Dallam Sidings (Warrington) - N Gauge WCML 2001 Macclesfield Show 20th&21st April 2024

[87023Velocity]

21 minutes ago, Curlew said:

Very impressive! Just wondering how far it is to do a complete circuit on the layout? You must be rapidly wearing the locos out ;)

 

Thanks 👍 I have not measured accurately but at a minimum a full circuit is approximately 40ft, which equates to just over a scale mile in N gauge. 

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

A few more pictures from the past few weeks. I will look at doing some actual modelling at some point!

[Steven B]

15 hours ago, 87023Velocity said:

A few more pictures from the past few weeks. I will look at doing some actual modelling at some point!

 

What name/number did you choose for the 92?

 

Steven B

[87023Velocity]

4 hours ago, Steven B said:

 

What name/number did you choose for the 92?

 

Steven B

Hi Steven,

 

Went for 92009 Elgar, this name and number was not on the sheet. Got these done via Railtec. 

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Actually managed to look at doing some actual modelling! During December 2021 I managed to pick up a TPM class 87 kit with the plan to build it using the old Farish class 87 chassis. With work on other rolling stock projects taking priority, I never started the kit. Today I had a brainwave regards using the newly tooled Farish class 90 chassis. First impressions are that it will fit with a little bit of trimming to the chassis block. Currently it is riding high as the ends of the chassis need cutting back to allow the body to sit at the correct height. Bogie centres match up with the class 87 body which they should.
Here is the body on the unmodified chassis complete with a Revolution Trains pantograph. You can guarantee that Farish will announce a new version just as this is finished. Not decided on livery yet but probably be a BR liveried version from late 80s, thinking 87027 in IC Executive.

 

 

Cheers

Simon

[DavidMcKenzie]

That looks like a cracking project Simon. I'm looking forward to seeing this one progress. I'm sure you'll end up with a lovely model at the end of it. 

All the best,

Dave

[87023Velocity]

My Revolution Trains class 390 was delivered earlier this week and here are some clips of it running on Dallam. 

 

k-7MbX9gvus

 

Cheers

 

Simon

Edited July 1, 2023 by 87023Velocity

[porkie]

Looks ace Simon 👍

[MarshLane]

On 25/03/2023 at 09:43, 87023Velocity said:

Here is the body on the unmodified chassis complete with a Revolution Trains pantograph. You can guarantee that Farish will announce a new version just as this is finished.

 

Well done Simon, you obviously scared Dapol into looking at the '87s'!  Nice recent annoucement, and I am sure one or two will end up gracing Dallam!

 

A question for you, if I may, how to you box and transport Dallam to an exhibition?  I am assuming it's some kind of bespoke trolley/movable storage thing, to ensure the scenic areas and point motors dont get damaged?  I have often wondered how its done....

 

Rich

 

[87023Velocity]

14 minutes ago, MarshLane said:

 

Well done Simon, you obviously scared Dapol into looking at the '87s'!  Nice recent annoucement, and I am sure one or two will end up gracing Dallam!

 

A question for you, if I may, how to you box and transport Dallam to an exhibition?  I am assuming it's some kind of bespoke trolley/movable storage thing, to ensure the scenic areas and point motors dont get damaged?  I have often wondered how its done....

 

Rich

 

Hi Rich,

 

Lol, yes was very surprised and made up that the 87 is finally being done. I am thinking with the kit to build it and put on a dummy chassis, possibly with a flashing tail lamp fitted. 

Yes a few Virgin 87's will be purchased along with some earlier ones as well.

For exhibitions, Dallam is boxed to allow the boards to be transported safely. Usually I would have all boards a standard length, however I had the opportunity to use some boards which had been made but at different lengths. 

Here is a picture of the boards boxed up ready for the Wigan show last year. It all fits in a SWB transit van, boards, trestles, lighting rig, power box, stock boxes etc.

The assembly of the layout by 3- 4 people (excluding stock is approximately 30 minutes), similar time to dismantle. Stock takes the longest to set up and remove, at least an hour.

 

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[MarshLane]

19 hours ago, 87023Velocity said:

For exhibitions, Dallam is boxed to allow the boards to be transported safely. Usually I would have all boards a standard length, however I had the opportunity to use some boards which had been made but at different lengths. 

Here is a picture of the boards boxed up ready for the Wigan show last year. It all fits in a SWB transit van, boards, trestles, lighting rig, power box, stock boxes etc. The assembly of the layout by 3- 4 people (excluding stock is approximately 30 minutes), similar time to dismantle. Stock takes the longest to set up and remove, at least an hour.

 

Hi Simon,

Interesting, so do I take it you have ends that fix somehow onto the normal mounting points for the adjacent boards, then put a lid and sides on to protect the boards - I am assuming given that you've said there are different lengths, that each board is one 'box' in essence? Fascinating way of working, and I presume it also keeps the layout dust free when in store.

 

Cheers

Rich

[87023Velocity]

4 hours ago, MarshLane said:

 

Hi Simon,

Interesting, so do I take it you have ends that fix somehow onto the normal mounting points for the adjacent boards, then put a lid and sides on to protect the boards - I am assuming given that you've said there are different lengths, that each board is one 'box' in essence? Fascinating way of working, and I presume it also keeps the layout dust free when in store.

 

Cheers

Rich

Hi Rich,

 

There is a front fascia panel which is hinged and mounted to the baseboard, this folds up to form one part of the box. The black drapes at a show are pinned to hide this panel.

 

Folded up

 

 

Box top and fold down ends. 

 

 

Case clips are used along with a few screws as a precaution to keep the whole box secure for transit.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

 

[MarshLane]

You’ve been very quiet with Dallam this summer and autumn Simon … hope all is ok?

 

How’s your TPM Class 87 kit progressing?

 

Rich

[87023Velocity]

Yes all well Richard, thanks! Dallam was at Leigh Exhibition in September and all went well although quite warm, think it was around 29-30C during the day, first time I have set a layout up and operated in that sort of temperature. 

Just in the process of finally fitting point motors to the fiddleyard, something which should have been done along time ago! This will make operating at home and shows more enjoyable.

Dallam will be at Macclesfield show in April so hopefully I will have completed this by then. 

Unfortunately not progressed the TPM 87, with the Dapol one being announced, I may still do the TPM version but as a dead loco for drags. 

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Prior to the Leigh show, plenty of test running took place during the summer, not much modelling achieved though. A nice addition to the Dallam roster was a Revolution Trains class 390 from the second production run. Although just slightly out of my time range, it is a stunning model and very smooth in operation. 

Here a few pics from the testing. As mentioned it will be a few weeks before the layout can be set up for running.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[87023Velocity]

Evening all. Not posted for quite a while as Dallam had not been set up since the Leigh exhibition in September 2023. I have made a start on fitting point motors to the fiddleyard which will hopefully make operation a bit easier, especially for shows. Over the past week or so, the layout has been reassembled and the lighting rig fitted. Next stage will be connect everything up electrically and get some trains running. 
Here are some pics, all posed as cannot run anything yet - hopefully might get something running over the weekend. Next show will be Macclesfield in April this year.

Cheers

Simon

Edited January 12 by 87023Velocity

[87023Velocity]

A few more pictures from running various trains. Just received a new tooled Intercity liveried Mk2f RFB from Kernow, will probably start swapping over to the newer versions.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

 

 

[richbrummitt]

That first photo looks almost real, the low angle and, the way it’s lit. 

[branchie]

Magnificent layout.  Good to see some more images of it.

[87023Velocity]

A few more pictures from running over the past week or so. 

[JBM37404]

Great stuff as always

[Gloucester Road]

The low angle pics are great, looking through and around structures really adds to the realism. The blue tinge to those ones also adds to the realism

[37058]

Simon is that 37685 paired with EWS 37xxx? If you was to pair up 685 & 710, they actually worked a tour in 2001 from Crewe. Pathfinders The Catherine Wheel. This was the first leg to Derby... Crewe - (via WCML) - Warrington Bank Quay - Eccles - Manchester Piccadilly - Stockport - Crewe - Stafford - Bushbury Jn - Bescot - Perry Barr North Jn - Soho South Jn - Birmingham New Street - Proof House Jn - Water Orton - Whitacre Jn - Tamworth - Burton-upon-Trent -Derby 

Full Choc & Cream Rivera set as well. The tour was originally booked a pair of DRS 20's, but they became unavailable at the last minute so they kicked out 685 &710. Was a bloody good day, even though the 'Bombs' got shelved! 

Link to full tour here... https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/011117pt.htm  

Cheers

Anthony 

[87023Velocity]

I have finally managed to get some actual modelling done instead of playing trains!! 

I saw a Farish Freightliner class 90 on offer at  TMC and decided to buy it for a respray project.

The loco I have in mind is 90036/136 in its experimental Railfreight Distribution livery which it carried from 1992 to 2013, pictures from Flickr (not mine).

1992

1995

 

 

1999

 

The sides of the loco have not faded as much as the cab fronts over time.

 

In the later years it did receive the EWS logo applied over the top of the RfD logo. I am modelling it as seen around 2001. 

 

Loco as bought:

 

Stripped down

Once all the original livery had been removed using IPA, the body was thoroughly cleaned and dried.

 

White undercoat applied with airbrush.

 

Rail yellow (RM202) applied with airbrush.

 

 

Transfers from Fox, etched double arrows from Nairnshire Modelling Supplies and depot plaques from CJM will be added.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

 

Edited March 7 by 87023Velocity

[87023Velocity]

90036 is almost there! The majority of airbrushing work is done. Various areas just need little touch ups before the varnishing can be done prior to adding transfers. Black needs to be added around the lights and horn grill.

Cheers

 

Simon