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

[SHerr]

15 hours ago, young37215 said:

 

All of the station buildings and signal boxes on WHL4 are custom made out of cardboard by Ed Hall who is based in Northern Ireland and formerly one half of the Dawson Hall partnership. You may recall seeing their version of Glenfinnan station and signal box in ModelRail a few years back.  

Thanks, the ‘formerly part of’ makes more sense, I have been searching for Dawson-Hall online but you can’t get past a homepage. Does Ed have an online presence, I can’t find anything looking myself.

The layouts looking great and I’m blaming your thread for me scrapping my previous Speyside layout and going for something different!  Howver, I think you also need to also cover 1985 with some LL 37’s, Railfreight 20, IC charter mk1’s, China Clay PRA’s etc etc!!

[young37215]

8 hours ago, SHerr said:

Thanks, the ‘formerly part of’ makes more sense, I have been searching for Dawson-Hall online but you can’t get past a homepage. Does Ed have an online presence, I can’t find anything looking myself.

The layouts looking great and I’m blaming your thread for me scrapping my previous Speyside layout and going for something different!  Howver, I think you also need to also cover 1985 with some LL 37’s, Railfreight 20, IC charter mk1’s, China Clay PRA’s etc etc!!

 

It would be fair to say that Ed's online presence is negligible. I have a contact number and will ask him if he is OK with me making this available.  There are brand new PRA's on WHL4 but as for the rest of your suggestions I am afraid that BR blue is what I grew up with and what I model. The white stripes on a couple of the 37's are as much of a deviation from corporate standard as I will allow although should Accurascale produce 37188 Jimmy Shand or 37111 Loch Eil Outward Bound in LL I will be tempted. I dont particularly dislike the later era although it was a time when my interest in railways had waned and I dont relate to it like I do the early 1980's scene.

 

Continuing the recent engineering theme, 27032 departs Crianlarich with Grampus empties for activity taking place somewhere to the north.  

 

[SHerr]

4 hours ago, young37215 said:

 

It would be fair to say that Ed's online presence is negligible. I have a contact number and will ask him if he is OK with me making this available.  There are brand new PRA's on WHL4 but as for the rest of your suggestions I am afraid that BR blue is what I grew up with and what I model. The white stripes on a couple of the 37's are as much of a deviation from corporate standard as I will allow although should Accurascale produce 37188 Jimmy Shand or 37111 Loch Eil Outward Bound in LL I will be tempted. I dont particularly dislike the later era although it was a time when my interest in railways had waned and I dont relate to it like I do the early 1980's scene.

 

Continuing the recent engineering theme, 27032 departs Crianlarich with Grampus empties for activity taking place somewhere to the north.  

 

Thanks for info re Ed, I will hang off for now as just trying to get my head around options of scratchbuild vs kit bashed vs bespoke. I suspect something to that quality will come at a hefty cost.

 

The comments about 1985 were a bit tongue in cheek as I thought you may not have enough 37’s! Although on a serious note do the experimental 37’s with yellow ends (ie 112 and the other one that I can’t remember) fit your timeframe or is that pushing the livery boundary too far?

My interest started properly in 84 into 85 particularly with the LL 37s in Scotland and everything that followed up to about 88-90 when interest started to wain as the Sprinters took over everything.

[mallaig1983]

3 hours ago, SHerr said:

Thanks for info re Ed, I will hang off for now as just trying to get my head around options of scratchbuild vs kit bashed vs bespoke. I suspect something to that quality will come at a hefty cost.

 

The comments about 1985 were a bit tongue in cheek as I thought you may not have enough 37’s! Although on a serious note do the experimental 37’s with yellow ends (ie 112 and the other one that I can’t remember) fit your timeframe or is that pushing the livery boundary too far?

My interest started properly in 84 into 85 particularly with the LL 37s in Scotland and everything that followed up to about 88-90 when interest started to wain as the Sprinters took over everything.

37027, 111 and 112 were painted in this experimental livery in 1981 and unveiled I believe at the St Rollox open day that year. 027 and 111 lost this livery within a matter of months but 112 carried it well into 1983. I have a version of it on my layout. This was 112’s celebrity status and when it lost its yellow noses it retained its body side number and the terriers were put on the nose sides. Of course 027 and 111 went on to gain their own status when named in 1982 and 1985 respectively.

Rob I too have a soft spot for 37111 in LL livery as Loch Eil Outward Bound.

[young37215]

There are several occassions that I have looked at buying versions of 37112 in its unique LL livery but have'nt because the models have had the incorrect Bachmann bodyshell roof for the later numbered split box locos. Several years ago prior to learning about the roof issue I renumbered 37049 with the early numbered roof to 37108. Now that I am aware of the roof issue I intend renumbering 37108 to a lower number when I get around to it. Whilst I have enough 37's to run the full WTT, there is always the possibility of further additions to the fleet should something catch my attention.

 

No pictures today, I was lucky enough to get my Covid vacination on Monday and spent a quiet day yesterday as the side effects left me feeling poorly. I have no complaints about the flu like side effects, I am just grateful for having been vacinated and a day or two of feeling under the weather is a price well worth paying as far as I am concerned. Hopefully I will feel more like some railway time today. 

 

 

[mallaig1983]

2 hours ago, young37215 said:

There are several occassions that I have looked at buying versions of 37112 in its unique LL livery but have'nt because the models have had the incorrect Bachmann bodyshell roof for the later numbered split box locos. Several years ago prior to learning about the roof issue I renumbered 37049 with the early numbered roof to 37108. Now that I am aware of the roof issue I intend renumbering 37108 to a lower number when I get around to it. Whilst I have enough 37's to run the full WTT, there is always the possibility of further additions to the fleet should something catch my attention.

 

No pictures today, I was lucky enough to get my Covid vacination on Monday and spent a quiet day yesterday as the side effects left me feeling poorly. I have no complaints about the flu like side effects, I am just grateful for having been vacinated and a day or two of feeling under the weather is a price well worth paying as far as I am concerned. Hopefully I will feel more like some railway time today. 

 

 

Morning Rob,

Great news you’ve had your jab. I had mine a couple of weeks ago and felt a bit fluey for a day, a little bit low on energy for a few more days then back to normal so I’m sure you’ll be firing on all four cylinders again soon. The relief of having the vaccination outweighs a few days of feeling a bit sluggish.

 

I’m sure the likes of Bachmann and Accurascale will continue to produce tempting locos and hopefully some ‘must haves’. I’m surprised after all these years though that Bachmann have never produced a blue 37 with oval buffers and cutaway cowels. You’ve done well to build up such an impressive fleet.

 

 

[young37215]

20 hours ago, mallaig1983 said:

I’m surprised after all these years though that Bachmann have never produced a blue 37 with oval buffers and cutaway cowels.

 

The Mickleover limited edition of 37026 fits your bill perfectly although I would imagine that there is some form of agreement restricting Bachmann's re-use of the moulds for a period of time to allow Mickleover time to sell their version. I suspect that the moulds will be re-used by Bachmann at some stage to produce a proprietary model. One or more in BR blue and better still with a Scottish flavour would be nice. 

 

Although I felt better yesterday I was on restricted workings and spent no more than 30 minutes on the layout before having to retire to the settee and more tedious day time TV where, much to my annoyance, ITV4 have stopped showing The Professionals. I managed a few more engineers workings following the weekends possession where 37017 is seen heading south into Crianlarich with a fully loaded train of Grampus filled with spoil.

 

 

 

[ISW]

3 hours ago, young37215 said:

where, much to my annoyance, ITV4 have stopped showing The Professionals.

Rob,

 

I think we should class you as 'The Professional' with your beautiful work on your Layout.

 

Ian

[mallaig1983]

7 hours ago, young37215 said:

The Mickleover limited edition of 37026 fits your bill perfectly although I would imagine that there is some form of agreement restricting Bachmann's re-use of the moulds for a period of time to allow Mickleover time to sell their version. I suspect that the moulds will be re-used by Bachmann at some stage to produce a proprietary model. One or more in BR blue and better still with a Scottish flavour would be nice. 

I think Rails of Sheffield have bought up all Mickleovers remaining stock of these locos. I don’t know what quantity the remaining stock consists of however. I have got one of these for Mallaig.

[young37215]

An excellent reference book for modellers of the WHL containing material on timber and china clay traffic is 

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/163056-modelling-british-railways-wagonload-formations/&tab=comments#comment-4359836

 

I managed a few more engineers movements yesterday and gave the Research Centre Tribometer train an outing. I am not aware that the trib ever traversed the WHL although given the excessive wear rates of both rail and wheels caused by the introduction of the class 37's , it seems plausible to run the train even of it is just on a Rule 1 basis. Either way I like the colour of the RTC livery. 

 

 

 

[03060]

6 hours ago, young37215 said:

An excellent reference book for modellers of the WHL containing material on timber and china clay traffic is 

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/163056-modelling-british-railways-wagonload-formations/&tab=comments#comment-4359836

 

I managed a few more engineers movements yesterday and gave the Research Centre Tribometer train an outing. I am not aware that the trib ever traversed the WHL although given the excessive wear rates of both rail and wheels caused by the introduction of the class 37's , it seems plausible to run the train even of it is just on a Rule 1 basis. Either way I like the colour of the RTC livery. 

 

 

 

Thanks for the heads up, Rob, copy duly ordered.

Regarding the Research liveried train I also wouldn't rule out it's visiting the WHL, I've certainly seen photos of the more recent Yellow liveried stock on the lines and even the Class 121 'Pandora.'

 

It never ceases to amaze me that I still keep finding 'new to me' photos of items of interesting stock on the WHL that I've never seen before or wouldn't normally associate with the line, only yesterday I received the latest promo mag from Telerail which I had a good look through without hoping to find anything new for me to buy ....until I noticed the background photo to the Railways of Britain series, clearly showing an Inter City liveried 37/4 hauled freight climbing up from 'The Horseshoe' ....nothing unusual .... then I realised that there are about 5 of what I think are Railfreight liveried HEA coal hopper wagons in the consist which I've never seen before on the line .....so they can now be added to the items to be bought list !

(I realise that they are probably too 'late' for you and WHL v.4 but illustrate the point that 'you never know !)

 

Rule 1's fine by me.  

[young37215]

15 hours ago, 03060 said:

I've certainly seen photos of the more recent Yellow liveried stock on the lines and even the Class 121 'Pandora.'

 

There are a few pictures around of obscure units on the WHL but I have not seen one of the tribometer train. That said I recently found one at Edinburgh in 1984 heading west, perhaps it made it over the the WHL?.

 

 

There are a number of oddballs that made appearances on the WHL. The Derby Lightweight Ultrasconic test train sneaked up and down the WHL on occassion and was captured on film by Spannerman in 1984. His Flickr pictures are a first class asset as a source of reference for modellers of the 1980's WHL.

 

 

I fancy doing TDB977177 seen below at Ardlui using the Dapol class 122. To be accurate the unit needs customising to reflect changes made to the unit when running as a parcels unit prior to departmental service. There is thread on RMWeb somewhere that identifies these but I suspect I could live with just renumbering and adding a headlight. 

 

 

Yesterday I felt sufficiently well and motivated to spend several hours modelling where I attempted to service and repair a DCC fitted Bachmann tamper that has been out of use for a year or more. I managed to disconnect a wire when fitting crew to the cab and have not previously got around to fixing the problem largely because the tamper was a poor runner. Determined to sort this out I set about cleaning wheels and power connections and lubricating the gears and axles. I dont have anything tangible to show as yet although I did get power restored and the motor running freely. Annoyingly on reassembly I managed to foul the motor with the DCC chip and need to strip the chassis down once again to correct this. Hopefully today I can get the tamper running and restored to the layout.  

 

[BoD]

1 hour ago, young37215 said:

I managed to foul the motor with the DCC chip

Do you have the DCC project where the tamper actually ‘tamps’.  I saw one in action at Model Rail Scotland back when we could and it looked pretty impressive.  I’m not even sure whether it was a one off DCC project or is commercially available though.

[young37215]

27 minutes ago, BoD said:

Do you have the DCC project where the tamper actually ‘tamps’.

 

Absolutely not, I shudder to think at the thought of the tines digging up the glued down ballast which took me hours to lay. The tamper is the standard Bachmann, HO gauge model with an ESU Lokpilot DCC chip. My issue with the chip is that I did not secure it in place leaving it free to move and sods law which says it will move into a place where it causes a problem. I hope it is an easy fix with some black tack securing the chip out of harms way. 

 

I would like to fit directional lighting to my 2 track maintenance vehicles having seen a Youtube video of the tamper fitted out this way. In theory it looks simple enough but I have never done anything like this and I am not sure I fancy drilling holes in my rolling stock! Normally I would sub contract the work to someone with experience but it seems that all of the competent people are awash with work at present with lockdowned modellers wanting work done. 

 

[BoD]

I think I worded my post badly.  The model appeared to be going through the motions of tamping, not actually doing it.  
 

Having said that though, since I haven’t even started ballasting yet ...  

Edited March 20, 2021 by BoD

[young37215]

The motors in both track maintenance vehicles have always been noisy and slow speed control a little eratic. After a further several hours of attention I managed to get both vehicles working and running much better than I recall they ever have before. The noise of the motors reduced and slow speed control was much improved.  To achieve this I cleaned all wheels and contacts with WD40 contact cleaner, oiled the wheel axles and lightly lubricated all gears that I could see. I then let both run around the lower loop for 20 minutes to run themselves in and by the end of this they were working nicely. Having completed the servicing both vehicles returned to their Crianlarich base. 

 

[young37215]

Spent much of yesterday tidying up the loft and positioning locos and rolling stock around the layout ready for a new day of operations. I have cleaned all of the lower loop track and much of the fiddle yard using contact cleaner so hopefully the build up of rubbish will now subside. I also spent some time searching for suitable model posters from the early 1980's so that I can further detail Crianlarich where there were a number of posters scattered around the station, particularly on the station building. Apart from 1 seller on Ebay, choices seemed rather thin; does anyone have any suggestions?

 

37017 again arriving at Crianlarich with its loaded Grampus.

 

[mallaig1983]

I haven’t looked for posters myself yet Rob but I came across some at Sankey Scenics when looking for station signs. Quite a few available but whether they are suitable I don’t know. Other than that have you looked into printing your own? Get something suitable from the internet and minimise it and print it off. 
 

Andy 

[Alcanman]

Great photos.

 

I can't help with the posters but here are a couple of photos of a variety timber wagons at Crianlarich, probably 1984 which I thought might be of interest.  

 

Loads of info and photos regarding timber traffic in the new 'Wagonload Formations' magazine. Hopefully, Hornby will eventually do a Railfreight version of their OTA like the one in the photo.

 

 

 

 

[03060]

7 hours ago, Alcanman said:

 

 

 

Thanks @Alcanman you couldn't have posted that photo at a better time for me as I am looking into making some N Gauge timber loads and was wondering what sort of diameter the cut logs would be, I reckon that a mixture of cocktail and kebab skewer sticks suitably treated with a tree bark mixture should work well.

 

Regards,

Ian.

[Alcanman]

1 hour ago, 03060 said:

 

Thanks @Alcanman you couldn't have posted that photo at a better time for me as I am looking into making some N Gauge timber loads and was wondering what sort of diameter the cut logs would be, I reckon that a mixture of cocktail and kebab skewer sticks suitably treated with a tree bark mixture should work well.

 

Regards,

Ian.

Here's a closer view of the OTA and OBA. I'm lucky, have an endless supply of 00 gauge timber supplied by shrubs in my garden. 

[young37215]

21 hours ago, Alcanman said:

a couple of photos of a variety timber wagons at Crianlarich, probably 1984

 

I reckon you might be a year or two early with 1984 as the OTA's did not start appearing until 1985 and the condition of those in the pictures look like they have done some work. Still interesting pictures of Crianlarich Lower, I considered  including this on WHL4 because of the shunting interest it would create but I could not make it fit. Although strictly at the end of my 1980 to 1985 time window, the OTA is a bit of a necessity for any WHL modeller and I have several on WHL4.

 

The tribometer train continues its journey north seen arriving Crianlarich.

 

 

[young37215]

Loco servicing and running yesterday with a real life failure from 37108 on the 0700 Mallaig to Glasgow. One of the drive shafts has come loose, probably as a result of my removal of the bodyshell and efforts to restore the headcode lighting, resulting in 37022 having to undertake a rescue. When recovered to depot I stripped 37108 to repair, clean and service the loco. The directional lighting is still not working and having cleaned everything associated with the lights, my suspicion is that I have the first step in a chip failing. The chip is a 10 year old Loksound V3.5 which I have been considering replacing so it will not be the end of the world, just another expense.

 

97201 departs Crialarich on its test run across Rannoch Moor.

 

Edited March 24, 2021 by young37215

[Dougjuk]

Rob,

 

Would be worth putting a simple non sound chip in first to check the lighting.  Not worth trying it out on a sound chip yet.

 

regards

 

Doug

[young37215]

21 hours ago, Dougjuk said:

Rob,

 

Would be worth putting a simple non sound chip in first to check the lighting.  Not worth trying it out on a sound chip yet.

 

regards

 

Doug

 

I have already checked that the lights on 37108 work at both ends on an alternative chassis and that the same problem arises with the chassis of 37108 with an alternative body. The problem can only be wiring or chip and I cannot see anything wrong with the simple wiring arrangement. Maybe when we can get together your Lokprogrammer will show a simple set up problem but I fear the worst for this 10 year old chip. Post servicing, 37108 is on test with functional lights at No 1 end but not at No 2 end.