Reflections on Peak Forest

[pharrc20]

On 19/11/2023 at 15:20, Fordbank said:

Modern Monday  - Less pollution and the end of coal

The Large Combustion Plant Directive in 2001by the European Union limited the harmful flue gas emissions from large power stations; in so doing, over the next two decades, this directive together with the urgent need to reduce the burning of fossil fuels to reduce CO2 emissions, lead in the UK to the closure of a higher proportion of coal fired power stations than in any other country in Europe. The impact on coal mining and coal transport by rail was dramatic.

By 2015 hundreds of coal hopper wagons, some built less than ten years earlier, were now stored and lying idle. One solution was to use the ex-coal wagons to meet the growing demand for stone aggregate.

 

On 26th September 2018, 66789 exits Dove Holes tunnel with a rake of GB Railfreight HYAs on the 4M11 Washwood Heath RMC to Peak Forest empties.

                                                                 Photo shaunnei0 from Flickr.

 

‘Class 66 66789, British Rail 1948-1997, passes Peak Forest with the 4M11 empties from Washwood Heath. 26/09/2018.’

 

 

However the use of ex-coal hoppers for aggregate use had a significant drawback: stone aggregate is significantly more dense than coal which meant that the wagons could not run fully loaded. The widely adopted solution was to reduce the capacity of the wagons by reducing their length.

In early 2016 WH Davis of Shirebrook produced a prototype stone hopper wagon by removing the central discharge door from a GB Railfreight HYA. Over the next four years batches of HYAs were also converted for wagon leasors Touax, Nacco, and VTG. *

 

A similar process of modification was also undertaken on many of the ex-coal HTA hoppers owned by EWS.

 

‘An HYA shortened by WH Davis at its Langwith works passes Peak Forest on trial sandwiched amongst a rake of ex-coal  hoppers. 22nd January 2017.’

 

*Many thanks to Paul Harrison for his excellent and highly informative book, ‘Wagons in the Peak District’ which has provided invaluable guidance about the wagons seen at Peak Forest.

Thanks for the mention Andy 😀 

Cheers Paul

[Fordbank]

Trouble on Forth #1

Peak Forest Revived has only three locomotives in its Freightliner roster: a class 57, a class 66 in Freightliner Orange, & Forth Raider a Bachmann class 66 in Freightliner green livery. At the same time Peak Forest imposes a high demand for Freightliner traction as there are rakes of HIAs hoppers and MIA Box wagons to be hauled and maintained. As a consequence the workload on 66612 is considerable: it being the only Freightliner loco suitable for limestone trains prior to the arrival of 66623 in G&W Orange.

 

 

But 66612, Forth Raider, is a disappointment…..

66612 is a poor runner. It hesitates, and will routinely stall completely when entering left hand curves. In comparison its sibling the Bachmann  EWS class 66, 66135 is smooth and reliable. The difference would appear to be the odd decision by Bachmann to place pickups on its early class 66s on only the inside and central axle of each bogie. Bachmann appears to have recognised and remedied this shortcoming on later class 66 models and placed pickups on all six axles.. EWS 66135 is unsurprisingly one of  later models.

 

 

The first attempt to resolve the poor running was to try to improve the contact between the pickups and the rear face of the wheels. Much time was spent subtly bending and and poking the brass pickups: there was no definitive improvement in running but a dramatic escalation in frustration!

Making adjustments to the pickups on 66 612 is made doubly difficult by the virtual impossibility of removing the bogie sideframes without breaking the plastic clips. It would seem this is only really possible if the bogies are released from the chassis first. A further design fault, surely?

Time, then, for a more high-tech solution?

[Fordbank]

Trouble on Forth #2

‘There is no problem that cannot be solved if you hose enough cash at it.’

 

Could the problem running of 66 612 also provide an opportunity to try out the benefits of fitting a stay alive capacitor?

None of the locomotives on Peak Forest Revived could boast the fitment of a stay alive capacitor - until yesterday.

 

I didn’t have the nerve to subject an expensive decoder to my basic soldering skills so chose something ready wired for a Stay Alive. In this case a Zen Black decoder and Zen Super Stay Alive from DCC Concepts. I figured if I was trying to assess the benefits of Stay Alive then a good quality decoder and matched capacitor was a sensible, if somewhat expensive, place to start.

 

The Outcome

An excellent running class 66 which is a delight to drive. It will progress at a crawl without coming to a halt. It is yet to stall or hesitate on any part of Peak Forest Revived’s trackwork.

But not cheap; although in fairness the conversion did yield a good quality decoder which was removed from 66612.

 

All good then?    Well not quite….

[franciswilliamwebb]

The pick-up arrangement on the earlier Bachmann 66s were indeed poor, compounded by the fact that they would quite often rock about the centre axle thus lifting one of the collecting wheel sets intermittently off the track.  From what I remember the early Deltics, 37s, 47s and 57s suffered from the same limitation.  Things have moved on, thankfully!

Edited December 11, 2023 by franciswilliamwebb
Spelling, once again!

[Fordbank]

Trouble on Forth #3

Successful upgrade having created a smooth running Freightliner, all that remained was to change the loco ID to 67 and CV 29 to the value of 2 in order to turn off DC compatible as widely advised.

66612 creeps sweetly on to Peak Forest Revived’s programme track; controller switched to “Programme”; and CV 1 selected.

Computer Says No!  

 

The ZTC 511 does not want to know – does not want to programme this loco.

Some consultation on RMWeb (inconclusive) leads to a phone call to ZTC helpline. I had wrongly thought that they had closed down. Fortunately not. And the as ever person at ZTC, who just loves to be helpful, confirmed that early model ZTC 511s do not like capacitors. ( Early version 511s programme at very low voltage – typically around 1v to protect the decoder – and this voltage is exceeded by that stored in the stay alive. Later versions of ZTC controllers I am assured have been modified to accept the fitting of capacitors.)

{The wonderful man at ZTC even offered to programme the decoder to my specification for free if I could deliver 66612 to him. I couldn’t.}

 

The solution was to drive 66612 from the programming track on PFR over to the fiddle yard and onto its cassette. The cassette was then whisked across to Slutchers Lane (my test plank inside the nice warm house as opposed to PFR in the increasingly freezing garage.) and driven, still sweetly, onto the programme track at Slutchers Lane.

Slutchers Lane is equipped in DCC mode with a Lenz Compact controller.  The Lenz is still unfamiliar to me so after a lot of fiddling with buttons the relevant CVs were eventually accessed and their values updated.

 

Job done.

 

Trouble on The Forth resolved, and 66612 can now be rostered to the multitude of duties befalling to Freightliner on Peak Forest Revived.

 

 

'66612, Forth Raider, stands in the stabling sidings at Peak Forest awaiting its next duty.'

 

[Fordbank]

Train #1

The varied rolling stock accumulated over several years has meant that it is now possible to run many different trains on Peak Forest Revived.

Moreover many of the nearly fifty different consists can be hauled by a variety of prototypically correct locomotives. In the case of the limestone hoppers there is a choice, including double headers, of no less than eighty different loco/train combinations. I guess I will never get to run them all!

Of all the trains available there is only one consist that could possibly be in the running for the designation of ‘Train #1’ on Peak Forest Revived.

 The first trains of ICI limestone hopper wagons began running from Tunstead quarry to the soda ash works in Northwich, Cheshire in 1937 and they continued to run through Peak Forest for the next sixty years. The last train of the by then TOPS coded PHV wagons passing through Peak Forest on 29th December 1997.*

 

'Fowler 4F  3851 heads a train of ICI limestone hoppers out of Great Rocks Tunnel as it heads towards Peak Forest Station. October 17th 1938'

 

The first trains of limestone hoppers were hauled by Fowler 4F 0-6-0 locomotives; these were quickly superceded by more powerful Stanier 8Fs. By the time of the last train from Tunstead the hoppers had seen regular haulage by diesel classes 25, 20, 47, and 37s, often in pairs.

 

Class 25 25104 passes Peak Forest with its train of limestone hoppers.

 

 

'January 21st 1981.  25279 Tunstead to Oakleigh Sidings passes Peak Forest Station.'

 

37026 and 37416 on Tunstead to Northwich lime hoppers. 23rd April 1995.

                                                                                Photo As yet unknown. See post below. 

 

'37026 and 37415 pass Peak Forest South signal box with a long rake of PHV limestone hoppers.  

 

 

 

A rake of ICI hoppers is then the iconic freight train of Peak Forest and sits unchallenged as Train #1.

 

*Anyone wishing to know more about these long serving hopper wagons should refer to the excellent and comprehensive ‘An Illustrated History of the ICI Hopper Wagon’ by Paul Harrison.

Edited December 15, 2023 by Fordbank
Correction

[gridcat94]

42 minutes ago, Fordbank said:

Train #1

The varied rolling stock accumulated over several years has meant that it is now possible to run many different trains on Peak Forest Revived.

Moreover many of the nearly fifty different consists can be hauled by a variety of prototypically correct locomotives. In the case of the limestone hoppers there is a choice, including double headers, of no less than eighty different loco/train combinations. I guess I will never get to run them all!

Of all the trains available there is only one consist that could possibly be in the running for the designation of ‘Train #1’ on Peak Forest Revived.

 The first trains of ICI limestone hopper wagons began running from Tunstead quarry to the soda ash works in Northwich, Cheshire in 1937 and they continued to run through Peak Forest for the next sixty years. The last train of the by then TOPS coded PHV wagons passing through Peak Forest on 29th December 1997.*

 

'Fowler 4F  3851 heads a train of ICI limestone hoppers out of Great Rocks Tunnel as it heads towards Peak Forest Station. October 17th 1938'

 

The first trains of limestone hoppers were hauled by Fowler 4F 0-6-0 locomotives; these were quickly superceded by more powerful Stanier 8Fs. By the time of the last train from Tunstead the hoppers had seen regular haulage by diesel classes 25, 20, 47, and 37s, often in pairs.

 

Class 25 25104 passes Peak Forest with its train of limestone hoppers.

 

 

'January 21st 1981.  25279 Tunstead to Oakleigh Sidings passes Peak Forest Station.'

 

37026 and 37416 on Tunstead to Northwich lime hoppers. 23rd April 1995.

                                                                                                               Photo John Catterson

 

'37026 and 37415 pass Peak Forest South signal box with a long rake of PHV limestone hoppers.  

 

 

 

A rake of ICI hoppers is then the iconic freight train of Peak Forest and sits unchallenged as Train #1.

 

*Anyone wishing to know more about these long serving hopper wagons should refer to the excellent and comprehensive ‘An Illustrated History of the ICI Hopper Wagon’ by Paul Harrison.

Evening Fordbank

 

This is not one of Johns photographs as far as we know.

37026 is not the lead loco as if still retained its Rfd logos into 96 so probably 108

with the Rosebay Willowherb being in flower its going to be later in the year as wll

 

regards Robert

[Fordbank]

4 hours ago, gridcat94 said:

Evening Fordbank

 

This is not one of Johns photographs as far as we know.

37026 is not the lead loco as if still retained its Rfd logos into 96 so probably 108

with the Rosebay Willowherb being in flower its going to be later in the year as wll

 

regards Robert

I amsure you are correct.

I try hard to correctly attribute any photos used on this thread.  Original photos contribute greatly to the interest of the thread and the photographs of John and yourself have provided not only great interest but also valuable information about the line through Peak Forest.

 

I had searched at length through my archive to source an accurate description and attribution for the  photograph concerned but had failed to find one.  I rather rashly assumed that it was the earlier  working of the below:-

'Peak Forest 23-4-95 (SUN) 37426+026 had just worked the morning empty ICI hoppers from Northwich to Tunstead and were stabled waiting for the afternoon trip '. Photo John Catterson.

 

However you are clearly correct regarding the rosebay willow herb. ( it is such a distinctive plant at Peak Forest and I am still working on a way to model it believably).

 

My sincere apologies for mistakenly attributing the photo to John. It is often a balance between failing to credit the photographers of original material, and doing so in error. I clearly rushed this one, and must try harder.

 

Many thanks to you and John for making so many of your photos available on Flickr;  Reflections on Peak Forest would be far poorer without their benefit.

 

Regards,

Andy

[eatus-maximus]

7 hours ago, Fordbank said:

I amsure you are correct.

I try hard to correctly attribute any photos used on this thread.  Original photos contribute greatly to the interest of the thread and the photographs of John and yourself have provided not only great interest but also valuable information about the line through Peak Forest.

 

I had searched at length through my archive to source an accurate description and attribution for the  photograph concerned but had failed to find one.  I rather rashly assumed that it was the earlier  working of the below:-

'Peak Forest 23-4-95 (SUN) 37426+026 had just worked the morning empty ICI hoppers from Northwich to Tunstead and were stabled waiting for the afternoon trip '. Photo John Catterson.

 

However you are clearly correct regarding the rosebay willow herb. ( it is such a distinctive plant at Peak Forest and I am still working on a way to model it believably).

 

My sincere apologies for mistakenly attributing the photo to John. It is often a balance between failing to credit the photographers of original material, and doing so in error. I clearly rushed this one, and must try harder.

 

Many thanks to you and John for making so many of your photos available on Flickr;  Reflections on Peak Forest would be far poorer without their benefit.

 

Regards,

Andy

Apologies if it has already been mentioned, but I'm genuinely curious as to why there is a NP 59 at Peak Forest.

[Fordbank]

3 hours ago, eatus-maximus said:

Apologies if it has already been mentioned, but I'm genuinely curious as to why there is a NP 59 at Peak Forest.

During the mid nineties there was a steady traffic from Tunstead of limestone to the power stations, particularly Drax, as the limestone was an important constituent of the desulphurisation process by which polluting emissions from the flue gases of fossil fuelled power stations could be greatly reduced by absorbtion.

National Power the then owners of Drax Power Station bought its first of five class 59s in 1991, the loco arriving in February 1994. National Power also purchased 85 bogie hopper wagons which were painted in a smart matching blue livery and used in both coal and limestone traffic. In 1998 National Power sold its class 59s and HKA hoppers to EWS.

 

A National Power class 59 and the odd crippled HKA were not uncommon sights in South Sidings between 1995 and 1998.

 

                                                                                           Photo Neil Harvey 156 from Flickr

Failed Class 59 At Peak Forest.

59201 "Vale Of York" is seen at Peak Forest on the morning of 4th April 1996, having been declared a failure. It was booked to work 6E56 Tunstead to Drax, but unfortunately got no further. It was being pulled out of the way by a Class 60 at this point and was later rescued by 59202.

 

 

[newbryford]

The sheeted over 31 looks interesting!

 

[Fordbank]

6 hours ago, newbryford said:

The sheeted over 31 looks interesting!

 

Mick, you've probably looked it up already, but a good excuse to post something not yet modelled on PFR...

 

Stored 'Dutch' Class 31/1, 31159

Stabled on the same road at one of Tinsley's independent snow ploughs, Civil Engineers 'Dutch' liveried Class 31/1, No. 31159 was seen stored at Peak Forest on the 31st March 1996. The loco had been involved in a heavy shunt, which had seen the cab damaged, giving the 'droop' effect. Stored due to the damage the loco never worked again, and went for scrap.

 

                                                               Photo "Dalzell" from Flickr.

Some "heavy shunt"! It reminds me of when kids say, "I've had a slight bump in the car."

Edited December 15, 2023 by Fordbank
Remove duplication.

[Fordbank]

National Power Class 59s at Peak Forest

 

Further to the post earlier today......

Sadly there are no photos to be found of the National Power Class 59s on power station workings at Peak Forest Revived. I have thought about modelling this train in the past as models are available of both the loco and the HKA hoppers in National Power livery. However in reality both space and funds are limited so that current planning has imposed a future limit of just two more wagon rakes. 

 

The good news is that @eatus-maximus has provided an excuse to include a couple of excellent photos of the real thing by Robert Catterson:-

 

'59201 works the afternoon Tunstead - Drax loaded limestone train formed of a half rake of wagons.  29th March 1995.'

 

 

'59201 approaches Great Rocks Junction on 6E56 06:39 Tunstead - Drax loaded limestone train. 1st June 1964.'

                                                                                                                            Photo Robert Catterson.

Edited December 16, 2023 by Fordbank
Correct photo captions.

[gridcat94]

4 hours ago, Fordbank said:

National Power Class 59s at Peak Forest

 

Further to the post earlier today......

Sadly there are no photos to be found of the National Power Class 59s on power station workings at Peak Forest Revived. I have thought about modelling this train in the past as models are available of both the loco and the HKA hoppers in National Power livery. However in reality both space and funds are limited so that current planning has imposed a future limit of just two more wagon rakes. 

 

The good news is that @eatus-maximus has provided an excuse to include a couple of excellent photos of the real thing by Robert Catterson:-

 

'59201 hauls up the 1in 90 bank from Great Rocks Junction on 6E56 06:39 Tunstead - Drax loaded limestone train. 1st June 1964.'

 

'59201 works the afternoon Tunstead - Drax loaded limestone train formed of a half rake of wagons. Great Rocks Dale. 29th March 1995.'

                                                                                                                                 Photo Robert Catterson.

Evening Fordbank

Thanks for looking/ using the photos, that is what they are there for.

Unfortunately you have managed to switch the captions over.

Further to what you were saying previously about National Power there were 21 JHA(HJA for EWS) stone hoppers delivered for the stone train.

The 85 JMA(HKA for EWS) were delivered for coal traffic and only got onto stone traffic long after the 59/2s had gone South.

When the afternoon stone train worked the 59 would sit at Peak Forest while the train was loaded

 

Keep up the creation of the scenes from the past

regards Robert 

[Fordbank]

46 minutes ago, gridcat94 said:

Evening Fordbank

Thanks for looking/ using the photos, that is what they are there for.

Unfortunately you have managed to switch the captions over.

Further to what you were saying previously about National Power there were 21 JHA(HJA for EWS) stone hoppers delivered for the stone train.

The 85 JMA(HKA for EWS) were delivered for coal traffic and only got onto stone traffic long after the 59/2s had gone South.

When the afternoon stone train worked the 59 would sit at Peak Forest while the train was loaded

 

Keep up the creation of the scenes from the past

regards Robert 

Thanks for the expert input Robert. There are many ways to 'reflect' on Peak Forest and all are very welcome on this thread.

I have corrected the mistake with the captions. Must try harder.

[lego legs]

I really enjoy this thread. As someone who moved to the area it captures the place really well. I enjoy all the archive hunting and documenting of various workings, it’s great stuff.

[Fordbank]

Train #2 - JGA RMC bogie hopper wagons.

 

'60007 , Washwood Heath to Peak Forest draws its train of RMC empty limestone hoppers onto Railside. 14th February 1998'

 

'Having dropped the empty hoppers on Railside, 60007 runs round its train.'

 

'60007 propels the RMC hoppers back into the reception siding at Dove Holes Quarry. When the hopper wagons can be loaded directly the loco will cross to the stabling sidings and leave its train to be pushed back for loading against 'the wall'  or under the loading hopper by the resident shunter.'

 

The fleet of bogie hoppers used by Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) operating from Peak Forest wear a distinctive bright orange livery and until 2007 could be seen running in block formations carrying limestone from the quarry at Peak Forest near Buxton. The total of 89 wagons covers four batches built to three main designs over a period of 13 years, and trains often feature several or all of the variants.

 

'Peak Forest 21-2-98 60008 is seen stabling its train of empty RMC hoppers from Washwood Heath in the sidings alongside the Main-line.To perform this movement the train has to first draw down past the box and then reverse up onto the "wrong-line"to access the cross-over into the sidings as usually trains only depart from these sidings not arrive'

                                                                                                                       Photo John Catterson

 

Built at Tatrastroj Poprad, Slovakia 1997, and fresh out the box & logoless RMC JGA 19226 sits in the reception sidings at Dove Holes Quarry on 31st March 1997. Behind sit RMC hoppers from two of the earlier batches.

                                                                                                          Photo Robert Catterson

 

Train Number 2 on Peak Forest Revived features only the last of these variants as modelled by Bachmann in RTR form. This fourth batch was built in Slovakia by Tatrastroj Poprad in 1997 and featured straight-sided hoppers with more angled-in tops and bottoms than the RFS batch.

 

'With their logos recently applied the newly delivered RMC  JGA hoppers are pictured at Peak Forest.  3rd May 1997'

 

60019 arrives at Peak Forest with its train of empty limestone hoppers.

                                                                                                                    Photo Trevor Plackett

'60029 halts at Peak Forest with its train of empty RMC JGA hoppers from Hope Street stone terminal in Salford. 15th May 1997.'

 

 

In 2007 the RMC JGA wagons, now owned by Cemex the new owners of Dove Holes Quarry, were taken over by EWS as part of a deal with Cemex to replace the JGAs with new HOA wagons. Thereafter the RMC JGAs could be seen working together with similar JGAs from the former Bli fleet most of which appear to have been repainted into VTG grey.

 

'60062, Samuel Johnson, sits at Peak Forest during a crew change before its departure to Stourton. 4th September 1997'

 

Five years previously with its train of hoppers from the earlier builds, 60095 'Crib Goch' 6E51 Peak Forest to Selby waits its departure time at Peak Forest 12-10-92.

                                                                                                            Photo Colin Peter Hobson

 

 

Further information and a brief outline of the history of the RMC hoppers can be found here:-  

https://www.ltsv.com/rd/profile_detail.php?id=13

 

 

[Fordbank]

                                                   Merry Christmas

 

                                                                                                                                     Photo Loose_grip_99

                                   

                              And a big Thank You to everyone who has followed or contributed to 

                                                                        Reflections on Peak Forest.

                           Special thanks to those who have provided photographs of the real railway. 

Edited December 24, 2023 by Fordbank

[Fordbank]

And they're here, too!

The brilliant Cavalex Class 56 arrives at Peak Forest Revived:-

 

 

 

Even Kevin and Jim are impressed with this model - and having been standing here for the last ten years they should know a good'un.

 

 

[Fordbank]

New Buffer Stops

I like buffer stops. No idea why: I just do.

Somewhat random, and often delapidated: the buffer stops at the end of Up Sidings.

 

The Up Sidings at Peak Forest South have demonstrated over the years a ramshackle variety of buffer stops. I am aware of at least five subtle variations, but the most common variant has been the standard LMS design: -

 

 

Since the LMS design  is available from Lanarkshire Model Supplies as a whitemetal kit it seemed timely to replace the existing Peco buffers on Peak Forest Revived with something a little more accurate.

 

 

The whitemetal kit is a bit fiddly to assemble ( I chickened out and used super glue rather than solder) but it builds into a solid and attractive structure. They now await painting before installation.

 

 

 

For much of the 1990s and 2000s these buffers had their railside faces painted white. It was not the most carefully applied or attractive of colour schemes but it would be protoypical. I would have preferred the smart red, black, and white of the more recently renovated lbuffer in ‘The Sand Pit’ – the headshunt in the Cemex quarry. Ah well, the price of fidelity.....

 

[joseph benjamin]

I do like your rock faces I'm struggling with mine and thanks for the photo of 31159 there are not many photos of the area behind the station building. Modelling modern image is a bit more colorful all my diesels are black or green. 

[Fordbank]

On 01/03/2024 at 21:00, joseph benjamin said:

I do like your rock faces I'm struggling with mine and thanks for the photo of 31159 there are not many photos of the area behind the station building.

Sorry not to respond earlier, Joseph.

The rock faces are plaster taken from Woodland Scenics moulds. They are rarely used whole but refashioned jigsaw like to create a wider variety of faces and to maintain an appearance unique to lthe limestone of the area. Lots of photos of limestone rock were used to guide the painting.

Sadly the darker shading has now faded somewhat, but a few washes of something more long lasting than the kids' poster paint will probably restore the appearance.

 

 

 

 

The Woodland Scenics moulds can be expensive but if you want to have a go at using them I would be happy to send you a good selection on the understanding they were posted back when you have finished with them. They are doing no good stuck in the cupboard!

For me creating a passable likeness to the local scenery is the most satisfying part of modelling and key to creating the sense of place.

[Fordbank]

On 01/03/2024 at 21:00, joseph benjamin said:

there are not many photos of the area behind the station building.

Is this the area you are think

 

 

 

I've probably got the area pretty well covered ( even a choice of seasons !). I would be happy to email you a folder or post half a dozen on your thread. Let me know.

[joseph benjamin]

Thanks for the offer however my scenery formers are polystyrene with a thick layer of polyfilla into which I am carving the rocks to replicate this with my first attempt on an unseen portion. The second photo is just what I need, I've got the rest covered, many thanks.

[Fordbank]

On 07/03/2024 at 20:37, joseph benjamin said:

Thanks for the offer however my scenery formers are polystyrene with a thick layer of polyfilla into which I am carving the rocks to replicate this with my first attempt on an unseen portion. The second photo is just what I need, I've got the rest covered, many thanks.

 

Glad to see you are modelling Dove Holes Cutting. It's a really special feature.

You're right it does not lend itself to using cast sections. My work in progress also uses polystyrene and pollyfilla.

You may find the photos below useful - they were taken as reference for my own cutting:-