Whinburgh and Slitrigg - Main line across the border

[coronach]

Thank you acg_mr.  As I have said - it is a 'slowly evolving layout' and correspondingly the blog is slowly updated!!

 

I will keep an eye out on yours too.

 

I can't believe I missed this thread until you kindly pointed it out to me.

 

I'm going to take some time to go through it properly, but I love what I've seen already.

[coronach]

Aye, The Holm (Newcastleton) was laid out to a grid pattern basically in the late 18th Century by the Duke of Buccleuch (for those readers unfamiliar with the Waverley hinterland).  Its station ended up fairly central but out on the north-western perimeter of the village when the railway was surveyed.  In the main square you've The Grapes and the Liddesdale, either of which with a wee bit of licence could easily fit into a backscene or half-relief.

 

From Melrose the Station Hotel would make a nice neighbour for any Waverley-based stopping point.

 

Thanks 'Chard, I think that would be excellent material for a back-scene.  

 

I have been reading the excellent articles 'Backscene for Burford' in the last two MRJ editions.  I think I will I will start on the backscene for Whitrope first (that should take all of 5 minutes because it will just be moorland disappearing into the distance!!), and if that goes well, I will tackle Slitrigg.

[coronach]

We now follow class A3 pacific 60073 St Gatien hauling a semi-fast Edinburgh Waverley to Carlisle Citadel passenger train between Slitrigg and Whinburgh.  

 

First we see the train awaiting the 'right-away' from the guard at Slitrigg.  

 

.

 

Looking the other way towards Whitrope Summit, part way up the 1:75 gradient, Slitrigg's starting signal is 'OFF' but the distant arm shows clearly that the section beyond Whitrope is not yet clear so the driver will not push Ladas too hard in the hope that that he will get a clear run by the time he reaches the summit.

 

 

Looking a bit worse for wear, the A3 forges it's way up the gradient.

 

 

At the summit, a BR Sulzer type 2 has been stabled after shunting some ballast wagons into Whitrope siding, no doubt ready for a P.Way job next Sunday.  They ought to straighten up the telegraph pole whilst they're at it!!

 

 

 

Eventually Ladas reaches Whinburgh and is routed into the loop platform by the Signalman at the North Box.

 

 

 

 

The reason for being routed into the loop is soon apparent.  D11/2 'Lady of the Lake' has failed on the Up Main with a collapsed firebox brick-arch and the train is waiting for a replacement loco to be attached, in the form of 4MT 76109, which is waiting on the Up Goods.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, we climb up onto the footbridge for a look at both engines.

 

Edited April 11, 2013 by coronach

[coronach]

Recent work on the layout has involved a rebuild of the fiddle yard to replace most of the loops with a cassette storage system.  Two through lines have been retained in each direction, each of which is long enough to accomodate a 9 coach train plus loco. 

 

All of the other loops and sidings were shorter than this and I had run out of room to store rolling stock in the fiddle yard.  The remote location and relatively sparse service on the Waverley route means that parking trains in loops and refuge sidings in the scenic part of the layout would not reflect reality. 

 

The fiddle yard cassettes are constructed from 'L' section aluminium angle (20 mm x 15 mm) sourced from B&Q screwed to 1/4" softwood.  Each cassette is 2 m long, which comfortably holds 7 or 8 coaches.  Strong foam is pushed in at each end of a train to prevent it from moving before lifting the cassette for storage.  Despite being 2 m long, the cassettes are not too heavy or unwieldy.

 

The two running rail edges are provided by the aluminium edges, which are spaced 16.5 mm apart from end to end.  A shallow well has been created between the running-in and running-off ends of the fiddle yard in which the cassette sits as a comfortable fit, allowing form expansion / contraction with temperature changes. 

 

Electrical continuity is provided using crocodile clips to provide power to the cassette.  In practice, I have found that an empty cassette can be left in place and used as a through line.

 

I am building some simple racking to be able to stack cassettes full of rolling stock until it is required.

 

Photos to follow.

[nest]

Ah, good to see this layout is still around. Looking forward to the photos.

 

Nestor

[Brian D]

Hi Coronach,

Great layout, you should be pleased with your efforts. I especially love the "story" in your post 103 above which sounds eminently plausible and operationally correct. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing the layout evolve.

Regards,

[coronach]

Just to show that the Waverley line is still developing.....

 

Here are some new pictures of recent loco allocations:

 

43023, one of the Ivatt 4MTs working the line out of Carlisle Kingmoor has arrived at Whinburgh on the Hawick bound pick-up goods train and is waiting a clear signal before running round to shunt the sidings.

 

The motley collection of vehicles includes unfitted and fitted vans as well as coal wagons.

 

After running round, three steel open wagons are collected from the loading dock siding for reattachment to the train.

 

By co-incidence, another Ivatt 4MT, this time the doyen of the class 43000, is busying itself shunting wagons at Slitrigg. 

 

Later the same morning, we make our way to the other side of Whitrope and walk to the north end of the viaduct to observe trains climbing the steep gradient towards the summit.  The first train we see is a pleasant surprise - ex LNER class D11/2 Lady of the Lake is working hard pulling a rake of Gresley coaches and vans on a stopping passenger train.  The second photograph shows the train as it triumphantly passes Whitrope SB and the top of the climb.

 

The next train we see is one of the famous fully fitted freights that were worked by LNER pacifics between Edinburgh Millerhill and Carlisle Kingmoor marshalling yards.  This one is hauled by 60534 Irish Elegance.  A brake van was provided at both ends of the train to facilitate propelling moves at Carlisle between the Waverley line and the marchalling yard. 

 

The very heavy nature of this train means that banking assistance is required from J39 64733, which looks commendably clean!

Edited February 12, 2014 by coronach

[coronach]

Recent work on the layout has involved a rebuild of the fiddle yard to replace most of the loops with a cassette storage system.  Two through lines have been retained in each direction, each of which is long enough to accomodate a 9 coach train plus loco. 

 

All of the other loops and sidings were shorter than this and I had run out of room to store rolling stock in the fiddle yard.  The remote location and relatively sparse service on the Waverley route means that parking trains in loops and refuge sidings in the scenic part of the layout would not reflect reality. 

 

The fiddle yard cassettes are constructed from 'L' section aluminium angle (20 mm x 15 mm) sourced from B&Q screwed to 1/4" softwood.  Each cassette is 2 m long, which comfortably holds 7 or 8 coaches.  Strong foam is pushed in at each end of a train to prevent it from moving before lifting the cassette for storage.  Despite being 2 m long, the cassettes are not too heavy or unwieldy.

 

The two running rail edges are provided by the aluminium edges, which are spaced 16.5 mm apart from end to end.  A shallow well has been created between the running-in and running-off ends of the fiddle yard in which the cassette sits as a comfortable fit, allowing form expansion / contraction with temperature changes. 

 

Electrical continuity is provided using crocodile clips to provide power to the cassette.  In practice, I have found that an empty cassette can be left in place and used as a through line.

 

I am building some simple racking to be able to stack cassettes full of rolling stock until it is required.

 

Photos to follow.

 

And the photos:

This photo shows how easy it is to store lots of stock away from the railway

And here is the simplified fiddle yard showing how it relates to Whitrope in the background

Edited February 12, 2014 by coronach

[nest]

Huzzah, more photos.

Good idea with the fiddle yard.

Look forward to more

 

Nestor

[coronach]

A few more pictures.

 

Firstly some shots of a class 25 working northbound from Whinburgh to Slitrigg.

 

 

Afterwards, a few pictures of the Up Waverley, complete with ex LMS period 2 12 wheeled restaurant car, which was such a feature of this train in the 50s and 60s.

 

 

 

[AJCT]

Absolutely wonderful stuff here – lots of inspiration to try and progress my own late 1950s / early 1960s version of the Waverley Route.  Anent the 12-wheel diner, I'm using the Hornby one for the time being – it’s the BR maroon version (M230M) I got about 12 years ago, fitted with very basic compensation.  What LMS diagram is yours?

 

Under construction at the moment is the BR Restaurant First (Diagram 17) for when I want to run “The Waverley” with “Peak” haulage….

 

Alasdair

[westerner]

I do like the weathered coaches.

[coronach]

I do like the weathered coaches.

Thank you!

 

The layout has been 'evolving' even more slowly of late.  It is sunny outside and too hot in the loft.   LOL!

 

I am currently making up a rake of stanier coaches using the excellent Hornby and Bachmann range of coaches.  More weathering in the offing I think.

[coronach]

Absolutely wonderful stuff here – lots of inspiration to try and progress my own late 1950s / early 1960s version of the Waverley Route.  Anent the 12-wheel diner, I'm using the Hornby one for the time being – it’s the BR maroon version (M230M) I got about 12 years ago, fitted with very basic compensation.  What LMS diagram is yours?

 

Under construction at the moment is the BR Restaurant First (Diagram 17) for when I want to run “The Waverley” with “Peak” haulage….

 

Alasdair

 

Hi AJCT,

 

Sorry but I just noticed your comment and question.  My LMS 12 wheel diner is also the Hornby one, repainted from blood and custard (I think I have only done one side so far!!!) and fitted with new wheels.

 

I have picked up the modelling tools again now that the nights are drawing in.  A significant amount of scenery is under construction - Arnton Fell is evolving in the back left hand corner of my loft space!  I am using a chicken wire frame covered with sheets of kitchen towel soaked in Wickes indoor filler. Its quite theraputic to get plastered up to the elbows whilst creating hillsides.  The great thing is that the contours seem to create themselves and as more plaster is added, various gullies, bumps, crags and trackways become apparent in my minds eye.    Eventually I hope to create a scenic feature that captures the remoteness and openness of the Scottish borders.  I have ordered a new camera and will post some new photos soon.

 

Recent rolling stock arrivals include a Heljan class 26 D5302.  These pilot scheme diesels were allocated to Haymarket and worked the Carlisle - Edinburgh trains from the early 1960s.  Photos show that typical trains were formed of 4 mk1 coaches (BCK, SK, CK, BCK) plus any number of vans coupled at the rear.  An ideal train for a model railway.

[coronach]

Some photos of the ongoing scenery work.  Unfortunately white plaster doesn't photograph very well but it is a record of some progress being made!

 

Eventually, the scene will comprise open moorland, populated by sheep and with a rough track starting from behind Whinburgh coal yard, passing alongside a tarn and running above the lineside towards the three arch bridge.  Already, the scenery puts this bridge into context.  Also more apparent is the steep gradient as the line climbs alongside the (level) refuge siding containing a down freight train. 

 

 

[coronach]

here is my Derby lightweight conversion from a Lima 117.  I think the storms have affected the station building at Slitrigg!

 

[millerhillboy]

Good to see the updates still coming, always a pleasure to see this progress.

[coronach]

Here are some movies!!  My name is Coronach and I am a 'track notcher' LOL

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp84gWEAHNg

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dymzOUPVuqU&list=UUcWMjDArC9Fn1orGebpvigg

 

http://youtu.be/KoYq9eQh8bs

[westerner]

I do like winter snowy scenes.

[coronach]

I do like winter snowy scenes.

LOL  hopefully it will thaw soon!!!

[millerhillboy]

Great stuff, even better seeing the videos as well. You get more of a feel of the layout.

[coronach]

Great stuff, even better seeing the videos as well. You get more of a feel of the layout.

Thanks for the comment.  I'll try to find time to film some more of the layout this weekend, including Whinburgh itself.. 

[AJCT]

Hi AJCT,

 

Sorry but I just noticed your comment and question.  My LMS 12 wheel diner is also the Hornby one, repainted from blood and custard (I think I have only done one side so far!!!) and fitted with new wheels.

 

.................................

 

Recent rolling stock arrivals include a Heljan class 26 D5302.  These pilot scheme diesels were allocated to Haymarket and worked the Carlisle - Edinburgh trains from the early 1960s.  Photos show that typical trains were formed of 4 mk1 coaches (BCK, SK, CK, BCK) plus any number of vans coupled at the rear.  An ideal train for a model railway.

 

My diner also has the missing bits of the solebars filled in where they were cut away to allow for bogie-swing, but apart from a rather crude-but-effective form of compensation to allow for P4 wheelsets it's essentially as acquired.

 

I well recall the BRCWs from my late-1960s Waverley East spotting days, so here's one of the two Heljans I've obtained -

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/86066-Heljan-class-26-in-original-condition-a-few-quick-piccies/?p=1485024

- you can't see it, but the train formation here has a CCT and GUV between the loco and the coaches, typical of the 1.45pm Down.  That's one of the things which attracted me to modelling the Waverley - you can legitimately run trains with a Pacific or V2 and just 4 corridor coaches!   Look forward to seeing more inspiring pics of your layout as it progresses - mine is way behind in terms of station trackwork and scenery.

 

Alasdair

[coronach]

Frost on the car windscreen today and its getting a bit cold in the loft again to do much work on the layout.  I've decided to do a bit of 2D loco modelling for a change.  The kit of parts needed to construct the loco is cheaper than a 3D model and there is no need for glue and solder.  Similar weathering techniques apply - rust, oil .... however I don't expect it to run LOL!.   

 

 

My title for this picture is 'Hawick pilot - ready for lighting up'.   78047 is on Hawick shed, out of steam (or in light steam) and the sun is setting.

 

I am considering what scenery to add.  Perhaps a rusty wheelbarrow full of ash, piles of clinker and some railway infrastructure in the background.  Any suggestions?

Edited November 24, 2014 by coronach

[coronach]

On 24/11/2014 at 11:33, coronach said:

Frost on the car windscreen today and its getting a bit cold in the loft again to do much work on the layout.  I've decided to do a bit of 2D loco modelling for a change.  The kit of parts needed to construct the loco is cheaper than a 3D model and there is no need for glue and solder.  Similar weathering techniques apply - rust, oil .... however I don't expect it to run LOL!.   

 

hawick pilot compress.jpg

 

My title for this picture is 'Hawick pilot - ready for lighting up'.   78047 is on Hawick shed, out of steam (or in light steam) and the sun is setting.

 

I am considering what scenery to add.  Perhaps a rusty wheelbarrow full of ash, piles of clinker and some railway infrastructure in the background.  Any suggestio

Edited August 21, 2023 by coronach