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

[young37215]

 

The corner board of the mountain pass (the upper level) is currently getting its landscape and scenery. The curve cuts through a rocky cutting before starting the climb towards the summit. The mountainside is plaster cloth painted with green emulsion on top of polystyrene and insulation board off cuts. Sculptamold fills in the gaps and the landscape will get dressed with scenic materials once it is dry.

 

 

 

 

I could not resist putting the glazing back in 37111 and reinstating the chassis. A minor problem has arisen in that the bodyshell does not fit perfectly on the chassis because the bodyshell lugs are not aligning up as they should making it difficult to replace the screws. This only became clear when running 37111 where the headcode refused to light up at one end. I need to check this over, I know the headcode works, to the best of my knowledge all second generation Bachmann 37's should have interchangeable chassis and bodyshell meaning that is probably something simple I have got wrong. 

 

Edited December 4, 2023 by young37215

[Fishplate]

On 28/11/2023 at 06:20, young37215 said:

I airbrushed sleeper grime

 

Hi, this is something I am going to do. I was given an airbrush several years ago but haven't tried it out yet as I'm still in re-assembly  mode for my layout. Please can you tell me what make of paint you use?

 

29 minutes ago, young37215 said:

The corner board of the mountain pass (the upper level) is currently getting its landscape and scenery.

 

Looking great. 

[young37215]

Despite my best efforts I cannot get the bodyshell to sit correctly on 37111 which means that I cannot get all of the body retaining screws to tighten. The headcode lights do not work at one end because the missing retaining screws mean that electrical contacts are not aligned. I gave the loco a run partly to see how it looked and partly as a test. It looks and ran fine but something is not quite as it should be. I'll return to this another day once the paint has hardened, probably when I weather the loco. Having got my teeth into the mountain pass landscape I want to move this forward as far as I can.

 

37111 heads 7D13 into Crianlarich

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by young37215

[meanach]

Hi Rob , have you tried checking the cab bulk heads are not fowling the wires which run around the edge of the chassis ? They slide down into the slots in the metal in the chassis. The wires have a terrible design with those plastic retaining pieces which either pop out , snap or warp. That stops the bulk heads sliding down flush to the chassis. 
Ian 

[young37215]

3 hours ago, meanach said:

Hi Rob , have you tried checking the cab bulk heads are not fowling the wires which run around the edge of the chassis ? They slide down into the slots in the metal in the chassis. The wires have a terrible design with those plastic retaining pieces which either pop out , snap or warp. That stops the bulk heads sliding down flush to the chassis. 
Ian 

 

I have looked for any obvious obstuctions like wiring without success so far, it is iritating. I am sure the issue is a minor one that will get resolved in time. 

 

Further progress with the corner baseboard which is now nearing completion. A few areas need tidying up but these can be completed in situ and the board is now ready for a return to the layout. When it does I will need to keep my focus on the current development and not start playing trains again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[03060]

This scenic section is looking very interesting ! I hope that you are now enjoying it's development as much as we are, Rob ?

 

Regards,

Ian.

(PS - Not having a Bachmann 37 myself ... have you tried the body on the other way around or is it 'handed' ?)

[Dougjuk]

That scenery is looking very nice.

 

The obvious question with 37111 is have you got the body the right way round because that makes a lot of difference.

[young37215]

Thanks for the suggestion but the bodyshell of 37111 is definitely on the correct way round. 

 

With glues and paints drying and a layout that is effectively out of use I have been finding other ways to spend my modelling time. I recently decided to try using the accessory function on my ESU Cab Control system for the operation of the servo driven points and semaphores using Megapoints networked  servo controllers. Megapoints has worked well for me in the 6 or so years I have been running it on my 14m x 3m layout using a home built control panel. What I increasingly find is I operate from the vicinity of the control panel so as to be able to change points and signals. This was not my original plan where I envisaged moving around the layout to view trains from different angles. The way in which I am operating means that I see the same views day after day creating the risk of familiarity potentially leading to, heaven forbid, boredom. To enable operation from all around the layout I added the Megapoints DCC module to their network which connects to Cab Control. I set up the points and semaphores for 4 stations on the MC 2 wireless hand held controller. The set up is not that user friendly but I eventually worked it out and have got quicker with experience. I now have the ability to operate from all around the layout which has considerably increased the playability. For the modest £34 cost of the Megapoints DCC module I have got a great upgrade albeit with a couple of anomalies that detract from its use.

• The accessory set up is registered on the MC2 memory wheras the loco register is captured on the Cab Control ICU memory. This means that I will need to set up and maintain accessories on both of the MC2 units I have compared with locos which only need setting up once on either of the MC2's. It is a pain but not a big deal and likely a one off activity because I don't see changes taking place very often.
• When a button is toggled the point/semaphore icon moves as appropriate for the accessory which is great if the set up matches the direction of the accessory. So far as I can find there is no way of determining or changing this which means a 50/50 chance that the icon shows the correct direction 

Garelochead set up on the MC2 handset, a press of the button operates the designated accessory. 

 

 

 

[Fishplate]

Whilst not a DCC aficionado, this sounds just the job for an extensive layout.Glad it's going to meet your original aspirations. Enjoy 😊

[young37215]

I think the problem with 37111 is the internal cab bulkheads. I say think because yesterday neither Doug or I could get the bodyshell off of the chassis, it is clearly caught on something and that appears to be the bulkhead. This would make sense, if the bulkhead is not in the correct place it will foul the roof and stop the bodyshell dropping fully on to the chassis. All I need to do is work out how to release the bodyshell and I should be able to reposition the bulkheads. Doug also kindly hand delivered my 4 OAA's which he had collected from Derails. At first glance these look excellent, they will get weathered over the coming days before joining the rolling stock fleet. 

 

The corner board has been returned to the layout and the track reconnected. The adjoining landscape on the lower level has been covered in plaster cloth which should be dry enough to work on today. As I have mentioned previously the amount of work to complete the remaining landscape is substantial and to make it feel more manageable, I have split the area into 6 sections and will work on one section at a time. The 3 upper level sections will be completed first because I have to lean across the lower level to access them. It is probably easier explained using a diagram, the corner board is top left in the picture. 

 

 

 

 

[young37215]

I managed to get 37111's bodyshell and chassis seperated but still cannot work out what the issue is. I removed both bulkheads in the expectation that the body should then sit correctly on the chasis but it did'nt! Having spent more time on this than I planned I gave up and will return to the problem another day. I also worked out that the point and semaphore direction shown on the MC2 unit does have a relationship with the position of the accessory. If the accessory is in the opposite position to that indicated on the MC2 the first button push only changes the accessory icon to reflect the correct position, it does not trigger any movement in the actual accessory. A second button push then operates the accessory and changes the accessory icon position to reflect the movement. It is slightly clumsy but at least it shows I should be reasonably safe relying on the MC2 accessory control indcation.

 

That was enough of the 'butterfly' modelling for one day and I cracked on with the planned landscape work. More plaster cloth was added to the lower level below the corner baseboard ( the bottom left section on my diagram above) and by the end of the day the landscape of the section was just about complete. The area needs painting and dressing but I feel happier having completed the heavy lifting.    

 

37043 with ETHEL 1 had a run round as well for testing purposes and was captured in picture at several points around the line.

 

 

 

 

[Daddyman]

If I understand correctly, the body fitted before you swapped the noses; if so, could it be that the noses are causing the problem? I seem to remember that on later models (around 37049 generation) the separate nose moulding was longer than the first generation ones. Could that be it? 

[young37215]

7 hours ago, Daddyman said:

If I understand correctly, the body fitted before you swapped the noses; if so, could it be that the noses are causing the problem? I seem to remember that on later models (around 37049 generation) the separate nose moulding was longer than the first generation ones. Could that be it? 

 

The bodyshell is the 'new' bit, the nose ends and chassis were previously part of 37011 (ex Bachmann version 32-781) where the headcode lights worked fine. They still work, whatever my problem it is preventing the bodyshell sitting in its correct position on the chassis with the result the power tabs at one end are not making proper contact with the supply on the chassis. Resolve the problem and I expect the headcode lights will work just fine. 

 

By the end of yesterday I had painted the new plaster cloth which should dry overnight. There is still a small gap between the upper and lower boards which would be easy to fill with Sculptamould but I am hesitant about doing so because I had hoped to find a way to keep the boards seperate so that they could be accessed in need. Another item for the 'still pondering' list, I dont have to commit to anything until I start dressing the area. With this work I have completed the landscape in 3 of the 6 sections, hopefully another weeks effort will see the landscape work finished.

 

Insulation board cut to form the landscape

 

 

Plaster cloth added and then painted

 

 

 

Looking north

 

 

The landscape by section, 50% done feels like progress. The remaining 50% feels like hard work!

 

 

[03060]

It's still amazing me that there was still this amount of undeveloped 'land' available to you on WHL v.4, it always looks pretty full in your photos, down to your carefully selected angles I suspect.

 

Great work in progress photos, Rob, thanks.

 

Regards,

Ian.

Edited December 10, 2023 by 03060
Correction.

[young37215]

6 hours ago, 03060 said:

It's still amazing me that there was still this amount of undeveloped 'land' available to you on WHL v.4, it always looks pretty full in your photos, down to your carefully selected angles I suspect.

 

Great work in progress photos, Rob, thanks.

 

Regards,

Ian.

 

The area under development is the last of the 'open space' on WHL4. It is a sizeable area hence my splitting it into 6 for the purposes of my working on it, if I can complete the landscape by the end of the month/year I will be happy and greatly relieved. 

 

Having spent time without the ability to use the layout, it seemed about time to run some trains. 37039 has been battered back to life by fitters and is seen heading north with 7B02 at Ardlui. Included in the consist is one of Rapidos rather nice and new OAA's; for now I have left this in pristine condition under the premise that it has recently been released from works following overhaul and repainting into Speedlink red and grey.

 

 

 

 

 

[Daddyman]

That's a very nice weathering job on 039. 

[thegreenhowards]

1 hour ago, Daddyman said:

That's a very nice weathering job on 039. 

I was about to say that but you beat me to it. Looks exceptionally natural. Definitely one of Rob’s better 37s!

[Alcanman]

Ardlui looks great. The weathering on 37039 looks spot on. Just like how it was when I saw it at Ardlui.

 

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Alcanman
error

[young37215]

37039 was one of my better Ebay purchases coming ready weathered and with the working headlamp. The weathering is excellent but questionable on the WHL where faded locos are rare in my experience of scrolling through Flickr. Filthy dirty, battered or rusty paintwork yes, faded paintwork no. Someone suggested this was due to a lack of washing facilities at Eastfield which makes sense as my understanding of fading is that it is a function of regular washing of old paintwork. Whatever the reasons I like 37039 as it is and it will not be changing anytime soon.

 

Having got into operations once again I continued with running trains yesterday. 37111 was called into action to move some rail up the line for the engineering department and is seen arriving at Garelochead. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by young37215

[Alcanman]

I agree that most of the 37s I saw on the WHL did not display faded paintwork. However, in this 37112 displays some fading/streaking paintwork at Fort William in 1984.

[GordonC]

1 hour ago, Alcanman said:

I agree that most of the 37s I saw on the WHL did not display faded paintwork. However, in this 37112 displays some fading/streaking paintwork at Fort William in 1984.

 

Would that be some kind of streaking or deposits from the boiler washed down between the grilles? I wouldn't have expected hard water around there though

[Dunalastair]

2 hours ago, GordonC said:

Would that be some kind of streaking or deposits from the boiler washed down between the grilles? I wouldn't have expected hard water around there though

 

Water additive, e.g. antifreeze / inhibitor?

[03060]

On 11/12/2023 at 10:19, Alcanman said:

Ardlui looks great. The weathering on 37039 looks spot on. Just like how it was when I saw it at Ardlui.

 

 

 

For a brief moment @Alcanman I thought that you had also captured in the Ardlui sidings the unique prototype BMA conversion wagon 965077 which was trialled / used on the FW aluminium traffic but on further study of your photo (enlarging it on my tablet) I reckon that it shows x3 SPA wagons as there are 6 'shadows' showing at rail level for the wheels with corresponding axleboxes above them, there should also be a slightly higher black section on the end if it were the prototype wagon.

 

For those interested futher photos of 965077 can be found on both Paul Bartlett's photosite and several photos of it derailed, having runaway at the Alcan FW site, which can be found in Spannerman's Flickr pages. (I'll not post them here as they are 'off topic' to Rob's current theme but thought that the SPAs were worth pointing out as they don't appear in many photos on the WHL.)

 

Regards,

Ian.

[young37215]

26 minutes ago, 03060 said:

thought that the SPAs were worth pointing out as they don't appear in many photos on the WHL

 

With the addition of 4 OAA's I am now struggling for siding/storage space, the last thing I need is to add to the wagon fleet!

 

I have lifted 1 of the 2, 6' upper level baseboards onto my workbench to start on the scenery which again severs the running line. This is the board that links directly to the Mallaig Junction fiddle yard, the top right one in the diagram above. I managed to weather the track and start ballasting yesterday, the mountaneous landscape is causing me a few issues and progress was slow as a result. A few last minute movements were recorded before the line was closed, 37027 is pictured arriving at Crianlarich en route to Oban with 1T32. 

 

 

 

 

[Alcanman]

Great photos, which remind me of this photo of 37027 arriving at Crianlarich.