Ray Nolton Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I would like to introduce "United Mills", formerly "Thorburns" (q.v.) which I acquired last year from Mike E , after a very popular build thread over several years. I am a member of the East of Scotland 4mm Group, whose main claim to fame is of course "Burntisland" , large, historical and at times, rather overpowering as a project! Acquisition of this little gem, almost out of nowhere at the time, has resurrected a flagging interest in my own comittment to P4 modelling, although compared to the strictures of Burntisland, I admit that it is no more or less than a "piece of nonsense" as far as prototype railway operation is concerned, although that is in no way to denigrate what Mike produced, or what I am trying to achieve in modelling terms! Back in the early Noughties, there was a plan within Dunfermline Model Railway Club to produce an industrial layout to replace "Lochdubh" on the exhibition circuit which eventually came to naught as the Club folded. I had meanwhile produced a variety of rolling stock for this layout, which had the working title "United Mills" so that title has been passed to the new layout, and the location moved from Duns (for such was the prototype of Thorburns) to "somewhere in Fife": The bus blind reads "Cowdenbeath", the new backscene looks a wee bit like somewhere round Cupar, but the exact location is unimportant. Most of the original (OO) rolling stock has been converted to P4, and the standard of Mike's trackwork means that I can run uncompensated four wheel stock without problem. After lying fallow for a few months, apart from a couple of trips to East of Scotland meetings where it was popular as a test track , I have recently started to make progress to turn it into something capable of being exhibited. So far, the backscene is the main addition, along with a limited amount of "greening" - to be honest, the layout as received was very much a blasted heath and I wished to put at least a bit of colour without losing the aura of decay which Mike had captured so well. A properly constituted little fiddle yard is in place, and I have opened up the right hand shed so stock can run through the other end of the layout. Thorburns was modern image, United Mills is very much 50s/60s reflecting my own interest in this era. So far I have converted an Agenoria Avonside 0-4-0 as well as a few Ultrascale conversions as motive power, and lots more is in the pipeline. I attach a few photos taken this past weekend at the recent EoS 4mm meeting at Dechmont near Livingstone, and hope to produce regular updates in the future 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Nolton Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 Rats, why are the photos all upside down!! Anyone know a way to correct? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted February 21, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2018 Hi Ray. Well I can't find a way in here but you could rotate them 180 in your picture viewer and re-post them. Best I can come up with at short notice. Mine always come out the right way up. Regards Lez.Z. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted February 21, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2018 Hope this works. Regards Lez.Z. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted February 21, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2018 Yup it worked. No charge LOL Regards Lez.Z. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBRJ Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 It looks very nice! Maybbe you could delete the first post and re jig the "right way around one" to be the new OP to save on the eye strain though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted February 21, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2018 Very nice indeed. On seeing the original post I was going to ask if “magnahesion” had been revived. Cheers Darius Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Nolton Posted February 21, 2018 Author Share Posted February 21, 2018 Many thanks, Lez. Much appreciated! Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasp Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Good to see UM on RMWeb now and, as well as seeing it at Dechmont, I look forward to hearing about progress. A wee bit easier to load and transport the Burntisland! Jim P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke the train spotter Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Looks good. Would it be possible to see a track plan and the dimensions of the scenic section? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Nolton Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 In answer to Luke, I don't have a trackplan I can post as yet (but will in the future, once I can persuade one of my more computer savvy oppos to produce one for me) but the scenic section is 6 feet long and 18 ins wide, with two turnouts, and the track remains exactly as Mike laid it with the exception of extending the back siding through the shed into a short fiddle yard to increase operational interest. Unfortunately Mike had posted his pics on the Thorburns thread via Photobucket, so they no longer appear (shame, as they were all the right way up.......). Just spent today setting up ModelRail in Glasgow, if anyone is reading this over the weekend, I will either be on the Highland Railway stand or Cadhay Sidings (or haveing a cuppa) if you want more info. There is a wee plan that United Mills might be there next year. Oh yes, I'm afraid I have no idea how to delete the "Australian pics" in the first post which Lez was so kind to correct , but would love to do so to as it appears as a great carbuncle on my professional reputation, should I indeed have such a thing! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Corbs Posted February 22, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2018 Press 'edit' in the bottom right hand corner of the post, then 'Use Full Editor'. Then you can see the pictures that you have uploaded at the bottom of the post and can delete them. I have the photobucket workaround so can retrieve the pics from the other thread if you want them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manna Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 G'Day Folks Love the pics, perfect for us in Oz, but I have no idea why you posted them again upside-down?????? manna, Love from Oz. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Nolton Posted June 29, 2018 Author Share Posted June 29, 2018 Been a while since my last post, as I'd rather be building than posting! Most of the progress on the layout has been on rolling stock of late, I have converted quite a bit of stuff I built years ago in "OO" to P4, and now have quite a bit of additional stock including several locos. New is a DJH YEC shunter, and a Judith Edge Brush. The layout itself is waiting for delivery and manufacture of the sheet ply for the "box" a la Rice Cameo lauyout, although most of the scenic details are complete and waiting to be added once the heavy stuff is complete. It is booked in to ModelRail at Glasgow in February of next year under the auspices of the East of Scotland 4mm Group - a bit of a change from Burntisland 1883! If anyone is wondering, the GWR 6 wheel brake van has been converted to a track cleaning vehicle, utilising the bits from a Hornby "Annie/Clarabel" track cleaner which replaces the centre wheels. On the stocks at the moment is Chris Gibbons new Fowler shunter which is a superb bit of kit production. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johndon Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 I remember this layout when it was being built by the original owner, it's good to see it again. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Nolton Posted June 30, 2018 Author Share Posted June 30, 2018 Couple of pics of the latest conversion, an elderly K's NER Y8 built many, many years ago. Couldnt bring myself to repaint it, so it retains a rather inappropriate LNER livery. For some reason the photo of the GW Toad track cleaner didnt make it yesterday so I have added it too. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Nolton Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 The summer has seem considerable progress on the carcass of the layout, as can be seen from the attached photos . There's a lot of tidying up to do, but the main elements of the carpentry are now essentially complete. The lighting rig is being assembled (strip LEDs under the front of the canopy) and will be fitted and set up shortly. Theres still a host of minor detailing to go on the layout itself , most of which are ready to fit once the heavy stuff is finished. Just had an invitation to Scalefour North next April which is most appreciated (thanks, James) but ModelRail remains the target in February. I now need to completely rewire the layout, in order to ensure it is reliable and robust enough for the trials and tribulations of exhibition transport, and make a control panel to aid operating the thing. Ive also attached a hand drawn plan of the layout, as someone had asked some time ago which is being turned into something more professional by a colleague who has more IT ability than me! 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Nolton Posted November 21, 2018 Author Share Posted November 21, 2018 The layout is now almost scenically complete, although work remains on the elecrics and lighting which will be completed over the winter in time for its appearance at Glasgow ModelRail at the end of February. The attached photos were taken this weekend at the East of Scotland 4mm Group meeting at Dechmont, West Lothian. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
themagicspanner Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Awesome work Ray. I look forward to seeing it in it's new guise in February. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Nolton Posted February 18, 2019 Author Share Posted February 18, 2019 Well, a week to go before Glasgow Show, and were just about ready to meet our public. The layout was erected in its entirity for the first time last weekend after the printers delivered the fascia board and Mrs N did some sterling work with her sewing machine to produce the curtains. A few gremlins to sort out, which has been occupying my time, along with the paperwork, and the Highland Railway Society Stand - dont try running two stands at once! Some visiting locos last week including Alasdair Taylor's lovely J37 seen below. David Goodwillie is seen operating , he will be my right hand man next weekend! 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portchullin Tatty Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Can't see this at Glasgow, Ray; but will be looking out for you at Scalefour North!! Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_tyne Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 (edited) Superb modelling. You've perfectly captured that rundown atmosphere of semi-rural industry. Love the industrial locos. Hope the Glasgow show goes well this weekend! Edited February 23, 2019 by south_tyne Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsforever Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Enjoyed watching yesterday ran well interesting layout with good stock well done. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Blenk Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Enjoyed seeing this at Glasgow today, a worthy winner of the trophy Ian B. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
millerhillboy Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 This was one of my favourite layouts from glasgow this year, so gorgeous and so much interest in such a small space Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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