Albannach

[Merc435]

Beautiful layout, so much detail and full of Scottishness.

 

I lived beside the Crinan canal in my Childhood and remember the VIC 29 Auld Reekie in the Sea lock in Crinan. I think she still resides there under her other guise as the Vital Spark. The VIC 32 still does a steady trade in Puffer holidays and has been known to sail the river Clyde from time to time.  

 

Lovely photo's, are you planning on exhibiting the layout at all?

 

Andy.

[45157]

Beautiful layout, so much detail and full of Scottishness.

 

I lived beside the Crinan canal in my Childhood and remember the VIC 29 Auld Reekie in the Sea lock in Crinan. I think she still resides there under her other guise as the Vital Spark. The VIC 32 still does a steady trade in Puffer holidays and has been known to sail the river Clyde from time to time.  

 

Lovely photo's, are you planning on exhibiting the layout at all?

 

Andy.

Thanks for the kind comments, much appreciated.

I am pleased you think it has "Scottishness" perhaps some of that comes from me being an exiled one. 

 

I didn't know you could have a Puffer Holiday, I will look into what it's all about so that I can answer the awkward questions with a straight face (married over 40 years so I am well known !!) when I suggest it to the better half.

 

It's not really suitable for exhibiting as the layout was originally intended as a "test track" in the garage using Peco track and points so the two scenic baseboards are a bit big and heavy as they were never intended to be moved anywhere, so no thought was given to exhibiting.

Apart from that I am getting past travelling the country with a layout now (got the tee-shirt etc)

 

It sort of developed into a "layout" because I do not have room for a layout of Macduff, which is what I would have liked, and compressing Macduff down to the available space just didn't work.

So, as it was going to be such a small layout I decided to build my own track, interlaced pointwork etc and it has grown from there.  

 

regards

Stewart

[Merc435]

Thanks Stewart.

 

For Puffer holidays;

http://savethepuffer.co.uk/

 

We've recently begun a 4mm version of Banff at our local railway club(Guess who's got the Station building to build?)

 

All the best.

Andy.

[45157]

Thanks Stewart.

 

For Puffer holidays;

http://savethepuffer.co.uk/

 

We've recently begun a 4mm version of Banff at our local railway club(Guess who's got the Station building to build?)

 

All the best.

Andy.

Thanks for the link, I will study and enjoy.

 

Good luck with the model of Banff, a very interesting station with a lot of character, although if memory serves me correctly quite a good sized stone built station building and Station Masters house round the back from the much more photographed train shed.

During my research into Macduff, as they are relatively close (as the crow flies anyway) I also gathered a few pictures of Banff Station, so if you get stuck for information let me know and I will scan and PM (I don't have the rights to post them on here) them to you, although you would need to be a wee bit patient as I would have to hunt them out.

 

regards

Stewart

[45157]

Not a great deal of progress on the layout but a few new items of stock.

Coach (JLTRT Gresley, excellent kit) has been weathered a bit but roof too uniform, needs a bit of shade variation (more dirt)

 

regards

Stewart

 

 

 

 

[definate maybe]

Stunning, as always

any chance you can make the pictures a bit larger on future updates? they seem rather small compared to other posters

Regards

Mark

[45157]

Thank you for the comments Mark, much appreciated.

 

I have been following the "rules" and editing photos to the "recommended by software" size for use by web sites (well to be truthful have been letting the software do it)

Will certainly stop doing it the lazy way and fire up the graphics editor for the next batch.

 

regards

Stewart

[45157]

It's been a while since I last posted anything although I have to admit I didn't realise just how long it has been.

I don't tend to "operate" the layout much as my main enjoyment is building stuff so it's really more of a test track, although at the moment its covered up to stop it getting too dusty as it lives partly down one side of the garage.

It has changed quite a bit since the last post so I am looking out a few photos to explain what has been done and why.

 

The current rather sorry looking state, but it does save me a lot of "cleaning up" damage ...

 

The white thing on the track is the finished chassis and interior of an ex LMS Engineers Coach as the body is currently being prepared for re-painting following a disaster with a final coat of varnish (Superstrip really is good stuff).

Such are the problems of the average modeller (and yes I did do a test piece first which didn't react badly )

 

Regards

Stewart

[45157]

Apart from "just because I can" why the changes?

The quayside was never originally intended but I had built a Clyde Puffer and wanted to include it so a bit was added to the baseboard.

Unfortunately, although I liked the Puffer I always felt it made such a small layout look too busy and took away from the station being remote and quiet, apart from being a mistake to have something with tall masts and rigging at the front, therefore prone to knocks.

So the quayside was removed and the Puffer earmarked for minor repairs and another project.

Also the bridge was widened to include both sides and missing small details were added, ie point rodding, signal wires, telegraph poles and wiring etc.

I have added three electro magnets for auto couplings but still undecided about getting rid of the three links.

 

So, the "new" Albannach scenic section at a quiet time in the day.

The Station Master is curious to what the shunter is doing (in reality marking an uncoupling magnet)

 

 

 

Views taken during the changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apologies for the lack of rolling stock in the photos so here is an ex CR 0-4-4T (a copy of one of the Banff branch locos, the Ivatt 2-6-0 is also in the stash to be built) arriving on a local passenger train.

 

The pics are fairly low resolution so I hope they are ok.

I will charge up the camera and hopefully get some stock onto the layout over the weekend.

 

Stay safe.

regards

Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Clagmeister]

Fabulous stuff!

[Max Legroom]

Inspirational!

[bcnPete]

Lovely stuff - good to see you back posting this again Stewart

[45157]

Thank you for the kind comments, much appreciated.

Another couple of views taken during the makeover which will not normally be seen.

 

 

 

 

Just as well in this case as although the roof joists and walls are weathered, it looks like quite a bit more was needed.

I have noticed that I can look for ages at something I have finished and be happy enough with the result, but as soon as I take a photo of it I see all the mistakes in the photo.

 

 

A couple of notes regarding some wagons that will appear in future posts.

I try not to be too serious about the modelling (the wife says I should take up golf when a build is not going well) but I do attempt to keep what appears on the layout feasible, although a now departed good friend, who was a railwayman, continually complained that I had far too many "specialist" wagons and not enough common vans and opens.

The layout's (or shunting plank really) time period is 1950s early 60s, and there are a few pre-grouping vans that appear repainted in BR livery.

Apart from the 4 wheel NB all totally genuine for the early 1950s, built, painted, weathered and numbered from prototype photographs.

So please, no shouting at me for painting ancient vans in incorrect BR colours. 

 

Midland van from a Slaters kit.

 

Great North of Scotland Van from a Port Wynnstay resin kit

 

North British van from scratch (apart from wheels, buffers and couplings)

 

North British Jubilee van from a Parkside Dundas kit

 

 

It was my original intention to build the NB 6 wheel van using two of the Parkside Dundas Jubilee vans above but if I had paid more attention at the time of purchase I would have noticed that the kit is the much earlier and smaller van with cupboard doors and the six wheeler from the larger and later sliding door van design.

It only clicked when I got the kits out to start cutting so although they were thought to be all withdrawn before Nationalisation I decided to build one in late LNER livery with the NE painted out in the assumption that one or two may have survived in the remote North of Scotland.

As I still liked the unusual look of the 6 wheel van it was scratch build or go without.

 

D40 waiting to leave with a parcels train.

As I now live in GWR country I thought it would be nice to have a "Castle" so I decided to built it as Hatton Castle, one of the few named D40s, only to find out that it was the only one converted by BR to steam brakes so, had the Westinghouse pump etc removed, so I had to find photos of both sides of it in BR days to get the pipework correct, all part of the fun.

The condition is based on an early 50s photo but I think it is perhaps still a bit too clean as it would not have stayed like that for long although the were usually kept quite reasonable.

 

Stay safe

Regards

Stewart

 

 

 

 

[45157]

How does it work?

 

Storage cassettes

Numbers are for the timetable/operating sequence if I ever get round to writing one.

No.4 is for the DMU.

 

Fiddle yard with cassette access at front.

All fiddle yard tracks, including cassette track, align with both layout tracks, movement by drawer runners underneath.

The fiddle yard tracks align in pairs with the layout.

The bit of track at the front is the "isolated" DCC programming track.

 

Main control panel. (apologies for poor photo)

DCC or DC control via a two position switch.

Wired using "conventional" isolation sections which are all just switched on when using DCC.

Main operation is now DCC with DC only being used for testing any RTR and during new builds etc.

Turnout and signal control by Tortoise motors via manual switches and selected route highlighted by LEDs

Curly cable and small PCB are for USB connection to a laptop when using the free software JMRI DecoderPro (which I am slowly learning)

 

DCC controller

(The 30mA is the firebox light (F5), sound is off)

 

Occasional DC connection is via a Gaugemaster hand held unit.

Red push button was an emergency stop system fitted when Grandchildren were younger and prone to sudden increases in speed.

I didn't bother removing it during the changes as does no harm and is always there in case.

 

 

Stay safe.

Regards

Stewart

 

[45157]

An "early 50s" operating sequence.

 

First passenger train of the day arrives.

 

Passengers disembark and goods removed as required.

Earlier parcels train departs.

 

Loco now pushes passenger train back to clear the crossover allowing running round for the return journey.

 

Patience.

 

And away we go.

 

Coupled up, lamps changed, road clear and off we go.

 

Whistle and gone.

 

Stay safe

Regards

Stewart

 

 

 

[45157]

Trying to be realistic is ok but it has to be fun as well. 

 

Trouble brewing in the yard.

Normally coal wagon unloading is shared between three employees of the coal merchant, one in the wagon shovelling, one weighing and bagging and one stacking the full sacks or loading them onto the cart but today the friendliness is wearing thin as "Wee Shug" (Hugh) is fed up being on the shovel and wants a shot on the weighing and bagging, so has downed tools to discuss the matter with Hamish who is on the weighing and bagging.

Unfortunately, wee Shug is really a bit small for loading sacks onto the cart and Hamish on the weighing and bagging is close to retirement and also the foreman, so I don't hold much hope for his chances of a change.

 

Notice on the wall to remind the coal lads to look after Angus the horse when leaving.

 

Rosie the coo and friend keeping an eye on Fibber Magee the shunter.

 

What Fibber Magee is keeping an eye on.

 

 

Struth, I am going to stop this close up photography as neither the signal wires or the point rodding shine like that in real life.

I think a visit with some "grime" next time the airbrush is out is definitely called for, which I will do when I finish off an Engineers Coach which is on the workbench.

I don't like having too many to do jobs on the go at the same time (too much Big Bang Theory perhaps??) and I am keen to start on a J36 kit I picked up last September as I now have all the "extra bits" in stock plus a set of roller bearings to try out for the first time on the engine and tender chassis.

 

Stay safe

regards

Stewart

 

 

 

[45157]

The "new" over bridge.

 

A Classic Commercials kit of a Scammell Scarab with a MMP box trailer conversion off on another delivery.

 

Now moving the date up a little bit to diesel shunters on occasional trip freights and introducing some RTR stock.

 

Bachmann Brass RTR Class 08 (with an MMP super detail kit and an ESU sound card) arrives with a trip freight.

 

Uncouples and runs round the train to park the Brake Van ready for the return journey.

 

 

Brake van repositioned.

 

Couple up and shunting begins.

 

 

Coal wagon to siding (Dapol RTR, pretty much standard but with added BR numbering, weathering and a removable coal load)

 

Vans to Goods Shed (Parkside ex SR and scratch built ex NB)

Salt van (Slaters kit with scratch built roof to match prototype, POW transfers, heavy weathering) and empty open (Dapol RTR (incorrect holes in solebar filled, weathered) for local Distillery and left in siding for later collection (another picture story another day )

 

Brake Van (Slaters kit) collected and now just waiting for the signal to be off home.

 

Stay safe and well.

regards

Stewart

 

 

Edited August 7, 2020 by 45157
corrected misplacing of two pictures

[45157]

Continuing the "story"

One or two Distilleries had their own shunter which was allowed on certain BR metals for short runs only and would hire a replacement from BR when it was in for repair, as the Distillery is out of sight on the other side of the bridge you will have to accept the process has all been approved with BR in this area.

In this case it should really be an ex GNSR Z4 (it's on the shelf but I haven't built it yet and a J36 is next anyway) so the Inverness shunter has been hired as it has buffers both ends which is easier on "the product" when shunting, well that's my story anyway.

I have numerous pictures of shunters in different areas with a lamp on the left and right lamp iron (one red, one clear) but am unsure if it was at both ends or even official, so if anyone could expand on the practice I would appreciate any comments.

 

Train arrives from Distillery

ex CR Pug (Slaters kit with a little extra underframe detail, sprung buffers, Rg7 which whines and ESU sound card) 

ex GNSR Van (Port Wynnstay resin kit with attention to end vents) lightly weathered, Standard steel mineral (Parkside kit with weathering) and Hybar (Dapol RTR with holes in solebar filled and light weathering)

Yes, Whisky was transported in wooden barrels in open wagons well into the Diesel era.  (Iron Rails and Whisky Trails is an excellent read)

 

Stops in platform to uncouple, run round and collect wagons left by previous pick up goods.

 

 

Time for a wee blether with the Shunter while waiting for the signal (it is Scotland )

 

Back to the platform to couple up and move the wagons from the Distillery ready for collection by the next pick up goods.

 

 

Due to the van full of bottled "product" and the wagon load of full barrels the temporary location is important so in full view of the Station Master's office window, then pass some time with the Signalman while waiting for the road.

 

Back to the Distillery.

 

Stay safe and well.

regards

Stewart

 

 

 

[lmsforever]

Great modelling all looks good like the rolling stock ,all in all enjoyable watching.

[45157]

The street is due for new plastic gas supply pipes next week to replace the old cast iron ones and they need to cut out part of the concrete garage floor to remove any elbows so that the new plastic pipe can be pushed through and they may have to re-position the gas Meter.

Unfortunately, the layout is on the same wall as the Meter so this is probably the last post for a wee while as I will need to move at least the fiddle yard board out of the way and cover everything else with dust sheets so I thought a move this post forward in time to the late 1950s.

Talking of moving forward in time, ever since they named 37402 "Oor Wullie" I have been thinking about a 1980s period as well, as I do like the large logo blue Scotrail liveries .

 

Anyway, trip freight arrives.

Bachmann RTR Standard 2-6-4T with added pipework detail, modified front bogie, ESU Sound Card, Halfords black spray, Fox lining/lettering and a little weathering. (I now have a BR speedo casting to fit and connect one day).

All the wagons and the container are Slaters kits this time and vacuum fitted some modified to be so and others as the kit.

Typical that Dapol have announced RTR Conflats as I still have another two Slaters ones on the shelf to build.

The "wee Fergie" is 1:43 scale and came with a tractor magazine (as an apprentice I had a weekend job on a farm and often drove one)

 

Run round and collect wagons left from Distillery.

 

Then collect wagons from the goods shed.

 

 

More shunting to collect the empty coal wagon.

(looks like Shug has not managed to get a change of job yet)

 

Back round to the platform to pick up the Brake Van to complete the return train which can then be shunted into the middle road clearing the platform for the local passenger train.

 

Shunt the two wagons into position for unloading by crane.

 

Shunt the van into the Goods Shed and position the Cattle Wagon ready for loading.

 

The youngster confirms the Cattle Pen has been cleaned and the water trough filled ready.

 

Loco heads back, couples up to the train and awaits the arrival of the local passenger service.

 

Local passenger service arrives arrives. Bachmann RTR Class 101 DMU.

I got this at a good price a few years ago but was a little disappointed to find out it was a mixture of "original" and "re-furbished" versions so I made an effort (not totally successfully) to backdate it to the original version with modification/additions to the roof and cantrail, new exhaust and underframe detail, windscreen wipers, head-code box and buffer beam detail, speedo and pipework, full interior detail (thanks to Easibuild) between coach pipework and corridor connections, directional front and rear lights (I know that although fitted, they didn't use the rear lights in the beginning and I have fitted a switch so that they can be switched off, but at home just running in and out of the station I leave them on) ESU Sound Card, Halfords spray paint and Fox lining/lettering.

It is finished "as delivered" before the local allocated shed added the "whiskers" (from photos) as I think they spoiled the appearance.

It runs very sweetly and although it's not perfect I am quite pleased with it, but, I recently noticed that compared to the Easybuild 101 the destination box is too small, so I will have to investigate if this was something that changed or if it is wrong and needs fixing.

 

 

Road clear so goods on it's way.

 

 

All quiet until the next departure.

 

Not sure if I need an eye test or some of the images are a bit fuzzy so apologies if the photos are not so good.

 

Stay safe and well.

Regards

Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

[David Bell]

Lovely modelling Stewart

[bcnPete]

On 11/08/2020 at 16:30, 45157 said:

 

Talking of moving forward in time, ever since they named 37402 "Oor Wullie" I have been thinking about a 1980s period as well, as I do like the large logo blue Scotrail liveries .

 

oh yes

 

I would love to see this layout in 1980’s blue with LL class 37’s

 

Cracking pics Stewart and I hope the gas supply pipe goes well...

[Supaned]

I'd love to see this with an NBL type 2 in 1960s guise

[45157]

20 hours ago, Supaned said:

I'd love to see this with an NBL type 2 in 1960s guise

 

So would I

I was hopeful that JLTRT might have done a kit but they are gone now, Little Loco said they would do one after their 22 but they are also gone, I was hopeful that the Steve Beattie kit which was taken over by Highlander Models would be re-released but this and the others seem to have vanished and occasionally I dream that Dapol might do an RTR one as they have a 4mm version.

I have the book covering every 21/29 loco built and thought about asking MM1 Models if the ex JLTRT Class 22 cabs are available separately as a start and then have a go at scratch building the rest but I have recently started on a Connoisseur J36 kit to be followed by a DJH Ivatt 2-6-0 kit which have been on the "to do" shelf for years but slow progress at the moment because the workbench and layout are still covered up in the garage waiting for the new gas pipe which has now been delayed till next week.

 

Stay safe and well.

Regards

Stewart

[45157]

The garage, workbench and partly dismantled layout are still under dust sheets so no layout.

Gas people are now being a real pain, half the roads on the estate are dug up and so far three notices of "we are doing the new connection to your home tomorrow" and three no shows.

So I have uncovered a corner of the workbench and carried on with the Connoisseur Models J36 build.

 

To add to the situation the RSU is playing up (new circuit board on order) so I purchased some extra bits for the I-Con Pico and am changing them according to the task I am doing and so far it is coping very well.

 

Tender finished now, just needs a proper clean (I was surprised how much solder was still showing on the photo, must take more care) before applying some etch primer.

Just to note, the kit will not make up the tender shown as there are quite a few extras from 62C models excellent range of NB parts (including the weather board) to represent the particular loco I have chosen to model.

I try to take the easy option and always use a photograph from the period being modelled.

 

 

Stay safe and well

regards

Stewart