Duncan.

Thank You Both. The layout will be running again today. I will try some more videos and post any that are OK Cheers Duncan

Morning PC, Book your flight! I had confirmation from the Wigan Show Manager yesterday! Cheers Duncan

Nice to hear from you Branchie. I hope all is well with you too. I hope you can come along to Wigan in October. Cheers Duncan

Hi Nick, No I used my Canon DSLR camera... does that make a difference?

Running Day Video? Hi, Well I thought I would try a video here's the link and here's another. I'll need a rest now! Please be kind in your comments I will try to improve! Cheers Duncan

Shirebrook Junction 2 In this view you can see how we 'ended' the scenic section of the model. The backscene is off to the right of this view, We wanted to create the illusion that the two routes diverged whereas the actually both curve to the right to return to the hidden sidings. The line turning to the right and fully modelled is the branch line to Tuxford and Clipstone. The lines disappearing under the girder bridge go north to Worksop, the line on the extreme left is the line to WH Davis wagon builders and repairers. Beyond the bridge and road we have simply covered the area with a sheet of thin ply painted grey. This disguises the sharp right curve, while, I hope you will agree maintaining the illusion of the diverging routes. Deconstructing the remainder of this view... the signal cabin is modified from two ratio MR signal cabins. The engineers blue brick built bridge has a card mounting board structure covered with Slaters brick plastikard. In reality this connecting spur was connected by the GCR and follow their design whereas the station overbridge is made out of local stone (Permian Limestone) to MR designs. The cottage is a card kit produced by Metcalfe Models, localised with a replacement tiled roof (plastic sheet) gutters and downpipes. The photograph below depicts the same scene from a slightly different angle. The catch point on the WH Davis line is non working. Again in reality the line to WH Davis rises steeply therefore the catch protects the main line from run aways. The eagled eyed will have noticed that the former MR route is bounded by stone walls while the 'new' line built by the GCR is bounded by a wooden fence On this very windy evening here in Yorkshire it is perhaps worthy to note the washing blowing in the wind in the cottage garden, carefully crafted by Janet! And finally just one more look at those super Holdall vans from Revolution, I have slightly weathered these for use on Shirebrook. Cheers Duncan

Shirebrook Junction Here are a couple of photos of 37167 and 58017 at Shirebrook Junction. The first two show 37167 negotiating the junction with a short train of holdall vans coming from the Tuxford/Clipstone direction. Below 37167 is on the return run to Tuxford with PCA cement tanks. Meanwhile 58017 is returning to Shirebrook Depot light for refuellinf and an A exam. Cheers Duncan

For sure Dave they will get a good 'running in'. I may even post a photo or two here! Cheers Duncan

Revolution IWA Holdall Vans. The photos below show a weathered and straight out of the box examples. Looking through prototype photos it looks like the vans became dirtier year on year until the data panels became completely unreadable when those areas were cleaned back to 'as new'. I have based my weathered examples on vans photographed 1-2 years after they were introduced. I think my photographs make the weathered example look cleaner than it looks in the flesh. That said I was aiming for a light weathering as the vans were introduced towards the end of the core period of our Shirebrook layout and therefore would be relatively clean. Cheers Duncan

Class 37 and 56 from the Shirebrook paint shop Once again, sadly not my locos but they will be available to run on Shirebrook. They belong to one of the Shirebrook team. Both models are standard models as available from the manufacturers. I have renumbered both locos and fitted detail parts to one end of each loco, (air and vac pipes and dummy couplings). Certain detail painting was undertaken to match prototype photographs I found on the interweb! Both locos have been weathered using airbrush techniques and varnished. I am looking forward to seeing them hard at work on Shire brook. 37167 from 37239 58017 I am really happy how the models have turned out and I hope my friend will be equally as happy. Cheers Duncan

Hi Nick, The only change I would make to our track plan would be to form a run round in the P- way sidings. This simple addition would give you just a little more operating potential. Cheers Duncan

Hi Dave, I hope you are keeping well. The wagons look terrific, your remark about repainted information panels is incorrect i believe. They panels were just cleaned... maybe with a steam cleaner... I don't know. I felt exactly the same as you when I weathered my vans but don't worry they look like minature prototypes now not toys.. great work. Cheers Duncan

Hi Nick. Looks like you have the basis for a successful model railway which is ideally suited for N gauge, allowing realistic sweeping curves with plenty of space for scenic development. Cheers Duncan

Hi Here some more photos of the repainted detailed and weathered locos that I have recently completed. Cheers Duncan

Loco and Rolling Stock Update Hi, I have been repainting and weathering locos and rolling stock recently. The only loco I own in this view is the class 20. However, all the locos can be seen on Shirebrook as they belong to other members of the operating team. The RTC 31 and coaches have also received a weathering again owned by one of the operating team members. I have used Taylor detail kits for the BIS sand hoppers. The four class 56s I have worked on have all had their cantrail grilles replaced at number 2 end to return the locos to original condition. The roof radiator grilles and fans are replaced with those available from Mercig Studios. Some of the locos have been renumbered. PS. I haven't had any takers from RMweb for the next running day (see above), so if you want to come please PM me asap to reserve your place. I'll post some more photos shortly Cheers Duncan

Hi Andy, No not at Doncaster. Please look out for my 'Running Days' when the layout is set up at home, with the added advantage you can operate and run your own stock! The layout is booked for Scarborough (Pickering) in August and Wigan in October. Cheers Duncan

A great question Carl. Pictured here is a Smithywood (Chapletown nr Sheffield) to Tinsley working. I wonder if this working was regular or a one off. And where indeed would it be unloaded, I don't think I've ever seen coke in HAA mgr wagons before. I assume that the wagons could only be unloaded by the fixed equipment at power stations. Does anyone know the final destination of this train? Cheers Duncan

Many thanks for your comments Andy. When the layout was at the Doncaster Show a lady visitor repeated her childhood memories to us. Sitting beside the line near Station Road overbridge she would, with her friends, try to guess the number of wagons on the next train, pointing to the spot on the layout. These are the reasons why we made the model, to rekindle memories of the area now gone forever, it is most satisfying when we hear those memories. Many Thanks Duncan

Shirebrook Open and Running Day. Hi, Work has continued on the layout throughout the winter. Not very photogenic work...replacement and addition of power supply wires replacing damaged electrical connections and point motors. I have modified 4 class 56's as shown earlier in this thread, changing cantrail grilles back to original types and fitting of Mercig studio roof grilles and fans. I have also continued the process of weathering stock used on the layout. The running day is scheduled for Saturday 19th February, the layout will be available from 10 am until 4 pm. You are welcome to bring along a model of your own such as a loco that needs running in or needs a load test! As ever a light lunch and drinks throughout the day will be available. Please PM me if you would like to attend, places are limited. You will be able to operate the layout, talk models and modelling and generally have railway fun. We look forward to seeing some of you. Cheers Duncan

Happy New Year Simon. You must be busy /excited about the plethorea of new products available that are suitable for Dallam. It is a bit quiet over at Shirebrook, looking forward to the Revolution Class As and PFAs. Currently just back dating 5 class 56s and I have a Peak to detail/modify and repaint! Sometmes I think you have repainted your entire loco fleet- excellent variety now Simon. Cheers Duncan

Happy New Year Dave. Thanks for the mention re 31. Both the locos are looking very good. I totally agree with the toy train feel with the straight out of the box locos.... especially the 92. I very lightly weathered my 92 ... takes away that plastic look and makes the loco look 'heavier'. I attach photos as a comparison to your model Cheers Duncan

Great to see an update. I think you have created the most evocative N gauge colliery scene I have seen, and in such a small area. Looking forward to see the vehicle placements and the rolling stock on the layout Cheers Duncan

I first became aware of Chris and CJM models when I became Trade Liasion Officer for the N Gauge Society in the mid 1990s. He was the most skilled, determined and enthusiastic (N Gauge) modeller I have met. He had a very down to earth and straight forward approach in all modelling aspects. I cannot think of anyone else that has had a more valueable contribution to the raising of N Gauge modelling standards. We developed a long friendship and I was lucky enough to have airbrushing lessons from the master. During our frequent discussions he related many tips to me, I think this was the most important - it is always in my mind when I am making models. We were discussing accuracy, Chris said; 'It's not any more difficult to get something right as it is wrong. A measurement of 15.5mm is no harder to achieve than 15.0mm.' Thank you Chris. Condolenses to Matthew, Gareth, and Marian. Duncan.

Hi, This is Newton in Bowland, check google maps! Today we were invited to display just part of Shirebrook at the village hall. Although limited to just shunting the loco depot we had some good long conversations with the few visitors. Having the chance to answer questions without the normal exhibitions pressures of having to keep something running was great and I enjoyed having the time to give detailed explanations about various aspects of the model. And finally... below is a view of the northwest slopes of Pendle Hill that greeted us on the way home. Cheers Duncan

Hi, Our next running day will be Saturday 20th November. If you would like to attend and run some of your models you are welcome please PM me for a place and information. Cheers Duncan