young37215

A days running draws to a close which has shown that the WHL WTT movements can be replicated in operationally on WHL4. Thanks are due to Doug Johnson for his help yesterday in testing my attempts at creating the WTT, fortunately he only managed to find a few minor mistakes which were straightforward to correct. Mallaig gets a big tick, it works really well and delivers precisely what I wanted. In terms of the one remaining area where I am undecided on what to do, operating the layout leads both Doug and me towards an extended scenic section rather than an additional station between Fort William and Crianlarich (Bridge of Orchy was the likely choice) or Fort William depot because in both cases the limited available space would mean making to many compromises. I will complete a little more running before I commit to the scenic section although I am pretty clear in my mind what I will do. I am still a little short of siding space in the main fiddle yard but this is not insurmountable. Mallaig Junction Yard will be increased from 4 to 5 loops as and when I wire in the droppers which will make operations easier. Otherwise I am pleased with how well trains have run with few derailments other than those caused by Operator stupidity. 37012 brings the London bound sleeper into Crianlarich The last southbound train of the day on WHL4 is the empty Alcan hoppers returning to Blyth seen here also arriving at Crianlarich with 37022 and 37264

Looking forward to an operating session tomorrow, lets give that timetable a good run. That is the plan. Trains have been running over the last few days, first up 37026 heads north from Crianlarich with a Mallaig bound train A few minutes later 37081 arrives with a train from Oban to Glasgow New comer 37017 at Crianlarich with an Oban bound train

Hi Andy I used 3mm cork as an underlay on WHL 3 but did not notice any benefit so I have not used it on WHL4. Perhaps the fact that I use 12mm chipboard means that cork offers less benefit? I have no real idea and on the basis that it's expensive, I have chosen not to use it this time. I do use the cork that I have to create small gradient changes and to pack areas where I need to. For example I used it in strips on the southern approach to Crianlarich to raise the line by 15mm to create the falling gradient into the station. Now that I am effectively running the whole of the WHL my needs for siding space has changed. In the main fiddle yard I have created 4 new sidings underneath Mallaig where rolling stock not in everday use will live. I think I will have to reduce this to 3 when I motorise the Mallaig points because the servo brackets have a 70mm drop which will obstruct the sidings. I can also fit a further 2 loops in the Oban area which I prefer to sidings because I find avoiding shunting reduces derailments. This just about gives me sufficient sidings for my current amount of rolling stock but little headroom should I buy anything more..... The new sidings Sidings neatly hidden by the Mallaig section Space in the Oban area

Mallaig, this is Mallaig. All change please. Mallaig is now operational with the track pinned and power connected. 37033 had the honour of being the first powered arrival bringing the 1636 from Glasgow into Mallaig on time at 22.32. It is early days but Mallaig seems to fit in to what I am trying to achieve, I do'nt intend doing much scenically until I have proved the timetable but I will make up a temporary platform at the very least. For those who are interested, the rocks at the station throat are recycled from my greyhound's drinking water bowl and have been dutifully saved over several years.

I think so although I will only know for sure by running the timetable to see if it works. Mallaig brings the number of station up to 6 with potentially one more to come. I like the theory behind running to a timetable but I still want to create credible replicas of the stations I model and have some distance between the stations to enjoy running trains. I keep reminding my self that the worst that can happen is that if I have built to many stations then I will simply have to remove one or two of them. In between the construction of the Mallaig baseboards I have been continuing to run trains. Below are a few pictures of 37049 and 37085 as they pass each otherat Crianlarich with offsetting Glasgow and Corpach originated freights.

I am working on finding the best solution I can for a station on the Mallaig extension and for a run round at the end of the line. Initially I favoured Glenfinnan where trains regularly passed each other but this means that trains also need somewhere to run round, a Mallaig fiddle yard as such. I am now favouring Mallaig itself because this delivers both of my aims in one go and uses less space. Mallaig will sit above Garelochead and to the side of the main fiddle yard. I aim to blend the scenic elements of Garelochead and Mallaig so that each station effectively uses the same scenery thus, I hope, creating a greater feeling of space. The track layout will be based on the pre 1982 design with semaphores still in use and a working signal box. I have laid some track to get a feel for what can be done in the space available and I think a station approximately two thirds scale size can be made to work. There will be limited scope for scenery but I think that I can create the flavour of Mallaig with what I have to work with. The scaling down does not concern me, most stations on WHL4 are similarly scaled down as are most of my trains. I now need to wire droppers and pin the track down and connect it to the rest of the layout and see how it works with running the WTT.

Nice to see the lights fully functional! More importantly, did you get your new backscenes painted?

The PRA's were built to carry china clay from Cornwall to the Wiggins Teape paper mill at Corpach in the West Highlands being introduced in 1983 and working this activity until the early 90's. They returned empty from the West Highlands back to Cornwall for re-filling. The opening comments in this thread gives a little moreinformation about them.

Realistically no more than a handful of people a week will have need to use the lift. I suspect that it would be a lot cheaper to have a full time taxi available to take anyone requiring a lift to Parkway rather than incur the cost of the lift. I am not unsympathetic of PRM but whoever legilisated for the BS that wastes my money as a taxpayer in cases like this needs shooting.

Popped down to Patchway this afternoon in anticipation of the road closure at Gypsy Patch Lane. Stopped at the station an was staggered to see a passenger lift being installed. I am not sure what the annual footfall is but I cannot understand the economic case for this at such a minor station. It’s no wonder Network Rail cost so much to run.

Absolutely agree, I spent many happy hours bashing using Waverley as my base on various railrovers. WW is a wonderful layout and helps rekindle my memories of my bashing days.

I am awake at this ungodly hour because by my wife and dog are both snoring loudly. Yesterday saw me run a fair part of a single day of the WTT comprising 130 individual movements without any major problems. So far, so good… Lower fiddle yard start of day from left to right: 37049 1415 Sighthill to Corpach 37264 and 37022 0712 Blyth to Fort William 37011 ECS to Mallaig to form 0700 Mallaig to Glasgow 37178 0600 Glasgow to Mallaig 37081 0806 Glasgow to Oban 37012 0837 Glasgow to Mallaig 37085 0606 Sighthill to Mallaig Junction Yard 37108 1449 Sighthill to Oban 27041 1605 Oban to Sighthill ECS Mk3 push pull Edinburgh to Glasgow rake 37081 0740 Oban to Glasgow Upper fiddle yard start of day from right to left 37014 0707 Mallaig Junction Yard to Sighthill 37192 1520 Corpach to Sighthill 37011 ECS approaching the upper fiddle yard. The gap between baseboard enables me to remove the fiddle yard to work on it. I need to decide what to model in the area to the left and behind 37011, either Fort William depot or Bridge of Orchy station.

Whilst reading through some old Rail magazines before disposing of them I came across the 2010 article on WW where Dave is quoted as saying his favourite era was the late Deltic period. What changed to end up with WW set 8 or so years after this? Personally fewer duffs and more class 26,27,40 and 55 would enhance for me what is already a brilliant layout.

You’re correct, it’s had a 300mm graft in the middle. It means I have had to extend the platform but at least the extended length allows load 6 with ease.

Ignore the above, I am wrong. The track changes took place in March 1982 and not on RETB introduction when one train working was implemented in the Arisaig to Mallaig section and Mallaig signal box downgraded to a ground frame. Your track plan is accurate for your period. If you have not already seen it, the attached thread is helpful The question for me is which of the styles do I adopt?

Hi Andy I have been doing a litte research on Mallaig because I think it is likely that I will include a version on WHL4. One thing I have found is a change to the track plan at the throat of the station on or around the introduction of RETB. Prior to these changes, platform 2 was accessed from the main line from a point just beyond the end of the platform which was removed with P2 becoming accessed using the the line for the old cattle dock/oil siding. A new point was added to access the cattle dock line. Your track plan shows the latter arrangement whereas you say you are basing your station on 1983/4. Of course it is entirely your choice as to how and what you do but you might want to review this for your own peace of mind. There are a number of pictures on Flickr that show the change quite clearly. regards Rob

Had I found the attached thread earlier I could have saved everyones time. I stumbled across this by accident when I was trying to find out if the batteries in the MC2 could be replaced with more powerful ones. So far I have not found an answer. I am sure this question will have been raised previously, I will have a look on some of the ESU forums to see if I can find anything

I appreciate your guidance, indeed everyones input is really helpful. I agree that direct comparisons of ECoS and CabControl are not very meaningful and if that is what people think I am trying to do, I have not made myself and what I am trying to achieve clear. I currently run a wireless Guagemaster Prodigy which I am looking to update with something that does much the same only with up to date technology and greater power output. The wireless throttle is a must have for me and because I use ESU chips, I would like to see chip functions displayed on the throttle screen rather than have to keep refering to data sheets. My points and signals are servo operated and controlled independently from loco control using a Megapoints network and a central control panel. Given these, I consider the ECoS inappropriate for me because I do not want its 2 static throttles or on screen track plans. It is clear that the ECoS is good kit but it's capabilities do'nt match my requirements hence my apparent obsession with CabControl which, as far as I can find, is the only product that delivers all of what I am seeking.

A landmark today as I finally managed to connect the lower level to the upper and run a train through to Fort William. The delay is largely due to my inability to source chipboard which is my baseboard of choice. My traditional suppliers B&Q have stopped selling it as, so it seems, have most DIY and hardware stores. 37011 had the honour of leading the ECS to Fort William as a positioning move to start the days operations with the first southbound train to Glasgow. The train should start from Mallaig but I have not completed the baseboards for this yet. In addition there are 2 freight trains awaiting departure from Mallaig Junction Yard. Before I secure all of the track and start the scenic work, I want to see if I can run the WTT in full with the current sidings and fiddle yards. I think it works but will only find out by running through the days movements over the extended line which now totals approximately 50m in length. 37011 waits for the route to be built 37011 climbs the 1:32 gradient to the upper level 37011 rounds the curve above Garelochead and heads to Fort William approaching Mallig Junction Yard arriving at Fort William arrived at Fort William Run round Awiating departure to Glasgow

No. The Cab Control is the existing mobile handset MC2 plus a seperate 7 amp power supply which ESU call an 'Integrated Control Unit'. If you read through the thread you will see that there is an expectation that the MC2 will be issued in an upgraded form in the near future.

The steam hauled service in the picture below is load 7 with rear coach overhanging the platform. I did a Pathfinder tour back in 2016 which was load 10 or 11 and top and tailed between Fort William and Mallaig. The train was split in the platform at Mallaig and shunted in portions using the siding to enable the loco at the northern end to run round.

I am grateful for peoples contributions to this thread which are most informative to me. Assuming a £ equivalent purchase price of £300, duty and VAT add another 22.5% making a total of £367.50 which compares favourably with the costs of an ECoS at circa £600. I am only seeking: locomotive control with chip functions shown on screen, programming higher power output than the 3.5 A of my Guagemaster Prodigy so the lower levels of functionality of the CabControl option do not seem an issue for me. I hope that the indications and rumours about an upgraded MC2 come to fruition sooner rather than later. In the meantime I remain tempted by the older version of CabControl but have not quite got to the 'buy it' decision yet.

Hi Ken Impressive work, the results look first class. Do you, or anyone else for that matter, have any suggestions on the bracketed lights that Inverness based locos received such as the one on 37017 below? Apart from your work above, the best that I have seen are the lights Lee Edmondson supplies and fits but these do'nt appear to have a bracket. Rob

Nice to see another WHL layout under development, who knows we might get our own sub folder in the Special Interests section!. Looking forward to seeing a track plan and watching progress. Good luck

A little progress and a lot of thinking at present because I have to make some decisions about linking the lower and upper sections as well as which stations/scenic sections will work best between Crianlarch and Fort William. I also need to decide if I have the space to include a station between Fort William and Mallaig and work out the amounts of fiddle yard storage that I need to be able to run the full working timetable. In an effort to work out what works best, I have cleared space and will trial some track plans on the baseboards in the hope that the best solution becomes clear. Some work has been completed and trains can now run between Fort William station and Mallaig Junction Yard where I have installed 26 droppers to power the track. This is under test with a loco and several coaches in the as yet unconnected section. Everything else is set up for the start of day of a running session but, because I have lifted several sidings which are required to store rolling stock when running the WTT at present, I have not started the days operations yet. I am hopeful that I can link the upper and lower sections today and start running trains. Fort William station is connected to Mallaig Junction Yard Raring to go at the start of the days operations 2 southbound trains which will start from Fort William once it is connected thus freeing up space in the fiddle yard Sidings to go. The 2 in the middle and 3 to the right will all disappear with the area being made a secnic one. The line to the far left is the connection to the upper level.