Greenford in 00 Gauge: Circa 2010-2017 (FGW, Chiltern, LU, Virgin + Plenty of Freight)

[EWS60065]

Thanks for showing the samples! 

Can't wait to see the HOAs running on your layout, I would like to model an HOA/JGA/IIA rake one day. 

I think the Flangeway Salmons look a good option - interesting what Hornby said about theirs despite showing a sample at GETS? 

Regarding the JXA the first thing I thought when these were announced was the JNA you mentioned. I think a rake of these would look excellent, at a guess the nearest RTR bogies would be the Heljan TEA ones as a spare but they're not identical. Stenson Models do an ESC bogie, depends if you want to build in brass. 

[WCML100]

52 minutes ago, EWS60065 said:

Thanks for showing the samples! 

Can't wait to see the HOAs running on your layout, I would like to model an HOA/JGA/IIA rake one day. 

I think the Flangeway Salmons look a good option - interesting what Hornby said about theirs despite showing a sample at GETS? 

Regarding the JXA the first thing I thought when these were announced was the JNA you mentioned. I think a rake of these would look excellent, at a guess the nearest RTR bogies would be the Heljan TEA ones as a spare but they're not identical. Stenson Models do an ESC bogie, depends if you want to build in brass. 

Not a problem! I thought a few of you on here would appreciate them! I for sure am impressed by the flangeway examples! I was hoping Hornby did have the ASF version on display (& a more positive answer regarding this version!) so after their response im increasingly questioning if I actually saw the ASF example on Hornby’s stand at GETS! Haha

 

For the JNA conversion the body is identical (Cavalex confirmed this), just underside gear, solebar differences and new bogies. Nothing a bit of plasticard and modelling can sort! Will look into the option for bogies once the actual JXA’s arrive, but yes noticed this option for Heljan TEA bogies but as you say, I did notice these are not identical. Brass kits maybe the only prototypical option currently! Either that or S-Kits have a similiar type from memory!

[The Fatadder]

Very odd on the Hornby Salmon, when the tooling photos they’ve shown previously clearly showed the ASF bogies are on the same tool as the BR bogies.   You’d have thought that would mean an EWS version would be very close behind the original release (unless they are just chucking all the unwanted bogies straight in the bin).

[WCML100]

12 minutes ago, The Fatadder said:

Very odd on the Hornby Salmon, when the tooling photos they’ve shown previously clearly showed the ASF bogies are on the same tool as the BR bogies.   You’d have thought that would mean an EWS version would be very close behind the original release (unless they are just chucking all the unwanted bogies straight in the bin).

yes i agree. It wasn’t a definitive ‘no’ just, not a for a few years yet…

[big jim]

On 24/11/2022 at 14:11, Mike_Walker said:

Another reason might have been a simple stock move.  Chiltern/WSMR stock often went to Doncaster for attention and getting them between Wembley LMD and the ECML might include a reversal or two so using a DVT would remove the need to run round.  The balancing move might have a coach or simply be the loco and DVT.  Such moves did happen.  More recently Chiltern Mk3s have gone to Arriva Traincare at Bristol and are dragged by one of the spot hire contractors.

 

The route into OOC was in the Chiltern route diagram package to access the wheel lathe there but I'm not sure it was ever used or if any Chiltern drivers signed it - although I can think of a likely suspect.

Not long after I started with chiltern we did a DVT move to Doncaster, the unique white and blue one, and we went Wembley LMD-Neasden Jn-Acton canal wharf (reverse)-Wembley yard (reverse)-Primrose Hill-north london line to incline down to the ECML then onward to Doncaster, Mr Roast was the instructor/conductor of course, can’t remember why I was on it though, possibly DVT training 

 

These might be of interest to you, taken 1st July 2012 on a chiltern diversion into Paddington, I got a conductor at West Ruislip and I sat in the 2nd mans seat to Paddington and back 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and a couple from Christmas Day 2021

 

 

 

[WCML100]

24 minutes ago, big jim said:

Not long after I started with chiltern we did a DVT move to Doncaster, the unique white and blue one, and we went Wembley LMD-Neasden Jn-Acton canal wharf (reverse)-Wembley yard (reverse)-Primrose Hill-north london line to incline down to the ECML then onward to Doncaster, Mr Roast was the instructor/conductor of course, can’t remember why I was on it though, possibly DVT training 

 

These might be of interest to you, taken 1st July 2012 on a chiltern diversion into Paddington, I got a conductor at West Ruislip and I sat in the 2nd mans seat to Paddington and back 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and a couple from Christmas Day 2021

 

 

 

Hi Big Jim! Thanks these are fantastic, very useful too - thanks for sharing!

[WCML100]

A short update on some slow but painful progress. More work was done on the track work to get it closer to being finished on the main national rail section of the New North Main Line. 
 

With the ‘re-jig’ of the down main track bed alignment to be closer to the up main as previously mentioned - it was time to start putting back the point-work in. This has now been done and point motors back in place too. We have also trimmed some more track to fit in where we made adjustments too.

 

 

 

 

 

We have also now wired up and tested the two sidings, not that these will ever see use in our operating period but its good to be thorough! They will mostly be over grown once we get to the scenic phase.
 

 

 

We did some ‘testing’ to make sure everything was in order - see video below for some movements over the junction!

 

 

I also had time to re fix down the remaining sleepers on lifted down main section on the original station board. Again as mentioned before all based on what is left there as of today by using drivers eye view videos ok youtube. I have adjusted slightly as to what how I laid it previously too!

 

 

 

 

 

That is all for now, more updates im sure will follow soon 🙂

 

[EWS60065]

Lovely stuff, will you be rusting the rails of those sidings or leaving them clean incase you ever need to use them? 

Also don't think I've seen your FAA wagon before, it looks really nice. 

[WCML100]

1 hour ago, EWS60065 said:

Lovely stuff, will you be rusting the rails of those sidings or leaving them clean incase you ever need to use them? 

Also don't think I've seen your FAA wagon before, it looks really nice. 

Thanks, and i think we will, but not 100% sure if or how much of it we will rust them. 
 

Yes, a nice ebay find around 10 years or so ago! Perfect for the short formed Bicester MOD - Didcot (& return) runs that went via Greenford. Most of these runs were 1,2 or 3 VGA/VKA vans. Some of them had an odd wagon within the rake, either a FAA, OCA, or KWA warwell wagon. Makes for a great train to model! We will be doing all variants! Some longer ones (another few wagons or so) also included FCA’s (hopefully a manufacturer will release these at some point, I’d take a few for the various MOD workings + the various Binliners they were used on through Greenford!) which all make for interesting rakes and workings! I have added some below for reference which happened during the Bicester - Oxford upgrade works during 2015ish.

VGA/VKA van + x2 FCA pairs + FAA + VGA/FKA @ South Greenford on a Bicester MOD to Didcot run

 

 

x2 FCA Pairs + VGA/VKA van also on a Bicester MOD to Didcot run seen at Castle Bar Park

 

 

 

Passing Waddesdon is a Bicester MOD to Didcot working with x3 VGA/VKA’s

 

 

 

At Princess Risborough a Royal 67 pulls a singular VGA/VKA on the same working.

 

 

 

A great example of the typical setup i remember regular seeing is a VGA/VKA, FAA*, x2 VGA/VKA passing Hanwell heading back towards Oxfordshire. It is seen coming off the Greenford branch having already passed our Greenford itself. *The FAA can sometimes be an OCA wagon or KWA warwell too. See in the video below from 02:00.

 

 

 

Just the other side of Greenford seen heading in the opposite direction from Didcot for Bicester with 2 VGA/VKA’s in tow past Northolt.

 

 

& for a bonus… the shortest binliner working you will ever see through Hanwell..!

 

 

 

 

[tjf4375]

Great stuff mate, coming on nicely. I've always found trackwork to be among my least favourite parts of the job! It's coming together well 👍

[WCML100]

14 hours ago, tjf4375 said:

Great stuff mate, coming on nicely. I've always found trackwork to be among my least favourite parts of the job! It's coming together well 👍

Thanks! I quite enjoy the track laying and the satisfaction of running the trains over it once a section is complete. Especially if you can get a prototypical ‘flow’. What we don’t enjoy is the wiring or soldering that goes along with the territory! Nothing fun about that bit! 😂

[tjf4375]

Definitely agreed on the wiring front - that's the other bit I don't like 😂 I know what you mean about getting a satisfactory flow to things, it's lovely when it all comes together and flows nicely. I think it's more 'retrospective' trackwork or repairs I'm less fond of as access is a pain - I always end up damaging something else in the process, or slashing myself with a bit of broken rail!

[WCML100]

So, some new arrival have turned up at Greenford this week. Yep, after being impressed with the samples on show at Warley - I took the plunge and ordered 6 Salmons from Flangeway! 5 out of the 6 made it to me last weekend and after some great customer service from Footplate / Flangeway, the remaining one turned up a day later. 

It is safe to say I am pretty impressed! The weight of the model is impressive for a wagon with such little (if anything) above the sole-bar level! They run freely and well across my code 75 track work too.

 

The printing is great and the variations between each one is very nice too! The yellow seems to be a good shade and the EWS maroon looks spot on too! The deck material is very nice and I look forward to weathering these up with some nice variation and some straps for good measure! A nice bag of accessories came with each wagon in a re-sealable bag - not someting you see very often these days which is good. I also noted that these come with the bolster to add if you so wish as well as 3 hook couplings (though these maybe for aesthetic purposes). Few other little bits in there too. The outer box is very nice however the plastic ice cube was a little odd with its separate pieces but not really an issue just not to my preference. The other odd thing i noticed was the NEM pockets. The new couplers don’t seem to go all the way in? Is this just me being stupid or are others having this issue too? I will most likely fit kadees or something similar to bring the gap closer in between wagons either way. Over all I’m very happy and may add another 2 to the rake in time. 

 

Obviously I got them out of the box for some pics and a quick test run! So check those out below! These will be running in the following formation: OBA (mesh sided), YWA, YWA, KFA, YWA, OCA, FEA-S, YWA, YWA, YWA, OCA, OCA, OBA (panel sided). Thats all for now 🙂
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by WCML100

[tjf4375]

They look great, especially behind that 66! Really nice fine detailing on those deck plates. 

[EWS60065]

They really are very nice wagons and especially good at the lower price point! Glad to hear they run well over complex pointwork too. I didn't try the tension lock couplings myself but Kadees went in just fine.

Edited December 15, 2023 by EWS60065

[WCML100]

1 hour ago, tjf4375 said:

They look great, especially behind that 66! Really nice fine detailing on those deck plates. 

Thanks! I feel they look at home behind the 66! The deck plates look fantastic, can’t wait to weather them down and really bring out the detailing. The sides are a wealth of detail too with the strap ratchets and varied info and data printed in different places as per each prototype which is a lovely touch! Would certainly recommend them!

 

 

 

 

38 minutes ago, EWS60065 said:

They really are very nice wagons and especially good at the lower price point! Glad to hear they run well over complex pointwork too. I didn't try the tension lock couplings myself but Kadees went in just fine.

 

They certainly are! Agreed about the price point very competitive in this day and age… even better now they are lower than the previous batch of the older bogie variants!

 

Will have to try the kadees - it may well be just me not pressing them hard enough! 
 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by WCML100

[Chris37044]

Firstly, a Happy New Year to you all. A while back last year I managed to pick up this Hornby Arriva class 67 (67003). You might be wondering why I bought a 67 in this livery as Wales is a long way up the line from Greenford. Well it turns out 67003 waa a regular on the diverted Bicester MOD to Didcot via Greenford working. It seemed to be a stickler for this job as we have come across several shots of this particular loco performing this working!

 

A cheap sound fitted example on ebay was too good to resist, especially when armed with the photo of 67003 running with just a single VGA van that my brother shared with me a few days prior to purchase - It was a small rake just crying out to be easily modelled. 

 

It will appear on the various MOD workings through Greenford on our layout, from the short and sweet single van, as well as 2, 3 and up to 5 or 6 even. It also has done some with FCA’s and FAA wagons mixed in for good measure too. I have included some of these workings captured by flickr users below. 

 

This is not the only 67 within mine or @WCML100 ‘s fleet. With EWS, DBS, Wrexham & Shropshire, Royal and Arriva liveries all covering these and other workings through Greenford to make movements even more intriguing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the prototype and inspiration…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 11 by Chris37044

[Melangoose]

Some good photos there with the Arriva 67 on MOD workings (prototype and model form).  Keep up the hood work.

[WCML100]

It has been a little while since any real update on the layout. One of those is coming in due course but not loads to report on that front with the weather until recently being extremely cold out in the garage. So I have been focusing my efforts on projects I can work on indoors over this period. 

 

More of all that to come but in the mean time we made another research trip back to the real location. We did this for 2 main reasons - to scope out parts of the location which are normally hidden by undergrowth and vegetation which have died back over the winter months, and to check some specifics on certain places we had missed previously! So, some note worthy shots below…

 

I wanted to get some better shots of the lineside electrical boxes while they were in view. This way we could accurately capture the correct type and any graffiti on them too.

 

 

 

 

 

One thing that was lucky for us on the day was they have recently completely cut back all of the greenery on the embankment. This allowed for views we have never seen before personally or on photos. It gave us a really good understanding of the gradient and form of the embankment as well great reverse views of the trackside equipment too. We discovered some trunking too which we were previously unaware of! It also helped us map out the trackside fencing too.
 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all, a great little research trip which allowed for us to improve our build! 

 

 

 

 

[tjf4375]

Looks like a very useful trip! It's always nice to be able to capture all the lineside stuff that often gets hidden by greenery. Some nice reference pics for graffiti as well! Looking forward to more updates on the layout soon.

[WCML100]

So as mentioned in the previous post - over the winter months I have been slower progressing some of the bigger projects off the layout but also some small ‘side’ ones too…

 

First out of the works is this Network Rail Ford Transit. I have based mine off a photo found on flickr of one around the time period of the layout. We start with the standard release of the Oxford Diecast Ford Transit high top with sliding door compartment. I have had a few of these stashed away for years and thought it was about time I re worked one for Greenford. What always bugged me about these were the awfully unrealistic printed on windows on the sliding doors. So modelling one without this window was a non-negotiable when starting out this little project. 

 

First, i removed the printed on windows with some acetone free nail varnish remover - These came off with ease on both sides. I then dismantled the van separating the chassis, interior and body. I then masked up the window (as the transit high top release seemed to not drop out like the other transits in the oxford range - this was fixed in place) ready for varnishing. 

 

 

 

Once a coat of Railmatch Matt Varnish had been applied, it was time to weather the body. I felt the best option was to use a wash to get into all the panels and joins etc. The colour of these, even over time didn't loose their ‘white’ colour too much but definitely lost their ‘shine’. So I wanted to capture that as much as possible. 
 

 

 

After this, IPA on the end of cotton buds were applied to take back the excess. With the wash attacking the joins and panel lines - the roof was up next. For this I used a brown-grey mix of enamel paints and dry brushed the roof panels. I also did a fade effect on the front roof panel above the windscreen too. One other small amendment was to paint metallic silver within the wing mirrors. This was slapped on quite lazily - then again taken back using IPA on a cotton bud, using the raised lipped edge to assist in the final tidy look.
 

Whilst the outside was covered, the plastic one colour interior wasn’t hitting the spot for me either. To remedy this, i painted the bulkhead white as per the real thing - then the seats a mid grey with the dash a dark grey. Once all of that was dry - I added a cut to size scenecraft figure with a suitable high-vis jacket and hard hat. Once this was fixed into place, I added some clutter to the dash fit for any ‘workmans’ van. A crisp packet and newspaper were chosen for good measure. These were from the great little printed litter pack from modelrailwayscenery. It was all then given coat of matt varnish on the interior to seal it all in and then on the exterior too. 
 

Over all I am extremely happy with how this small project has turned out. It will sit on the access area opposite the signal box once scenery is finished. Very much looking forward to that moment! For now, here are some photos of the final product - I have also included a comparison to a second, unaltered release from Oxford diecast! There shall be a few more vehicles which have received this treatment featuring soon too, so stay tuned! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 11 by WCML100

[tjf4375]

Superb job on that NR transit mate. I particularly like the newspaper and crisp packet on the dashboard, great attention to detail!

[WCML100]

3 hours ago, tjf4375 said:

Superb job on that NR transit mate. I particularly like the newspaper and crisp packet on the dashboard, great attention to detail!

Thanks - I feel the little bits like this make things feel less ‘toy’ like. It’s the small things that are usually missed or are over looked which make difference from ‘toy’ to ‘model’ in my opinion. There is more to come in this regard on a few other vehicle projects too!

[tjf4375]

Totally agree. I do like the Oxford Diecast models out of the box though, I think they're tremendous value for money given the accuracy and level of detail. A bit of weathering really brings them to life though :)

[WCML100]

So following on from the newly finished Ford Transit, we thought it was about time to start marking out the road and how this will fit into the plan of the boards. 
 

We have two roads passing under the railway (Greenford Road and Oldfield Road North) - these are linked in front of the railway by Rockware Avenue which also features bus stops and traffic lights. 
 

Here we have the junction between Greenford road and Rockware avenue - this is a multi-lane cross roads controlled by traffic lights. 
 

 

 

As we move on to Rockware avenue, we have an industrial unit which is fictional in place of a small office unit which is situated here in real life. We chose this to best help set the scene for this part of West London… note the DR5000 is only temporarily situated here, this area will be part of the bank up to the railway. 

 

 

 

 

Further along Rockware avenue we have two containers lock ups. The containers will be painted into various shades of green as per the prototypes, with security fencing around each one. Retaining walls made from caged rocks keep the embankment at bay and we look to mirror that in model form too.

 

 

 

As we move along to the second set of container lock ups, the bus stops begin. These usually see the two terminating routes, the 105 and E6 on stand here between duties. Further up towards the of Rockware Avenue where it ends in a T junction with Oldfield Road North, is where the bus shelter sits with these routes in addition to the 92 which passes through here stopping to pick up passengers. 
 

 

 

 

As the temperature starts to increase, I am sure more work will be completed! Plenty of individual projects are coming to a close now too so hopefully more to show you in the coming days and weeks! Thanks for checking in 👍🏻