McGomez Posted November 11, 2015 Author Share Posted November 11, 2015 Your layout is looking great Andy. It has come on in Leaps and bounds these past 2 years - I enjoyed a long slow catch up today. Not been near RMweb for 2 years - but you have certainly been very busy. Love the videos and the scenic stuff you have started to add. Stuart Good to hear from you Stuart. I haven´t been too vocal during the last 2 years either. Glad you like the results so far. How´s Blue with yellow faces going? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted November 11, 2015 Author Share Posted November 11, 2015 Hi Andy, Another one who has been absent for at least two years, sorry. It's most impressive to see how much you've done in that time, great stuff! Have you had to make any compromises with platform widths, canopy heights and so forth, with regard to running your lovely Iberian stock? Cheers, John E. Hi John. Good to hear from you too. I did test run my Iberian stock through the platforms before finally planting the platforms and everything except for some ballast wagos go through no bother. The ballast wagons scrape in a couple of places that will be filed back when I remember. I´ll try and put some images of the latest canopy build on here later. Regards Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 13, 2015 Author Share Posted December 13, 2015 Hi Andy, Another one who has been absent for at least two years, sorry. It's most impressive to see how much you've done in that time, great stuff! Have you had to make any compromises with platform widths, canopy heights and so forth, with regard to running your lovely Iberian stock? Cheers, John E. No posts from Portland Grove for ages, once again…… but that doesn’t mean I’ve been idle!! Here are some images of recent works, latest additions etc…. Firstly, one for John E (Allegheny1600) showing a bit of Anglo-Spanish trade of the 1950s. A product made at Newton-le-Willows and nicknamed “Inglesas” by the Spanish; these locos plied their trade in the northern half of the peninsular and were withdrawn by 1994. This is an Electrotren product and is a lovely bit of kit. The question that comes to mind though whenever I see this sort of quality, is why can’t Hornby come up with a definitive version of a class 86 or 87 to this standard when they can do it for far smaller markets such as the Spanish market? Anyway, off my little soapbox I jump and here are some more pictures. A couple of other locos have been added to the Spanish fleet this year. A Roco series 307 which is basically a French 63xxx class loco painted into RENFE colours. A bit of a bargain this which is unusual in this part of the world. 79€ with a half decent DCC chip pre installed. And a series 308 loco. This is by Mabar and comes pre-fitted with a speaker but there was no sound acquired with it, until I fitted an English Electric V12 power plant in it…. Just wanted to check the speaker was working! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpjxxHRmLAU More soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 Muchas Gracias Andy! I hope my Spanish is okay, it's been many a year since I was in Spain! That Electrotren 7715 is simply gorgeous! I was lucky enough to see at least one on my childhood travels through northern Spain in the 70's and early 80's. I'm guessing that there must be a fairly healthy model railway hobby in Spain? If not as large as the UK? I remember seeing original Electrotren and Ibertren in shops, way back when and know that Roco have made quite a few models too. I've even managed to pick up a loco kit lately that looks most interesting. Cheers, John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 20, 2015 Author Share Posted December 20, 2015 Muchas Gracias Andy! I hope my Spanish is okay, it's been many a year since I was in Spain! That Electrotren 7715 is simply gorgeous! I was lucky enough to see at least one on my childhood travels through northern Spain in the 70's and early 80's. I'm guessing that there must be a fairly healthy model railway hobby in Spain? If not as large as the UK? I remember seeing original Electrotren and Ibertren in shops, way back when and know that Roco have made quite a few models too. I've even managed to pick up a loco kit lately that looks most interesting. Cheers, John. The Spanish is good John. There is a preserved 7700 class loco that has been run on the mainline since withdrawl but I don´t think it has been used recently. The hobby here is nowhere near as big as in the UK in my opinion but the manufacturers still produce quality electric locos. Roco did make a few good models (original 333, 319) but that is now in the distant past. They´ve also released German/French stock, not to mention locos that are repainted in to RENFE colours but without including the details relevant to the Spanish market, otherwise known as Renfritos (refrieds). Mehano also produced the rebuilt class 333 diesel and Eurosprinter class 252 before going into liquidation (if they ever did?) but this year they have released another batch of 333s through Mabar, a Spanish brand. Electrotren is once again producing a hell of a lot of re-releases as well as new models but Ibertren seems to have disappeared altogether. I look forward to seeing the kit build. Regards Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 20, 2015 Author Share Posted December 20, 2015 Now back to 1970s era Portland Grove. Back in the summer I made a start on the canopies for the North end bay platforms. I didn’t have the width of platform to be able to use the same Dapol kits as the rest of the station so scratch built a frame of Evergreen “I” beams with a central "U" channel all fused together with Plastic Weld.It’s loosely based on the bay platform canopies at both Carlisle and those at Shrewsbury. Some 0,7mm clear plastic sheet was used for glazing, once again giving it a light coat of 3M reposionable spray mount and then a coat of varnish and a light blow over with some grey acrylic. The glass roof has had the joining strips added on top and a couple of drain pipes were added to each structure. Some fluorescent lighting has been installed (non working). A birdseye view of the station. On the older style canopy that covers the waiting room, buffet and gents bog I used 4 lengths of 1mm steel rod that I bought a few years ago. It has now become the conduit that the lighting units are hung from.I thought it would look good in un-painted steel but to my eye it didn´t work. I ran a permanent black marker over the bits that are visible. I´ll try and carefully blacken the sections just above where the lamps are attached although nobodies going to see it. To me it looks better. The gent´s now has a fluorescent tube unit hanging over it so the patrons can see what they´re holding! That could make an interesting little cameo? Apart from a serious lack of passengers awaiting their trains, the only thing that now needs adding are the platform numbers and general way finding signage.And a load more BRUTES. More soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium eldavo Posted December 20, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 20, 2015 Those canopies really look the business. Great work. Cheers Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Looking brilliant David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Excellent work on the canopies Andy, I look forward to seeing some of your stock sat under them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Agreed, those canopies look superb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold fishytrains Posted December 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 21, 2015 Great looking progress, well done. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 Thanks for the comments chaps. I´ll try and upload some more of the goings on at Portland Grove over the festive period. Here are some railings that were recently installed at the end of the bay platforms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 That really does look good Andy. The footbridge, railings and canopies all work well together. Merry Christmas Feliz Navidad to you and yours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 That really does look good Andy. The footbridge, railings and canopies all work well together. Merry Christmas Feliz Navidad to you and yours. Gracias Pedro. Hope you have a good one too. I´ve just got to lay some ballast and that little area is done. Saludos Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted December 25, 2015 Author Share Posted December 25, 2015 From all the little people at Portland Grove, we wish you all a Merry Xmas and a prosperous and healthy 2016. Seasons greetings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ess1uk Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Quality work Happy 2016 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sub39h Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Really love the station canopies. Well done Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 Quality work Happy 2016 Really love the station canopies. Well done Thanks gents. Here is the latest allocation to the Portland Grove fleet. I believe it to be only the 3rd Dapol 73 that hasen´t been returned as unfit for purpose. It has been weathered to try and reduce/disguise the purple/blue colour using the spray on and wipe off with a cotton bud method. A side. B side. Comparison with a pristine Heljan Hymek. I suppose it is a cruel comparison to judge the Dapol yellow against the Heljan offering as that looks far too washed out to me. The yellow toned down with a brown wash. And the guys at the sharp end, although you can´t really say that about a class 73 really, can you? Edit to insert photos instead of links. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 That looks really good Andy. I was tempted by the plain blue one, but was a little put off by the "purple" comments elsewhere. It looks fine in the photos after the weathering wash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Excellent Andy, the video shot from under the station canopy is superb, love it! It really shows off your great modelling. The ED looks great, it certainly does look like a nice model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locoholic Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 No posts from Portland Grove for ages, once again…… but that doesn’t mean I’ve been idle!! Here are some images of recent works, latest additions etc…. Firstly, one for John E (Allegheny1600) showing a bit of Anglo-Spanish trade of the 1950s. A product made at Newton-le-Willows and nicknamed “Inglesas” by the Spanish; these locos plied their trade in the northern half of the peninsular and were withdrawn by 1994. This is an Electrotren product and is a lovely bit of kit. 15-08-28 Electrotren serie 277 (1).jpg The question that comes to mind though whenever I see this sort of quality, is why can’t Hornby come up with a definitive version of a class 86 or 87 to this standard when they can do it for far smaller markets such as the Spanish market? Anyway, off my little soapbox I jump and here are some more pictures. P1060319.JPG P1060320.JPG P1060337.JPG P1060328.JPG A couple of other locos have been added to the Spanish fleet this year. A Roco series 307 which is basically a French 63xxx class loco painted into RENFE colours. A bit of a bargain this which is unusual in this part of the world. 79€ with a half decent DCC chip pre installed. 15-06-09 PG locos class 58 y 307 (4).JPG And a series 308 loco. 15-06-21 313 y 308 at PG (3).JPG This is by Mabar and comes pre-fitted with a speaker but there was no sound acquired with it, until I fitted an English Electric V12 power plant in it…. Just wanted to check the speaker was working! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpjxxHRmLAU More soon. Hi. I too have succumbed to the urge to buy an Electrotren English Electric loco, & am similarly impressed. However, do you know of any books which have photos of them new in service, as I'd like to know what kind of stock they hauled. (I have no other Spanish locos or stock at present.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 Hi Locoholic. I don´t have this book or any other information regarding this class of loco but there is a book available here, https://www.eltallerdelmodelista.com/locomotoras-renfe-770175-p-3485.html?language=es Also for sale from other sources. No connection other than a happy customer. My liking is more on the freight side. There are some videos on You Tube that can give you some more ideas maybe.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyylUFnTaKY There are a surprising number of Spanish wagons from the era this loco was in service that appear on Ebay UK and can be seen in that video and others that appear on the suggestion bar. And this thread on a Spanish forum maybe of some use. http://www.forotrenes.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14250&hilit=inglesas Hope that is of some help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 And whilst I´m here, a couple of videos of the latest member of the fleet. And a couple of photos of her sitting in platform 1 at PG. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanishdriver Posted June 15, 2016 Share Posted June 15, 2016 Hi Andy, Today I clicked on the link for Portland Grove that you gave me on my introduction post. Thank you very much! I have spent most of the day reading, looking at photos and watching videos. When I first started, I thought to myself 'what is this man up to'. Bits of cut plywood all over the place, different levels and track everywhere. I read on and became intrigued by what you have achieved. You have achieved your dream and your goal - well nearly. Your last post was 5th April. What have you been doing. I like your attitude. If it doesn't seem right you ask what others think and then sometimes undo all your hard work to make it right. I like the idea of the mix and match of loco's and rolling stock. Deltics and the Class 58 do work. 55 003 Meld was my favorite by the way. Anyway, congratulations on a job well done so far. I would like to see it for real sometime in the future if that's ok with you - you are just down the road after all. Well Done Andy, you are an inspiration to myself and many others on here judging by reading their posts. Regards Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGomez Posted June 15, 2016 Author Share Posted June 15, 2016 Hi Andy, Today I clicked on the link for Portland Grove that you gave me on my introduction post. Thank you very much! I have spent most of the day reading, looking at photos and watching videos. When I first started, I thought to myself 'what is this man up to'. Bits of cut plywood all over the place, different levels and track everywhere. I read on and became intrigued by what you have achieved. You have achieved your dream and your goal - well nearly. Your last post was 5th April. What have you been doing. I like your attitude. If it doesn't seem right you ask what others think and then sometimes undo all your hard work to make it right. I like the idea of the mix and match of loco's and rolling stock. Deltics and the Class 58 do work. 55 003 Meld was my favorite by the way. Anyway, congratulations on a job well done so far. I would like to see it for real sometime in the future if that's ok with you - you are just down the road after all. Well Done Andy, you are an inspiration to myself and many others on here judging by reading their posts. Regards Gary Hi Gary. I´m glad you like it. I must admit to not having done much in the way of scenery these last 6 months. I seem to have got a wagon building bug. The last week or so has seen 4 Cambrian BBAs and 2 BAAs painted and partly decaled. Still the red ends to be painted on one of the BAAs. No problem with the visit. We´ll have to get that organised. There have also been 3 Parkside VEA vans built and painted in Railfreight red/grey. These were done late 2015 early 2016. There is also a more recent VEA but in freight brown colour scheme but I don´t have any photos of that yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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