Alex TM

Hi Jim,

Great to see that this is still going.  Some brilliant work on the gantries.  Like the different elements of that layout drawn from various locations yet looking 'right' together.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for that.  It looks like there was a fair degree of variety around the country.  I'll have a closer look at photos from now on, as I have never really paid attention to that sort of detail before.  I had also always assumed that the fuelling contracts would have been nationwide and for a longer period.

Once more thanks for all the input.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi again,

Thanks for that link.  The whole page is interesting, and not just that one photo.  An interesting contrast, too, between the two visits.

Once more, thanks.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi folks,

This is not so much "why I model BR blue" because at present I don't, but a rhetorical question along the lines of "why should I model BR blue?"  It's the era I grew up with and it was the 'only' colour around when I became interested in the hobby and the prototype.  It's memories of classes 06, 08, 20, 25, 27, 37, 40, and 47 and all in blue.  It's memories too of occasional journeys by rail when plain blue 101s ruled the day (later I would see them in blue-grey, and with the odd 121 and 116 thrown into the mix).  The era brings back memories of school and of a lack of worry about anything other than exams, music, girls, and why my Hornby green class 25 had 'died' again.

Whatever era and area I model I always seem to find myself being drawn back to BR blue.  Perhaps it's time to once more revisit my layout ideas .....

Regards,

Alex.

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the input.  I must admit I hadn't thought of such things as bulk deliveries of lubricants, nor of the need to dispose of sludge; thanks Al and Dave for that.  Clive, that's helpful information about the differing flashpoints of the various fuels and oils; again, it's something I hadn't considered.  As for the shale oil tanker, I am sure that I have seen a picture of one of those in a book somewhere; it was one I had borrowed but, if memory serves me right, it was one a series such as 'Working Wagons'.  Brian, do you mean 'Pumpherston' in what is now West Lothian?  If you do, it's an area I see regularly as the spoil heaps are visible not only from the line from Edinburgh to Bathgate but also the Glasgow mainline and the line to Carstairs.

My more focussed areas of interest would be the LMR and ScR.

Once more, many thanks for all the input.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi folks,

Please forgive me if I am going over old ground (or, as is more likely, that my use of the search function wasn't as good as it should be    ) but can anyone tell me what sort of rail tankers would have been used to deliver fuel to FPs or TMDs around the mid '70s, say from 1974 through 1977?

I am interested to know:

1.  what types (e.g. TTA, TSV, etc); and

2.  what liveries (e.g. if oil company then which one, or if 'plain' black/grey & red).

Any help, including pointers to other threads will be appreciated.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi Gary,

Just came across this thread.  Sorry to read of your job situation; hopefully something suitable will come along soon.

Like this layout - nice simple design, and very helpful outlining of your thinking too.

Once the job situation is sorted out, would it be worth looking at the 'Smallbrook Studio' close-coupled LBSC four wheeler set as a branch train?

Regards,

Alex.

Hi again,

That faded backscene image really does work, drawing the eye away from the gate and into the 'distance'.  I agree with the suggestion that there is an element of timelessness about this layout.  As Hugh says it would also work very well in a 1970s setting, although I would suggest avoiding a scrapyard as it's been done to good effect so many times already; perhaps some general sidings with room for coal and perhaps a specialised trader?

Again, a great layout and looking forward to seeing more.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi Simon,

I must agree with all who have already said this is a fantastic piece of work.  Some time ago I emailed a link to this thread to some friends who are Tolkien 'daft' but who also have absolutely no interest in trains or models of them.  Suffice to say, they are entertained, amused, and intrigued by this layout.  You have done the hobby a favour.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi sn,

Like the look of this.  Although your scenics are in the early stage of development they do already convey something of what I have seen in pics of steam era Liverpool.

What are the overall dimensions of the layout?

Regards,

Alex.

Hi folks,

Fantastic piece of work, and incredible given the time period you had to work in.  Interesting and unusual signal too.  Looking forward to seeing further developments.

Best wishes.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi Andy,

Just a thought about the stepped straight edge to a ruler:

Take a cheap plastic ruler and glue a strip of 20-40thou plasticard to the underside; that will give you 0.5-1mm of 'lift' which should be enough to stop any paint being drawn under it.  It will also be fairly flat and so avoid any rocking that would take place by using a ruler wrong-side-up.

Hope it's of use.

regards,

Alex.

Hi Andy,

Some inspiring work on here.  Takes me back a bit to my youth when one of our club members had a knack of turing a Hornby loco into something completely original, and otherwise unavailable, using only plasticard.

Any advances with the J83 conversion?

Good luck.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi Andy,

As has been said already, by others, this is fantastic.

I have been working in Leith for the last two years and have started to get to know the place, and your modelling really captures the feel of it.  Recognised a few of the buildings too.  All that's missing is the haar (sea-fog to the uninitiated) and some very dodgy characters on the street corners ..... 

Again, brilliant.  Please keep up the good work.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi there,

First time I've had a look at this thread and I am very impressed by it all.  The winter scenery is stunning and truly convincing (it's actually making me feel c-c-c-cold).  I've been 'up north' on many an occasion and this colder look is spot-on.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi folks,

Thanks for the references. Fortunately for me and my wallet some of the books and sites referred to also cross with those on my interest in the Prestatyn & Dyserth. I'll keep my eyes open for the books.

Again, many thanks.

Regards,

Alex.

Hi folks,

I am looking toward doing some reading and research on the above railway; it's one of two in North Wales that have always interested me as having a lot of modelling potential. Can anyone point me to any reliable sources of information on the line. I am aware of an article in one of the model rail mags (Scale Trains?); can anyone help out with that one? (What's annoying is that I had the mag until I moved to Scotland at the start of last year.) I have some information and publications that cover the Barclay diesels that latterly worked the line but cannot find anything else of much use via the library or online.

Many thanks in advance for any informations, pointers, etc.

Regards,

Alex.