mallaig1983

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.

If someone had the space Mallaig in the 60s would be a great layout. Cramped station, loco shed and turntable, line through to the harbour, fish vans etc. Turning that obs would be one of many highlights to the operating session. I knew that it was unlikely that 1998 and 1999 would ever be released and at the time I did think about getting a Devon Belle obs as a substitute as it did work the Kyle line in the 60s. It was only a brief thought though. A 1984 style inspection saloon did actually get used so I can live with being just a year out. Plus the shunting is fun 😀

The complete train is then drawn forward once more prior to being reversed back into the platform road. Ready for departure And heads to Fort William where once the passengers have left the train it will be split up. The saloon into a siding, 2 coaches will join the sleeping cars for their journey south and the remaining 2 will later form the last service of the day back to Mallaig.

Sunday pottering in the attic today. Making a hedge and adding to the greenery behind the signal box. Anything to put off working on the signalman’s cottage! I really must crack on with it again soon though. A little opening session was enjoyed after my labours and 37027 brought in the mid morning service from Glasgow. At Fort William this 4 coach set would have had the two ex LNER observation saloons added, one at each end. However these are not available in RTR or kit form so I am running an inspection saloon in their stead, as this was what was used for the 1984 season. This required some shunting at Mallaig in order to put it on the rear for the return journey. This is an enjoyable sequence to operate and kept me entertained for a while this afternoon. 37027 runs around the rake. …and then detaches the saloon and puts it on the loop.. The rest of the stock is then drawn forward before being reversed through the crossover to pick up the saloon

Official visit or through the fence? Looks a well timed visit either way. Luck you 👍😀

I have decided I need to visit a few more exhibitions this modelling season. Warley has been an annual highlight for a number of years now, covid excepted, and I used to go on the Saturday with Dad and with a friend on the Sunday. It’s a bit much for Dad now with the large show, insufficient seating and the journey up from Oxford often standing on a crowded voyager prior to meeting me there. So this year I thought I’d take him for a look at GETS. It’s only an hours hop from Oxford and a bit smaller show. Dad isn’t a modeller but as a railway enthusiast does enjoy watching the layouts. We both really enjoyed the show, managed to see everything (I think) and plenty of seating so Dad could have a rest when he needed to. I was very impressed with the setup once we got in! Some very nice layouts to enjoy with what I felt was more BR blue era than I’ve been finding at Warley in recent years. Although obviously my favourite era there was some very inspiring modelling on all layouts. My favourite layout was ‘Thorne Yard’. I’m always happy when I find a layout I can lose myself in and just soak up the atmosphere as if I’m there back on the day. ‘Kinlochewe’ and ‘Tulloch Bridge’ were also enjoyed for extended periods. Dad particularly enjoyed ‘St John’s’ WR branch set in BR steam. Credit to the organiser’s and modellers as I felt every layout there was entertaining and inspirational. Well worth the journey and entrance fee. Mention must also go tho the monolith that is making tracks. Obviously a very popular layout and very impressive. Great to see when you got the chance to get near it. Now if the railnuts team ever fancied backdating it by say 40 years………. 🤔 No stock purchases were required but I was almost tempted to get that pair of Mk3 sleeper coaches at knockdown price but then an Ethel would have needed to be funded too. Not sure I know yet whether I made the right call on that. I saw @young37215 through the crowd at one point so a belated Hello Rob. Had a chat with a couple of YouTubers (no not those two) which was nice to be able to say hello. All in all a very good show and a nice weekend away. Should perhaps mention that I managed a grice at Carrog on the Llangollen Rly on my way to Oxford on Saturday. I really go there more often.

I thought I saw you at GETS yesterday Rob. I was enjoying Burntisland and had managed to shuffle to the front with my Dad. I was sure you passed behind with a couple of friends. It was over to quickly to say ‘hello’ but I did keep an eye out for you afterwards. An enjoyable show and some very nice layouts. Gets the winter modelling vibe going. Andy

The trains look great but oh my I am envious of that trackwork.

I agree wholeheartedly, it would be a stunning model but not fitting in with my timescale sadly.

There are a couple of 26s in stock as well that will obviously one day get a wheel stretch on the layout from time to time. A ‘Skirl o’ the pipes’ or similar rail tour being the justification. Why do I have two class 26s you may wonder. Simple answer is I love rats of all flavours ( apart from the toe curling actual rodents) and they were bought at the time when locos only cost 80 quid. There is a possibility of a small depot/stabling point being built as a separate project one day where all these classes could mingle together. But as far as the big project is concerned and backed by the photos kindly shared by Rob I can justify running 25s to Mallaig when the time machine is set to say 78 - 80. And no, before some wag asks I won’t be relaying the earlier track formation. Removable signals perhaps 🤔

Not that common to be fair but more so between Glasgow and Fort William and Oban. They were not unheard of though and I will apply a slight bending of rule 1 to accommodate a couple. They were my favourite loco and Eastfield had a fair allocation so that’s how I will justify it. The main focus will always be on the 1983 fleet but I’d like to capture the earlier period from time to time too. Rule 1 may well have to be brought in to run the odd 26 though.

I made that post because I don’t think us lot who were there during the best days of British Rail make enough noise. Maybe because the youngsters are more tuned in to social media they are the ones posting more. But I do think we need to bang our drum a little louder so Accurascale hear what we want. I appreciate that the Accurascale class 37 was launched to produce models of locos that have nor previously been released, that’s good but nobody has yet produced an early 80s banger blue, cutaway cowels big standard two a penny ‘80s standard class 37z Nobody!! These things were absolutely everywhere. By today’s standards perhaps not an exciting livery but a livery from a time where the big railway was exciting. A time when I imagine the majority of us were spotting, gricing and bashing our weekends away. That’s an era I certainly want to recreate. Yeah I get the bling is attractive to the millennials and older folks just discovering railways but surely the big money spinner is for locos that is fifty somethings loved and miss? im no marketing consultant but I think both manufacturers of class 37 models are missing this.

Stephen you need to stop pandering to all these youngsters though. They get excited by all the ‘bling’ liveries and I get that but let’s have a whole raft of BR blue for us older modellers. A hark back to the days when the class 37 in a garish livery was unheard of. Today they are considered ‘celebrity’ but let’s have a run when they were just merely the BR workhorse. Lots more banger blue pleeeaaaase. 😉

Not a great deal of modelling to report of late but I am pottering with the signalman’s bungalow and more sheds. Progress is slow but it had been summer (apparently) and other events have taken priority with my time. I have been making sure that my amazing grandkids get time at the beach whenever possible because the joy on their faces outweighs any joy I derive from modelling on a day we could have been at the beach. However, the seasons are a changing and the perfectly timed SLW mini exhibition at Crewe this weekend has kickstarted the modelling season. After I rewired the layout some weeks ago I emptied the swear box which to be fair did Brimmeth over. I had used language I wouldn’t normally use especially in front of Mother! So I decided I had waited long enough and been a patient boy 24/0 although a lovely SLW model was not needed so I was excited when they announced the class 25. Sadly nothing in the first tranche for me, patiently waiting and praying for 25228 in a future project. Scottish 24/1s are then announced, Oo we’re getting closer. Slight regrets of not following my Georgemass Junction, Dingwall or Achnashean daydreams. At the time of the swear box decanting 25083 and 086 were announced and that’s it, I’m spending money. 083 was an Eastfield loco from 76 to 78 and fits perfectly for when I go all late 70s Babysulzer. Recently announced 25244 was also at Eastfield at this time and is an example of the earlier body style (my absolute favourite loco) and before I knew it Phil had guided me to a chair and Jennie was taking an order. So there will definitely be two time periods for the layout now. Anyway it was a really good event at Crewe this weekend with not only a wonderful display of SLW 24s and 25s but two of my favourite exhibition layouts, Mostyn and Portcuillen were in attendance so I lost myself viewing these with no crowds or backpacks. Brian from Braeside @brylonscamel was there and I enjoyed a a good long chat, some very useful pointers, a chance of a way to move the ‘Railway Buildings’ forward and a general chewing of the cud with a very nice gent. Really nice to meet you Brian. So, fully enthused and back in the modelling season we push on with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. Thanks to Philip and Jennie for putting on such a wonderful event and for the invitation to attend.

Just to say what a wonderful afternoon I’ve had at Crewe today. Exciting to see the locos in the flesh and enjoyable chats with both Philip and Jennie. I have been a very patient boy waiting for Eastfield allocated 25s and ordered 083 soon after it was announced. 244 will now be added to the roster next year 😀 so a few months to save up. I really enjoyed chatting at length with Brian from Braeside modelling about all manner of things but especially modelling buildings and I was given a few pointers so thank you Brian. How nice to be able to enjoy the layouts on show without having to steal a glimpse over someone’s ruck sack. Also to be able to chat to the builders/operators while enjoying the layouts. And obviously it was all BR blue so I was in my element. I won’t post photos as others have got this covered in better quality than my own but I’d like to end by thanking Phil and his team for putting this on and for the invitation to attend. Great afternoon

Since starting Mallaig 3 years ago I have managed to aquire a couple of Hornby BSOs which I’m confident are sufficient for the 1983 timetable. I do worry that once I make a start on their conversions that I could get myself into a position where I’d need another to replace something I’ve wrecked. The first one will be a very nervy moment. Working on the coaching stock is a little down my list of priorities at the moment but this thread will prove invaluable when I do get that far so thank you to everyone who have contributed and commented.

Im checking the Forty miles to Skye video now you’ve brought that up Andy. I always thought they were LNER teak/brown but it’s no secret that I’m colour blind. These vehicles do keep coming back to haunt despite the fact that I personally keep deciding to move on as nothing is available to model them on. One day… Edit LNER beech brown according to Tom Noble’s bible.