Neil Watson

Don’t know if it has ever been suggested but a Park Royal railbus might be an interesting addition or similar. Would fit in on many small layouts.

Well we have had a few issues with time and wiring. We have had a few shorts whilst putting the track together but finally this morning we have found the problem. Myself had not cut through the copper clad joins enough on the baseboard end which was rather embarrassing. Any way we managed to have some stock to hand which gave us our first full run towards Ben alder road under bridge. We shall now need to fettle all the track that has been done ready for painting and ballasting. Meanwhile the distillery is taking many hours whilst I learn to stratchbuild.

Hello Andy we dropped the board to get the height of the embankment for the end going towards Blair Atholl. The intension is/was to also have the loch modelled in this area with the Munro's and dirt tracks included to Ben Alder lodge. I remember seeing a layout at an exhibition which did a good representation with both on the Woodhead route I believe. we will also put in plenty of woodland around the end. regards Neil

We can’t wait to get the distillery made. We are also going to have some nice sweeping curves from the station. We are just wondering how we do loch ericht when it comes to modelling it. Split between painted into the back scene in the board or both.

Well here we go again. I thought I would start a topic for Ely model railway clubs new exhibition layout called Dalwhinnie. Then N gauge section had a chat after our last agm in deciding a new layout after the sale of West gate park. I put forward my plans that I had started after modelling Aviemore to which I wanted something a bit easier to model and run with out all the complexity of a large junction. So myself and one other have started Dalwhinnie in three boards with a total length of 12ft by 4ft. We are using code 40 finetrax at the front on the scenic section and code 55 to the fiddle yard. I have been building the points whilst working nights. Building the finetrax range has been very pleasant and feels like you have achieved something very nice which looks better to the eye. We have a plan to run stock from the fifties to late 80’s as very little has changed . This means we can have Ben alder crossing in use before network rail’s decision to restrict its use. I have managed to get a range of photos for this remote location but if anyone has anything that is unusual then please feel free to share. Here is a little progress to date that we were doing this morning.

Nearly finished painting and detailing Aviemore north box. Need to fix a working lamp to the front and steps. This has come up quite nicely but I must say my painting skills to get the lines so fine need improvement. Can’t wait to put this in position on Aviemore.

tommo things have changed so much on the railway even since you have left. It feels like we are left to rot like the good old boxes. Nothing is looked after and respect has gone out of the window. Miss signalling on the Lynn line. Hope you are well

I had to have a p4 modelled on the layout to support the p4 of my late grandfathers that I have.

Hello I sent some info to York modelling who kindly did the work for me.

Finally got round to getting a more accurate signal box done for Aviemore north. Just need to paint and detail over the next few months.

Well the snow is falling here again and settling fast so a good time to play. As a few photos are missing and I don’t know what to post here is a picture of tonight’s sleeper going south. 66779 leading.

It has been nearly a year and a bit of progress has happened. Many have seen the updates on Fb but the layout has moved from the fens to be kept in storage not actually far from Aviemore whilst making room at home. A few trees have been replaced with more accurate ones and a few bits have been touched up here and there. The layout is still running perfectly but suffered a little damage on one signal with the move north.

That wouldn’t happen to be a mr Wignall playing signalman?

I thought I would have ago at this kit and I was quite impressed when I opened the box. All parts were there and I started following the instructions. This is a good kit for a beginner but I must say I am not impressed so far with the chassis and making this motorised. I have spent hours on this and adjusted lots of times in Many ways and can I get the cogs to mesh and go. (No) maybe it’s just me has anyone else had a go and had issues with this part?

Thanks Reinder Aviemore is a great location and it gives me more than enough to play with. If i had enough hands you could easily have loads of movements happening at the same time with lots of interest. Please feel free to message if you want any info on the location as i have many many photos and slides.

Well done your craftsmanship getting this to work is great, I had my first go a few years ago and they are very fiddly and being my first attempt with soldering an etched kit didn’t go very well as you can see. I rushed it towards the end and sold it on. I found the Dapol cl22 chassis fitted very well but needed lengthening.

Snow clearing has finished, the big thaw has left the low levels waterlogged. So the 37’s are now resting for further duties whilst the platforms look quiet whilst a northbound passenger trundles into the platform.

Help does anyone know if the lms black five at the strathspey railway is a welded or riveted tender as on 5025? if anyone can help then i shall look into ordering one of these lovely locos.

Had mine too but having issues in getting an invoice that doesn't say unavailable on the stag livery ones. waiting on a response as i don't want to miss out.

Well I have built version two of the loco shed and I’m fairly happy I just don’t know which I prefer now. It still needs finishing in places and I am tempted to do a few basic interior modelling for when locos are not on shed. Feel free to share your interior shed pictures. I took my black Scotsman to work last night as it does not run right since I bought it. It now runs but it will only go at a moderate speed so I decided to get my apple green version out for childhood memories with some teak coaches and it ran superbly. Anyway here are some shots of the morning.

I saw this too, can’t wait to see how much before placing an order.

Just a few photos I thought I would share. I did find my lighting my lighting set up will need changing soon as it’s starting to fail.

Time has flown by in the small ( not so now) Scottish village of Aviemore. The layout has had a move which I hope will last for a while as it has now moved to a part of the house which can accommodate it fully so you will see more happenings for a bit. Plans are afoot too finish the loco shed and Aviemore north signal box it going to be redesigned to the correct box rather than my mock up which has done well. I have had a small play around with the camera whilst tidying a few bits up which seem to be never ending. Hope you enjoy these few shots. Maybe you can see the rare visitor in a shot.