Bishop Auckland: A layout that was. (Now dismantled)

[The Black Hat]

Hello all,

 

Some more pictures of the work done this week. This week has been busy, with personal circumstances and recovering from a minor opperation, forcing me away from the layout. Life is busy with me looking to move in a different direction career wise at the moment...

 

Work this week has been concerntrating on the loading board with work on the retaining walls and roads. Its seen the roads covered with gaugemaster road surface. Paving being placed alongside and needed to be glued down. The retaining walls have all been picked out with bricks painted before being given a wash over with weathering paint to add effect.

 

 

 

The pictures above show the areas being worked on. They look much better than blander walls left with a uniform colour.

 

Some additional areas needed grass putting down. This was next to the detached house near the bridge, this area here near the street and near the board join to the station.

 

Here, the road nearest the loading area is more or less finished. Some people might be added, as well as cars, (even a bus) going over the bridge.

 

Road surface is again going to be used to go over the main station bridge. This whole area needs the scenery tidying up to match the improvements made elsewhere. The street at the top requires a lot of work too. This will be an area to focus on soon.

 

As is South View, as this was added with a brick wall rather than embankment. This could be changed to be more accurate to the area again.

 

I will post another update below showing some engines under test. Hope the update is of interest.

 

 

[The Black Hat]

Hello all,

 

Here are some pictures of things on the layout under test.

 

 

 

 

First of all. A lorry arriving at the loading area. The area is not just for loading by rail and as such needs to be able to accomodate wagons arriving.

 

 

One photo of the 08 shunting wagons. Due to the time trains have to unload a shunter will be needed to help positon wagons while the train engine moves the other portion of the train.

 

 

 

 

 

Despite Bishop Auckland in reality having a steady run of class 142 to the station the current model for the type is sadly lacking in detail, running qualities and appearance compared with a great many number of engines on the layout. One has been worked on by contract to give it lights and sound, with a 156 having had similar treatment. To boost the number of units, i have bought Realtracks 144 as these are similar but also are a fantastic model. The pictures above show a 144 on the run into the station passing the 08 shunting wagons.

 

 

A true EWS engine on the layout. 66044, my personal favourite class 66 stands at the signal having been shunting wagons for the loading area. Im looking to give the weathering on the engine more attention but this was a renumbering and weathering job that I did first years ago. Its subsequent chipping with sound happened much later, but I will enjoy having this on the layout.

 

 

 

Finally, a look at what is running on the preserved side. The B1, 61264 with correct NER style smokebox stands having arrived with a train. Here the attention to detail near the signalling starts to pay dividends and add character to the image of the layout.

 

More work on it all soon, and will bring news confirming the layouts return to the exhibition circuit soon.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

[The Black Hat]

Hello all, 

 

There's been an awful lot of modelling going on with the layout these last few months. The layout has seen the completion of work done to the main control wiring that has been used and reinstalled. This is now working faultlessly on the layout and makes operation much easier running from the ECoS system. Thoughts are now turning to accurate operation of engines on the layout, with stock and engines having been tested.

 

The main focus of work has been on with scenery. The layout is booked to attend the Shildon MRC show at Locomotion next weekend, and has such attention has been turned to getting the layout right and looking good. Pictures of some areas are shown below, with updates with more to follow. 

 

South View, has been redone with houses bought and the bank redone with trees. Some brick walls and paths are added too, along with street lights for the footpath. Buildings will have their front doors painted to match those there today, although the buildings for some houses are a floor too small. Work to the loading area has been pretty much completed, as this joins the end of South View, on the layout.  Pictures here show the progress.

 

The original bank and street was removed. 

 

 

Foam board for the bank to be built on. 

 

The bank is cut to shape, with seperation areas made for where the boards join. 

 

A gap would be shown where the loading bay meets the street. 

 

As a result the building was adapted by building an extention into it to bridge the gap and add scenery. 

 

The bank now given a matt of grass and planted with trees. 

 

More to follow... 

 

 

 

 

[The Black Hat]

Work continues with the loading area. 

 

Here the street to South View was given the brickwork for the walls to gardens. 

 

Attention to detail has really kicked into gear. Health and Safety warnings and instructions are everywhere. As are speed signs. Here instructions for the depot show on arrival. 

 

Meanwhile, a lorry arrives with yet more goods. The yard is seen with signage that can now be viewed. 

 

Part of getting detail right saw sanding down to rough edges of the plaster that was put down. The loading area building thus has had new concrete put into place when the area was repainted with a different shade. Bollards mark the area off, with more signage for operation shown on the building. 

 

To safeguard workers, the permiter fence has been extended so now there is a working area beyond the building. This gives scope for yet more modelling and extra added detail. 

 

More photographs on the portacabin being reconstructed later - that almost finishes this area. 

 

[The Black Hat]

One area to see some work done is to fix the portacabin. The steps where removed and damaged, meaning that some others had to be found. These were fabricated out of plastic card as shown here. 

 

One portacabin needing repair....

 

Steps given walkway on top

 

Steps given pillars to support build.

 

Then railings added....

 

Finally put alongside for testing... 

 

These have been fitted and the cabin given health and Safety info as well. 

 

More pictures to follow soon... 

 

 

[The Black Hat]

Meanwhile back in the main station area the whole area has been given yet more attention to detail. Various scenes have been depicted with the signs that have been bought. These came from pre-cut signs and Scankey Scenics, which I can recommend highly. While the trackwork has been cleaned and the various areas for detail such as signal cabelling, trunking and relays installed, the stations themselves have been given details to show the various parts, such as platform numbers, item locations and various other displays. 

 

One other addition has been the building to show B+Q on the townscene. A Hornby model did the trick, before being painted to represent the right colour. Its a far cry from what was there before being a rushed scratch built for an attempt at the layouts first exhibition some years ago. 

 

 

As such, Im pleased with the new build station. It is indeed much improved on the prototype, with what is seen to be a cafe in the station that can be seen through to the platform. Other areas such as station information displays and signage is all added. Bachmann's modern station pack with TV monitors and the ticket machines also gives better impressions of realism. 

 

 

 

One for Newbyford to enjoy, as he is a fellow owner of an EWS 66044... my favourite 66!

 

 

Above you can see a scratch build sign to go with the custom pack that has been ordered. It gives this station a much better look to be more accurate and detailed. 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, spare trunking has been placed to cover long extended wires. Oliver Cromwell stands on gauging the platform and also the various speed signs that have been installed. 

 

More soon... 

 

 

 

 

[The Black Hat]

Now for the main latest update, which is full of excitement. 

 

Last weekend, I had the chance to get the layout together for some testing. Andrew joined me to help with this, a week after Edward had done the same. This second weekend went much better. Plans were to get the full scenic sections upright and together to allow running and gauging. This all went smoothly. The engines were able to run onto the boards and the end traverser was also connected. 

 

Andrew working on the woodwork as the layout is prepared. 

 

Problems with the distance between the rails and the track on the traverser caused another ski jump effect. The solution was to file down the ends of the track on the traverser to make them more gentle for stock and engines. This worked very well allowing free running onto the traverser. 

 

Trains were soon running onto the traverser with the P2, 60603 Eleventh Earl of Mar being used to test alongside a train hauled by 70013 Oliver Cromwell

 

 

 

However, attention turned to the Heljan Turnable. This had been a reliable and interesting addition to the layout, but the years stored outside have not helped its condition. It had been a brilliant addition to the layout at first, but now it was causing issues with reliability. The options were to buy and replace a new one, which in turn would likely have a similar problem, or to replace the turnable with a spare engine shed bought some years previously. Replacement would mean that with less than two weeks to go before the exhibition marking the layouts return, a major section of the scenery detail would need to be removed and replaced. 

 

In the end, replacement with the shed was prefered. It meant cutting a new board to sit on top of the main board over the hole the turntable had originally featured. This would also mean a gradient to the shed. Nice in practice and would no doubt look good but with two weeks to go it could prove troublesome. The wood was quickly cut, and track laid having made a mad dash to Locomotion Models at Shildon on the Sunday, and thus open. Plastic was put underneath to give stability, while eventually, much like the real thing, ballast in pva glue would be packed in underneath and eventually support the track. Original trials found the track too steep on the outset, so adjustments were made to the grade and canter of the allingment. All seemed well and thus scenic work has been started. 

 

I envisage that a shed to stable engines will be placed here - the main shed for maintenance etc, is still officially at Etherley according to the lines history. Around this will be a viewing area for the shed, and a full picnic area. 

 

 

Two last views of the turntable before its removal. 

 

The shed placed onto the layout for the first time. The wood is checked to see how high the board needs to be to add the scenic details as well. 

 

The track packed underneath with platic to support it. Theres also plenty of nails to guide and hold it in place. 

 

A photo showing the track and the approach to the shed. This was altered slightly after this photo for a better approach after engines slipped. 

 

Finally the detail starts. Rails are painted through the shed and sidings. Ballast gets packed in underneath and the plastic brickwork added to support the whole endeavour properly - not to mention more ballast. 

 

So, will update everything in a day or so's time. Theres now less than a week until its up and ready for the public. In fact this time next week, should see pictures of it in operation. 

 

Comments and feedback on it all is most welcome. As usual, more soon!

 

 

[The Black Hat]

Hello all...

 

I will give a detailed account of the layouts return to the exhibition circuit proper soon. 

 

Overall, the impression was that the layout did indeed work rather well. The ECoS operating system was much better than previous attempts with the Gaugemaster 2 allowing for smother operation overall, but also the wireless use of operating by means of a mobile phone app. This was quite fun when people thought no one was behind the screens, only for them to realise the person next to them was doing all the driving. 

 

I must also give a massive thanks to family and friends who turned out to see and support both me, and friends next door on the Barnstoneworth layout. Many people said how we should have been given a better position within the hall as these were the two best layouts there on the day. 

 

 

Heres a pic of the layout up and operational. More details of its return and the subsequent changes to be made soon. 

[Anthony566]

Fascinating to follow your layout build and re-build journey and all the modifications along the way well done. I have to agree with your comments on the ECoS it is a fantastic controller ( albeit and expensive one ) I do like mine even though I am not making the most out of it just yet...

 

Keep the updates coming.

[The Black Hat]

Fascinating to follow your layout build and re-build journey and all the modifications along the way well done. I have to agree with your comments on the ECoS it is a fantastic controller ( albeit and expensive one ) I do like mine even though I am not making the most out of it just yet...

 

Keep the updates coming.

 

Thanks Anthony. The layout did perform better than it has when it was out before. A lot of that was due to the change in controller and allowing things such as route settings to be done clearly and easily. The way the system worked between the controller and the decoders underneath also made installation of it much more easily as the accessory decoders seem more robust and more straight forward than others, such as gaugemaster. I do have a freind that is using Lenz decoders but think I will be staying with ESU as the system overall is working fine. 

 

Another benefit was the ability to quickly change engines using the main display screen. This saw me able to drive the whole layout on occasions when my brother went away. Swapping engines quickly and easily made operation much clearer and allowed more consistent use. The next stages will be to master double heading, as well as things such as signals to dcc. More updates on the latter later. 

 

Comments from others and enquiries are also very welcome. 

[The Black Hat]

Hello all, 

 

Time for a more detailed account of the return to the exhibition circuit for the layout. 

 

Firstly, the layout was a lot easier to transport. This was mainly due to the fact that we did no box the layout up with the traversers and main two scenic boards forming a box. Instead the boards were all brought through a separate parts, with scenic boards lying on top of the traverser. The main board, with four legs to stand, was placed entirely as one unit into the van. Extra boards placed under the sides to form a box protected the wiring from any mishaps, meaning the boards could be lifted and moved quickly, including being pushed into position. Then once through it was a matter of attaching the legs and boards to each other, then quickly adding the joining cables. Some boards needed their scenic blue backgrounds attaching, with them remaining in place for the journey. Traversers needed their black boards attaching to prevent drop offs, and all this was done quickly. It meant that the whole layout was moved in about 2 and a half hours. Not bad for a three man team, and a journey to exhibition of about 15 mins.

 

The layout loaded into the hire van. 

 

Despite hiring a medium size van, to complete the move in one trip, two boards remained. These were big enough to be put into the back of two cars and as such the layout was slowly transported over. 

 

When booking the layout for the show, I requested funds for hiring of transport. Given the amount I have personally spent on the layout (its all mine! Save for an 04) I am wanting to arrange transport to ensure the layout is moved safely. Shildon club came to an arrangement and the layout was subsequently booked. I was much happier with this arrangement to get the layout across - while I know such costs can make the layouts attraction to other show organisers more problematic, I feel it is a much safer way to move the layout, given the effort involved for such a large layout and a small operating team. 

 

Speaking of the team - here are two thirds of it. Family members Derek (Dad) and Andrew (brother) were the main people that helped move the layout across. Thankfully, the moving on the layout was much easier. Here they are collapsing the layout ready for the move back home. 

 

In the end, the moving of the layout using the van and two cars made backing the layout good as it was nice and compact. However, the other two boards would have to be taken should the layout need to go further away. 

 

Here the layout is loaded back into the van ready for the trip home. 

 

---------

 

Secondly, the layout needed some minor tweaks to get it fully working. Despite having been able to get most of the layout up and into position the traverser for the network rail end had not been tested or connected since the layout was last up and on show some 2 years previously! This saw some work needed to fix it to the new scenic section that was in place. Although it had been done last time, the need to move latches and connectors was apparent since we (Andrew and I) decided to forgo joining boards fashioned for the traverser to connect to the new scenic section. This was done quickly while the layout was assembled. The other end with steam engines overall ran fine. 

 

The main line traverser in use. 

 

Filing on the morning of Sunday made a distinct difference to the join between heights on the layout and traverser. Just as it had on the other traverser. However, given the move of the track on the scenic section of the loading area compared to the main scenic board under the bridge on Cockton Hill Road, it meant a loss of space that could be used. Some lines no longer could be positioned alongside where the track was joining. It meant that while some trains could be given a line to stable on, others such as units had to be removed and then placed onto the track again when it was their turn to arrive. Given how Pacers have a total of 8 axles, this was not that difficult or time consuming! 

 

Further work might be needed to realigning the track given how since the extension of the layout, it how runs with the four scenic sections. 

 

This then takes me to another area. 

 

Operation. overall the layout ran very well, but the timetable produced for the layout soon become practically useless. While the preserved end was more or less able to keep time and operate well, the network end was tasked to have more engines arriving and then departing to maintain interest. What was soon found was that the shunts to move the stock arriving for the loading area where taking much longer than anticipated. As a result trains were needing to move out of the way to let others in, but there was never the time to do so. It fast became a realisation for me that operating with DCC Sound meant realistic timescales applied to the moves the engines had to peform as well. Even if the scale was smaller the distance and time to do something remained the same as if it was scaled up. This was really due to the time needed for engines to reverse, enter gear, power up and move were all taking as long as the real thing. While it might seem obvious, previously it was not as much an issue, as the area with the loading bay was new, and before trains merely ran round and departed. 

 

66044 arrives with a frieght for the loading area. 

 

It means that the timetable needs to be recast - but that in itself is a good thing. Instead it means fewer trains arriving but they will match what is more realistic. The activity will remain the same as this last weekend, as shunts to move the stock will still need to be performed. Also it will make operation more realistic as freight trains will enter directly to platform 1 and then reverse to the loading area. Then when another path is due, the passenger can arrive direct, with the freight out of the way. Shunts to move empty portions and loaded ones back and forth needed both the train locomotive and a shunter, but provided lots of interest. Trains accessing the loading area will be given longer as well, so that some trains accessing the layout can still run in, run round and then go. These being special ones that provide interest, or ones that pass across the entire layout like a charter. Interestingly an engine swap with the charter took as long as a real one would too. For the charter to arrive, uncouple, move off and then for the other engine to reverse, attach and depart took about 10 mins. About the time a real one would on the mainline today. 

 

Given such timescales I was impressed that it allowed a significant increase in realism, which a few on the viewing side noticed. 

 

The other main difference was the switch to operation using an App on a mobile phone. This in essence turned each phone into a wireless controller. The app gives direct access to ECoS and made operation easier for us as we could operate from respected ends, rather than crowd around the ECoS controller. 

 

Finally, some more pictures of the layout up in its entire form. I will update soon, with pictures of the engines at work, and various cameos allowing pictures to be taken. 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, comments and feedback of the updates and anyone who might have seen it at the weekend is most welcome. 

[The Black Hat]

So, time for some of the first pictures of the layout and things of interest. 

 

Here are pictures of the Network Rail Structural Gauging Train complete with working scanner within the formation. The model was one I bought in to go alongside some other test trains I have and have made. 

 

In both pictures 31233 is seen standing on the mainline ready to depart, having arrived and ran round. In other times it has been out, a Fragonset 31 usually operates the other end. The train always gets lots of comments, with people asking what it is and what it does. The working aspects of the model also get interest. 

 

 

 

More pictures of other things to come. Enjoy... 

[The Black Hat]

Time for some pictures of.... 

 

Locomotive haulage. I admit, its always popular. The very idea that locomotive haulage should still continue from the network end always meets with approval. Even if its the north east and I was advocating a service from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle in two hours via Darlington, Stockton, Stillington and Durham. The service borrowed ideas from other areas, namely North Wales coast, then the S+C and now the Cumbrian Coast. Really, more units would be drafted in to this area, locos taking up the slack elsewhere, but for a modeller its too good to miss. 

 

At the recent Shildon Exhibition, haulage came from EWS. Pictures below show the set in action. 

 

37402 arrives into Bishop Auckland. 

 

Despite the purr of the 37 on idle arriving into Platform 1, the cameraman looking down the line for the next steam service clearly isnt interested in the veteran English Electric type 3. 

 

37402 draws off from the stock in the platform and prepares to run round. 

All the extra details of things like signal trunking, relay boxes and the better building for B+Q make this area look much better for details. 

 

37402 stands on the main having prepared to reverse. Latherbrush bridge would be much more interesting were it not for the obvious lack of interest going past these days at the real location. 

 

'402 is given the road. 

This board is now my brothers favourite. Despite the others being occupied with scenery too, this ones simplicity and the very idea that its got little track gets his affection. The board does look great, with lots of colour to draw the eye, while down between the two hills an engine can normally be found. 

 

Back down at the main line and 402 is prepared to back onto the stock. She waits the signal. Meanwhile a photographer, armed with tripod clearly knows the vantage point and trys to peer over the high security fencing. A trail of mud from the nearby path to a hole in the fence betrays the fact that clearly its not just him interested with the vantage point. 

 

402 was not the only engine working the roster. Here, between other duties 47790 Saint David / Dewi Sant, has been given the loco turn. 

 

Seen from the view of a pigeon flying over the loading bay - 47790 is in the headshunt clearing the mainline. Can the photographer, grab two engines side by side, or will 47790 just block the view? The trials and tribulations of that vantage point.... 

 

Hope thats of interest, feedback and comments welcome. 

[The Black Hat]

Just another quick update from the Shildon exhibition...

 

But a question too - does my brother really own one of a kind. As far as we know, Andrew's sole engine in his ownership is unique, in that he owns a class 04, which was renumbered at his choice to 04014. Its become the preservation shed pet engine, even known sometimes as 'dog' or 'doggy' as he frequently goes wandering, misbehaves or generally gets in the way.

 

However, does he really own the only 04 that is fitted with both sound and working lights? If anyone else knows of another then we'd be interested to know - as this is not a model of the more recent Bachmann 03. 

 

Some pictures of the 04, are seen below, with the first showing the working lights to good affect. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks... 

[The Black Hat]

As Bishop Auckland is on the branch line from Darlington and Saltburn, a good many units were seen running into Bishop Auckland, here are some pictures of those in action at Shildon;

 

144012 on a service to Bishop Auckland. 

 

The 144 seen from beyond the boundry fence to Network Rail land. 

 

142090 is seen leaving Bishop Auckland for Saltburn

 

Clearly the crew have not been bothered to move the destination blind, as the service is for Saltburn, not Leeds. 

 

The view of the mainline traverser. Here you can see the units put ready for use on the line. A class 156 has been weathered and chipped, with lights fitted too. 

 

The units really are not quite to the same standard as some of the newer tooled steam and diesel engines. Given their use of DCC and have lights etc, the units by comparison are not to the same standard. While this has seen the 142 and 156 refitted with lighting and a new motor for the latter too, thankfully Realtracks 144 gives extra scope for units to run. This model really is superb, and although a Hornby 153 has at the event this was not used at the weekend. 

 

Hope that's of interest. 

[Anthony566]

Nice photos, have you modified the doors on the Hornby unit ?

[class"66"]

Layout and pictures look great!!

 

 

 

cheers neil..

[The Black Hat]

As mentioned one of the main areas of interest on the layout was the use of the loading area for freight trains to come into and deliver. Owing to the track layout and timing, the timetable had the freight to arrive into the holding line to let out the passenger service, before then reversing to the main, going to platform 1 and then reversing again to the loading area. Lots of activity I thought. Marvelous.... err no. In fact, such movements with a DCC sound engine do take a considerable amount of time. The scale distance and size of the train being the same in ratio, the engine note and change being the same as reality it meant that such shunts would take as long as they should, rather than how model engines do tend to be quicker than the real thing when running conventionally. With DCC sound meaning that moving off, etc all took time and route setting also took time, such shunts were soon abandoned as was the timetable. 

 

The result was that fewer trains arrived, and that shunts with the freight stock soon took up the slack in activity. Consequentially, the result of something moving just about all the time was achieved, and a new method of working was arrived it, which in the end was better all round. It made operation more realistic as trains would arrive straight to one and then reverse to the loading area. The train would be split, and half stable in the holding area, then swapping together via platform 1. The train would then be reassembled in the holding line, prior to departure. 

 

As this was the only time it had all been running, such issues were only really found when the whole layout was up and running. As this is always at an exhibition the Shildon 2015 exhibition means that the line can now switch to a better operation once planning a new timetable has been done. 

 

Pictures of the frieght activity are below;

 

57011 is given a stop signal by the signaller at the boards to access the loading area and collect empty stock. 

 

57011 arrives to collect an empty wagon put into the headshunt rather than the loading area. 

 

08863 is hiding amongst the trees, on the preserved headshunt ready to set back to the loading area siding. It has just brought up stock to propel onto the freight train in the loading area and recessed back.

 

 

66044 arrives with an EWS powered freight. The photographer obviously likes some 'modern image' locos given his position by the fence and interest in these as much as the steam engines. 

 

66044 stands at the signal waiting the green for access to the holding line to set its train back to the loading area. The men in the Warehouse look on seeing their next duties arrive. 

 

66044 snakes its way across the ladder that is the entry to Bishop Auckland and arrives into the holding line. A practice soon changed for the better. 

 

08863 rests between duties in the loading area headshunt. The men seem busy checking the little shunter as well as other issues for work that day. 

 

66044 stands at the top of the holding line. 

 

 

 

DRS 57011 stands at the signal at the preserved end running round its train. 

 

Hope thats of interest. Will post more pictures of this topic again soon....

 

 

 

 

 

[class"66"]

More nice pictures :locomotive:

[The Black Hat]

Nice photos, have you modified the doors on the Hornby unit ?

 

Hi Anthony, the mod to the Hornby 142 is quick and dead easy. All you do is use a craft knife to carefully cut away the middle door pillar on each door to give a close approximation of what is there on the newer door type. You then tidy up the area with paint etc. If you wanted to convert the doors then you could take them out and replace them with an etch or fitting but really for the Hornby 142 this is over kill as the model now looks dated when compared to the accuracy and shape of its Realtack cousin. 

[The Black Hat]

More pictures of the freight side of operation;

 

57011 arrives into the headshunt to clear the mainline. 

 

57011 seen from beyond the fence. 

 

57614 arrives with an EWS contracted service. The photographer at the vantage point seems spoilt for choice as he leans over to the top of the fence to get a decent view. B1 61264 is parked in the headshunt waiting to run round, while over in the loading bay, 08864 is parked up inside the shed. 

 

The view from a bridge: 57614 waits at the signal as the B1 sits alongside. The foreman in the yard looks to be needing to speak to some of the crew about the arriving service to the right. 08864 is hiding in the shed, no doubt, about to shunt clear. 

 

A mucky 08864 stands at the signal having moved from the loading bay shed. Its missing a number on its cabside, which is in need of replacement, but shows the shunter is an engine thats worked and given minor repairs.

 

57614 stands at the end of platform 1 ready to shunt back into the loading area. By this point this had very much become the established method of operation. 

The class 57 also was good to catch some people out given the knowledge some have of modern day engines. The repaint, done to give EWS slightly more variety was one that few really noticed as a fabrication, some even thinking that the engine was linked to EWS operations for sleep contracts down south!

 

The view from above: seen more like the view from the operators side of the layout 57614 is shunting to the main to then access the holding yard. 08864 is in the shunters siding ready to move onto the stock in the loading bay and drag it once unloaded. Despite the shunt, B1 61264 remains sat in the headshunt, awaiting permission to move through the station and access the lines at the preserved end of the layout. 

 

57614 accesses the layout once again. This would have been after the engine has moved its wagons to be unloaded. As a result of it being the train engine, it moves clear while the shunter then moves the unloaded wagons back onto those that then need unloading. Once this is complete, the 08 moves the whole train to the waiting train engine. 57614 is shown here shunting to get position. Because of detail on the front of one end, it must move off layout before quickly returning once picked up and re-railed. Other engines without this could stable in the headshunt if its available. 

 

08864 is oddly seen close up to the preserved side, sitting at the mainline signal protecting the junction. A shunt has taken it further away than normal, but given the chance, no doubt one of the spotters and cameramen on the preserved station would be wanting to get a photo of an old shunter still at work on the network. 

 

08864 and 67001, a genuine EWS machine sit at their respective ends of stock for the loading bay. I decided to use RES stock this weekend, as its been in the stock draw for years and EWS did use this stock to try and get more business with fast speed logistics for a short period. It could be hoped such a short run flow might have served the loading area here. Roller shutter doors on stock would make them ideal for some medium sized deliveries. 

Here the pair stand with the shunter bringing out empty wagons. 67001 will shunt to put its into the loading area before moving off light engine. 

 

67001 stands on the holding line as the 08 brings the empty stock into position. Pending on where the train engine is, and how much stock is on the load really means where the whole train can be formed. Here given its length and the fact that postion of signals is needed to be accounted for the whole stock has been shunted over to the 67 on the holding line in the station. 67001 will soon depart with the train, leaving the shunter behind. 

 

Hope you enjoy those too. 

 

Thanks to the feedback from others viewing the thread. Anyone else with feedback and questions is welcome to contribute... 

 

 

 

[Anthony566]

Hi nice photos, can I ask on 08864 did you use weathering powders or is it paint ?

[The Black Hat]

Hi nice photos, can I ask on 08864 did you use weathering powders or is it paint ?

 

As with most of my weathering jobs its a combination of both. Have not got to the airbrush stage yet, but with results like that sometimes think I'm doing ok as it is. 

 

Can recommend the new Hornby/Humbrol weathering paints that have black or oil effects and some powders by Hornby and DCC concepts. 57614 was weathered with these and also the use of a fineliner pen to do the oil stains down the side of the engine. 

[Anthony566]

Thanks David,

 

I do have some of the dcc concepts powders but have not had a go with these yet however I have had a go with an airbrush on a test section of track and scenery I built and while it came out ok ( blind luck more than anything ) I think I was a bit too heavy with it .... I have a few older DC locos I am planning on practicing on

[The Black Hat]

Pictures of the steam preserved operation at Shildon June Exhibition:

 

The one end which largely worked as planned was the steam preserved operation. This however, was without a demo freight which in future we aim to be running again. The change from turntable to engine shed meant a number of things have been altered. All largely small but soon make big differences. 

 

First of all was the fact that engines would no longer arrive always facing smokebox first, due to the removal of the turntable. So all steam engines now needed fitting with couplings as they were likely to arrive tender first and then run round in the station. Matters changed here too when Andrew made more use of the station headshunt, a legacy from when the layout was designed without the two extra scenic boards. This gave him means to station an engine at the town end of the station that had arrived and uncoupled, while bringing a second onto the front when running with one engine and four coaches, the easiest method as they all fit on the traverser. 

 

Sometimes, engines were used to run round via the headshunt next to the mainline on the loading bay board. This gave some extra movements and gave Andrew a means to get engines back to the shed area to be watered and coaled if needed. Plans were in place for a BR green weekend, almost as if there was a gala at the railway. However, A4 60009 Union of South Africa was damaged on the run over, and 46115 Scots Guardsman failed with damage to motion that had been repaired, previously. With these two out, spare engines were used, namely B1, 61264 and 34046 Braunton. Other engines used were 80135 and 46521 on the shuttle, while new build 67801 joined in on this role.

 

The establishment of an engine shed also meant that engines were placed there to stable between workings. 60603 Eleventh Earl of Mar was often seen in the shed, being hidden from view. A few people noticed the interesting engine, some spotting its dubious historical connections, while some believed it as genuine. On Sunday, it was 25 minutes from the start of the show, before someone noticed it sat there. Remarkably quickly given we were one of two layouts the furthest from the front doors. The shed also speeded up run round times. It made replacing engines easier if one was already spare and if not an engine could be sent straight to water and coal (if needed) rather than also have to turn on the turn table. this made it easier for engines to run round via the main line and return to the front of the train with time to spare. 

 

D7838 was on hand as pilot, bringing in empty stock from the carriage sidings and main locomotive shed at Etherley, with 04014 in blue as station pilot to help with stock releases, if needed. 

 

Pictures of the preserved action are below;

 

D7838 is seen in the station loop headshunt resting between duties. 

 

The new engine shed area in place. 70013 Oliver Cromwell is seen on the left. 

 

60532 Blue Peter heads towards the shed. 

 

A photographer near the viewing area at the shed tries to use the fence to steady his camera as 60532 arrives onto shed, proudly carrying 'The North Eastern Envoy' headboard. 

 

Meanwhile the class 25 is still parked up. It tends to spend some of the day there having brought in empty stock on the morning, before later working in with Pullman stock during lunchtime, to then take back mid afternoon. 

 

Back at the shed, 61264 and 60603 Eleventh Earl of Mar are seen side by side in the NER influenced new build shed. 

 

67801 is seen in the new stabling road near the signal box. The L4 is a new build L1 with improvements, this being a boiler based on the more successful K1 design, meaning slightly lower power, but better overall control. The smokebox door is more of an NER Darlington style, and the engine is fitted with air brakes and signalling equipment for mainline running. Being new build, like the P2, it carries lamp brackets on its left running plate in a nod to Western region practice for putting spare lamps to the side - a clever, simple and effective means of operation that would be used with this engine. 

 

80135 is seen drawing onto a shuttle service. The enthusiasts look towards the line, expecting a larger locomotive to arrive and perhaps provide greater interest. That said, one on his knee seems happy to be trying to film the standard tank.

 

Back between the trees and the B1 complete with The Good Endeavour headboard has run round from its train and sits in the headshunt waiting a chance to reverse down to the train or station. 

 

In the station Oliver Cromwell stands looking to move to the shed. The engine carries The Northumbrian headboard, for use with the Hornby Gresley stock made for the titled train that had its links to NER operation from Newcastle to London, however the Hornby stock was not used this weekend. Really it should have been taken.

 

Parked up on the stabling line, 46521 is given a look over by its crew and others nearby.

 

The new L4 arrives with a shuttle from Wolsingham. The idea is that stations on the line are doubled to allow sufficient time for trains to pass. The shuttle then calls at stations when held, while some larger services pass through to keep services running. Really, its needed to keep the ammount of trains coming onto the layout enough to keep interest. 

 

 

67801, the new build is looking to take the next shuttle to Wolsingham. 

 

The pioneer and prototype engine of its kind, 71000, ​Duke of Gloucester sits in the shed between duties. Who would have thought such a prototype would have been done when this layout was started. Thankfully I have a model of a fantastic engine that Andrew too really likes. It was this model that started the idea for all engines being in green that was largely stuck to. 

 

Oliver Cromwell stands in the station headshunt. The signal was cleared to give him a run in to allow him to sit having uncoupled until the train departs. He now remains there until another engine moves onto the front and take the train away. While it might mean it stands there a while it can be the kind of logistical operation that some railways do employ when they have events that see many engines in use and some stand for some time between duties. It also meant people looking over the layout to see where the sound of the engine was coming from, with others surprised when the engine came out from under the bridge, having been unnoticed. 

 

and finally...

 

Who would have thought I would model a southern engine. Personally, I cant stand most of them, but a rebuilt WC/BB gets close to a decent machine - as for the rest, there were better designs elsewhere for just about every role you could think of. Particularly on the Western region and Eastern (NER area in particular). That said, Southern engines are now seen all over, even up north as a lot more of them are preserved owing to Barry in south wales. Alas, there was no such event up north. So to augment the Eastern and Standard designs I bought and changed this WC to Braunton (including appropriate Merchant Navy tender) to run as an engine that was different and to give the effect that now engines run from various areas to haul trains and please their passengers. 
Here Braunton is seen moving off shed, its Palatine headboard making it available to haul a passenger turn or be a stand in for the pullman service which runs as the Prince Palatine Pullman. 

 

Hope thats of interest. Enjoy....