mallaig1983

Opportunities to operate freight traffic on the Mallaig extension are limited but I couldn’t resist a couple of Rapido OAAs. Even just sitting in a siding with occasional moves adds to my West Highland experience. The BDA has been in stock for a number of years and with a price tag on the box of only £12 it was a bargain even back then. I intend to build up more wagon stock over the years, not necessarily for use on Mallaig but if it’s relevant to the WHL it will probably see use in the future at some point. Hopefully Rapido will no go on and expand their air braked range. Meanwhile work continues on the work bench with various sheds and buildings in different stages of construction. Hopefully I’ll be able to update on this soon.

Looking at those images neither am I!🤭 Thats wonderful stuff. It wasn’t clear to me in the photo posted by @BlueGreyAnnorak, I thought the coupling shaft was one piece. Thanks for correcting me @RapidoCorbs Let’s hope these wagons are a success for you and you go on to produce the OBA, OCA, VDA………… etc Looking forward to a knock on the door by the courier over the next couple of days.

I hadn’t considered this until seeing your view from below but those tension lock couplings don’t appear to be in a standard type NEM socket. Admittedly it looks much tidier in that area for it but for those of us that like a simple swap to a Kadee #18, 19 or 20 this is a no go and will require the use of a more ‘traditional’ Kadee.

Perhaps it was a LM region thing. I always assumed they replaced the buffet car trailers with these. I am talking very late in their lives though. I think the only ones I saw on the North Wales Coast and Cambrian lines in the early 80s all had a class 101 centre car.

I’ve had an email this afternoon telling me my order has been processed so sounds like they are imminent.

Ah but will they do them with the 101 centre car though? 🤔

I would hazard a guess that the medium ones fit the unmodified windows and the large ones are to fit the Shawplan frames? I’m sure Brian would confirm. If emailing him please note the change of address at the top of the web page rather than the email link further down. I had to get in touch with him last week.

With my own colour blindness and complete lack of experience in repainting models (I’ve stalled whilst trying to strip EWS livery on one of my own) I don’t feel in a position to offer council on this but I must comment on that photo of the prototype. What a wonderful example and with that terrier in its alternative position and the cowels still in place I can see why you’ve elected to go with this example. Im looking forward to seeing her when finished and plying her trade on WHL4.

Oh no! That’s seriously bad luck Ian. I hope you’re not suffering to bad with it? Glad you’ve found some decent footage to entertain yourself with. I managed to ‘photo bomb’ the official video. I saw the maker/filmer(?) filming Ben Jones at Heljan and I just couldn’t help myself with the opportunity to become a background feature having a look at an O gauge 73. All very subtle. I know, I’m such a child 🤣 Does our modelling still count as modern image? I’ve been pondering this lately. You make a fair point if you’re referring to BR blue being something of a rarity at Warley but I find it can often be a bit top heavy with very recent image. I do remember a good few year ago now we had both Mostyn AND Dewsbury Midland at the Warley. South West Digital were demonstrating sound there too and I was blown away. The two days I was there really got me fired up to start collecting stock for a future layout. Two massive BR blue layouts and sound fitted locos on a stand to marvel at. Brilliant. South Pelaw was one of those surprise layouts for me. I was keen to have a look but became totally absorbed by it and lost myself in the moment. I really like it when a layout can do that to you. Over the years Mostyn, Dewsbury Midland (in BR mode), Wibdenshaw, Portcullin and Black Country Blues have all had the same effect but I expected that. It’s nice every now and again to get a surprise. To be fair there were a lot of good layouts there, even if the subject wasn’t my cup of tea worth spending time at to appreciate the modelling. Having done a few scratch builds now I often get an inferiority complex. I guess perfection takes many years. I’m content for now that my efforts do at least look (to me at least) like they are supposed to. That said I am pretty chuffed with my station building, my best effort so far. Sorry folks for the ramblings (Mallaig musings 🤔) I hope you’re feeling better soon Ian.

Netherwood! That’s the one. Thank you Gentlemen. Sometimes I question the integrity of my marbles. Maybe it’s time to start taking a notepad to exhibitions. Or at least when taking photographs of the layouts it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a photo of the name too.

I was told the Victorian and early preservation liveries were very soon and the others next year.

It’s the morning after the day before and the day before was Warley day. I was unsure if I would be able to attend at fairly short notice as the car had to have a visit to the garage and I didn’t know if I would get it back in time but a phone call from them on Saturday lunchtime just before they closed brought relief and excitement in equal measures, Game On. This time the journey ran smoother than last year despite standing on Telford station for half an hour on what was the coldest morning I’ve experienced yet this autumn. It had been an uneventful 2 hour drive from home to get there. First train of the day rolled in to both Telford and Birmingham International on time. I felt the show was quieter this year (I do Sundays) but this could have been because the ailes were much wider. Some very very nice layouts to enjoy. Nice to see Bron Hebog again and see my heritage Welsh Highland coaches in miniature. The name escapes me now but I enjoyed the O gauge BR blue yard and mainline layout with both Woodhead electrics and dirty blue diesels. Newhaven Harbour I’d seen previously but enjoyed again. My favourite of the show was South Palew which being not of my preferred period proved a real surprise so really enjoyed a couple of prolonged sessions soaking up the atmosphere of this layout. Full of admiration for its builders and a steady stream of interesting trains and shunt moves over the junction. Wonderful. Well that was my Warley, I hope those of you who also attended enjoyed yours too. There’s the inspiration for us all to ‘crack on’. Andy

That’s one thing I love about having the layout. I can go to Mallaig whenever I want. As you say it’s not the same these days but I love it there too.

Eastfield depot staff applied the miniature snowploughs to 37112 in early 1983 so I thought I had better get my version suitably adorned. A couple of brown washes painted over the new ploughs acquired from Bachmann spares recently and have been fitted. I thought it prudent to run a few test runs (excuse to play) just to check they didn’t fall off of course. I think they need mucky-ing up a smidge more so perhaps a coat of sleeper grime or track dirt to follow and a dabbing off with a cotton bud. During this ‘testing’ I thought it might be a good idea to return the TTG tanks so I enjoyed a spot of shunting. Also in the news is progress has been made with the signalman’s cottage. Not finished but certainly getting there. It was placed on the layout so I could sort out the lay of the land surrounding it. I had already cut back some of the hillside but the following photos do show it in it’s intended position. A few steps forward in the build. 37112 awaiting departure showing of her new accessories. Growling past the WIP signalman’s cottage. And heads past McLennan’s slip with the last train of the day to Fort William.

It is David but it’s of 1987 vintage not one of the heritage coaches. Plenty of rot was found once the panelling was removed. Strangely below the windows rather than the drop lights. Make sure you seal yours well when you get to that point.

And then a bit more timber to build the bodywork. I’m looking forward to following this build David.

To be honest when I was watching the announcement on YouTube you were the first person I thought of. I’m excited for you and all devotees of this parish. I may even get one myself 😀

Yes, give them a go and run some tests. Coupling on a slight curve should be ok. I have to do this and it is incredibly rare that I have a problem with it but they won’t couple if it’s tight. See how you get on. Mark where the magnets are with a piece of rail or a sleeper or some other line side clutter. I use the kadee magnets as they are nice and large so allow a degree of tolerance for where you stop your trains.

Interesting. my layout has less track mileage than the gateway to North Wales but generally I give it a wazz with isoP every couple of months and the stock every 6 months. I’d be interested in learning more of your layout hygiene routine. kaydees? I use but they do not couple on curves, or slightly more curvey curves than, er slight. They are great, more unobtrusive than toy couplings but be careful where you need to couple up.

I see your point @Module00 but we must realise we are not 1:76 figures ourselves. Will it be so obvious? The Accurascale headlamp is so subtle in daylight and it would appear that it was only used in the dark hours. Do you mean the cuts of the glass and not the short cuts? Short cuts I mean by as we say ‘turning a blind eye’ as in ignoring they are jewels and not factory fitted LEDs? I hope my waffle translates, to both French 🇫🇷 and English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Please contact me direct for a Welsh/Cymraeg version. My opinion, I like the nose studs. Two reasons, a they have the shroud/bezel already attached and b, for every nose stud affixed to a 4mm scale 37 is one less affixed to a pretty nose! Win win. Definately something I myself will be considering as I’m pretty OCD on period, ie 03/83 to 07/83 I don’t actually need to fit to many of my fleet. Annoyingly I already have 012 with a lamp it shouldn’t have and 039 looking wantonly at it. I don’t pursess the relevant sized goolies to tackle the swap. Aware that this conversation is trampling all over Rob’s thread in his absence I apologise to him and feel sure he’ll get home, log on and panic that he left the back door unlocked!

Thinking back to the late 80s when my Cortina had a pair of ‘car’ style headlamps mounted on the front bumper I reckon they were about 6” diameter so a 2mm jewel would be perfect but I wouldn’t imagine a 3mm would look over scale. Obviously for Ian @03060 in N that would be half the size. Thanks @Dunalastair for the pointer.

Can you remember where you got them Ian?

One of mine had the same issue. Very delicate piece but I used tweezers to bend it back to shape. If this had failed I would have removed it. It’s such a tiny part.

Another fantastic piece of work Brian. Looks amazing.

That looks the biz Ian. Lovely job. I have so far managed to resist a purchase as I really don’t need one. The OAA’s on the other hand I can just about get away with so a couple are on order. Ill look forward to seeing the treatment yours get.