vitalspark

If you're not sure what door to put the BR crest on..just stick them on all of them! Photographed at Polmadie early 70s. Dave.

Mike I think wow applies to your own layout too and all the more as it is a self build by the sound of it. Princes St is indeed shaping up to be a superb layout but not in 7mm..its EM..the reference to Broad Gauge refers to the EM modellers in our group whom we refer to as the 'Broad Gauge guys'. While we universally agree that EM is the better way to go we have so much stock between us in 16.5 including many kit built locos that it was decided that Larbert would follow Alloa in this respect. All track is SMP and all points handbuilt including the fiddles and tbh when track is built to this standard the gauge becomes less obvious something which is borne out by the fact that we are often asked if Alloa is EM..compliments indeed. It also made the MRJ so it must be ok! Peter and Andrew yes you are spot on as regards needing younger blood into the hobby and for many groups its a real issue. Pic off a couple off the guys at a demo earlier this year with work on Princes St in the foreground. Caley box and buildings from Dewar Place all taking shape ..the baldy guy behind in his trademark check shirt gabbing away as usual will be known to many on here.

When are you going to impress us by bringing the lovely Series to a show instead of that foreign stuff you insist on driving? Looks like there will be the usual contingent heading south to keep you on your toes. See you Sunday. Dave.

Hi Mike we are a small group of 11 guys based in and around Glasgow with a few members just outwith plus one in Ayrshire one in Perth and MadMcCann in Carlisle..they banished him for his extreme scot nat views! Alongside Alloa we have under construction Larbert a 40ft scale representation of the station circa 1963 but I am sure your interest would be the eye wateringly good EM finescale layout by a certain member very well known to many on this site as it's based on the S&C complete with viaduct. There's also an equally superb model of Edinburgh Princes St station being built privately from another of the 'broad gauge' guys amongst us. We have a few things on the go which is fine except for one thing by the time we are ready to exhibit we will all be too auld and decrepit to humph the things around. New young members needed I think. Dave.

'...That's it guys hope you enjoyed.' Great pics and a great layout. Couldn't resist tinkering with the last one..all it needs is rain.

Apologies for my poor choice of words I was only thinking aloud and not questioning the replies. I am happier now as the main query I had was holding a train within the 440 yds. As has now been very simply and logically explained as long as the train has come to a stand and the signal in rear which is operated from the same frame and likely interlocked with the branch signal is also at danger we don't.. as it wouldn't be possible.. pull off the branch. No more creeping up to the box then because if the branch was 'off' the main line train would be stopped at the signal in rear. Great stuff and thanks for all that. All concerned will now be instructed of correct sequence to ensure more realistic operation. Its interesting that nobody has ever pointed on the circuit but I was uncomfortable with this movement and had feeling we were bending the rules. Dave.

If that is correct its good news as I assumed we should be holding any train at the signal immediately before the box which is half way down the platform and not easy to view by the public. From pic below I would have thought holding a loco at the box/water column with signal against to allow another train to pass from the branch was not practice but train would likely be held at signal in rear which is still in the station area. Pic shows train coming off the branch although with no loco being held at the signal concerned which is at the column and adjacent to the box. Reverse of above shows a train held on branch to allow main line traffic to pass. Again I would have thought that this train would likely be held at the signal in rear which is very close. Again we hold trains here as it is in the public viewing area. The A2 is Tony Wrights Tudor Minstrel which was 'visiting'. The current layout under construction is Larbert and will be signalled as per diagrams of which below represents roughly one half of the layout. I also note comments regarding diagrams not following actual pictures and yes we had this problem with Alloa and are experiencing it again with Larbert. I would suggest this is down to the era..circa1962..when track layouts were rationalised and altered almost every other month. Short of tying yourself down to a given date its something you have to accept. We are happy to live with a few anomalies to allow a broader operating period and as said it is an exhibition layout and is there to entertain. If I might add my experience of the 'finest of the finest' layouts where everything is exact from track plans to signalling and following actual operating practice..ie taking 10 minutes to drop a wagon in a siding.. usually ends up being run for the benefit of the operators with few viewing. Our compromise is that although we hopefully accurately recreate the scene with correct track plan working signals and all locos and stock true to period and location we do run a far more intensive service that ever happened in real life. Apologies for drifting off subject. Dave.

Interesting thread and just shows how complex accurate signalling can be. A simple way around this is to model a prototype then from photographs and diagrams instal the signals. Even if you don't construct buildings and other infrastructure to the letter as long as the basic track plan is used the end result is an accurate model displaying the correct type and siting of signals. We built Alloa on these principles and all signals operate including a banner repeater in a cutting that only the operators can see however constructing in this way means that without needing to be signalling experts we have a properly signalled layout. Signalling Society seemed to agree and gave us their award at Warley couple of years back. The signalling part of the layout was interesting and enjoyable all the more so because we knew it was more or less correct. Even with the knowledge that everything is in the right place there are still obvious 'moves' that we are unsure about and can only assume that in relation to setting back etc around the box and yard a great deal of hand signalling was performed. We do take liberties with some of our movements like allowing an engine to take water at the box held by the starter while a branch train crosses its path 100 yards ahead but it is an exhibition layout and we are there to entertain the public. We also regularly hold a small shunter at the box at the junction from the harbour and waiting to cross the main line to the yard but this is ok as its catch point protected. The new layout is under construction and again signals will be built and placed from drawings and photographs including all the unusual pieces like yellow faced ground discs so correct type and accuracy is one less thing to occupy us. It always surprises me that so much trouble is put in to building a fictitious scene when with a little research an actual prototype just like the one dreamt up is likely out there with of course all the answers to questions like what signals go where. Good thread and informative. Dave.

We have tried to follow exact prototype and largely succeeded with our current offering Alloa with all track work signals and buildings built from drawings and photographs. It's often unavoidable though when the viewing part of a layout meets the fiddle and some foreshortening is required however the main part and the subject can remain faithful to the prototype. Alloa is 34 ft long which is the downside of protypical modelling as even a small country station will take up more space than you think. The new layout being constructed is Larbert circa 1962 and with really only the station and approaches modelled it is still over 40ft. Its the best way to build a model imo if you have space because it takes all the decisions out of what goes where and track layout etc and if executed well immensely satisfying to see the scene recreated. It has to be something that is practical to build of course and just as important allow decent scope for operation as this is still a hobby and the layout is there to provide entertainment not to set impossible challenges. Dave.

I've never heard of buses travelling at the speeds discussed here apart from the Midland Red motorway coaches in the 60s but yes stopping was an issue with a full load. A retired driver friend recalls the heart in mouth moments with the Western PD3s with vacuum brakes. Apparently air was deemed too severe for standing passengers but I would have thought that in an emergency a severe stop would be preferable to a severe prang. The Blackpool PD3s had air I believe and they managed ok so its was likely more to do with cost.

I followed one in my first car in their last days and had 60 on the clock on the Triumph Vitesse which was probably a good 55. They could shift once they were wound up and the Fenwick moors was an ideal stamping ground. Patons used mostly 2nd hand stock I think and it was colourful to see Patons..Cunninghams..Western..McGills & Youngs all at Paisley cross. Fairburn Tanks and Black 5s too in Gilmour St and Canal stations. Great days. Dave.

Nothing to beat a PD3 thundering across the Fenwick moors at over 50!

We have an open Weekend Oct 7th/8th plus there is still one more 'Open Sunday' ..the first Suns of the month May to September..on Sun Sept 3rd. The Open Sundays allow you to walk round the garage at your leisure and a free preserved bus service is provided from the north side of George Square outside Queen St Station on the hour from 11.00 until 15.00 with return buses back to city centre leaving the garage at quarter to the hour. The Open weekend has a bit more available with guided tours of ther various areas including workshops also there are sales stands with books etc plus of course the excellent Clippies cafe for refreshments including home baking. The same preserved bus service applies but from 10.00 and the route also includes the Riverside transport museum for those wishing to visit. Admission price is I believe Open Sundays £3.50 adult with concessions for oap child and family and on the Open Weekend £6 plus usual concessions and as said the preserved shuttle bus is free. Check the website for full details including a stock list and come along and enjoy the day. Dave.

Couple more.. One of the two Western PD3s. Top deck. Lower deck. The famous 1958 Atlantean LAI one of the first in the country. Dave.

The Western and Central buses reside at the excellent GVVT garage in Glasgow. Good collection o9f Scottish buses and coaches plus many others too and well worth a visitor on one of the many open days. Few pics of same. Central Lodekka in yard. inside the garage. Immaculate Y type in Western SMT black & white coach livery. Dave.

But of course they are...mind you they don't run very well so thats probably why!

Few more hopefully not already posted. Bustling with activity as usual Men only The only guys actually doing some work.

Aye she's a mucky pensioner!

To get this back on track again and away from mucky wimmin.. Maude on the table at Alloa. Dave

Tend to use the wooden coffee stirrer test. If it runs off too freely its too thin and if it gathers then drops in blobs too thick. Consistency of milk is about right imo. Airbrushing is a constant trial to me as I never seem able to achieve constant results. Ok for weathering but if spraying a fine colour finish on say a two coach DMU it has to be done in one operation as no matter how careful I note the consistency.. temperature etc you can guarantee a different finish on the two vehicles if carried out 24 hrs apart. I know it shouldn't be the case and I use decent set up with Iwata equipment including compressor but I still find it difficult to achieve consistency and have also experimented with different thinners lighter fuel etc etc. Dave.

...I was looking to snap the unique inside cylindered WD but someone has converted it!

I'll maybe sneak a pic of a viaduct next time!!

A spy shot of the superb track work and ballast of a certain Mr Franks' soon to be unveiled EM masterpiece. Double track main line with pacifics and 0-6-0s sharing the period with Peaks and the like. He locks himself in the room next door and allows no one entry so a rare glimpse indeed. The exhibition circuit is in for a treat.

Agree..the only thing missing from the departing 47 is the exhaust hitting the roof of the tunnel. Great pics as always. Dave.

You cannot be forced to have one in the future but its likely that pressure will be applied by advising that there are no longer conventional meters available and due to the legal requirement of recertification..which is the period a meter is certified accurate..they are duty bound to change it. A smart meter can be installed but you can insist that it is disabled and it does not act as a smart meter. Its a good idea to check the certification date on your existing meter..this is often just a number on the glass especially if its a refurbed meter.. displaying for instance '99' which would mean certified 1999. Meters are often 20 years certification but in the case of a popular model by Sangamo Weston it is 30 years so check this and if you are being forced into a meter change because the certification is running out ask! If its not obvious then ask anyway and if you give the supplier the meter number..thats the long one starting with something like P907 - 88 ***** …they can tell you the install date and the certification period within which the meter is guaranteed accurate. If they cant then ask someone from technical support and not a sales person to call you back because its simple information in fact if you google the meter make and number you can learn that information online. I would suspect many meters are well within their certification period when changed but the customers are advised a legal certification change is due. The government have deemed that Smart meters need to be offered to every home by 2020 but that is 'offered' not forced to accept. Its suggested that save you money which is total bullis**t because the unit cost of electricity is the same but of course it will save the suppliers money..lots of it by dispensing with meter readers. The idea is that it will help you understand how much you are using by allowing you to view a readout at any time and see your actual usage and when you realise it is high turn down the thermostat or whatever. However such standalone devices are available for diy fit by anyone..no connections require to be made..and this gives the same information without allowing big brother into your home! Again google 'remote electricity monitor' or the like and you will find loads of such devices being offered for sale. I worked in the supply industry for many years and trust me the excitement in the industry is about how much they can save not how much you can save. Dave.