60012 Commonwealth of Australia

It certainly is! I'm currently taking the time to redesign my layout so the station is on a slight curve to allow for much more prototypical curves, partly on Gilbert's advice and also partly as there are layouts such as Peterborough North which are the standards which I would really really like to achieve, but can't do that with 1.2m curves in the scenic section! I've said it before and I'll say it again: If I can get Dunoon anywhere near the standard Peterborough North is at then I will be very happy indeed! Peter

Parcel from Hattons arrived today! Contained 2 Hornby BSKs, 2 Hornby CKs, a Bachmann FO (actually RFO) and a Bachmann RMB. I can now make any rake from 2 coach to 10 coach! They are all in matching maroon, however the FO/RFO is lighter than the RMB and Hornby coaches (the Hornby ones all being the same shade/glossiness except for the SO/TSO coaches which are less glossy), and the RMB is darker and a bit more gloss than the Hornby coaches. Here are some photos ^ The parcel ^ Boxes out of the parcel ^ Waiting to be unwrapped ^ Unwrapped and on the table ^ Bachmann RMB (left) next to Hornby SK (right) ^ Bachmann RMB (right) next to Bachmann FO/RFO ^ Bachmann FO/RFO next to Hornby CK ^ A 3 coach train - BSK-CK-BSK ^ 4 coach train - BSK-CK-SK-BSK ^ 5 coach train - BSK-CK-SK-CK-BSK ^ 6 coach train with RFO/FO and RMB semi-permanently coupled - BSK-CK-SK-RMB/FO-BSK ^ 7 coach train - BSK-CK-SK-RMB/FO-CK-BSK ^ 8 coach train - BSK-SO-SK-RMB/FO-CK-CK-BSK ^ 9 coach train - BSK-SO-TSO-SK-RMB/FO-CK-CK-BSK ^ 10 coach train - BSK-SO-TSO-SK-RMB/FO-CK-CK-BSK-BG ^ 6 coach train formation BSK-SO-SK-CK-CK-BSK from BSK end ^ 6 coach train formation BSK-SO-SK-CK-CK-BSK from loco end I now happily have a large number of formations which I can make up, and I can always add the Hornby Gresley FK if I want to add more first-class accommodation, along with a variation in livery and type of coach. Peter

Just a brief question about the Fulgurex point motors - What's your experience with them like, and how hard are they to wire up? I currently use DCC Concepts Cobalt point motors, however depending on the difficulty/skill level needed to wire up the Fulgurex motors, they would be far more convenient, and not only because of the space but also the price difference. Thanks, Peter

I sure do! My N scale 45xx needs looking at, I need to get a new chassis for my Bachmann A4, fix my L1, get new P4 wheels for my Hornby A4, finish my O scale 1F, AND get bolts and bolt the legs onto Dunoon! And that's before I even get on with adding the remaining baseboards! Although I've never had quite as many layouts on the go as you have! Wasn't it Pencarne (junction), West Shed, North Road and Port Merryn at once at one stage? Looks like I'm learning from the best! Peter

There needs to be a "Beautiful" button on this! Absolutely love this one, definitely one of my favourite shots on the thread so far! It's certainly improved by the recent additions to the departmental area, the fence and the person standing there as the train goes past. Also the new Spital Bridge is brilliant, it and the other buildings are certainly incredibly detailed models and are a credit to their maker, Peter Leyland (Gravy Train). Peter (edited for spelling...)

Yeah I thought so haha. I'm planning on eventually coming to the UK to study, or if I'm lucky to eventually become a resident so when I'm there in 5-10 years time (hopefully) I'll be able to see it in flesh! I don't doubt that it would be worth the wait! Peter

Yeah, I've met a couple who model in O and P4 respectively, but STILL need to get around to joining BRMA!!! Been meaning to for a while now Peter

This is absolutely incredible modelling! It's the kind of thing I wish I could do, but have neither the time, the experience or, if I'm honest, the patience! For me, having grown up on the other side of the world on the wrong side of the millennia, this is one of the closest things I can get to seeing what life was actually like back then 50+ years before I was born. Having never seen the real thing I can't say that it looks like it, however I have gone and had a look at some images just to see what it is, and it's absolutely spot on. Absolute first-rate modelling. Wish I could see it in person, but again am on the wrong side of the globe Love the work, and look forward to more updates! Peter *Edited for spelling*

As far as cost goes, depending on where I shop (usually Ebay but depends on who I'm buying from) I can get the coaches from around 20GBP to 50GBP. Obviously I prefer to go for the lower price range, two of the ones I have were for 40AUD (currently a bit under 23GBP) and the other for 51.666 (bit expensive but from the local shop which I like to support where possible, my order of 6 Mk1s from Hattons certainly doesn't support them...) I'll certainly PM you about what is done on the conversions, as that would definitely be useful to know. As far as coach diagrams.... I have no idea! I've picked up a bit, but to me there all just like standard BR Mk1 coaches, SK, BSK, BSO, FK so on, still have no idea what different diagrams are and what the main differences are (except for all door/end door and so on). As far as my experience goes, I have a half built O scale loco kit on my workbench which is the extent of my soldering, and about two dozen or so injection-moulded plastic coaches/wagons, only about 5 or 6 of which have been painted. I'll PM you now and wait to see what Gilbert has to say about it. Peter

Not putting me off at all, indeed that's probably saved me a fair bit of money! What do you use for the Hornby conversions? I think I recall something about Bill Bedford sides? Would these http://www.mousa.biz/fourmm/coach/etches/LNER/lner_teak4.html#corridor-teak be suitable? I have no experience buying UK kits at all, or what they come with, I'm used to Australian kits which are injection-moulded plastic, and come with everything except for paint and couplers, so any assistance is much appreciated. Thanks Peter

So they aren't very good? Can you recommend decent Gresley's then, because I will need a ton of them, and like Gilbert I am not satisfied with the current Hornby offerings (well, I say current...) The ones are the Gresley's on the Cooper-Craft website, I think they are Kirk but I'm not entirely sure. Thanks, Peter

I have been thinking a lot about Dunoon recently and have decided one thing - Every building, coach and locomotive (where applicable) are going to be lit. I have decided this, as I have been visualising what it would be like at night, in the dark with only station lamps, building lights and locomotive/coach lights to light up the area. This is one thing I did on previous Dunoon, but not as much as I would like to do on the new one. What I did on the old Dunoon, is in the evening once it was dark I would switch on the layout lights and turn off the room lights. I can't find any photos of this (there may be one or two on original Dunoon forum?) however for me it really stood out. So I would like to do the same thing, so that should be fun! I hope to do more planning work over the next few days although am stuck on RMWeb reading through forums! Peter

Very interesting the shot with the parcels, looks like there's another thing for me to do when Dunoon gets built, as I particularly want to have about 2 or 3 different parcels trains, so will need to have something like this on one of the platforms! Lovely shot of Green Arrow, looks great hauling the Gresley! The only thing that seems off to me is the cream colour, but that may just be me, as I wasn't around to see them in that livery! Probably just me though, as I'm used to the cream colour that Hornby use, as have neither the money nor the time to build some kit Gresleys. Had a look at some on the CooperCraft site, I believe they may be Kirk?, would especially like a Restaurant Triplet and a bunch of sleeper coaches. At 15 pounds each they are also cheaper than the Hornby alternative, but again don't have the money... Besides I need a layout to run them on! And to finish a MR 1F in O scale which has been on my desk untouched for a month... Peter

Hope it's ok to ask here. 1956-1960 and 1962-1966, the location is west of Glasgow. Good luck with the move, and a bigger Sheffield Exchange would certainly be great! I can remember when I was first allowed to move out of the (now lego room) train room up into our shed, I get a space 3m longer and 5m wider, and I thought "Goody, more space!"... 5 months on, I have built 2.5 baseboards and got half a trackplan LOL B1 would look great, I need a bunch of them, and Black 5's to run from Edinburgh (65B was an ex-LMS shed so about 20? of them). All you'd need then is a rake of Gresley or Thompson suburban coaches in Maroon to go behind it! Have a B1 vs Black 5 race haha, each with a 4 coach train I'm going to stop rambling on now!! Peter

Love the work on here, it's everything I wish I could do! I have neither the money, time or experience to be able to do cut-and-shut operations on coaches or DMUs. Just a brief question, as I wasn't around back then, what type/s of DMU would be relevant for a Scottish Region station in 1956-1960 and 1962-1966? Look forward to more updates! Peter Edited to add details as probably more relevant here than on the Sheffield Exchange thread

Any progress? I also need to go around and take a look at the DMU mod's, as I quite like DMUs, already have a Class 108 and 128 for Dunoon but would like some variation in particular a couple of Cravens Class 105 units, which will need to get repainted unless I can find a second hand Green one. Class 129 would also be interesting... Peter

FINALLY!!! After 5 months, 11903 posts, and 476 pages, I have FINALLY finished reading the thread!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hoorah to me! This is my favourite thread on RMWeb by far, and has become one of 5 pages which opens on Google Chrome when I open it (the others being email, facebook and a couple of my threads). Absolutely love it! And a request (well, two) if I may - 1 - the Deltic on a train of Mk1 Crimson and Cream coaches. I dont know why but an image of this is stuck in my head, as I have seen one somewhere, and it looks great, the blue with the red (crimson) and cream. 2 - My favourite variation of A3 (if you have it) - Double Chimney, German (Witte?) Smoke Deflectors and a GN tender. Although any tender will do. And a rake of Gresley's in Maroon! The above will be the first things I do on Dunoon as soon as I have relevant coaches (of course I have Mk1s in Maroon and Gresley's in C/C (Crimson and Cream, not that Western stuff!) rather than the other way around (DOH)) and of course the locos as I currently have two A4's (one Bachmann and one Hornby Railroad), an LMS Duchess and a rather broken L1 Can't wait to see more work done, and maybe more locos....... No, better not tempt him Keep up the good work and constant images!!! I have an image of Peterborough as my desktop background from about 50? pages back, 60113 with a Pullman service arriving in Platform 2 while D209 stands in Platform 6 with a train of Mk1's. Peter Oh and a personal achievement, today I received my certification saying that I have successfully completed a boiler washout and have "shown knowledge & understanding of boiler construction, use, care & maintenance of locomotive boilers" So I know more about the full sized workings than what actually happened back when they were fully operational and not just operational museum pieces! *Edited for spelling*

I doubt that you will regret this decision in the long term. I briefly looked at doing 2mmFS, but along with the fact that I already have a bit of Code 55 and the cost I have decided to go with N scale Code 55. To me, I think that as long as it looks realistic, it doesn't matter whether it's N/2mmFS; 00/EM/P4 or 0/S7 - a perfect example is Great Northern's Peterborough North, which is 00FS, but looks like it's P4. With 2mm, the difference between Code 55 and handlaid 2mmFS is so small that it doesn't really effect how the layout looks. But that's just my opinion and I'm no expert. With Dunoon, I'm going P4 as it's my long-term layout, and I want it to be the absolute best possible. But as I say, I doubt that you will regret this decision, and I look forward to seeing some progress! Peter

Having just gotten past the discussion about poles (maybe about a dozen pages back? can't remember), theres a very inconvenient one on my Australian layout Cudgee Sidings which managed to wriggle it's way into a shot today. Hope it's ok to put here, if not let me know, but it's blocking my view from the platform! and I now know how you feel! A very disgruntled train-spotter. p.s - I'll bring an angle-grinder next time

And here are some photos of all the rolling stock for Dunoon excluding a J83 which has gone AWOL L-R Wagons - Bachmann 20T brake van (need a replacement as most handrails and other detail parts have long since broken off) Hornby 5 plank wagon Hornby 7 plank wagon Dapol gunpowder wagon Coaches - Stanier 50' Period III parcels van Hawksworth BSK (BTK) Gresley Sleeper in Maroon Gresley Sleeper in C/C Gresley FK in C/C Mk1 TSO Mk1 SO Mk1 SK Mk1 BG DMU/DPU - Heljan Class 128 in Royal Mail Red (yes I know it's technically wrong but I love this livery so Rule 1 is being implemented for once) Bachmann Class 108 minus bogies (awaiting P4 wheelsets) Bachmann Class 03 Hornby Smokey Joe Hornby Smokey Joe Hornby J15 Bachmann A4 Commonwealth of Australia Hornby A4 Bittern (the second tender will be removed for operation on Dunoon as is not prototypically accurate Hornby Duchess of Hamilton (only to be run on special occasions!!!) So that's it. Now for a few shots of the boards built for Dunoon and the railway room (top part of the shed) Some new shots of Cudgee Sidings will appear on the appropriate thread soon. And I really must get around to finishing that 0 scale MR 0F... Peter

Here are (just briefly) a couple of dodgy photos taken on my phone of 60019 Bittern with a train. These are all the coaches I have (excluding 6 on order from Hattons) minus the Gresley FK and the Hawksworth BSK (BTK) ^^Please ignore the background, I have nowhere else with decent lighting for photographs (YET!!) ^^ Very blurry one to show the consist (didnt work but putting it here to show the length) The consist is - J BG* - SO* - TSO* - SK* - SLF^ - SLF^ - BG" * denotes a Mk1 ^ denotes a Gresley " denotes a Stanier Period III When my coaches arrive from Hattons I will be able to make up a few consists, ranging from 3 car to 10 car, to be pulled by the J15s, J83 or A4s; or even Duchess until I get some Hornby Staniers in appropriate livery to go with her. Peter

Hey Duck I found the answer That's why Gilbert always sticks to 20mph through the station, don't want anyone finding out and with that thing there!! Peter

Haha I wouldn't have a clue as to what it is. Heck I dont even know what those funny looking brass things are on-top of those small green things from out west are I've only gotten "serious" (for me really serious - P4 and I won't have any loco that wasn't shedded in the right area, thanks to brdatabase.info for that haha exception being pacifics from various places) about UK modelling in the last year (ish) probably more like last 3 months or so. If I can get my layout anywhere near as good as Peterborough North, I will be happy indeed! Long term (next 5 years haha) plan is to finish school and get a scholarship to study Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge so I'll have a better understanding by the time I can actually see the locos (whats left of them ) Only on page 391, so I am 35 pages ahead of what I was about 3 hours ago but still a fair way to go haha. Again, it looks great and only a few more hours to go until I'm up to date! Peter

Just a brief posting from me, then getting back to reading through the 119 pages I have left! It looks absolutely brilliant, and just a brief apology for the thousands of ratings you will have been getting over the last couple of weeks! My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to reach the end of this forum by 2100 tonight. The time is 16:39. This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds... Poof Anyway joking aside it looks amazing and cant wait to see what it looks like now as opposed to 120 pages ago haha Peter

C Could just be the post service. Here in Aus, I posted something to about 50km away. It sent it from Victoria to Queensland and back, before getting to the destination. Doubled the journey time. Same with Hattons, estimated 5-7 working day transit for international, took 3 and a half weeks to arrive. So not necessarily the company, but I don't know how Royal Mail works. All I know is Aus Post... Doesn't (bit of an overstatement but still... Sending something 2000km away from where it's meant to go for a 4050km round trip when it should just be a 50km one-way trip is ridiculous) That aside, I look forward to seeing progress! Bit outside my era (all 3 of them , N scale WWII, P4 in the 50s and 60s, and O scale pre-grouping) but have always had a soft spot for Scottish layouts whatever era! Peter