Waverley West, Princes St Gardens and Haymarket MPD

[GordonC]

23 hours ago, Matt said:

was this because 008 wasn’t slow speed fitted? Believe only 001-007 were so fitted so maybe pairing 008 with 002 gave ability to still slow speed at Cockenzie?

nice job - I like the subtleties of the weathering which really brings out the detail.

M

 

odd question, but could the slow speed equipment be used from the rear of a pair of locos or would 002 always have had to be at the front for that? Would the driver have gone to one of the 002 cabs for the slow trundle potentially leaving the front cab empty while at the power station?

 

[Waverley West]

I just meant 26002 and 26008 go everywhere together on the layout. But no, 26008 wasn't fitted with slow-speed control. Having to have 26002 at the front of the train at all times would be time-consuming as regards colliery/discharge point marshalling.

 

I have heard that drivers didn't actually like using the slow-speed equipment much, as it was quite jerky. Some of them at least preferred manual control for a smoother journey through loading/discharge bays.

[Waverley West]

On 31/10/2021 at 12:50, GWRPhil said:

Great set of photos. Lovely job on the 26’s. They were getting awfully close to the hst in the platform. 

 

Thanks!

 

They are actually in the process of swinging to the left over a point and heading past and behind the HST, so there was no risk of collision. It's not very clear from the photo though, so I can see why you thought they were heading straight for it!

[SHMD]

Please tell how that the deformed paneling was achieved.

 

 

A phenomenal shot sir.

(Not banger blue but still very very nice.)

 

 

Kev.

[GWRPhil]

5 hours ago, Waverley West said:

 

Thanks!

 

They are actually in the process of swinging to the left over a point and heading past and behind the HST, so there was no risk of collision. It's not very clear from the photo though, so I can see why you thought they were heading straight for it!

Thank. It was just the angle of the photo. 

[Waverley West]

21 hours ago, SHMD said:

Please tell how that the deformed paneling was achieved.

 

 

A phenomenal shot sir.

(Not banger blue but still very very nice.)

 

 

Kev.

 

Just a curious trick of the light, I'm afraid. It would be good to see that sort of thing modelled on loco bodysides in particular though. The amount of rippling visible on some classes is quite striking sometimes.

 

[Waverley West]

Hi folks,

 

Here is the latest video from Waverley West...

 

 

 

[hexagon789]

58 minutes ago, Waverley West said:

Hi folks,

 

Here is the latest video from Waverley West...

 

 

 

Saw this earlier when it a friend shared it after it popped up in his YouTube suggestions.

 

Great composition, lots of variety - though I reckon Paxman must've shipped BR a load of dodgy engine spares given the number of total HST failures going on... 

Edited December 6, 2021 by hexagon789

[Waverley West]

Hi folks,

 

Just a quick update on recent developments on WW. The past month or two have been very difficult, as my wonderful mum passed away last week after a six-year battle with dementia. Fortunately, she died peacefully in her sleep with a carer from the care home by her side. Her stay in the care home coincided with the pandemic, so seeing her was very difficult over the past 18 months. I think she still recognised me right at the end though, so that is something to hold onto.

 

It's funny really, over the past few months railway modelling has seemed such a trivial pursuit at times and at others such a welcome chance to escape from the trials and tribulations of life. I do think we're very fortunate to have a hobby like ours. So few hobbies are so wide-ranging and offer a chance to escape to a time and place in the world of our choosing in the way railway modelling does.

 

Anyway, whenever I have had the chance, I have been busy working away on a few projects recently.

 

First up is Inverness-based 27029, which has now been put into service on a PW rake. This loco has no water tanks and as far as I am aware never carried snowploughs, so it's a little different from the other 27s on WW. It's finished with a dirty underframe (of course) and a dirty roof. The sides are work-stained but relatively clean.

 

Here are some pics...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next is something of a novelty on WW - a Class 90 in the shape of 90019 Penny Black and a matching Mk 3 DVT. This both hauls trains without any OHLE when no one is looking and gets dragged through Waverley on a diversion due to closure of the WCML south of Glasgow.

 

I only noticed once I had taken the photos that I had broken off one of the multiple working cables on the front, so that's a mending job to add to the list.

 

I think it's a fine-looking loco which really comes to life with a bit of weathering.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, a few busy night-time views from some recent running sessions...

 

 

 

 

With the impending arrival of some Accurascale 37s, I thought now would be a good opportunity to go through WW's Class 37 fleet. There are some that will become surplus to requirements, but there are also others which will continue in use, along with a few locos in their boxes which I have yet to get round to doing. 

 

As part of this project, 37417 has now been completed and is ready for service. 37418 was temporarily withdrawn and has had its snowplough replaced with a version fixed to the buffer beam (from a Heljan 47), so that I can go to town with the buffer beam detailing. This is now almost finished and just needs touching up. Both of these locos have also been fitted with Legomanbiffo 37 sound chips, my first biffo 37 sound chips (very impressive!).

 

Two more 37s are now on the bench in the form of 37114 Dunrobin Castle and 37401 Mary Queen of Scots. I already have a 37401 on the layout but I think I can do a better job of the weathering, so that one will probably be sold off. Santa is also bringing another Large Logo 37 to be renumbered as 37403 Isle of Mull.

 

In other news, I have recently invested in a couple of Provincial-liveried 150s to replace my existing ones. I decided that the latest version was enough of an upgrade (mainly due to the interiors) to make it worthwhile. I was disappointed to find that I couldn't switch off the interior lights separately from the running lights on the new Bachmann version, so I have invested in a Loksound Programmer and have now remapped the functions so that I can do precisely this. I have also switched all the functions round so that they are similar to the Legomanbiffo function layout, which is my sound source of choice. I quite like the sound itself though, so I don't think I will be reblowing the chips, for now at least. 

 

The old 150s will then be sold to recoup some of the cost, but I do find myself thinking more and more, can I really justify spending that much money on X? I hesitate to bring up the cost of models these days, but I do give a lot more thought to what I want/need now. I quite fancy one or two of the new Heljan 104s when they come out, as they did operate from Waverley. But can I really justify the best part of £400 on a 3-car DMU before sound-fitting? I'm not sure I can really. This isn't so much a complaint, as, like most modellers, I have more stock than I could ever need, but it is a change of approach that has been necessitated by the price rises.

 

Modelling a specific location does at least give me one way of narrowing down what I buy - I just ask myself did it ever pass through Waverley between ca. 1979 and ca. 1994? And before you say it, yes, I do know that 90s never ran through Waverley in pre-OHLE days. Or did they?? Built from '87 onwards, wires up in Waverley 89, WCML diversion drag in '88. It's not impossible, you know.  

 

Well, I guess that covers everything for now. Stay safe everyone in the face of this pesky pandemic. I'm really hoping Glasgow won't be cancelled for another year in February, but I guess there are more important things to worry about in life!

 

Hope to be back soon with another update.

 

Happy Modelling!

Dave

Edited December 9, 2021 by Waverley West

[Traintresta]

Some tight clearances through those tunnels!

[Waverley West]

18 minutes ago, Traintresta said:

Some tight clearances through those tunnels!

 

The tunnel outlines were actually traced from a photograph of the real thing, so they're pretty accurate.

 

The real tunnels also have "limited clearance" signs too of course, as they're tight tunnels.

 

[David Bell]

Lovely pictures once more Dave.

Cheers

David

[Waverley West]

Hi folks,

 

Just thought I'd drop by and wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Unfortunately, I can't stop and post any piccies this year, but I hope Santa brings you all the trains you have asked for. 

 

I'm hoping for one or two of the new Bachmann 47s and a few Cavalex BBAs to make up a short steel train. I'm also hoping for a little modelling time, with the plan being to fix some of the street lights that have failed over the past year or two. It's a job that has been building up over that time and has finally got to me.

 

Season's Greetings One and All,

Dave

 

Edited December 24, 2021 by Waverley West

[David Bell]

Best wishes and all the very best for 2022.

Cheers

David

[45156]

Merry Christmas, Dave

 

Keep up the modelling and just as importantly, keep our endless need for pictures of your fantastic layout filled.

 

Regards

Stewart

[MRDBLUE17]

Merry Christmas Dave to you and the family. 
 

Hope to see you at Glasgow.

 

All the best

Mark

[Waverley West]

Happy New Year One and All from Waverley West

 

 

Amazingly, I have managed to spend quite a bit of time up in the railway room this holiday. Most of the time was spent on general maintenance/repairs to the layout, mostly involving catching up on jobs which were building up.

 

Although the jobs were relatively minor, they have made a big difference to the reliability of the layout, making operating sessions a lot more fun.

 

Hope to be back soon with some pics of recent running sessions/improvements.

 

Happy Modelling!

Dave

[hexagon789]

3 minutes ago, Waverley West said:

Happy New Year One and All from Waverley West

 

 

Amazingly, I have managed to spend quite a bit of time up in the railway room this holiday. Most of the time was spent on general maintenance/repairs to the layout, mostly involving catching up on jobs which were building up.

 

Although the jobs were relatively minor, they have made a big difference to the reliability of the layout, making operating sessions a lot more fun.

 

Hope to be back soon with some pics of recent running sessions/improvements.

 

Happy Modelling!

Dave

Happy New Year!

 

Waverley looks rather busy for New Year's Day there

[Waverley West]

2 hours ago, hexagon789 said:

Happy New Year!

 

Waverley looks rather busy for New Year's Day there

That was the pre-Christmas rush...

 

47644 had failed on departure with an Inverness service (dirty wheels), and 37417, recently released from the WW works, was deputising.

 

On the left is an HST set about to depart for King’s Cross. In the centre next to 37417 is a Glasgow-bound push-pull set, while on the far right is 47745 with a X-country service bound for Bristol via Carstairs.

Edited January 1, 2022 by Waverley West

[Waverley West]

Hi folks, 

 

Well, that's the season's festivities over for me now. Back to work tomorrow.

 

Just thought I would post a few pics from today's operating session. Lots of minor jobs done over the Christmas break, minor repairs, improvements and all those small jobs I've been meaning to do for ages.

 

So, without further ado, here they are...

 

Some general views overlooking the station, with 37417 on an Inverness service alongside a Glasgow push-pull set. On the far right is 47745 on a Bristol service.

 

 

 

A couple of closes-up of 37417 Highland Region, recently released from the Waverley West Works, fitted with a Legomanbiffo sound chip as part of the Waverley West Class 37 renewal and refurbishment programme...

 

 

 

47642 Strathisla arrives from Inverness...

 

 

Up on Waverley Bridge is the Red Star parcels office as was. I finally managed to track down a photo of the building in its Red Star days in the 1980s, so it has now been adorned with suitable posters of the period. Apart from its external decoration, the building is remarkably unchanged to this day. One of the lights on the roof and one light on the station ramp were also replaced over the Christmas break.

 

 

Down on Platform 14, a Glasgow push-pull set with 47716 at the rear prepares to depart...

 

 

 

Passengers on a departing service for Aberdeen enjoy a cuppa, or maybe something stronger...

 

 

 

Coach B in the rake leaves the platform...

 

 

A busy station scene...

 

 

A different view of 37417 through The Mound Tunnels...

 

 

A Strathclyde-liveried 107 and a newly arrived Regional Railways 156 prepare to depart on their respective services. One of the minor jobs was to finally get around to straightening that gantry signal. Another job was to fit resistors to the signals on the gantry to reduce the rather artificial green/yellow/red glare from the signals on Waverley Bridge.

 

 

 

An HST snakes its way into Waverley with a service from Aberdeen...

 

 

 

D200/40122 brings a service from Kirkcaldy into Platform 17...

 

 

 

Well, I think that's all for now, folks.

 

Plenty of jobs both on the bench and at the planning stage! 37114 and 37401 are both nearing completion. Two Class 150s and a 156 will also enter the works soon for detailing and passenger-fitting, etc. I have rewired the decoders on the 150s and remapped the functions, so that the interior lights can be switched on separately from the running lights. As much as I love interior lights on rolling stock, I think they look way over the top during daylight running.

 

Hope to be back soon with another update.

 

Cheers for now,

Dave

 

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2022 by Waverley West

[SouthernBlue80s]

Dave. I always enjoy your updates and pictures. These are really good.

Best wishes for the new year

Steve

[Grampus]

Great pictures - always an inspiration!  Happy New Year and thanks for posting for us all to enjoy.

 

Best wishes,

 

Paul

[meanach]

On 03/10/2020 at 17:25, Waverley West said:

Hi folks, 

 

Well, it's been a while since my last confession. Life has been getting in the way of modelling over the past few months, but I have been working away on a major project - fitting lights to my coaches. I've been using the ESU lighting units (50708) fitted with the largest capacitor that I could squeeze into the toilet compartments of the coaches. So far, I have managed to fit my original InterCity-liveried HST, the 4-coach Fife rake, the Mk 3 ScotRail push-pull rake and a couple of Mk 1 coaches to complete the Mk 2 rake, which already has light-fitted Bachmann Mk 2f's.

 

Some experimentation indicated that an extra capacitor was necessary to prevent flickering, even though the ESU light bars already come with a small capacitor fitted. They now never flicker, unlike my Bachmann Mk 2f's, which start to flicker once the wheels get dirty. Disappointing on such an expensive coach. It's not too bad, but it is annoying when it happens. I've given some feedback to Bachmann, which they acknowledged, so I'm hoping they'll at least think about the issue on any future coaches. I'd like to fit a capacitor to my Mk 2f's, but am not sure exactly where to connect the capacitor to the wiring. Any suggestions would be gratefully received!

 

Coach lighting really does add another dimension to the layout when running in the dark though, and it's been something I've been wanting to do for a long time, so it's great to finally get round to doing it.

 

I had a good running session last night in the evening light, so I thought I'd post a few piccies showing off the new wall in the background...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right, back to fitting the lights. The 7-coach rake of early Mk 2's mainly used for services to Inverness and Aberdeen is next on the list.

 

Hope to be back soon.

 

Stay safe,

Dave

 

 

Hi Dave . I tried the ESu strips a while ago . What have you used for pick ups as I had little joy trying to fit early Bachmann mk2 /1 s . I had drag and flicker !  Cheers , Ian 

[Waverley West]

14 hours ago, meanach said:

Hi Dave . I tried the ESu strips a while ago . What have you used for pick ups as I had little joy trying to fit early Bachmann mk2 /1 s . I had drag and flicker !  Cheers , Ian 

 

Hi Ian,

 

I use replacement wheelsets from Peters Spares (such as https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/312097566608?hash=item48aa76ef90:g:fbQAAOSwYKNau6Qs). These are insulated with the axle being electrically connected to one wheel only, so I alternate the live wheels along the rake (meaning there is only one wheel live on each side per bogie, if you see what I mean). 

 

I also use DCC Concepts low-friction pick-ups (such as https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323063295527?hash=item4b3812ae27:g:zxwAAOSwWUlan5PA)

 

Even with these pickups though, I find there can still be quite a lot of friction over a full rake, so I tend to trim them (cut the coil in half). This still provides plenty of pickup in my experience.

 

Finally, I use ESU power packs soldered to the ESU strip, which eliminates all flicker in my experience. 

 

The result, in my experience, is low-friction, completely flicker-free lights, even over complicated pointwork!

 

Hope that helps!

 

Dave

 

 

 

[meanach]

Yes , very much so ! Thanks . As you so rightly pointed out , lit trains adds so much to the realism .