Glorified test track

[Broadoak]

Would a layout ten feet long and 9 inches  wide at one end tapering up to about 15 inches wide with a very simple track plan be allowed in this section.

 

Peter M

[ls91]

Yeah why not, I'd love to see what you come up with. 

[Broadoak]

The test track has existed for some twenty years originally and was used to test British outline locos because at the time I had a large HO scale American switching layout.

I have always liked British locos so over the years have bought models simply because I liked them. There was no real plan to this, I liked not only steam outline locos but first generation diesels as well. Overtime I had collected a selection of steam locos from just after nationalisation through the transition period to the early days of blue diesels. Bit by bit I painted a very basic rural back scene with some rocky contours to add interest.

At that time I was exhibiting a small large scale layout called Two Sister’s Farm so I used the test track for testing motive power suitable for using on it.

The test track was only rural scenery with no buildings so the larger scale was not noticeable.

A few pictures of the layout taken at this time.

 

Two Sister’s Farm layout.

 

 

 

 

Regards Peter M

 

 

 

 

[Broadoak]

Eventually I sold all my American locos and stock just after Trump was elected, I lost all interest in things American overnight. The switching layout has been converted to an ex GWR branch line terminus. (Broadoak in the layouts thread.)

The test track I thought might make something with a west country feel to it, I was undecided with regard to a location. I rather liked the idea of something lightly used and a little run down. I also have a fondness for small locomotives, panniers and prairies that sort of thing. I do have a couple of tender engines a Collet 0-6-0 and a mogul being the biggest. With regard to a location my fondness for prairies and panniers suggests two locations. Firstly the Forest of Dean and the second Cornwall. In the end I have chosen Cornwall at the end of the day I just like to watch small trains running through country scenery.

A few pictures of a Collet 0-4-2 and autocoach trundling along. The model is the old Hornby version but runs very well now I have removed the traction tyres.

 

 

 

 

Peter M

[Broadoak]

I must admit to being a diesel fan. As a lad I lived a five minute walk from Bushey troughs on the west coast mainline. I got used to seeing all the first generation diesels including the original Deltic regularly before I left school and started work. The first diesels that I saw after 1960 were the class 40’s although they weren’t called that then. The down trains used to pick up water at Bushey which was odd as they had only gone about 15 miles at this point. A trip to nearby Radlet would see the Peaks working express passenger trains on the old Midland main line.

The locomotive I found most attractive though was the humble rat or classes 24 and 25. So that was the first model diesel I bought. It is the Bachmann version and runs very well although I’m told there are mistakes with the body shape.

 

 

 

Peter M

 

[Broadoak]

Because of the narrow width of the layout I’ve had to draw some structures on the back scene. There is not even room for low relief buildings.

At the left hand end it is a collection of buildings with fictitious names who

provide suitable loads in and out.

At the right hand end is a drawing depicting a small clay dry with a siding for storing wagons. This means I can run china clay wagons empty and loaded and also coal in for the fires to dry the clay. Bagged china clay is also loaded into 12 ton vans outbound.

To allow more operating potential there are loops at both ends of the layout.

In the right hand leg is a small platform and a typical GW halt.

When running steam sessions I run a Collet 0-4-2 and Auto coach and in the blue period a class 128 for parcels traffic.

I am more interested in the freight side with a few passenger trains.

On rare occasions a preserved train is run powered by a Southern livered Terrier.

I must admit I find operating the layout the most satisfying aspect of railway modelling.

 

 

A couple of shots of the Southern Terrier.

 

Peter M

[Sweet pea]

Peter this looks an interesting layout. The little Southern terrier looks at home and the foliage and ground cover is nicely done. Thanks for sharing look forward to seeing more of your layout. 👍

[Andrew D]

Nice pics Peter. I’m with you, I enjoy the operating (ie playing trains) more than anything. 

[Broadoak]

The layout has developed if that is the right word over some twenty odd years.

Its original use was to run a few British outline models as my main interest was an American switching layout.

To start with with there was no pattern to what I bought other than I liked the prototype, however over time I have developed an interest in things Great Western. So now I generally buy locomotives that could have run on that system.

The class 26 however is an example of modeller’s licence in that they never ran on GW metals. The model, a Heljan example was on offer at a very reasonable price so I bought one as I liked the look of it. The fiction is it is on test because of its lower gearing and so is suitable on the gradients and curves in the area.

I think your imagination is one of the most useful tools a modeller can have.

 

D5302 is seen here in the centre track of the left hand end with a small parcels train.

 

The 26 is seen here in the loop going towards the clay dries area at the right hand end.

I really must think of a decent name for the layout.

 

Peter M

[Sweet pea]

This looks great and the class 26 looks really nice. 👍

[Broadoak]

Kevin not only does the 26 look good to my eyes as well but it runs very nicely too. As indeed do all my Heljan diesels.

 

Andrew D, the pictures were a taken with a relatively inexpensive Canon compact camera with limited apertures and shutter speeds. It is not too bad but photos lack a depth of field but give an idea of what the layout is about.

I must give some more thought to a suitable name, it has to begin Tre, Pol, or Pen.

 

Regards Peter M

[Broadoak]

A selection of shots of a Standard class 3 prairie, which the western had a few.

The model is a Bachmann version and following a few problems with the valve gear holding bracket coming adrift was trouble free. Having glued the bracket back with ACC I have had no problems with it since.

They were not overly popular on the western as they tended to be rather heavy on coal and had a tractive effort similar to a small prairie. Although in winter it was a different story perhaps with a more enclosed cab and better seats.

 

 

 

 

 

The standard prairie arrives with a train of empty wagons and stops in the loop just before the dries siding. It uncouples and runs round its train past the halt platform.

 

Peter M

[Broadoak]

You will note at the rear of the cab is a curved pipe this was used to dampen the coal when running bunker first.

 

 

 

Having run round its train no 82020 couples up to the brake van then propels the rake of empty wagons into the china clay dries siding. She then uncouples from the wooden wagons and leaves them in the siding to be loaded.

 

Peter M

[Sweet pea]

Lovely pictures Peter. 👍

[Broadoak]

A couple of pictures to illustrate the sort of atmosphere I am trying to create with small trains running through a rural scene.

8771 is a 57 xx class pannier the largest class of any loco built in the UK.

Powerful for their size they could be found all over the Western system.

The model is a Bachmann example and runs very well indeed it has been lightly weathered and has lamps, fire irons and a bucket hanging on the rear lamp brackets.

She is seen with a small goods train.

 

 

 

Peter M

[Broadoak]

I have given a bit more thought to a name for the layout and come up with

PENDALE which has a nice Cornish feel to it I think.

 

A few shots of a Collett Class 22xx 0-6-0 a perfect branch line engine. They were at home on both passenger or good trains.

The model is a Bachmann version and performs very well indeed. The motor unusually is vertically mounted inside the firebox. The model has the usual small details added, a crew, fire irons and lamps. It is lightly weathered to give a slightly neglected look.

 

 

 

 

Peter M

 

[Broadoak]

The GW mogul no 6384 is one of only four tender engines that work on the layout. The model is the original Bachmann versions and is slightly detailed with crew figures, fire irons and lightly weathered. The canvas sheet used to protect the crew is folded on the cab roof and is just a piece of kitchen towel glued and painted.

 

 

 

 

Peter M

 

[Broadoak]

A couple of photographs to illustrate just how narrow the layout really is and what it looks like overall. It’s just a shunty plank I suppose but it’s fun to operate as well. The trackbed is at eye level when I am sitting at my PC. It is very pleasant to sit and watch a small train slowly go past, be it steam or diesel.

I am definitely calling the layout PENDALE as it has grown on me.

 

 

 

Peter M

[Broadoak]

The small prairies are a class of locomotives I am very fond of and are ideal for a Cornish themed layout.

I have a Bachmann example of each, the black no 4545 with a few added details, a crew, lamps, and fire irons on the tank top on the fireman’s side.

The green one with the larger sloping front side tanks no 5541 is similarly detailed. They both run superbly and are easy to get at for lubrication of the motor for instance.

 

 

 

 

Peter M

[Broadoak]

A few photos of Heljan Class 25/3 working in the yard at Pendale. Like all my other Heljan models D7661 runs very well indeed.

 

 

 

 

 

Peter M

 

[Sweet pea]

Peter lovely pictures of your class 25. 👍

[Broadoak]

The O8 is a Bachmann model and looks a bit work stained, she is seen working at the clay dries at Pendale. Another fine model by Bachmann quiet and reliable and brings the layout up to date more than the steam locos.

Although not very wide the layout is capable of running trains from the end of the big four to the early blue period. It makes operating that much more interesting and variable.

 

 

 

 

 

Peter M

[Sweet pea]

Nice pictures Peter. The 08 looks nice all weathered up. 👍

[Broadoak]

Some photos of a green class 25 shunting at Pendale’s clay dries.

I must admit I find the earlier class 25 more attractive than the later versions because of all the grilles in the body sides.

 

 

 

 

Peter M

[Broadoak]

Of late I have been taking photos in what I think of as Ben Ashworth mode, a photographer famous for his photos of the Forest of Dean. He cycled everywhere and took pictures from unusual angles, up trees for instance.

A couple of panniers working near Pendale Halt.

 

 

 

 

Peter M