TravisM

Went to the NEC to attend Key Publishing's 'Model World Live 2024' show, mainly to get new ideas for the layout. Spoke to Colin from Rainbow Railways about my next purchase from them, a Realtrack Northern Class 156 respray into the RAF 100 year anniversary livery. Had a look at the Heljan stand and very tempted by their O Gauge Highland Class 24's, to then build a small version of the Far North Line to compete against @class26 OO scale layout. Then over to Accurascale's stand and meet up with Richard Watson @Accurascale, to show him the Modelu 3D print that was done of him, and painted by Dan Evason of Tunnel Lane Model Railways. @Accurascale Fran thought it was hilarious and I now have two 'mini me's' to go on my layout (Richard and myself). I also took pictures of my next two Accurascale purchases, 37116 in Colas and 37422 in DRS plain blue. I would like to point out that these are decorated samples, not the real deal.

Hi Mark, To be honest, I'm struggling a bit with the idea as my friend also suggested that I build the layout from the bottom up, rather than start at the top and work down. He said it would be easier to build the fiddle yard, and the helix first as it would be a level and secure starting point for the layout, then the scenic section attached to the helix and then mounted to the wall. If I started with the scenic section and worked down, everything would be harder to make sure everything matches up. I hope that makes sense? I just thought about using what I have, will jumpstart the layout build as I feel I need to get the helix sorted first.

A friend of mine suggested that I move the original 8’6”x30” baseboard to the lower level (hidden sidings) as I would have more room to put in extra staging tracks, or just sidings to hold spare stock. He also suggested that the station baseboard is built on a curve, so there’s less wasted space. It sounds very intriguing and I’d like to hear what others think?

I was hoping there would be announcement regarding a third batch, I know @class26 and others are climbing the walls awaiting for a Accurascale announcement for Inverness based Class 37’s, especially 37114 Dunrobin Castle, with it’s unique top of the bonnet headlight. Personally I’m hoping for DRS 37069 or 37218 and 37716 in later compass livery, plus 37401 in large logo. Just asking 😜

I have considered that but as I’m trying to follow the KISS (Keep it simple stupid) principle and keep the two hidden sidings separate operationally, but once the baseboards are built, I can play around with the hidden sidings plan, including a middle road that can serve both sets of sidings.

Following this thread with interest and getting lots of useful information from @MAP66 regarding the use of a helix. Looking forward to seeing how this layout progresses.

Wonderful, I’ll have to think about getting one for my Cumbrian Coast layout. Totally out of my time period but hard to say no to.

They should be a ‘polished steel’ rather than silver because of the friction of the brake pads, but certainly not white.

Isn't this the same picture that @steve1 posted at the start of this thread?

The D&H off loaded it's C628's, U30C's as well (I think) their PA-4's to Mexico in 1978 but happy to be proved wrong. Fortunately the four PA's still survive, though non operational.

By looking at the way the track is secured to the sleepers, looks like European metre gauge track to me, but happy to be proved wrong.

As JRA wagons are being used on the Acton - Peterborough HS2 spoil trains, they could be cripples sent up from Peterborough as there's no real room for them there to be repaired. As the spoil train is contracted to DB Cargo and most of Peterborough Westwood yard is operated by GBRf, there might not be any siding space. Also, as they are leased from Touax, they might want them repaired there? As to why one has been moved, who knows and as Network Rail stable their track machines there, they might have moved it?

The Northern passenger services are either Class 156 DMU's, or mainly Class 37's either top and tailing or with a DBSO. The Network Rail trains, again top and tailed Class 37's or with a DBSO, but the nuclear flask traffic will probably need another set of loco's which can be backed onto the arrived flask train, and the loco's that brought it in can either sit in a holding siding or run back light to the other fiddle yard.

This is the complete revised plan for the layout, and though it still needs tweaking, mainly on the lower level curves, but you get the idea of what I'm attempting to achieve. I'm hoping to use 3rd and 4th radius curves on the helix, and from the helix to the hidden sidings because of the Mk2 coaches, but it might have to be slightly tighter because of the room size.. The track on the scenic section will be Peco code 75 flat bottomed rail, but on the helix and hidden sidings, code 100. Any sensible suggestions will be warmly accepted.

I think @Matt37268 reply was said ‘tongue-in-cheek’ given West Coasts ongoing problems with the DfT over fitting CDL to their Mk1 stock