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I don't use FB as I just don't like it, I also didn't like the way that Pininterest was tracking my movements around the country so ditched that, I did join Twitter once having seen a chap (Richard Bywater, I think) was posting 1980s WHL images on there but then I still couldn't find them or understand how to use the platform, so that got deleted. I do still find some 'new' gems on Flickr by trying different search headings, such as Station names or locations, which sometimes will bring up a picture by somebody that I haven't heard of before, so then look through their 'own' Album or photo pages. Quite often these will not be in the main WHL Flickr album. I keep a rough record of WHL photographers on Flickr in a notebook, but can't always then 'refind' images that I know that I've seen before as I can't remember who they were by ..... I think that Rob must have a much better system than me as he always seems to be able to come up with some great images quickly when a 'topic' is discussed on here ... any chance of an insight, please, Rob ? This sort of information could really do with it's own thread to stop people like me taking up Rob's valuble thread space, I wish that there was a seperate West Highland Line theme section to post in in the Special Interests section rather than just the more general Railways of Scotland section. Regards, Ian.

Hello Rob (and all), The new Key Publishing book arrived this afternoon so I've only had a quick flick through so far, I'm afraid that, as you suspected, there is probably not much in it for you as regards WHL v.4 development, with only 2 photos of 37022 on a 1984 railtour duty to Mallaig. That said it is a nice little 'picture' book, printed on silk paper with 2 colour images on most pages and other than captions there are only a few text pages, which I haven't had time to read as yet. ** Photo print reproduction is better than some more recent publications ... but not as good as good as say the Tom Noble or Anderson books. ** Most photos are post 2000 and show the myriad of liveries seen on the line, quite a lot being of railtours with 'special' traction. There's half a dozen or so photos from the 1986-89 period and 4 or 5 from the late 70s. First impressions are that I'm glad that I've bought it, there's plenty in it for me, a nicely presented 'picture book' but I would advise that you (Rob) probably would be better looking at it first before deciding to buy. Hope this helps and I love the term "Butterfly Modeller" which aptly describes my feeble attempts over the last 5 years or so .... one day I'll produce something of interest to others on here ... but not today, time for another 12hr night shift !! Regards, Ian.

Yes, Rob, I'm hoping that it will arrive today or tomorrow direct from Key Publishing as I wanted a bookazine from their sale (plus it's free postage.) I'll give it a quick scan over but I'm on nights this week so it will probably be Friday before I can delve deeply into it. I love this view of Garelochhead, you've really made a nice scene of this, to the point that I went out of my way last year to pay the station another visit ... when I eventually found it again. Any update on the Class 37 repaint job that you started a couple of months back ? Regards, Ian.

I think that the 4th tank in the above photo is one of these from the 7073x number range. (Scroll down to the last 2 wagons in the collection.) https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/trltanks There is also a photo of TRL 70730 in Cheona Publications No.4 British Railway Wagons - Railtanks (G. Gamble) p.42 which in the caption states that it was leased to ESSO, so possibly even this wagon ? Note the Pedestal suspension which is unlike most of the other tanks used on the WHL which tend to be either leaf or UIC double link types. I nearly sound like I know what I'm talking about ... but I don't really !! LoL (see post at the bottom of this page for more details found later regarding these wagons .) Regards, Ian.

Definitive photo of a 35t Class B tank in the same number range as the Revolution model at Fort William (Tom-na-faire) and Oban on p.20 of Cheona Publications No.14 - British Railway Private Owner Tank Wagons (R. Tourret) .... but again 1977 not 1980s. To bring this back to Rob's 1980s thread, it is worth looking deeper into the 5 photos of tank wagons that Rob posted on page 70 of the thread as they contain several different tank designs but with similar TOPS codes within most of the trains. Photo 1 shows at least 2 types, the Black Class B tank barrels being of a totally different design (lagged) to the grey ones, both classed as TTA. My favourite is Photo 2 by Bill Watson though, 37 112 (with it's non standard number position) and 4 'similar' looking (at first glance) tank wagons but actually of 3 different designs, the first 2 having single end ladders (probably numbered in the 56xxx range), the third has (I think) twin end ladders (probably from the 57xxx range) and the last also has twin end ladders but what looks to be a larger tank barrel with side support struts, so possibly a 50t wagon (haven't yet managed to identify this one properly.) Reading the tank wagon's number is the key to identifying these tank designs either to model or buy models of, usually helped by the numbers being on both the barrel ends as well as the sides, as there are many, many detail differences between them .... tank construction, ladders (end side, single or double), walkways on top (none, half, 3/4 , full length), chassis suspension type, etc, etc and that's before we get to braking / TOPS code types and then (finally) .... liveries ! I've got several books on tank wagons and it's still an absolute minefield .... but I think that it's worth taking notes from photos as it allows you to build up a better picture and just that bit more variety into the trains. Regards, Ian.

Not really heard of Tacky wax before but I like the idea of being able to reposition figures etc in to different scenes or cameos, does the wax leave any staining or residue behind, please ? As ever, your photos are superb quality. Regards, Ian.

10/6/83 according to Paul's notes. I certainly remember them on Holbeck with 0000 displayed in the headcode box, I would have been nearly 15 on this date and so would probably only have been allowed down into town on my own for a couple of years or so, probably from around 1980 onwards. I'll have a scan around to see if there are any others similar ... could just be a typo or mis-remembered date, not unknown on some Flickr images. Regards, Ian.

Thanks for these Rob, Yes, that helps tremendously as every inch of space will count and it's surprising how much difference using the different types of points available can make to the positions of the exit roads from the small diamond that I have. From last nights 'pushing bits of track around' on baseboards on the floor I reckon that a "reasonable representation" of the Upper station might just be made to fit diagonally across the room but some thought is still needed to determine how these boards can be intergrated with the others. Many thanks for the quick reply, this current shift pattern that I'm currently on gives me one week off in three, effectively, so I need to utilize that time off more productively than I have been ... before it all changes again. Thanks again, Regards, Ian.

Hello Rob, In my frustration to emulate some of the successful operation that both the Chris Thorp layout design (in N gauge) and your own WHL v.4 have achieved I'm once again back to looking at trying to fit Crianlarich Upper (and maybe Lower) into my room and have been looking at trying to include the older 'scissor' junction at the Northern end of the station rather than the newer, simpler style of 2 point layout. Unfortunately a lot of the early thread photos are still missing since the website meltdown and I can't quite make up my mind from later photos as to how you've created 'the right feel' to the junction as mentioned above in Posts 10 & 14 (p.1), sometimes a point looks like a LH in one photo but then possibly a Y in another. As you've used Peco code 75 and I'm using the Peco code 55 N gauge system I'm hoping that the geometry is similar. Any chance of a quick explanation as to what you ended up with, please ? The side of the junction from FW looks reasonably straight to me into the platform face (after a slight curve in from the bridge over the river) but it then seems a bit tight with the pointwork I have to create the flowing sweep and gap for the platform from the Northerley platform face, although I'm still trying different combinations to see which looks and works best. Both photos from Ernies Railway Archive / JM Boyes. Apologies for the non 1980s photos but surprisingly I was struggling to find many clear shots of the junction.Sorry also if you are still on holiday, there's no rush for a reply. Kind regards, Ian.

Shhhmoking ! 1988 photo of 08 908 exiting Holbeck shed area ..... by Paul Corrie.

'St. Mungo' of ...err... Bradford !! Photo by Paul Corrie, 1990.

Washing off the grime ... 25 221 at Holbeck, 1983. Photo by Paul Corrie.

Forgot to mention the trade who were well represented, they didn't manage to part me with any of my cash today but only because I'm a bit overwhelmed with models and books at the moment ... and also unusually for me a bit short of cash this month and so had a very select, limited shopping list with me which had a couple of old 'stock' items that are a bit hard to find at the moment. Plenty of other people seemed to be parting with theirs ! Regards, Ian.

Well I've had a very pleasant day. Came over on the train(s) this morning, nice walk in the sunshine over the racecourse up from Glasshoughton station (a good mile at least I would say,) some very nice, well presented layouts, of which 2 have particularly sent me away with a head full of ideas. Nice bit of cake and a coffee in the cafe whilst talking with an old friend from Bradford and making two new ones . Back for a second look at the aforementioned layouts and a really good chat with John and Rachel from Uncommon Kits whom I haven't seen for a few years due to obvious circumstances. The exhibition seemed to be very well attended for the 4 hrs or so that I was there and the two halls and cafe were well signposted (not an issue to me as I've been many times before.) Very nice to see this exhibition back on the calendar and thanks to the organisers for making it happen. Would have liked to have introduced myself to you @doilum but not sure who you are and forgot to ask before I set off ... maybe next year. Best wishes for tomorrow. Regards, Ian.

Agreed, that is what I have thought for the last couple of years since I first saw the photo .... until I came across this the other day : I suspect that the colour has maybe been enhanced for some reason during scanning of the first photo, there are two other views of it also in Robert Cutter's flickr albums (well worth a look.)

Thanks for the close up view @Davexoc, I appreciate the comments regarding the hopper shape and underframe but as you say it looks impressive with the transfers and a great paint job. Certainly food for thought. Regards, Ian.

A little 'plus' for me today in that I noticed a Blue Tit on one of my coconut fat feeders this morning followed an hour or so later by 4 more sat on telephone wires above the street .... they were very conspicuous by their absence throughout most of last year.

Heljan Class 26 at Crianlarich ? Photo by Robert Cutter on Flickr. (I genuinely thought that this photo had been photoshopped .... until I found that there were others taken from the other side ! Doh !!)

Rather interested in the Grainflow PAA wagon, I've had a quick look back through the thread but can't see any mention of it before, you say it is a conversion, presumably from a Peco grain hopper ? Any chance of a close up, please, as a few made it onto the West Highland Line which is where my main interest lies. Regards, Ian.

Well ..... I must eat my own words ! Having found the photo of the Class 26 at Crianlarich again I decided to look a little deeper into it's origins, ie the photographer's other works only to find pages and pages of genuine railway photographs, some do look slightly unnatural, particularly in the bright yellow colours so I wonder if they have been digitally enhanced .... I then found a second photo of the Class 26 taken from the other side which doesn't look to have been enhanced .... so my sincere apologies to Mr. Cutter. For your enjoyment :- Other photos found ... ....and from the other side All photos by Robert Cutter. No date, I'm afraid but judging by the starch wagon I would guess at between 1986 and 88. Possibly the photo that @meanach was thinking of ? Regards, Ian.

Possibly of interest Class 26s that I have seen photos of on the WHL either in books or on Flickr type photo sites are : BR Green D5313. BR Blue 26 012, 025, 026, 027, 029 (10/1/82 paired with a 37 on B/grey Pullman set), 034 (1978), 036 (1985 Skirl of the Pipes 6), 042 .... and possibly 26 014 (but for some forgotten reason I've put a question mark next to this one.) Dutch Eng Grey 26 025 & 026. BR Retro Green D5301 (26 001) & D5300 (26 007.) At least 2 have gotten as far as Mallaig ! 26 034 in '78 and 26 029 In '82. A slight cautionary note though, there is also a very nice photo on (I think) the main Flickr West Highland Line album of a Class 26 at the head of a freight train at Crianlarich Upper but I personally think that this is a very well done model that has been photoshopped in .... at first glance it looks very convincing, I'll try and find the link later for you to make up your own minds. Hope this is of interest to you, apologies if not. Best wishes, Ian. (Statement about photoshopped picture later proved to be unfounded !)

Hello Paul, I'm afraid that I've never (yet) come across a photo of a R/freight grey liveried Class 26 on the WHL which is a shame as I also really like this livery / loco combination and I'm sure that I'll invoke Rule 1 at some point to accomodate one. 26 025 + 026 did make it in Dutch livery with the 6LDA Special, and 26 001 + 007 made it to Oban in retro Green livery, again with a railtour. The only Railfreight Grey locos that I know of on the WHL are 20 138, 20 227 and 37 669, all with the Red Stripe version of this livery but I'm still finding new photos on Flickr which show up odd or one off workings, so you never know. Regards, Ian.

Well, as we're looking at 16t wagons on the WHL, this one was a w/end find for me and taken in 1983 falls nicely into Rob's WHLv.4 timescale .... Adrian Hancock was in the right place at the right time to capture this ex.Works Class 27 014 shunting 16t minerals carrying domestic coal at Crianlarich. Simply Beautiful !

.... and on the same page of Irishswissernie's Callander and Oban album, I found this from 1980, it seems that the Ferryvans have been breeding !

Having looked through several thousand images in search of the Class B like tanks and in the words of U2 ... I still haven't found what I'm looking for ! However I did I did come across this photo in Ernie's Railway Archive which, although not 100%certain, shows two Class A version of the Revolution model at the rear of this train. 1977 though I'm afraid. Regards, Ian.