I'm just trying to assess my own N gauge coaching stock policy having so far bought some 24 Mk.1's, 5 Mk.2's and a Mk.3 set ....still haven't built a layout yet but hopefully an enforced Caronavirus lay off will remedy that (just been skiing in Italy and have been told to stay at home for a while by work) which will be based on the lower section of line below Crianlarich, ie FW and Oban trains. I'm happy with the Mk.2's and 3's it's the Mk.1's that I'm struggling to sort out and think that it would be easier to put them into rough train formations....and see what's surplus to requirements. Basically I've got: ×2 Sleepers (no issue) ×1 1st (no issue) ×2 Comp (no issue) ×11 2nd's (×4 Opens and ×7 Corridors ...too many ?) ×6 BSK (too many ?) ×2 Buffet (so far I've only found one 1970's photo with a full Buffet coach included, most 1980's trains seem to use RMB's) Nice dilemma to have but my coach identification skills when looking at photos are not fantastic and I'm currently trying to resist buying further unrelated vehicles to the WHL, there is a nice B/grey RU sat in my local model shop which keeps winking at me. One get out may be to set them into time periods, ie a couple of 1970's sets, a couple or so early 80's sets and a couple or so late 80's sets (5 have Scotrail branding.) Any pointers greatly recieved but don't want to hijack your thread....but WHL train formations may also be useful to others. Regards, Ian. PS - I have the Train Formations Bookazine (not much for my passenger trains but great for freight) ....was there anything in the back of the Train Crazy books ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Scottish Modeller Posted March 13, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 13, 2020 1 hour ago, 03060 said: The reason I ask is that I'm just trying to assess my own N gauge coaching stock policy having so far bought some 24 Mk.1's, 5 Mk.2's and a Mk.3 set ....still haven't built a layout yet but hopefully an enforced Caronavirus lay off will remedy that (just been skiing in Italy and have been told to stay at home for a while by work) which will be based on the lower section of line below Crianlarich, ie FW and Oban trains. Regards, Ian. Hi Ian, You are not alone in this task! I have also been in much the same situation with both N and OO stock requirements in the 80's. The best way is to model the trains that you find photos of - then no one can argue about your train formations. In the days of Fotopic I scoured every collection and saved any photos that I thought were relevant, I still do this on FlickR and Smugmug. Of the magazines - there are several issues that I considered as 'must have' material to work from, but these days, most of the material is available online to view, if not download. As for books - thare are so many that have photos that are of use, but buying a book because it has a small selection of photos that you want is expensive! What do I have that I am happy with? Mk1 - B/G, Scotrail, I/C, Regional and current stock that I think are representative and can be split/mixed to make the seasonal changes. Mk2 - B/G, Scotrail, I/C, Regional and current stock that I am working on at present as I am still not happy with what I have. Mk3 - B/G, Scotrail, I/C, Regional and current stock that I think are representative and can be split/mixed to make the seasonal changes. What I have found is that the more info I find, the more info I need/want! Looking at the Mk1 stock, I think you are near, SK and SO stock are hard to tell the difference between. I have BCK's already but need some more BSK/BSO to balance things up. As you say - this could do with a whole thread of it's own.... Thanks Phil H 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 14, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 14, 2020 (edited) how have you arrived at your carriage formations, please, as in is it observational or have you used a source of information I have used a combination of sources: WTT’s which include the booked number of coaches along with their heating and braking characteristics Platform 5 Coaching Stock books which show coaches allocated to Glasgow Cowlairs, the base for WHL rolling stock and detail their heating and braking capability as well as the bogie type Reference to numerous photographs and books For the 1980 to 1985 period I model, WHL trains were usually made up of Mk1’s in blue and grey livery. Summer trains were usually load 6 with SO/TSO’s outnumbering SK’s plus the odd CK. One or two from any of BSK’s, BCK’s, BSO’s and BSOT’s and early Mk2 BFK’s provided the required brake coach. First class accommodation was provided by CK’s and BFK’s. Buffet cars were downgraded around 1980/1 to micro buffets (BSOT’s) converted from BSO’s. WHL4 is effectively a two thirds scale model, therefore I run 4 coach trains. Running the complete WHL WTT requires 6 rakes of stock, 3 Glasgow Mallaig, 2 Glasgow Oban and 1 Fort William Mallaig. I re-numbered various Bachmann and Hornby coches to ones allocated to Cowlairs using a combination of Railtec’s off the shelf SCR numbers and a custom order that I made up from coaches seen on the WHL in pictures. Other regions coaches frequently appeared on the WHL but I chose to stick with SCR numbered ones. There are threads that discuss various aspects of the rolling stock seen on the WHL in the 1980’s. The one below is more relevant to the mid to late 80’s in my opinion. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/28679-west-highland-coaching-stock-early-1980s/ There is also a thread about the BSOT’s. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/148048-mk1-bsot-scotrail-branding-question/ Good luck with your enforced modelling, I hope that you do'nt have the virus. Edited March 14, 2020 by young37215 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 03060 Posted March 14, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 14, 2020 Thanks for the reply Rob, As suggested I've started another thread in Railways of Scotland so as not to detract from your superb modelling theme. I'll have a look at the other threads that you suggest. At £45 a carriage I think that I need to tailor my buying policy to being a bit more specific, hence the request. Regards, Ian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 16, 2020 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted March 16, 2020 Not a lot of visible progress but I have been working hard. Mallaig Junction Yard has been increased to 5 roads, the holes for the point motor servos drilled and droppers have been soldered and connected to the main BUS. As a fiddle yard this does nothing for the aesthetics of the layout but it will make operation much easier. I have one compromise that I have yet to reconcile in my mind. The scenic section marked TBA will need to carry trains to and from Fort William heading for both Glasgow and Mallaig. Not prototypical but I have not yet found a better solution. The track plan below below shows what is likely to be the final outcome. The coloured areas are fiddle yards and storage, the rest will be scenic. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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