SHerr

Can also be done in OO with cut and shut of the European shorties using Barrowmore page to get dims right, though I never finished underframe or bogies. I painted Grey TSL livery at the time as no transfers then. I'm certainly no mega scratch or kit builder and it wasn’t as hard as I feared, was lucky in finding 2 cheap ones on eBay.

I promised a photo of the 120 so here goes. Running with Limby 101 center coach but I do need to get its proper one finished as the 101 needs it back. Also some general views with more track connected loosely for testing, most stock removed before I prepare to get remaining cork down so a good uncluttered view. I’m definitely happier with plan reversed and station to the back, certainly playing around it’s easier for shunting in the yard.

A received 3 packs of transfers from the always excellent Railtec models last week, this will allow some re-numbering of stock to make them more appropriate for era/location. 40122/D200 - only back to how I had it! Originally an all green version this had full yellow ends sprayed and axelbox covers painted yellow, I’d had this as D200 before changing to standard D number for previous layout but it’s now back as intended. 47460 - Heljan unnumbered model albeit now with headcode box painted yellow which I really now wish I hadn’t done, but found 460 on the same number pack as I needed for 640 and the real one has yellow panels, one end should be flush front but I’m ignoring that. IS loco’s we’re not uncommon that far south south a good variety. 47640 University of Strathclyde - replacement body bought recently off eBay - again I’d have preferred the more common black headcode box but Baccy have never done one which I always found odd.

They was a flyer but didn’t take a right lot of notice as the only extra one I need is a 25/1. One on the display I think was 09x with number on cab I think, but sorry don’t have any more info.

Just got back from York show and had a look over these (I’ve got the 25/9 twin pack on order) and they really are amazing. The Bachmann ones are in their cabinet and whilst you can only compare from walking up 3 flights of stairs I’d say the SLW one just looks better - that’s not that the Baccy one looks bad. Didn’t ask about delivery dates as I’m sure Phil’s sick of being asked and didn’t think he deserved that, they will definitely be worth the wait. Fully tooled 24/1 and 25/1 not fully tooled bodyshells on show and also look great, from that I’d hazard a guess the 24/1 will arrive before the 25/1.

I’ve decided to make some changes! After assessing areas of the layout with track laid out loosely, I realised that the goods yard, reception area and sidings that would require the most shunting and reaching over would mean I had to continually reach over the station area. Also the area behind the station building area was looking tight. Whilst the next section of cork sheet was being glued and some of the track was back up I had a play around with making the layout a mirror image so the station went to the back wall. All seems well and has somehow created more space and also saved a couple of turnouts, the track plan is basically the same apart from the loco stabling point has been repositioned off the station throat headshunt. This all seems to work well/better and the added benefit I will be able to have a large ferry as part of the backscene. The station area should need less leaning over as most locos will release at similar places and as I’m using Kadee couplings I should be able to place magnets in the station at set points where as shunting areas are different for every piece of stock/formation. some photos and outline plan:

Yes, DC Kits one that I’ve had for quite a while (from when they were about £50!) It’s on a Hornby 121 chassis, running with 101 centre car, mainly as I ran out of patience trying to line the Blue/Grey, but actually by 1985/6 that set up is probably more common than its real centre car. I’ll get a few more piccies when in the garage next.

Some slow but steady progress, the fiddle yard area now has cork sheeting layed and track partly pinned in place. Also I have power to the fiddle yard through and some main line loosely laid into the station area to test/play around. Some loco’s haven’t turned a wheel for probably 3 years so some gentle persuasion was required in places. I’ve now found the rest of the cork roll so can get the rest laid. Also I’ve got a temporary decoder into my Accurascale Loch Lomond so it’s done more than a foot on a DC hash up. Now just need to wait for A/S to get some more sound decoders in stock.

It’s still no use without the ballast cleaner! You know it makes sense guys.

Thanks all for the replies, I suspect that and didn’t want to fork out to try my luck. Looks like EBay for an older one.

Quick question on the current batch of 47’s in particular the heavily faded 47526 in large logo. Is the fading/weathering applied over the blue and able to be removed with thinners etc (I have done this successfully on Heljan heavy handed weathering) or in this situation is the paint job more complex and the weathering is effectively the base livery? I don’t want something that faded but an after a standard large logo and wondering if anyone has had a go? many thanks

Some photos uploaded showing initial laying out to validate the track plan. General view from fiddle yard, station on right, steel terminal on left. Station to front, goods yard behind and reception/run round at the rear. Goods Yard, 2 sidings normally used by Engineers Dept. Steel terminal/Stockton Haulage depot Stabling/Re-fuelling point Fiddle Yard, maximum length allows for 7 coach IC (Euston) train. Slightly odd arrangement of tracks as I have a boat load of code 75 Y points from previous layouts that will be used in fiddle yard.

Welcome to (another) new start, little has happened for the last couple of years and I had a bit of loss of interest, in part after the great photo crash where lots of the layouts that inspired me lost their content but moreso some disasters with my last attempt Foyers which had been progressing well. This layout used Peco Bullhead and was housed in my loft, unfortunately over the summers of 2021 ad 2022 I had 2 major track buckle events which ripped apart in total 3 sets of points and a straight. Mainly my fault, whilst I installed foil insulation it was nowhere near enough for the 2 extreme summers, also oddly, the finer scale of bullhead track made me seek a finer alignment/tighter gaps and inadvertently I ended up with no expansion capabilities. After much deliberation I decided to move the layout to the garage but with some insulation to walls and floors etc. I am fortunate to have a near double length garage - 28 feet long and have spent probably a year playing with different plans and different locations. Eventually after much deliberation I settled on SW Scotland/Galloway set around 1985 but really covering 1984 to 1986 - I may also have an alternative 1970 arrangement as I've a fair bit of suitable stock. The layout is heavily inspired by Stranraer both a significantly compressed track plan and operations but with some notable differences. The location is much further East, probably about halfway to Dumfries and the Port Road route is assumed to have remained open. The assumption is the port was built closer to the boarder to better serve the North of England to Northern Ireland as well as Glasgow area. Operationally lots of similarities to Stranraer but more things running in from Carlisle (in part due to an impulse purchase of the SLW 25/9 twin pack. Usual array of passenger trains to Glasgow, London plus Carlisle and charters, troop trains and summer reliefs from the North of England. Freight is very similar to Stranraer in the 80's with an additional short branch back towards the fiddle yard that serves an MoD facility and small Chemical plant for some extra interest. A steel distribution depot similar to Stockton haulage and goods yard will look familiar, plus a cement siding within the goods yard. Finally as per Stranraer there are some freight facilities through the station serving a fuel facility for ferries and access for cars to be loaded onto ferries (no ferries on the layout though! The layout will be Peco Bullhead again - once you've seen it laid vs code 75 streamline I can't see past the benefits, points will be manually operated (I hate electronics/wiring) and would rather spend the money on DCC Sound, also I find manual operation quite therapeutic for some odd reason! Baseboards are a little different to the norm (purist please look away) but as the boards need only limited access for wiring I've sat the layout on old kitchen units (previously bought for a layout in the garage at a previous house) with full length runners 3x1" then 18mm tongue and grooved chipboard flooring, this will hopefully mean no joint issues and should remain solid. Trackplan drawn on Empire Express: Boards are now almost complete and this weekend I've started loosely laying out som track to test the computer drawn track plan, all seems good from a first pass. I'm sure things will develop but I'm happy with the start.

Any planned outings of Crinan to exhibitions this year? I really enjoyed seeing it at York a few years back.

Some Scottish Large Logo 47’s would be great, it always amazes me they’ve never done on even in the older toolings. Especially considering how many Scottish 37s have gone before.

Quick question for those more knowledgeable than myself please. I’m about to make an order, I model 1985/6 South West Scotland and stuck between mesh sides and no mesh. Looking on Paul Bartletts site I think I might be in a transition period? Should I be going for one over the other or am I good with either? ‘85 shots seem to be no mesh and ‘86 seem to be with mesh. Many thanks

Thanks, that makes sense, when I spoke to Phil (probably 18 months ago) he mentioned there may be issues, but wasn't clear what. He did mention 'special decoders'.

Sorry, probably not a very clear description. I have a DC (no decoder) version on order but have a DCC layout. However the only DCC option from Suttons appears to be Sound fitted. I spoke to Phil a while ago and he stated that there wasn’t much demand for DCC without sound. I want DCC non sound so would like to know what the best decoder is as I will have to retro fit. Hope that’s clearer.

Quick question I’ve never got round to asking. I’ve got the twin pack 25/9’s on order as DC only whilst I decided whether to go for sound or not. I’ve now decided against sound on the basis of having to fit the rest of my fleet and some older sound fitted locos I do have now having decoder issues (basically it’s all or nothing for sound in my mind). As SLW don’t offer a DCC fitted non sound option what’s the best decoder to retrofit?

Potentially but I’ve already got the floor sorted and no other use for them and they take up loads of space/weigh a ton. The thought to use them as a baseboard was their last chance saloon!

Thanks all for the continued advice. I’m going for ply. it’s not going to change my mind but after closer inspection I think the sheets are actually HDF. One early comment suggested checking they are actually straight and flat. They’ve been stood upright against the garage wall for 10 years that I know of and are perfect flat. They are off to the tip hopefully today but had to borrow the father in laws electric disk saw to cut them to get them in the car as they are bloody hard!

Many thanks all, that’s quite a clear answer. I suppose I was hoping 18mm was thick enough but I’ve never used MDF before hence the question. I will still look to use the kitchen units and then build a frame and cross members over the top linking them together so they will be glorified legs and use ply surface. This was the original plan but seemed a shame to waste some large sheets of MDF.

Hi, hoping for some advice please. I’m moving my layout into the garage, I’m currently installing battern/plasterboard to the external walls, insulating the ceiling and thin insulation and chipboard onto the floor so should be relatively dry/even temperature. I have a number of old kitchen unit bases already available so the layout is going to be set on them and will have a maximum space of 3-4 feet between units and baseboards will be max 3ft wide. I have 3 8x4 18mm MDF sheets left from the previous house owner and these are good condition ie no bends/warps and wondering about using them directly onto the units (ie no batterns) to save time/money and make use of spare materials and ease construction as woodworking not my strongest suit. I’m not intending to have motorised points but normal amount of DCC wiring no not too much wiring and all the units have access to the board underside. Any thoughts on whether 18mm MDF will stay in shape and be ok for the boards? I tend to glue rather than pin the tracks down and happy to paint and seal. Boards will be a permanent fix so weight doesn’t matter either. I’ve read a few comments about not using due to moisture and pinning track but I’m thinking that’s probably ok for how I will use so any thoughts appreciated.

Any thoughts/comments from those in the know? Do these seem to hit the right notes? They seemed to get positive feedback on earlier samples so hoping the lack of comments is a good thing. I might order one but it’s not essential stock for my area modelled so interested in any views before pressing the button (especially now I’ve 3 SLW 25’s on order)

I’m just wondering if anyone has attempted to remove or tone down the weathering on this model? It’s currently significantly reduced but for circa 86/87 period that I model it would need to be in a lot better nick! I’m not sure if all the fading and marks are ‘over’ a pristine paint job or part of the core decoration? Ive successfully removed the heavy weathering from a Heljan 27 but unsure if these are the same approach. thanks