West Kirby Town: narrow gauge is coming to town.

[Hroth]

You need some guttering on the fire station, the gulls on the roof look as if they're swimming in a pool...

 

They look good!

 

[Dmudriver]

3 minutes ago, Hroth said:

You need some guttering on the fire station, the gulls on the roof look as if they're swimming in a pool...

 

They look good!

 

I was thinking of putting gravel on the roof and patches of moss on top of that.  I think that's the kind of place these birds like!!

[Hroth]

1 minute ago, Dmudriver said:

I was thinking of putting gravel on the roof and patches of moss on top of that.  I think that's the kind of place these birds like!!

 

Chipwrappers and misc dross they've picked up too!

If gulls have colonised a site, it'll look sordid...

[Dmudriver]

On 26/07/2022 at 16:59, Hal Nail said:

Is that a lesser black back or a greater on the tower? I know one has yellow legs but I cant see from here...

 

:)

Actually, I planned for them all to be herring gulls but I didn't have any suitable paint!!  So they ended up as LBBs.  I felt I had to get them sort of right as I used to volunteer at an RSPB Discovery Centre on the coast.  Having said that, I don't know what 2 of the gulls on the fire station are: I used a creamy colour to try and lighten the dark grey but it didn't quite work!  Once someone realises there's an unusual species there, the twitchers with be flocking to WKT!!!

 

 

PS I just looked back at the fire station pic and realised a window sill has popped out/  Must be the heat!

Edited August 4, 2022 by Dmudriver

[Dmudriver]

You may remember some time ago I mentioned a hankering after narrow gauge.  Well, ...... I've seen the adverts for the (rather impressive) Lionheart Lynton & Barnstaple stock and that has really fired up my interest!!  However, before splashing out over £400 on a (discounted) loco, before any stock, I thought I'd better do a bit of dabbling just to see if it really is for me.  So I've ordered a tram engine kit and 3x 4-wheel vehicles just to see how it goes - they're all Peco Great Little Trains.  I've plenty of 00 track available from my 4mm days - long, long ago!! - and a DC controller.  

 

I'm doing a fair bit of research and my enthusiasm has really built up (the station may even be called Kirby Town East!!) but the acid test will be when I actually see the models.  Then we'll see where we go.  Hopefully the Lionheart stuff will be on display at Stafford (I'll keep my credit card locked away, though!!) so that will also help me make my mind up.

 

Watch this space.

 

 

Rod

 

PS  I'm not giving up on WKT - I have been out playperating  but not done a video yet.

[Hroth]

Sounds interesting!

 

In the next few months/years/whenever, I'm going to start building my new OO layout, the station for which will be based on the late 40s redevelopment proposal for West Kirby and include the West Kirby-Hooton branch, notionally upgraded (as was originally intended) to double track and strengthened bridges.

 

I'll need a loco depot, so thats going to be sited at Kirby Park, on the allotments, as it were, about a mile down the branch, replacing the single platform halt that used to be there... 

 

Era wise, it'll be a moveable feast, anything from the mid 50s to the mid 70s, with NO RATIONALISATION, so Western Region locos will make their presence felt, as well as LM stuff.

 

Anyhow, I'll see how it goes...

 

[pwr]

19 hours ago, Dmudriver said:

You may remember some time ago I mentioned a hankering after narrow gauge.  Well, ...... I've seen the adverts for the (rather impressive) Lionheart Lynton & Barnstaple stock and that has really fired up my interest!!  However, before splashing out over £400 on a (discounted) loco, before any stock, I thought I'd better do a bit of dabbling just to see if it really is for me.  So I've ordered a tram engine kit and 3x 4-wheel vehicles just to see how it goes - they're all Peco Great Little Trains.  I've plenty of 00 track available from my 4mm days - long, long ago!! - and a DC controller.  

 

I'm doing a fair bit of research and my enthusiasm has really built up (the station may even be called Kirby Town East!!) but the acid test will be when I actually see the models.  Then we'll see where we go.  Hopefully the Lionheart stuff will be on display at Stafford (I'll keep my credit card locked away, though!!) so that will also help me make my mind up.

 

Watch this space.

 

 

Rod

 

PS  I'm not giving up on WKT - I have been out playperating  but not done a video yet.

 

 

I'd love to have some of those L and B locos and a suitable layout to run them on but I don't have the time or the money!!

 

I have however ordered one of their 3MT locos

 

Paul R

[Dmudriver]

Hi all.

 

I've actually recorded some videos - but haven't got round to editing them yet.  In the meantime, here's a few stills to whet the appetite (hopefully!! 😀 ).  First, after a Class 115 has passed on the Down Main and entered platform 2, a rake of parcels stock is about to be shunted back into no. 1 siding.  Signal 44 has been cleared:

 

 

The train can be seen in the siding, propelled by the 03 which is deputising for the 08 - awaiting repairs (a missing cab window).  The Class 50 is in the Down siding and will eventually move to the adjacent siding, onto the vans.  The 115 can be seen in platform 2 and the Thumper in platform 1 has been cleared to set off for Birkenhead:

 

 

And here it is, powering past the Up Outer Home signal on its way to its stop at Hoylake:

 

 

Elsewhere, I'm making a bit of progress on my 0-16.5 project.  Here's the parts for the Peco goods van:

 

 

And the underframe awaiting the vacuum cylinder:

 

 

The finished model is only 3" long (excluding couplings).  Then the 3 kits I've still got to make:

 

 

I've started another thread for that one, so I won't make much more comment about it on here.

 

Hopefully I'll get the video done in the next couple of (hot) days!!

 

More soon.

 

 

Rod

[Dmudriver]

Hi. 

 

A bit more progress - but not much!!  I'm having a problem with the video in that the clips keep "stuttering".  Whether it's the camera, the computer or the link between the two, I don't know.  I'll keep working on it, though.

 

In the meantime, I have made progress on my 0-16.5 stock and I have to admit I'm surprised at  the small size of them!  I suppose I was expecting vehicles the same size as 0 gauge but just on narrower track: I was wrong!  I'm still enjoying building them, though.  Here are some comparison pics:

 

 

 

 

 

I am enjoying doing something new - even when little plastic door handles shoot off across the workbench towards the carpet monster!!  😀

 

 

Rod

 

PS  I know about the slightly wonky roof on the coach - I've added a little bit of Blutack to the corners since the pics.  I can't glue it down yet as I want to put seats inside.

[Simond]

Rod,

 

mind the brake chain on the 37!

 

cheers

simon

[Dmudriver]

4 hours ago, Simond said:

Rod,

 

mind the brake chain on the 37!

 

cheers

simon

 

Ooops!!  Thanks, Simon.

[Dmudriver]

Wow, it's been a while since my last entry!!  Where am I up to ....??

 

I'm afraid the (long promised!) video hasn't materialised yet.  I've had to delete the separate videos from the computer as I couldn't get rid of the stuttering.  Fortunately, I still have them on my camera so I'll try uploading them again - they're OK on the camera.

 

As far as the layout is concerned, I've not run it recently: I went away to Scotland on a boys' trip with my son and grandson and packed all the stock away.  What with one thing and another I've not put the stock back yet.

 

I did go to Guildex at Stafford and enjoyed that - saw a few people I've not seen for yonks and it was good to have a chat as well as seeing what's on offer.  I didn't actually buy anything, though - well, apart from coffee at the Show and a snack on the way home!!

 

What work I have done has been on the NG layout I'm starting.  Here's a couple of pics:  first the proposed layout (on a 4'x1' board):

 

 

The stock is on the middle road and the fiddle yard on another 4'x1' board.  The stock so far:

 

 

If anyone thinks the van's livery is BR Rail Grey, how right you are!!  The story is that a member of the design panel lives in West Lancashire and thought the livery of the light railway's freight stock would go very well with the proposed shade of Rail Blue!!

 

I have thought about integrating the narrow gauge on the WKT layout but it would mean some fairly drastic alterations - like doing away with the DMU stabling point! - and even then I don't know where the fiddle yard would go: I don't want to cut another hole in the shed wall.  I think a separate layout really is the way to go: I'm building the baseboards at the moment.

 

So, that's about it.  More soon.

 

 

Rod

 

 

Edited September 15, 2022 by Dmudriver

[Dmudriver]

While work continues - albeit slowly - on the narrow gauge layout, WKT has not been idle!!  A full day's operation and fun was had on Friday with visits from muddys-blues and gismorail of this parish.   We did have a really good time, in between one or two minor operating problems (like the floor and power bogie of one power car of the 115 disappearing into the saloon!! - since fixed).   Gismorail took some pics and a couple of videos, which are all below.  Unfortunately, we didn't get a pic of the blue/grey Class 121 DMU that deputised for the demic 115 power car.

 

First, a Class 25 has left platform 1 to reverse into platform 2 when the road has been reset.  The 08 (behind the camera) will then reverse the coaches it has brought in back into platform 1:

 

 

The coaches have been returned to the platform and the 25 is now at the head of the train preparing for departure:

 

 

 

And, later, a Class 40 rests in siding 1 having brought in a parcels train:

 

 

There were also 2 videos.  In the first a Class 45 brings in a passenger train to platform 1 as a 115 DMU leaves from platform 2.  The DMU driver was later issued with a Form 1 on the charge of speeding!  ** (But see below).

 

 

Later, the same 45 returns to Chester:

 

 

 

As I said above, a really good day - with pies for lunch!!  And copious amounts of tea and coffer during the day!

 

 

Rod

 

**  In his defence, I later found that the speed steps had somehow changed from 128 to 28 by the time this departure took place!!  How/why, I haven't a clue!!

[Dmudriver]

And now for something completely different - my new narrow gauge loco:

 

 

 

It's a Bachmann 0n30 Shay.  I've always been attracted to these and the shop where I bought some 0-16.5 track had it for sale and I couldn't resist!!  Here it is with the complete set of stock I've got:

 

 

I spent a pleasant hour sitting on the floor just running the consist up and down 6' of track!!  So different from blue diesels!  Though I'm going to investigate putting DCC sound into it.  The apparent wiring between the coaches and the van isn't wiring at all, it's black felt-tip markings on the baseboard!!

 

More on my thread on Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling on-line.

 

 

Rod

[muddys-blues]

Hello Rod, a fantastic day indeed was had …. Yes I was caught out by the speed steps changing !! 
 

But none of the trains I was operating had any impact infringements !! Unlike @gismorail with a run away Peak … or was it you @DmudriverRod ? 🤣

 

anyway definitely cannot wait for the next session.

 

Diolch yn fawr iawn

Thank you “very big”

Craig 

[PjKing1]

Nice videos there Rod very enjoyable 😉👍🏼

[Dmudriver]

3 hours ago, PjKing1 said:

Nice videos there Rod very enjoyable 😉👍🏼

Thanks, Paul, but they're not mine. I should have credited them, and the photos, to gismorail.  

 

Sorry, gismorail!

[Dmudriver]

I've been a bit quiet on here while I branch out into narrow gauge, but WKT is not being neglected!  Every time I go into the shed (which is reasonably warm as I have an oil heater switched on - very low!) I have a shunt around.  Here's a picture of the station area taken by the 115 driver who was on top of the embankment by the fuel unloading point:

 

 

He couldn't resist another track level view as he got near his cab to start his prep for the afternoon rush-hour shift:

 

 

Left to right we have a rake of vans, then a 128 leading the ex-Railair set, a Thumper behind which is an unseen 101, a 2-car 108 behind which is a 3-car 108 and finally a 131 with an (again unseen!) van in tow.

 

Apologies for the fuzziness but the pics were taken on my phone at night by fluorescent light.

 

And mentioning my narrow gauge diversion, here's what the layout looks like:

 

 

The straight bit in the bottom left-hand corner is to be replaced by cassettes.  Total size 8'x1'.

 

More soon.

 

 

Rod

 

 

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by Dmudriver

[MarshLane]

22 hours ago, Dmudriver said:

And mentioning my narrow gauge diversion, here's what the layout looks like:

 

 

 

Nice progress on the NG Rod - is this 009 or 0-16.5?

 

[Hroth]

Nice to see the progress you're making on the O-16.5 narrow gauge!

 

[Dmudriver]

13 hours ago, MarshLane said:

 

Nice progress on the NG Rod - is this 009 or 0-16.5?

 

It's 0-16.5, Rich. It's a bit of a different mindset doing this!!!

[Dmudriver]

Again, I'm quiet on here but still modelling - when a recent cold and chest infection, plus a big tooth extraction, have allowed.  The NG layout is now up and running: it's wired up for DCC but as I've only one loco I am using DC.  Here's a pic:

 

 

The replacement long cassettes have arrived and been made up but I'm now concentrating on altering the pickup arrangements on the loco.  The Bachmann setup is good in theory but in practice it's not so effective: I've read up how to improve it so now I'm on with it.

 

WKT is still getting used for shunting around but I don't envisage any more work on it for a while.  Maybe when the weather gets better I can get some more visitors round and have more operating sessions.

 

In the meantime, though, A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.

 

See you in 2023, all being well - if not before.

 

 

Rod

[PjKing1]

Hope your feeling better Rod hope you have a great Christmas and all the best for 2023.

 

Paul

[Dmudriver]

Hi all.  

 

WKT is rousing itself from hibernation!!   Well, actually, it's been a lovely day up here - and warm for about 4 hours in the middle of the day.  It was so pleasant that I went out and opened everything up.  Here are the shed and the outside section:

 

 

 

There's some stock in the FY in the second pic, but that only got there after I'd gone round with a cobweb shifter and then cleaned the tracks.  Once the station area was clear, I cleaned those tracks, too.  I'd previously done the stabling point and main lines in the shed for my little bits of shunting!!

 

Here's a close-up of the stock in the fiddle yard:

 

 

and finally, a look at the station area and stabling point with that stock still in the fiddle yard:

 

 

I felt quite enthusiastic and there's quite a bit I can think of to do on the layout and with the stock.  I'm not giving up on the narrow gauge but my thinking at the moment is that NG will be a winter/bad weather project with WKT summer/decent weather. 

 

I can't leave the narrow gauge layout up in the house - there really isn't enough room, but there's plenty I can work on on  one of the individual boards at a time as well as stock.  Having said that, I'm finding that building a 4mm scale chassis is quite demanding - although enjoyable!!  I'd forgotten how small some of the bits can be.  How people model in N gauge or 009 is beyond me!!

 

It'll soon be decent enough weather (hopefully) to play outside so visitors/operators will be welcome.

 

More soon.

 

 

Rod

 

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by Dmudriver

[Dmudriver]

Hi all.

 

I may not be doing much work on WKT but it's been a lovely day today, so I've had a few hours playing!!  Here are some pictures:

 

Firstly, the former Railair Express DPU has arrived in the Down Siding with a GUV in tow.  03112 is getting ready to remove the GUV from the train but must first wait for another parcels train to come in as that will need shunting too:

 

 

In the fiddle yard, 50021 "Rodney" sits in a kickback siding with 37429 and 3x 4-wheel vans:

 

 

Elsewhere in the fiddle yard a 3-car and 2-car 108 sit with a 2-car 101 and 25275 which has brought in 2 more vans

 

 

The 3-car 108 is seen passing the Inner Home signal bound for an empty platform 2:

 

 

In the meantime a parcels train has been assembled in the fiddle yard with 50021 and the 3 4-wheel vans seen earlier attached to the 2 ex-LMs BGs brought in by 25275:

 

 

This train is later seen passing the Inner Home signal with ground signal 30 cleared (but pretty well hidden behind the lineside phone!!), bound for no.1 Siding:

 

 

Finally, the 03 has collected all the vans and is preparing to propel them into no.2 siding (right at the back of the layout)  Ground signal 36 has been cleared for this manoeuvre:

 

 

The layout is alive and kicking!!  However, after crashing the 37 into the buffers on the kickback siding when it was being brought back LE from the fiddle yard to the station, I decided I'd better clean the shed windows as I hadn't seen properly that it wasn't taking the correct route!!  The insides were dirtier than the outsides!!  Anyway, they are now much better.  No pics as I didn't take before and after shots!

 

A really enjoyable few hours!!  Work continues elsewhere on the NG layout - I'll put some pics in the next post.

 

 

More on WKT soon.

 

 

Rod