Rannoch Moor

[MRDBLUE17]

Do you know where I can get the window and door etches from for the station building?

Hi,

 

Pete Harvey got in touch with me during the build and designed them to my measurements based on window and door sizes in my old Edinburgh flat. If you contact him and say you want a sheet of Rannoch doors and windows he will know what you mean.

 

Thanks

Mark

[MRDBLUE17]

Hi Mark

Nice to see some recent pictures of Rannoch. Edith looks to be having fun. Wonder if it's anything to do with the Kiddies 66 as we call it at work.

Happy New Year mate.

Cheers

Marcus

Hi Marcus,

 

Happy New Year to you too.

 

I've not had a lot of time to play on Rannoch but have just managed a quick play today. I was just swapping a couple of MK1's for the ECS Jacobite stock the BSK has come out for the BCK 99304 which is more common up there and the CK swapped out for another SO. Eilidh does like the Kiddie livery and I've just put on another bright loco she likes 37421 in Colas Livery, still to get its front end detailed and has a UTU working with BG and DBSO which fits one of the short loops perfectly. Been meaning to put this into use for a while and thought I'll run it a bit more up to date this year so it's got some different stock on it when it comes south to The Great Electric Train show in October so hopefully will see a lot of you there.

 

Happy to see 66799 on Bachmanns list for this year, I found a picture of it in the WHL with the Royal Scotsman so it's got an excuse to appear on a more mundane working.

 

Thanks

Mark

[Marcus 37]

Hi Mark

I'm looking forward to the release of 66779 as well. She's starting to spread her wings a bit more now. I had her for the first time the other day on a Hams Hall to Felixstowe working. I was a bit disappointed I couldn't ring the bell though. HaHa

 

 

She does look very smart though. Rather than being leased as all the other 66's are this is actually owned by GBRf and will be presented to the NRM on retirement although I doubt I will ever see that.

Cheers

Marcus

[rob D2]

Hi Mark

I'm looking forward to the release of 66779 as well. She's starting to spread her wings a bit more now. I had her for the first time the other day on a Hams Hall to Felixstowe working. I was a bit disappointed I couldn't ring the bell though. HaHa

image.jpeg

She does look very smart though. Rather than being leased as all the other 66's are this is actually owned by GBRf and will be presented to the NRM on retirement although I doubt I will ever see that.

Cheers

Marcus

 

I'm sure they only put bells on diesels , so enthusiast mags can post photos and caption it , " with the bell end leading".

[young37215]

Hi,

 

Pete Harvey got in touch with me during the build and designed them to my measurements based on window and door sizes in my old Edinburgh flat. If you contact him and say you want a sheet of Rannoch doors and windows he will know what you mean.

 

Thanks

Mark

Hi Mark

 

I would like the benefit of your experience in having built the (superb) station building and signal box for Rannoch. I doubt that I have the skills or patience to create anything close to what you have achieved but, before I rule out having a go, I would like an indication of the time that you spent creating your masterpieces. I have read your resume of development but cannot see any indication of the (significant I suspect) time you spent.  

 

I ask because, as I am sure you know, Rannoch's buildings are prototypical of many found on the WHL. As I plan my new WHL layout which will have several stations requiring both building and signal box, I want to get a flavour for the time it might take if I were to try and build my own. The information will also give me a starting point for estimating what having these professionally made might cost which, I suspect, is the route I will follow. I am hopeful that there are cost savings to be achieved by commissioning a laser cut specialist to produce suitable kits.     

 

regards Rob

[MRDBLUE17]

Hi Mark

I'm looking forward to the release of 66779 as well. She's starting to spread her wings a bit more now. I had her for the first time the other day on a Hams Hall to Felixstowe working. I was a bit disappointed I couldn't ring the bell though. HaHa

 

image.jpeg

 

She does look very smart though. Rather than being leased as all the other 66's are this is actually owned by GBRf and will be presented to the NRM on retirement although I doubt I will ever see that.

Cheers

Marcus

Very nice Marcus.

[MRDBLUE17]

Hi Mark

 

I would like the benefit of your experience in having built the (superb) station building and signal box for Rannoch. I doubt that I have the skills or patience to create anything close to what you have achieved but, before I rule out having a go, I would like an indication of the time that you spent creating your masterpieces. I have read your resume of development but cannot see any indication of the (significant I suspect) time you spent.

 

I ask because, as I am sure you know, Rannoch's buildings are prototypical of many found on the WHL. As I plan my new WHL layout which will have several stations requiring both building and signal box, I want to get a flavour for the time it might take if I were to try and build my own. The information will also give me a starting point for estimating what having these professionally made might cost which, I suspect, is the route I will follow. I am hopeful that there are cost savings to be achieved by commissioning a laser cut specialist to produce suitable kits.

 

regards Rob

Hi Rob,

 

Thank you for the kind comments and glad you like the layout. Definitely do rule out having a go yourself at building what you need as these were my first scratch built buildings. I started with the entrance shelter which only took a few hours spread over a week.

 

The Signal Box you could knock up in around a week or so again just spending a couple of hours a day. In an ideal world to make the box easy getting some laser cut windows would make these structures a lot easier. They are basically a box so a flat base of card with the foot print drawn on then just glue some wills brick once cut to size along the lines. Angle the corners to join the bricks smoothly add a doorstep from a bit of plastic strip, filed down to create nice rounded worn down edges then use 2mm square plastic strip to make the door frames. The wood frames are 2 sizes of plastic strip layered onto the brick tops and then the windowns glued to this. I used 2mm square strip for all the framing and top frame the roof was made up as a seperate item with plastic strip and half round strip for guttering stuck on. This was built to fit over the top framing to stick in place once the interior was detailed and a light installed.

 

The station took me around six months to complete and this was just down to what I fancied working on. I get easily distracted with other bits and the layout was well under way so after creating some drawings, marking the footprint out onto art card and sticking the doorsteps and lower brick wall sections it sort of just sat around with a few bits getting added every so often. Having a decent plan/drawing helped here as I knew what size plastic strip was needed where etc especially if a few weeks passed.

 

One thing when you look at these buildings is that with age of them scratch building creates little imperfections and sags etc that actually help create a bit more realism that some sort of kit won't create. The roof is a real pain to do due to the hips and creating little card templates helps and will save you money in plastic sheet.

 

Hope that helps and ask away if you want to know more.

 

Thanks

Mark

[MRDBLUE17]

Hi Everyone,

 

Seeing how Marcus added his nice photo of a certain green machine, it reminded me around the time the layout build was under way I got the Bachmann collectors club model of 37411 in green to run with 37425. Back in 2011 I took a photo of them posed on Rannoch with a comment that 37411 would need a sound chip to run as a pair. Last night I actually got around to it by removing the Howes chip from 37516. As it had a nice Base speaker for it I stripped 37411 down so that the speaker could go in the tanks. I've matched the settings to 37425 so they can run as a pair as were often seen under EWS ownership. I've also put out my rake of Hornby Seacows for a play for these to haul as I used these on test again during building. Apparently these locos are now Henry and Gordon!

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_04_2011/post-6863-0-34266400-1302564548.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks

Mark

[vulcan product fan]

"Henry and Gordon" look ace mate any chances of a video for the sound ?

[Marcus 37]

Tractors look superb Mark. Just don't take Edith past The Alexandra in Derby or she'll be rather distressed to see Henry's been chopped in half.

[MRDBLUE17]

Hello everyone,

 

Modelling time is much reduced since our new arrival in January and baby Orla is already 10 weeks old! That hasn't stopped me doing the odd bit and a new depot layout is slowly taking shspe.

 

Following Rannoch appearing in Hornby magazine last year Mike Wild invited us down to The Great Electric Train show this October. I am travelling down with Keith and his excellent Bere Banks layout and this will be the furthest trip south for both layouts so hopefully a lot of people who have not had chance to see the layouts will be able to. We will be assisted by members of DEMU/Scottish Modellers so look forward to seeing many of you there.

 

I'm planning to run quite a few new trains and bring things up to date. 37421 hauling network rails UTU2 test train will be one of them seen at Rannoch below. If all goes to plan I will have my new pair of 156's from Real track thanks to Charlie & Arran with sound by Bif of course. Having seen the early unpainted samples back in August and the painted samples at Glasgow I am genuinely quite excited about this model and if you want one of the Scottish liveries being produced I would get a pre order in to avoid missing out.

 

Thanks for taking a look,

 

Mark

[carlw]

Hello everyone,

Modelling time is much reduced since our new arrival in January and baby Orla is already 10 weeks old! That hasn't stopped me doing the odd bit and a new depot layout is slowly taking shspe.

Following Rannoch appearing in Hornby magazine last year Mike Wild invited us down to The Great Electric Train show this October. I am travelling down with Keith and his excellent Bere Banks layout and this will be the furthest trip south for both layouts so hopefully a lot of people who have not had chance to see the layouts will be able to. We will be assisted by members of DEMU/Scottish Modellers so look forward to seeing many of you there.

I'm planning to run quite a few new trains and bring things up to date. 37421 hauling network rails UTU2 test train will be one of them seen at Rannoch below. If all goes to plan I will have my new pair of 156's from Real track thanks to Charlie & Arran with sound by Bif of course. Having seen the early unpainted samples back in August and the painted samples at Glasgow I am genuinely quite excited about this model and if you want one of the Scottish liveries being produced I would get a pre order in to avoid missing out.

Thanks for taking a look,

Mark

Might pop up the see you at the Great train show if I can make time off work.

 

Carl

[Waverley West]

Hi Mark,

 

Good to see Rannoch alive and well and still being developed and that you are able to still find some modelling time too. I found it much harder once daughter no. 2 arrived but still possible with a bit of determination!

 

What I'd really like to see sometime is Rannoch with a couple of 27s or 37s of course. Maybe we should arrange that sometime!

 

Keep up the good work.

 

Cheers for now,

Dave

[MRDBLUE17]

Hi Carl,

 

Would be good to see you if you can make it.

 

Hi Dave,

 

That sounds like a good idea, we should try that sometime. I'll have to bring some modern stuff to Waverley too!

 

Cheers

Mark

[newbryford]

Hello everyone,

 

Modelling time is much reduced since our new arrival in January and baby Orla is already 10 weeks old!

 

 

 

I seem to recall a previous post about three years ago about new-borns getting in the way...

 

You can always say no..............

 

 

Cheers,

Mick

[MRDBLUE17]

Hi Everyone,

 

Last night I picked up my DRS class 68002 Intrepid thanks to Colin & Mike at R3sprays for getting hold of one for me and has a very light dusting of dirt/exhaust perfect for these new locos. Tonight I've fitted it with Bifs superb sound and bass reflex speaker and just had to have a little play. It's seen at Rannoch with the sleeper set. I have to say that apart from the print error on one side this is a superb model by Dapol, smooth, quiet and powerful out the box. Lots of detail and captures the real thing very well.

 

 

 

Thanks

Mark

[Waverley West]

Very nice, Mark. I do like my ScotRail version. Maybe I was lucky, but mine came completely intact and with straight nameplates. It seems to have been the DRS ones which suffered QA issues more. I must admit it hasn't turned a wheel yet, but it's only a matter of time before it does.

 

Cheers

Dave

[P.C.M]

Hi Mark,

Congrats on the new bubs, hope all is well.

A friend of mine bought a couple of class 68s so I have had a good look at the model. I think they look pretty good and having seen a few real ones when I was over last year I think Dapol have captured the look really well. The Colas class 37 looks nice too.

 

All the best Peter.

 

 

[MRDBLUE17]

Thanks Peter,

 

Not as much modelling time at the moment but can't complain as I'm still fitting it in when I can. Nice photos of the real thing. I still need to tweak the decoder settings but I really like the noise it makes when you open it up. I've seen and heard the real ones do that as they slot in between units on the ECS moves through Linlithgow.

 

Thanks

Mark

[MRDBLUE17]

Very nice, Mark. I do like my ScotRail version. Maybe I was lucky, but mine came completely intact and with straight nameplates. It seems to have been the DRS ones which suffered QA issues more. I must admit it hasn't turned a wheel yet, but it's only a matter of time before it does.

 

Cheers

Dave

One plate is slightly wonky and a loose air horn but apart from that it's one of the best models now out.

 

Thanks

Mark

[MRDBLUE17]

Hello everyone,

 

Despite saying I don't have much time for modelling I'm still fitting it in when I can. My Bachmann model of 37421 in Colas has appeared on the bench for detailing at one end as I've currently got it running with Network rails UTU2 test train formation. (Something yellow I've been following too many of Micks projects)

 

After looking at photos I removed 1 lamp bracket as it only has one on the no1 nose end. Added snow ploughs glued to the buffer beam. I've found this to work well but you do need to chop the end of the NEM pocket on the bogie frame so it can still swing freely. Essential with my sharp curves. I added air pipes and for a change used the curved up ones from the 47 details as the photo showed them tidy and hooked up. The screw link was added along with a couple of extra orange electrical sockets. 1 of these again came from the 47 details and the other is a representation using the top part of the vac pipe detail.

 

On looking at photos I also spotted the blue star multi working symbols needed adding which are model masters transfers. A final thing with be to add the kick plates below the doors as the silver stands out on the real thing. I'm hoping to get some tread plate from Stenson Models soon to add.

 

The loco is fitted with Bifs excellent West Highland sounds ready for re-entering service on Rannoch soon.

 

Thanks

Mark

 

 

[Module00]

Very interesting post ! 

 

And the layout is realy beautiful and realistic. 

[bescotbeast]

Hi Mark

I'm looking forward to the release of 66779 as well. She's starting to spread her wings a bit more now. I had her for the first time the other day on a Hams Hall to Felixstowe working. I was a bit disappointed I couldn't ring the bell though. HaHa

 

image.jpeg

 

She does look very smart though. Rather than being leased as all the other 66's are this is actually owned by GBRf and will be presented to the NRM on retirement although I doubt I will ever see that.

Cheers

Marcus

Not bad for a 66 Marcus

[MRDBLUE17]

Hello everyone,

 

I've had this EWS OBA since it's release by Bachmann and decided to give it a little weathering and detailing to add to the others dumped in the siding at Rannoch.

 

The wheels are fitted with etched brake disc inserts available from Stenson Models and really improve the standard out the box model. The buffer shanks are silvered with the cheap gel pens from Hobbycraft. The main weathering is done with a mix of railmatch acrylic frame dirt and weathered black with a little dry brush of rust. The interior floor has planks painted in a light brown from humbrol with some freight grey brushed on to create worn areas with frame dirt also used. The weathered black tones it all down and adds grime to the joints.

 

Another wagon ready for service.

 

Hope you like it.

 

All the best

Mark

 

[MRDBLUE17]

Hello everyone,

 

Thank you for the likes and kind words about the layout.

 

I mentioned needing to get some kick plates for the 37. A new name to look out for is Stenson Models run by Phil Eames. His range includes some of Colin Craig's former items like the useful disk brakes used on the OBA and new items will be added over time. I spotted his new etched chequer plate on the DEMU forum and ordered on Friday and it arrived before I'd ever bothered to get out of bed on Saturday morning. Superb service.

 

I've wasted no time in putting it to use. The etching is exquisite and the sheet will last for ages as the 37 plates are just 2.5mm by 7.5mm on the Bachmann model. I careful cut a strip before cutting to length and a little dab of superglue fixes them firmly in place. A simple detailing job but I'm really pleased with how they look.

 

37421 is now ready to re-enter service on Rannoch.

 

Thanks

Mark