mallaig1983

Rob, I notice you're not using cork underlay on your layout. On my thread I asked for the pros and cons for corking (or not). Can I ask your view on it please? Latest phase is looking good. Andy.

Yes indeed there is a model of the station in there. A bit earlier than my era but lovely to see the former station canopy modelled. I've been in there a few times. There is quite a bit about the railway in there. Some lovely models of Mallaig fishing boats too. The curator was extremely helpful in providing a photograph of the boatyard that the railway passes just outside the station. Sadly obliterated by the new road when built in the late 80s. The Heritage Center is well worth a visit. Thanks Keith. Andy

Happy days. They look and sound great in videos I've seen. I bet they made a great sound climbing cowlairs. Good luck with the layout. I'll be following with interest.

Thanks for your advice David. I have cork in stock ready to use, I just thought I'd ask advice for or against it so thank you. It sounds like your days in the mid seventies were well spent. I do have a couple of class 27s so once finished I can operate the late seventies occasionally. I love your aspiration to build Glasgow QS. I've daydreamed about it many times myself. Go for it. What era would you model? Edit Just seen your thread. Will follow with interest.

This crossover was where it all went wrong. It became very rough and caused constant derailments. I could of sorted it but I wasn't happy with the foam board I'd laid the track on. I won't be using it this time and the crossing is now all on the same board. You live and learn. This brings me to my first request for advice. To cork or not to cork for an underlay? What are the pros and cons from your experiences?

The semi detached house on the platform wasn't my idea of a station building it's just been placed to represent the station building

You can see the extra scenic area the new board (underneath) will give me.

Bit of a Sunday afternoon potter in the attic today. Set the board frames up and laid the old boards from the first (abandoned) version of the layout on top. This was to see what scenery could be incorporated at the front of the new boards as I have made them 6 inches wider this time and spent an hour studying photos and seeing how everything will sit. This is how far I got with the first incarnation before I became unhappy and abandoned it some ten years ago.

Wow! David this really is a fantastic layout. Everything about it is spot on. It just oozes West Highland atmosphere. Great backscene, scenery and attention to detail. This is such an inspiration for my own layout. You've set the bar on the top notch. If mine looks half as good I'd be happy. Really enjoyed catching up with this thread this morning. Please keep posting pics. Andy

Thanks Angus. I'm really enjoying reading people responding with these kind of stories. I've not even laid a length of Flexi yet and this thread has had so many responses. Some really great tales of the place. This month I will be getting the ply for the baseboard tops and a pack of Peco bullhead flexi so should have some tangible progress to share. I'm following Rob's WHL4 closely and it's a fantastic layout and being built at a great pace. Anyone not following that I recommend you have a look. He's set the standard and if Mallaig is half as good I'll be happy. The layout will sit along one side of my attic and I did plan for the fiddle yard to run along the other. However I've decided that the other side of the attic will now be Glenfinnan and the fiddle yard will run up the middle. This will greatly improve playability especially when visitors are here for a day of 80s west highlanding. Glenfinnan will be laid but scenery will only commence once Mallaig is finished. I've got 3 1/2 foot depth boards so quite a lot to fill. Lots of scratch built buildings to make but because of the curve of the station and my desire to model the slipway and boat repair facility this is how it's worked out. So lots of work to do and should keep me entertained for a while. Stockwise we're good. That expense has been covered over the last decade. Soundchips and speakers are slightly behind but will be caught up. I won't run anything without one as once you've got some locos equiped you don't find the quiet ones as interesting. Coaches I'm about 90% there for what I want. Even the inspection saloon that was used as an observation saloon in 84. Although I'm basing the layout in 83 there will be a lot of 84 there. I want to capture the 83 decrepitude but also the early"ScotRail' branding. Only Eastfields namers will cart the white stripe (July 83 to May 84) with all other tractor's in blue,most grubby. 37 122 carried it's suedo large logo/small numbers and logo livery into 83 and is in a box at my virtual Eastfield. Don't scold me for having it hauling ScotRail branded Polmadie mk1s please. I've ordered a couple of accurascale 37s with the white stripe, one of which will become 37 081 Loch Long. I never saw it but it's my favourite loco (pushing 50 003 into second (oh the clag)) and these are coming sound equiped. So once the track is laid things should really gather momentum. I'm looking forward to your encouragement and even your criticisms (don't pull me up on a 37 with the wrong type of cantrail grill please. Ill sort it over time but I just want my favourites to be represented (I'm a stickler for things being correct as anyone who rebuilt Welsh Highland carrieges with me will vouch) but after so long I just want things running) Thanks for showing your interest and I hope to keep it. And please keep your comments and advise coming. Thanks all. Andy

Thanks Rob. Yes things have changed there bit by bit over the years. You're correct about the time the pointwork was changed. I've done my research from books pre Flickr days. Long before that the loop used to extend behind the wall when the tracks used to go down to the pier. Obviously the station canopy had been gone a few years before too. The latest change is the station building has had a coat of render on the platform side. Looks awful. Research is all part of the fun. Andy

By my reckoning that's the rear coach and most of the next one overhanging the platform. Looks a busy moment too. Great photo I bet your special doing it's megashunt was great to watch. Guessing it was double headed back to Fort William once it was all put back together?

But oh so worth it I'll wager? Another great pic, thanks for sharing.

Yes, I've not seen anything longer than six coaches and when I rode the Jacobite a few years ago I wondered how they were going to run round seven cars. Oh, I see. The loop takes seven. I was happy how it looked on the MK1 attempt at the layout so I'm sticking with six for this one. I'm. Sure the platform only holds six anyway so on arrival with the loco on the buffer stop the rear coach of the six overhung. Andy

Sounds fantastic. I'd of loved to of seen the Western Isles back then. I love visiting now but I imagine things are very different to how they were back then. Great stories, thanks for sharing.

As for the trackplan I've no fancy computer graphics to post but here is a photo of the trackplan as depicted on the panel. Points will be controlled by switches in the relevant places on the panel. I still have the original/aborted/abandoned version of the layout as I was really happy with how everything looked and will use as a template on minimallaig2. The only compromise (I think) is that the loop will only hold six coaches rather than the protatypical seven. This allows the approach between the rock cutting and the station to be more accurately portrayed. Andy

As for the trackplan I've no fancy computer graphics to post but here is a photo of the trackplan as depicted on the panel. Points will be controlled by switches in the relevant places on the panel. I still have the original/aborted/abandoned version of the layout as I was really happy with how everything looked and will use as a template on minimallaig2. The only compromise (I think) is that the loop will only hold six coaches rather than the protatypical seven. This allows the approach between the rock cutting and the station to be more accurately portrayed. Andy

Thanks Rob. You've set the bar pretty high but I will endeavour to do Mallaig justice.

Thank you Rob.

I missed the announcement last week but suspected something might be happening at some point from the slight hint given when I contacted them a couple of weeks ago. Didn't expect it to be so soon. Had a look last night and promptly pre ordered a couple.

Hi there. I wish I'd of had the chance when I was younger. Great photos, really appreciate you sharing. Thanks. Thanks Rob.

Great story, that's made me smile. Happy days eh? Did you used to live on Uist then?

Ah brilliant. Sadly I never got up there at the time. Huge interest in the ferry's and islands so feel free to share any tales. I go on them regularly now but wish I'd of seen them and travelled on them back in the day.

Thanks Max. My first serious attempt at modelling so fingers crossed.

37 081 Loch Long is also my favourite loco as it was featured in Rail Enthusiast magazine when it was put into its white stripe livery so I have also modelled it for my Mallaig layout (Just started a thread for it). Mine is based on the recent MMRS limited edition of 37 026 Loch Awe. I would of liked two examples of that model so I could have both but funds wouldn't stretch. I'm absolutely loving this thread. Thanks for the continuing inspiration. Andy