Duncan.

Hi Everyone, Can you help me please. Installed on Shirebrook are electomagnets for auto uncoupling. Etched metal droppers are fixed to some wagons to facilitate the uncoupling. However, it doesn't always work. Does anyone have any solutions for this problem or can you direct me to a thread on this subject. Standard 'rapido' style couplers are used throughout. Secondly will the Dapol knuckle couplers work with the electomagnets, (seep type mounted under the baseboard). I know i could try it but just being lazy, I'm sure that someone out there has done extensive tests and found some simple but effective solution. Thanks in anticipation.

Hi everyone Below are some photos of my recent weathering and repaint projects. 58004 is simply renumbered and weathered down. 56013 is a full repaint with added etched details (arrows and plaques) and a replacement grid grille (correct square pattern mesh - thanks Bernard) and weathered pipe detail at one end. Finally my new revolution class B tanks. I hope Mike and Ben you're not too upset!

Hi Everyone, Just taken delivery of 15 class B tanks from revolution. THis will form a new train for the layout when we show it at Halifax on 22 and 23 September. They are (of course) progressing through the weathering shop.

That's one hell of an 'Away Day', the best I could do was from Hastings to Sheffield on a Saturday with a bus ride to the 3 Magpies (more like 300!) and a walk round Tinsley! We have had so many tell us that the layout has brought back fond memories, now that's what I think modelling is all about. Cheers Duncan

Hi Jo, Your post got me thinking, as I had not really noticed the class 56 being overly wide. The prototype is (apparently) 9ft 2in wide. I assume that is over the body not the handrails, perhaps you can help me on that.I checked my class 56 width over the body and it was 19.35mm. 9'2"scales to 18.90625mm or just 0.44mm over, do you find that really noticeable? I hadn't but thanks for your 'heads up. Cheers Duncan

Thanks Timmy, we have just tried to recreate what now sadly is lost. the layout has been built over a number of years, it was carefully planned and extended twice. It was in storage for over 5 years with nothing happening! Although I did most of the track laying, electrics and planning I have had much assistance from my children, Janet and friend Mark with the scenics and other things. Cheers Duncan

Oops forgot the link,...here it is https://www.flickr.c...s/135257675@N08

Hi, Do come along to the Halifax Show on 22 and 23 September and say hello if you can, below is a view of the depot from the operators side. Please follow the link to see over 140 photos of the layout .

Thanks G Here's a photo of an unidentified class 31 rumbling over the crossover at Wood lane overbridge at the southern end of the layout.

Kind words thank you. There are several compromises, as there are on most models that attempt to mimic an actual location. These include on our model (minor) alterations to track plan Missing buildings and relocation of buildings. Most of these were enforced upon us in order to keep the model within the 1ft 9inch maximum width of the main scenic boards. The back siding exists but curves away from the main line parallel with the branch to Warsop colliery and is shorter in reality. Since we had to re-position it we decided to extend along the back of the depot station area which gives us the chance to run a little local freight (other than coal!) This forced us to move the former station masters house to the north towards the road. The down refuge siding has in reality only a catch point whereas we have modelled a stub line to a buffer stop at the exit to the down main, it just looked better!? The road bridge across the main line at the north end of the model is a total fabrication but acts as a scenic break. The line to the south passing between the spoil heaps of Shirebrook colliery in reality is pretty much straight whereas we curve through 180 degrees to complete the oval. Having said all that it was very gratifying to receive the many positive comments from the many 'locals' that attended the Doncaster show. For example one woman said' We used to sit just there (pointing to a position close to the station road overbridge) watching the trains as kids, we used to try and guess how many wagons would be in the next approaching train.' A former employee of the railway thanked us for bring back good memories as the model was 'exactly as the real location- i used to eat my butties just there' and another said ' That was my office'. Of course the station was never open during the period modelled but we changed that to add a little operational interest. There remain a couple of projects to complete perhaps the most noticeable will be the installation of the tall radio mast by the depot administration /mess block, just got to get around to finish drawing the etch....

Hi, Here's a link to my Flickr page where there are around 140 photos. My apologies if you've already been there! We will be at the Halifax Show 22 and 23 September. https://www.flickr.c...s/135257675@N08 Duncan

Hi, Here's a link to my Flickr page where there are around 140 photos. https://www.flickr.c...s/135257675@N08 Cheers

Hi, Here are some previously unpublished photographs, three feature the north end of the layout, Shirebrook Junction and one is arather elevated view looking north towards the station. I know the station was never open during the period modelled, however, with a little modellers licencewe have modelled it open so we can run the occasional passenger service and provide a little more interest when we are at a show. Do any of you have any questions concerning the construction of the model or presentation of thr rolling stock? Cheers Duncan

Halifax 22 and 23 September see you there?

Thanks Ben, did you view the photos on the flickr page? Cheers Duncan

Hi Joseph, Sorry you are having problems, I just tested the link and it worked fine. I have 146 photographs on flickr showing progress over the last 4 years. It will be difficult to transfere them here, please try the link again, either click on it or copy and paste into your browser, and here's a teaser

Thanks John, when we were at the Doncaster show there was a stream of people who came over from Shirebrook or worked there in the past who said the same, that was very uplifting to hear.

Hi, One of the original specs was to produce a natural looking layout and to further increase the difficulty we decieded to set it in winter! But not with the cliche of a snow covered scene. I still think the ground cover looks too green in places, the idea was to show the dead growth from 'last summer'

Thanks. I have always tried to create a realistic looking model, the smaller scale of N presents some challenges but rally I think you have to approach the problems with a fresh view and not try to scale OO techniques down.

Hi, Here's a track plan with overall dimensions of the layout. The layout is set in winter, modelled in British N scale.Shirebrook Extension Plan Model (1).pdf

Here's a couple of shots of the Shirebrook N Scale Model