The Westwood & Loscoe Light Railway

[Narrow Minded]

Hi everyone, I've spent far too long "lurking" around here (and over on the micro forum), so thought it was about time I contributed!

Please bear with me while I "learn the ropes" and get to grips with posting etc

[Narrow Minded]

Well so far, so good! I can see words and a picture in my first post so I must be on the right track. So, time for an introduction

 

 

The W&LLR is 16mm scale running on 45mm gauge, and is freelance but somewhat influenced by my personal favourite prototype narrow gauge railway, The Welshpool & Llanfair.........

 

 

It's a ground level line in a (very) modest back garden and allows me to "play trains" and indulge in some (very) amateur photography - as well as some equally amateurish video    I don't know what else I can tell you at the moment, but I'm sure it'll all come out in the wash! - especially as we get into the "running season" proper at this time of year.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a few more of my photo efforts

 

 

 

 

[johnteal]

Very impressive!

[Narrow Minded]

Thank you kindly sir   "Mother Nature" takes a lot of the credit - either with the weathering and greenery, or the various lighting effects!

If no-one minds, I'll post some more of the 'back catalogue' photo's and get 'em on here before the new stuff.

 

Here's a couple of the weathering process   Seriously, like any scenic layout, one of the joys of the railway for me is seeing it even when there's nothing running......

 

 

 

 

Pre-preservation?

 

 

.......... or just putting out a few items of stock waiting their next movement........

 

 

 

 

..... and of course, some people hate lineside figures - but I love 'em

 

 

 

 

 

[artfull dodger]

Stunning photographs!   gives me lots of ideas for my own railway.  Thanks for posting!   Mike

[Killian keane]

Some really skilful modelling here! Do you find that running on 45mm gauge has many downsides in 16mm? (I'm thinking of running 45 in 16mm but not decided), on another note, fancy seeing you here Mike (artful dodger)!

[artfull dodger]

For those of us in the states, 45 mm track is much easier to source.   My friend and I hope to do a W&L line, but I need to get my Merlin Major sold ASAP to be able to jump on a deal to buy a Pearse Countess.  Its stalled bidding wise on Ebay.   Neat to see you here to!     Mike

[Narrow Minded]

Thanks guys

The only "downside" is that the code 332 rail can look quite chunky (especially if you're used to the code 200 rail used for Peco SM32), but there are "positives" too.

The sturdy rail sections are easier to lay and can be 'free floated' in the ballast, and it's also sturdy enough to be walked on if you share the garden with a non-railway modeller

32mm track is of course IDEAL for 2ft gauge, but of course is too narrow for 2ft 6in. 45mm works out at about 3" wider, but that's closer than the 6" under option.

[Killian keane]

So theres no lack of support for kits etc in 45mm? I only consider it as older prototypes, which interest me, were often 2'10" or other odd broader gauges that I'm not sure could be done so easily in 32mm, to add to the dilemma many of these had inside frames, so could not be made adjustable

[PaulRhB]

Very nice indeed, slightly faded charm

 

So theres no lack of support for kits etc in 45mm? I only consider it as older prototypes, which interest me, were often 2'10" or other odd broader gauges that I'm not sure could be done so easily in 32mm, to add to the dilemma many of these had inside frames, so could not be made adjustable

Many 16mm kits are offered with a 45mm option. Swift Sixteen and IP engineering amongst may others. Several of the, I think kit or scratchbuilt, W&L wagons seen here are also in the Accucraft range of rtr which come with axles of both gauges. Edited March 29, 2017 by PaulRhB

[Narrow Minded]

Totally agree with PaulRhB's comments, and of course, "coarse scale" works well in the garden environment (especially seen with live steam loco's where compromises for controls, gas and steam oil fillers etc have to be made) - it's surprising what you can get away with.............

 

This is a GRS kit, built over an IP Engineering chassis, with modified cylinders from a Bachmann "Big Hauler"

 

This IP Engineering Lister is sold as a 32mm kit, but moving the axleguards out to the edge of the frame allows for 45mm wheelsets

 

The sadly defunct Saltford Models kits were basically a few whitemetal castings and 16mm scale drawings to use as templates.

By adjusting the drawings slightly before cutting the plasticard, this Ruston is just about passable in 45mm gauge

 

Even the humble "Triang Big Big" Ruston is a candidate (purists and collectors look away now )

 

I'd like to go "Off Topic" to close this post, by saying a big THANKYOU for the warm and friendly welcome to the forum!

 

 

 

[Paperlad]

Thank you for posting, very good indeed.

[Narrow Minded]

Thanks very much, and it's my pleasure Paperlad - I just hope people aren't getting fed up with these photo's (I'm sure you'll let me know when you've had enough )

 

This looks like a normal quarry working,

 

 

Until you see who'd driving! (since it's a "preserved line", the volunteers get to try their hand at various tasks )

 

Edited March 31, 2017 by Narrow Minded

[Killian keane]

Haha! NURSE! shes out of bed again!!! Hahahahaha!!! Great stuff!

[Nearholmer]

Brilliant!

 

Another virtue of big, chunky LGB track is that it is football proof. Which is relevant if you have a young son, who has all his friends round to play matches, right next to the track.

 

Kevin

Edited March 31, 2017 by Nearholmer

[artfull dodger]

The track is chunky, but rock solid dependable. I use the same as its easily available second hand here in the USA.  Just bought a Pearse Countess and a couple of Brandbright coaches from an estate.  Gong to do a W&L layout with a friend starting this summer.  Definatly some excellent ideas from these pics.  With the rest of the detail in the scenes, the track just blends in and looks right!  Many ways to camoflage the girder rails with LGB/Aristocraft/USA brand sectional track.       Mike

[Owd Bob]

Really lovely to see you have a nice new welcoming home on here NM, and as usual your saucy daft pics' make me chuckle out loud  Nice to see the old Blue meany out and about, is it fully running now? Please keep the pics' coming

[Owd Bob]

Not sure if you ever saw the pics' of the 'Blue Meany' Loco' leaving the MCCLR for its new home on the W&L NM? so here they are...leaving the shed having been stripped of its undercarriage on flat wagons and onto storage in the pit yard before onward shipment .

 

[Narrow Minded]

Fantastic! I hadn't seen those before, so thanks muchly for posting 'em - they'll be going in my collection

Both of the ex-M&CCLR loco's, the 'Blue Meany' and 'Rusty' make great stable-mates - but you've never seen 'em together. I'll grab some pic's for you this week

 

 

[Owd Bob]

No probs' NM i deleted a lot of my old pics' as i always do, but found those under summat else  Still to get my first 12 postings done without boring folks   so heres i few more i found that include your doings.

 

[Narrow Minded]

Bloomin' 'eck - how long ago was that !?

(The simple anwer is "too long", and we'll have to arrange another!)

[Donw]

These days you will find many manufacturers of steam locos will stretch them a little to allow the option of 45mm gauge. My Roundhouse Katie and Accucraft Countess both have wheelsets that can be adjusted for 32 or 45mm gauges. Taliesin however cannot be adjusted seeing as the con rods and valve gear is all between the wheels on a swivelling steam bogie that is not really surprising. For those who want small 2ft gauge locos Accucraft are doing some in 7/8ths scale and look right on 45mm. The quarry Hunslet is now discontinued but may be found second hand but the Bagnal is still listed.

Don

[Narrow Minded]

That Accucraft quarry Hunslet (and the IP Engineering Ruston) almost tempted me to go 7/8ths Don

I spent so long agonising over the decision, that it was made for me when they were both discontinued............ if they were I reckon I'd still available I'd still be tempted

[Narrow Minded]

Just a few more photo's - these show the passing resemblance between the Welshpool & Llanfair and the Westwood & Loscoe light railways............

 

 

 

 

.......... all credit for the Welshpool & Llanfair photo's goes to the original photographers, who's excellent work I found on the interweb!

[PaulRhB]

These days you will find many manufacturers of steam locos will stretch them a little to allow the option of 45mm gauge. My Roundhouse Katie and Accucraft Countess both have wheelsets that can be adjusted for 32 or 45mm gauges.

 

Countess didn't need stretching much as they were 2ft 6in so should be 40mm gauge to be scale anyway

The Accucraft model is sublime, I had the electric version and it was only costly storage of the layout once we were going to lose the free barn store that persuaded me to go back to the smaller scales.