West Highland Line V4, a 1980's West Highland Line layout

[thegreenhowards]

I think you’ll find both the alpha meter and the back to back gauge very useful. I use both of mine a lot.

[PaulRhB]

On 14/08/2023 at 19:43, young37215 said:

Where I am surprised is the Amps that are drawn; on start up with over 20 DCC sound fitted locos (sound is off at start up) this quickly settles at around 1 Amp. With the sound turned on and several locos just idling, the Amps increase to around 1.1. When I move a loco under full power the increase is again negligible, up to no more than 1.2 Amps. I had expected to see a much higher Amp reading when powering a loco.

Modern locos draw very little, the biggest spike I see is initial power up with sound on. The Z21 shows the current in the app. 
 

On 14/08/2023 at 19:43, young37215 said:

I do'nt need to think about a power booster for the 7 Amp Cab Control

I’d be very wary of going for one big booster as if you get a short you can literally blow holes in the point blades with high amps like that in OO. I used an 8 amp booster in G scale but with code 300 rail with a huge cross section in comparison. For OO you’d be better off getting two smaller 2.5-3 amp boosters and splitting the layout into 2-3 power districts. 
Much safer for your track and chips than a 7 amp surge if there’s a problem 😉

Edited August 16, 2023 by PaulRhB

[young37215]

9 hours ago, PaulRhB said:

I’d be very wary of going for one big booster as if you get a short you can literally blow holes in the point blades with high amps like that in OO. I used an 8 amp booster in G scale but with code 300 rail with a huge cross section in comparison. For OO you’d be better off getting two smaller 2.5-3 amp boosters and splitting the layout into 2-3 power districts. 

 

On the basis of what the Alpha Meter tells me I do not need and will not be adding a booster. I already limit the Cab Control power to 5 Amps using the settings in the Mobile Control unit and in the light of what I have seen on the Alpha Meter, I will think about reducing the 5 Amps to a lower level. What this all tells me is that the issues that I faced on start up when I first got Cab Control must have been due to bottlenecks in the wiring causing Cab Control to see a non existent short. Since I added more droppers to the fiddle yard I rarely experience any spurious shorts on start up.

 

37022 continues it's journey south and arrives at Ardlui with 7D13.

 

 

 

 

 

[young37215]

Two slightly off beat points this morning. No 1 is my surprise at the amount of Bullhead rail still evident on the WHL. I had a brief look at a Youtube video filmed in 2022 yesterday which showed amongst other things WHL, Spean Bridge and Tulloch stations where, from what I could see, were all Bullhead. I do'nt pay a lot of attention to this but I am fairly confident in stating that most of the line south of Crianlarich was Flat Bottom by the early 1980's with some continuous welding starting to ocur. I am guessing that because north of Crianlarich the traffic is lighter and the resulting wear lower, less frequent renewal is required. That said I would have thought that 40 years on most of the rail would have been changed out for Flat Bottom by now.

 

No 2 is the Post Bus as identified by 03060 a couple of days ago. The picture is a of a Dodge Post Bus which I would like to model but find the only available model Post Bus is by Oxford Diecast and is a Commer. I did a little more digging and learnt that the Commer brand name was changed to Dodge in the late 1970's and that the old Commer model was rebadged as a Dodge. Net result is the Commer model post bus is a close copy of that in 03060's picture and I will add one to WHL4 at some stage.

 

It is a bit of a 7D13 fest at present, here 37022 is shown departing Ardlui and meandering towards Arrochar through the late afternoon sun.  

 

 

 

 

 

[meanach]

I’m pleased to report that after 2 years of trying , I managed to obtain a mint one on eBay . I also intend to convert to a BSOT . How we do this requires some pondering !

 

At the moment I’ve got 3 x new tool Bachmann 37s stripped and being weathered / detailed .  Modelling is currently in the living room (thankfully I’ve a very understanding GF!) as the loft is a no go, owing to my 3 slipped discs. 

[billywhizz]

I’ve a couple of BSO squirrelled away with a view to converting to BSO(T) There are a couple of threads on here and some very useful posts earlier in this thread. From what I understand, there is quite a lot of variation so not all conversions were the same. I need to get a copy of the HMRS MK1 coach book which I’m led to believe details the conversions well. 
Ive never been happy when the shade of BR Blue used by Hornby (way too dark IMO) and the printed numbers are a pain to remove without damaging the paint below (as I have already found out by experience) I will probably respray the bodies when I get round to converting mine. 
Cheers. 
Bill. 

[billywhizz]

Just reading about current draw further back up the page. I found you can have the current amp draw on the display on a NCE Powercab. I was pleasantly surprised how low the amps were when running sound locos. You can also tell when an Accurascale  stay alive has fully charged when initially putting the loco on the track as the amp reading will drop from 0.3 to 0.1A 

Cheers. 
Bill. 

[young37215]

7 hours ago, meanach said:

I’m pleased to report that after 2 years of trying , I managed to obtain a mint one on eBay . I also intend to convert to a BSOT . How we do this requires some pondering !

 

At the moment I’ve got 3 x new tool Bachmann 37s stripped and being weathered / detailed .  Modelling is currently in the living room (thankfully I’ve a very understanding GF!) as the loft is a no go, owing to my 3 slipped discs. 

 

There was some discussion regarding BSOT's on page 56 of this thread as @billywhizz notes above, this includes Flickr links to relevant pictures as well as other threads. The Parkin book drawings of the BSOT conversion are helpful and there is a real life example on the GWSR where 9000 still trundles around in largely as converted condition. I have always seen the technical aspects of the job as cutting out the relevant seat bays and inserting a plasticard floor with a counter in their place. The window behind the trolley bay needs blanking off and I don't doubt it will be more challenging than my simple approach but if you have got time on your hands....

 

A rest from 7D13, 37/20 combo on the up sleeper arriving at Crianlarich instead. 

 

 

 

 

 

[BoD]

2 hours ago, young37215 said:

There was some discussion regarding BSOT's on page 56 of this thread as @billywhizz notes above, this includes Flickr links to relevant pictures as well as other threads. The Parkin book drawings of the BSOT conversion are helpful and there is a real life example on the GWSR where 9000 still trundles around in largely as converted condition. I have always seen the technical aspects of the job as cutting out the relevant seat bays and inserting a plasticard floor with a counter in their place. The window behind the trolley bay needs blanking off and I don't doubt it will be more challenging than my simple approach but if you have got time on your hands....

I converted a couple a while ago but the photographs on my thread have been lost. I could replace them if they would be helpful. @meanach

 

I found that the hardest part was removing the bays/single seat as the plastic from which they are formed is hard and quite brittle.  
 

Railtec transfers do a suitable sheet…

 

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=3952

 

I also bought a sheet of their cantrail red strip as how far it extends does vary from vehicle to vehicle, emphasising the need to work from those photos.

Edited August 19, 2023 by BoD

[meanach]

12 minutes ago, BoD said:

I converted a couple a while ago but the photographs on my thread have been lost. I could replace them if they would be helpful. @meanach

 

I found that the hardest part was removing the bays/single seat as the plastic from which they are formed is hard and quite brittle.  
 

Railtec transfers do a suitable sheet…

 

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=3952

 

I also bought a sheet of their cantrail red strip as how far it extends does vary from vehicle to vehicle, emphasising the need to work from those photos.

That’s very useful , thanks ! I’d really appreciate the photos . I’ve been wanting to convert one for a long time !

[billywhizz]

5 hours ago, young37215 said:

 

There was some discussion regarding BSOT's on page 56 of this thread as @billywhizz notes above, this includes Flickr links to relevant pictures as well as other threads. The Parkin book drawings of the BSOT conversion are helpful and there is a real life example on the GWSR where 9000 still trundles around in largely as converted condition. I have always seen the technical aspects of the job as cutting out the relevant seat bays and inserting a plasticard floor with a counter in their place. The window behind the trolley bay needs blanking off and I don't doubt it will be more challenging than my simple approach but if you have got time on your hands....

 

A rest from 7D13, 37/20 combo on the up sleeper arriving at Crianlarich instead. 

 

 

 

 

 

I converted a MK2d TSO to a TSO(T) for one of my Push Pull rakes and did exactly as you described Rob for the interior conversion, cut the seating bays out, made a false floor and added a representation of a serving counter and partition. An enjoyable and straightforward little project. The Railtec buffet transfer sheet is really useful for running numbers, red buffet stripe etc. 

[young37215]

Interesting discussions regarding the BSO conversion where going forward I suggest this sits better in the BSOT thread because I think it will make it easier for others to find the information in the future. Hopefully between us we can create an easy to follow guide of the conversion that others might benefit from. I will add some of the information that I have collated in the last few days as a start; perhaps those that have already undertaken a conversion can add some pictures of their work and an outline of what they did.

 

 

Last of my current crop of pictures shows 7D13 at Garelochead.

 

 

 

 

 

[young37215]

In and amongst the ongoing BSO to BSOT conversion work I have plenty of time for running. An early morning breakdown train heading to Oban headed by ex-works 27041 is seen departing Ardlui on its way to the coast.  The 3rd picture reminds me that I need to tweak the scenic material to betther obscure the base of the semaphore.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 25, 2023 by young37215

[young37215]

It must be the 8th September 1983 today because 37081 is in charge of the down sleeper seen approaching Garelochead. This is the first mandatory train of the working day scheduled to arrive Garelochead at 06.52.

 

 

 

 

 

[young37215]

Also getting a run out was a charter from Ayr to Oban with 37114 heading the Sealink stock on its way west just south of Ardlui. Annoyingly the actuating wire that controls the signal in the last picture snapped in half and needs replacing. It had been playing up for a while, at least now I understand why it was playing up!

 

 

 

 

 

[coronach]

Just come across this layout - wow!  You have really captured well the atmosphere of the West Highland line. I travelled over it a couple of times in the ‘37’ era, firstly before the 37/4 takeover. Mk1 steam heat, post buses…. It was like going back in time compared to my usual experience of the ECML. Later on in the 1990s, I took my son to Mallaig on a 156. Your scenery is perfect and reminds me of a lengthy stop in the fresh air at Ardlui waiting for the southbound train to pass. 
 

As a youngster in 1971, my parents took us on holiday to Spean Bridge taking the sleeper from York. I remember the Class 40 heading the lengthy train in platform 16 and then waking up at Glasgow Queen Street as we were being shunted. A full Scottish Breakfast in the Mk1 restaurant car is an abiding memory as we traversed the WHL. We stayed in the station house so I saw the passing trains each day - probably Sulzer type 2s but maybe a NBL - I will never know. 
 

do you have a track plan to share?

[young37215]

9 hours ago, coronach said:

Just come across this layout - wow!  You have really captured well the atmosphere of the West Highland line. I travelled over it a couple of times in the ‘37’ era, firstly before the 37/4 takeover. Mk1 steam heat, post buses…. It was like going back in time compared to my usual experience of the ECML. Later on in the 1990s, I took my son to Mallaig on a 156. Your scenery is perfect and reminds me of a lengthy stop in the fresh air at Ardlui waiting for the southbound train to pass. 

 

Trying to create the atmosphere of the west highlands is what WHL4 is all about and it is nice to receive such warm compliments; thank you. There is a track plan on page 35 of the thread and a video of the layout on Youtube.

 

27041 continued on its way to Oban passing through Crianlarich where it made a brief stop to exchange single line tokens. What with the breakdown train and the Ayrshire charter, Oban will be a busy place when all of the trains arrive. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[coronach]

11 minutes ago, young37215 said:

 

Trying to create the atmosphere of the west highlands is what WHL4 is all about and it is nice to receive such warm compliments; thank you. There is a track plan on page 35 of the thread and a video of the layout on Youtube.

 

27041 continued on its way to Oban passing through Crianlarich where it made a brief stop to exchange single line tokens. What with the breakdown train and the Ayrshire charter, Oban will be a busy place when all of the trains arrive. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, the power section plan is shown on page 35 but the layout schematic appears to have been lost in the great RMweb crash. From the schematic, I can see that, with a decent sized room, it is possible to model several stations along a single line railway. On my loft layout, I have employed a folded figure of eight to include two stations on a continuous run of nearly 80ft. Judicious use of scenery creates good separation between stations - your rendition of the Scottish highland landscape is very effective- well done. 

[coronach]

Just watched the YouTube video walk around on page 35 - very clever use of space without the temptation to cram too much in. 

[young37215]

Following in 27041's footsteps towards Oban and seen on departure from Ardlui is 37114 with its charter train. 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2023 by young37215

[Carl L]

I’ve not previously posted too much (no idea why) but I have to echo the comments of Coronach. It is just quite simply a stunning railway which well mimics the scenery of the WHL. A layout I look forward to seeing the new posts.

 

Would I be right in saying that all your green banks/landscaping is done without static grass?

 

I’ve had a look at the walk around on page 35, that really helps put into context where everything is. I really wish I’d seen this before I’d started mine, just to see what you can achieve on multi levels. I’d really love to start all over again!

[young37215]

On 31/08/2023 at 07:59, Carl L said:

Would I be right in saying that all your green banks/landscaping is done without static grass?

 

Yes, at this time. I plan to selectively add static grass detailing once I have got all of the landscape structure in place. 

 

In between applying transfers to the BSOT conversion, operations continued. 37175 heads north from Crianlarich with 7B02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[meanach]

I’m not sure if you own one already but Rails have the excellent Gauge Master Gras-master 3.0 for £54.95. That’s actually a very good price and I’d recommend it to anyone with quite a bit of scenery to do. It’s certainly better than the home made electro sieve I did Meanach with ! 

[young37215]

19 hours ago, meanach said:

I’m not sure if you own one already but Rails have the excellent Gauge Master Gras-master 3.0 for £54.95. That’s actually a very good price and I’d recommend it to anyone with quite a bit of scenery to do. It’s certainly better than the home made electro sieve I did Meanach with ! 

 

Thanks Ian. I am going to try the cheaper option of 'scrounge Doug's and see how it performs' approach as a first step.

 

37039 arrives at Ardlui with 8D10  The loco failed further south refusing to respond to commands from the controller. I fear I may have suffered a chip failure, of late I have noticed that the bodyshell gets quite hot even when stationary and wonder if the over 10 year old ESU Loksound V4 has expired.  

 

 

 

 

 

[03060]

14 hours ago, young37215 said:

 

 

37039 arrives at Ardlui with 8D10  The loco failed further south 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paint the headcode boxes black, some oil up the side and dump it in the sidings at Ardlui .... run a Royal Train past it ... wait a few days (weeks?) .... and haul it off to works to become 37504 !

 

Keeping it real !!

Edited September 2, 2023 by 03060