mallaig1983

I was just catching up with this thread and thought exactly that. There's definitely a downpipe and it looks like it's causing a shadow. It looks flush to my eye.

I keep looking at my mould and bag of plaster thinking I should make a start. I'm a long way from needing them yet but I don't want to get bored too.

Thanks for the explanation. I will see what's available if I decide to go down the S&W route. I did make a loop for the loco just as a test. It wasn't pretty or straight but it served a purpose. The result sadly was not a great success. My curve on the non scenic section was to tight causing the coach to either uncouple or derail. I'm pretty sure that if the loop was attached to the bogie it would solve the problem but then I wouldn't be able to have snowploughs on my locos. So for Mallaig I think after two days of experimenting I will discount S&W couplings. I will try them again on a future project that I've also collected some stock for which will be a 60s Southern region branch or secondary route inspired by the Cuckoo Line but that's a whole different thing. I am going to focus my efforts on using the Kadee couplings but with fixed magnets. The type of electromagnets I have are not suitable for the Kadee's and anyway the fixed ones won't require such accurate stopping to get the coupling over the magnet. Perhaps I'm trying to run before I can walk. A Kadee magnet is now on order so hopefully in a couple of days I can test that system. Frustratingly I will have to lift track and get the router out. No drilling holes between the sleepers as I thought. Learning all the time.

I resolved the problem with the push to make switches. I'd wired them up wrong. I don't know what I was thinking yesterday. Easy fix. I've been playing with the Sprat & Winkle couplings since. How on earth do you make the loop to fit to the locos though? The brass wire I have in the pack was in a coil and refuses to go straight.

I will have a look where to get neodymium magnets and try them. I don't know which couplings I'm going to use yet. I was pleased with the Kadee's as there was no buffer lock on the tight curves of the off stage / non scenic section. However I did find that all 4 items of rolling stock they sat at different heights. Class 37 and MK1 coach were about the same but the inspection saloon was quite low and the TTA was quite high. Not an insurmountable problem but annoying when the NEM pockets are supposed to be a standard height. By the way anyone thinking of using this type of coupling please note for the Bachmann MK1 you will need to use the #20 longer shaft version. I need to fit a second vehicle with the Sprat & Winkle and see how they behave on my off stage curves. Probably the TTA as this will be mounted to the chassis

I went with the electromagnets because they are discreet. Do you hide the fixed ones effectively? Interesting what you say about finding both types of switches in the pack. I bought mine from Gaugemaster so I wouldn't expect this to be the case but I will have a test. Thanks.

This photo shows the extent of the butchery to the bogie. I should of taken a 'before' version but those of you familiar with a Bachmann MK1 will know the beast. I also had to reduce the depth of the headstock slightly but that's barely noticeable.

Frustrating day on Mallaig today. Payback for a successful day yesterday I suppose. This morning I was pondering how to build the platform faces with a few different ideas popping up and either being discounted or being put on the back burner for now. This afternoon I decided to get on and fit the electromagnets for uncoupling. I have a few of the PK MAG units in stock so I fitted one to the layout and wired up with a 'push to make' switch. I turned the power on and placed two vehicles that were coupled together with Kadee couplings. The couplings did some mild shaking. When I pushed the switch they stopped. Obviously I was expecting them to uncouple. So I changed the wires over expecting this to change the polarity but the same happened. I decided to make a test section up on the workbench and this behaved exactly the same. I have push to make switches that push to break. Headbanger! It did teach me that these electromagnets will not uncouple Kadee's tho. Searching the web the only information I could find for Kadee's were normal magnets. Do any of you use Kadee's and electromagnets? If so what do you use? I was unsure what coupling type to use and I also have some Sprat & Winkle type in stock. Included in this stash was a pack of 4 assembled units. So I test fitted one of these to a MK1 coach. Only minimal butchery was required. Once the coach was reunited with its bogie I placed it over the magnet on the test section, held the switch in and turned the power on. On releasing the switch the coupling dropped. I played with this for a while as it gave a lot of satisfaction. I like the look of them. I need to sort out the switch though so any advice from the more experienced would be hugely appreciated.

That's great information. Thank you.

Here here

Thanks BoD. I have seen the Glenuig thread and Gary has proven that this works well and is very effective. It's just that I have had the idea of running a 45 degree edge with a router. If it doesn't work then I will go with the Glenuig method but nothing ventured and all that. I will keep you posted. Thanks. Andy

There's a bit of paper curling going on along the left hand face in my second photo but when flattened it is a good fit. Drawing pins will resolve this.

Tomorrow I will get some drawing pins and pin the paper into place. I'll think of a means to make the coach slightly wider and repeat the coach and pencil combo to which should then give me the markings for the bottom part of the platform face. Rob do you know what height the platform should be? Fingers crossed this will work. Andy

The coach and pencil method over the brown paper method did the trick. At first the Bachman MK1 kept derailing so I substituted it for an ancient Hornby one (from the I'm keeping this to practice my weathering skills box). This had much deeper flanges and pushed down into the paper very easily. This in turn pushed the paper into the track pins which I left slightly raised in order to get the pliers on to to pull out once the ballast/glue solution holds the track in place this by accident this held the paper in place. It worked out much better than I expected.

No pressure then lol

Thank you David. My first serious attempt so slow progress but it is progress. Today was two steps forward and none back lol.

I've been studying this too with some confusion. I had assumed that 039 had been detached to go and rescue the centre box but then 039 is pictured in the up loop so quite clearly a loco swap. This would certainly explain it better. I do love the West Highland with all its quirks. Andy.

Today I have finished wiring the layout and I'm happy to report that under test conditions all works well. I'm pretty chuffed about that. For me it isn't half as exciting as tracklaying and my soldering skills are not the best. Note to any other new modellers LOOk for the soldering iron, don't dabble for it! I have a war wound on my finger this afternoon. The bus is wired to a gaugemaster prodigy which is now located central to the layout directly below the panel. Next job is to fit and wire the electronagnets to activate the kadee couplings. I'm not sure whether to have another panel for these or to fit the switches on the edge of the layout in line with the magnets. This is probably my favoured route as when operating them I can actually see that they are doing the job they're tasked with. After that I'll build the platform. Now on the MK1 version this caused me some grief as it is an island platform on a curve. I think what I'm going to do is lay brown paper out, do the coach and pencil trick, cut it out and use as a template. The top third of Mallaig's platform face chamfers out so I plan on making a ply base with a chamfered ply top. That's my current thinking. I'm sure there will be trial and error. If anyone has a better idea I'd be happy to hear from you. Here is a photo of the test train stabled in what will be platform 1.

Love it :-)

It's starting to get the look of something that's going to be rather impressive David.

Thanks Martin. I'll definitely check that out. Andy

Hi Martin, Thank you for posting those photos. I haven't found any of 112 at Mallaig so you have unwittingly made my day! Fantastic. I have only just discovered this thread and started reading from the start. Wow your layout is very impressive. I shall be following from here on in. If my layout of Mallaig turns out half as good I'll be happy. Great inspiration. Andy

I'm loving reading these tales as I never got to do it. Dad always said it was to far. He's never really been that adventurous. I didn't get there until a camping trip in 1997 having a sabbatical from my interest in railways at the time. Martin I believe that it was 37 112 that took you to FW. 37 027, 111 and 112 were painted in this style in 1981 but only 112 was left this way in 1983. I have my own version which will be a regular performer on my layout once completed. I think 37 114 had moved on to Inverness by 83. Andy