meanach

This layout is looking fantastic and full of west highland atmosphere. I’m not sure how it’s escaped my Scotrail trained eye! My own layout is set on a twice proposed but never built (of course!) line running from north of Tulloch and roughly following the route by Ben Alder , a fine Munro I might add, via Loch Ericht to the central highland line. Unbelievable that a similar scheme was even muted as late as 1970! Of course, in my world Meanach was built early 1900s . With regards the back , you have my empathy. I tore my back ligaments lifting a heavy plant pot 3 weeks ago. I can barely move. More frustrating is that I have all this spare modelling time but can’t get in the loft! So I’m reduced to arm chair modelling , eagerly following everyone’s updates on here! A new Accurascale 37 would look superb with your brilliant buildings ; ) Slainte Mhath ! Ian

Thanks . Very helpful ! I am tempted to do 033 as I previously did an older Bachmann. I like its odd B.R blue, large numbers and highland stag livery that it carried in 87-88.

Surely tailor made for your layout ?! It looks perfectly at home on your stunning layout . I’ve bought one (027) but it’s a bit early for me . So if anyone knows what it’s ripe for a renumber to…. Sadly the 86-89 period of the WHL shows no signs of being represented any time soon, so I’ve been forced to buy the Bachmann 37s which require some work (and ££) to get them to sound as good as the Accurascale ones.

It brings back memories of my first ever 37 - Lima 37012 in that livery. For some reason I replied to the thread and my phone wasn’t showing all the comments above about the speed curve and lok programmer ! So I’m sorry to everyone for the repetition! Has anyone worked out which 37s this model is ripe for a renumber to, based on all the exact details - Early double-riveted roof with boiler exhaust and large cab roof vent Fabricated bogies Original fuel tank configuration Late EE cantrail grilles Answers on a postcard… Fish box’s look great BTW , I can almost smell them !

My own arrived yesterday . Not sure I’ll keep it that number / exact livery yet. Either way , watching yours , which was surely tailor made for your layout? , I don’t think I’ve heard a more realistic sound file for a 37. My only observation is that they seem to need the speed curve altering. The vids I’ve seen so far they all seem to take off like a rocket. Having bought 3 Bachmann ones now , the amount of work they need to get them to Accurascale level makes them not worth the hassle. Even though I got all 3 of mine for really good prices they still work out about £100 more once you’ve had them milled out , replacement speaker and ESU stay alive added plus etched ploughs.

This is a shot I took at Ardlui in July 88. I’m not sure what vintage this tamper is but as it’s been mentioned that photos of them are rare, I thought it may be of interest! (Sorry it’s only a phone copy of my old print ). Ian

I found Phoenix precision warning panel yellow post 1984 to be a good match but I often mix my own paints to get a perfect match.

Hi . Yes that’s very helpful , especially the roof repaint . Why I have never thought about using Maskol I don’t know ! It’s so obvious really but that’s why we need people like yourself to pass on their techniques! I have a whole load of west highland mk1 to do. I shall give that method a whirl. Ian

West coast appealed but as I understand it their extension runs out mid summer , at the height of tourist season ! They have sent a rake of mk2 a / b / c up . Their solution so far regards toilets is to lock them all out of use !

Some of my Grampus run like pigs ! I re wheeled some and they run better , although only after weighting them. I found some of the chassis appear to be slightly twisted. With regards the Hornby BSO, I am thankful too. I’ve been scouring eBay on and off for about 2 years with no luck ! S.R.P.S are in the same predicament as many others in that from April 1st Mk1 are banned off the main line unless they have a full history of maintenance and crash pillar worthiness / metal fatigue. C.D.L fitting (although I believe there is an extension for this until next year) and toilet retention tanks fitted. This essentially means most leasing companies have junked their mk1 rakes owing to the cost involved, Ie Riviera. You have probably noticed that many tours are featuring coffins or Mk3. It will be a while until the S.R.P.S are able to use their stock on the main line again. The only compliant mixed set currently belongs to LSL.

Very handy (for me ) photo of 403 there Rob, cheers ! I’ve just spent nearly a week behind the former west highland stalwart, riding over highland metals. She’s in fine form and handled load 10 on her own (not planned !) over the highland main line with no problem (plenty of thrash!).

It’s always great to see photos of your layout. I was through Edinburgh Waverley last week on my way to spend a few days behind 37403. It’s certainly not the place it was . I don’t recall seeing the mainline spoon before , what’s that re worked from? Also I like the weathering on the bashers mk2 roof, how was that done? Ian

I have that book ! Note to self : don’t just check the net , check under your nose ! 😂

Interesting Rob , I couldn’t find any on the WHL but no surprise your expansive data base has an image ! Going by the ballast colour and livery of the Mermaids , I’m guessing that’s early 80s dated shot? I was rather surprised to see that none of the Flangeway models seem available and those that are on eBay are pretty expensive. Luckily I don’t really need any more than 5 I don’t think and I probably have a disproportionate amount of engineers wagons now ! 😂 I like what you’ve done with yours . I don’t recall seeing them on your thread before?

And the other 3. Note : the chains are swines to reattach!

Another on the ‘to do’ list ticked off. It’s so long since I picked up these mermaid wagons they were only £15 each! Not so common on the west highland but they did go up there . I’m reliably informed by driver John Hynd that one sat ‘off the road ‘ north of Ardlui for some years. Weathered with Vallejo acrylics air brushed as well as Mig enamel washes and powders.

I see the tractor has eyes drawn on it ! Also a cosy compo right behind the loco.

Beautiful Primo models larch trees. 3 new ones I’ve just added . Relatively tall at around 20cm they are a scale 49 feet. Often model trees are way under scale which works well when set at a distance but looks wrong close up.

My recollection is that it’s quite a damp section of the line , although the tree coverage is definitely far greater now than in the 80s. Those trees definitely add to it, making it look much more west highland . I will refer back to that rock painting technique in the future. Look at the new photo opportunities it has created already! I have some sun damaged Anita de cor fir trees. I looked to replace them and sadly it seems nobody imports them anymore in the U.K. . Primo tress are the next best I’ve found, but at £9 and upwards per tree, they are a lot more expensive! The old DIY sea moss trees are a good cheaper alternative if you don’t want to be too tree specific !

Snap ! Seen side by side , the old Hornby one , although basic , isn’t horrendous !

That’s an interesting one, it has a strange door! That’s not the image I recall , the one I saw was facing the other way. What’s also interesting about this is that the adjacent TTA wagon looks to be an Esso style one with the ladder straight down the back.

I like the rock faces . What colour paint did you use and was it all brushed together whilst still wet ?

Now you’re asking Rob ! It was among the many countless images I see on face book pages. I seem to recall it was at Crianlarich in about 82 with some VDA vans. I’ve started to screen shot any potential modelling images now, which is something I should have done ages ago!

A fine model although obviously the down side to all the fine detail is that it’s a lot more fragile . Mine had a buffer that had fallen out in the box. Holding it whilst weathering and fitting screw links was nerve wracking! I’ve weighted mine slightly over each axel using self adhesive wheel balancing weights. The young pretender and the original.

Well , I knew I’d succumb and I did. It’s not really a west highland / highland stalwart but seeing as how I have seen a photo of one in use then that’s good enough for me! Also it replaces my aging / even older than me?! Hornby version . Of course I’m talking about the excellent looking Rapido Ferry van. Like all things super detailed , it’s a little fragile ! It lost a buffer as soon as I opened the box and weathering it was a little tricky as I it felt like something may snap off at any moment. Air brushed with life colour roof dirt, frame dirt, dirty black, a touch of brake dust and pin washed with MIG dark wash. The roof was finished off with weathering powders and all sealed with Tester dull coat lacquer. I based the weathering on an aerial shot of one at Derby in 87. Finally internally weighted with 2 car wheel weights. I try to do this with most of my wagons. Here it is, sat dumped in the siding at Meanach.