turbos

Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust in Aberdeen are mainline connected, mainly for access to the turntable for turning steam railtour locomotives.

This is my first thread, although I've put a few wagons I've built on my Blog, which will document the ups and downs of my first loco rebuild since the 1980s. Since returning to the hobby a few years ago I've mainly been concentrating on wagon building but I've had a very long term hankering to put together an Edinburgh - Glasgow Class 27 push + pull set. I've slowly been getting hold of the various suitable carriages and have a Heljan 27/1 but the 27/2 was always the going to be the hardest part to get. The major stumbling block for a doing a Class 27/2 were the No2 end bodyside ventilation grills, although the class 40 round nose end grills were a fairly close match it still left the three rectangular grills outstanding. Fortunately a year and a half ago Shawplan released a set of 27/2 grills in their Extreme Etchings range, I'd been inquiring about these grills at the Shawplan stand at the Glasgow show for a few years, so when they announced their production I picked up a set at the Glasgow show along with a scavenger fan grill and a set of Drop light bodylights (windows to non railway folk). This was the impetus I needed to procure the other bits for a 27/2. First up finding a suitable locomotive, Heljan 27 is naturally the first choice but cheap or even reasonably priced second hand one's are like hens teeth, particularly if you want one with underframe tanks. The only alternative is the Lima version which although they did a fairly decent job of the body it has a Class 33 underframe. I managed to get a beat up Lima 27 and three very poor Mk1 coaches for £20 on Ebay, I managed to sell on the coaches for £5, the loco worked but would never get anywhere near the scale 90+MPH the prototype would do. Next up a set of buffers from Lanarkshire Model Supplies (naturally!). Then I found on Ebay a Heljan Class 27 chassis from Olivia's, with underframe tanks for £30, a quick check to see if the Lima body would fit the Heljan chassis of my 27/1, not quite, but close enough that it was doable. So one bought. On arrival a thorough appraisal to see what else is needed: Bufferbeams, Cab Interiors, Lights, DCC chip (sound maybe), ETH jumper dummy socket, Decals. I could fabricate a lot of this lot from plasticard but after a wee perusal of Howes of Oxford Heljan Class 27 spares, I found the Bufferbeam and Cab interior are on the same sprue and as a bonus the headcode lamp holder is on it as well, 2x in the basket. A pair of headcode lights and tail lights, may as well get the light sprue as well, more items in the basket. I also ordered a DCC sound chip, if anyone ever produces a 27/2 sound chip I'll swap it into a 27/0. While searching for Class 27 bits online I came across PH Designs Class 27 foot steps etch, once you become aware of the different footsteps and suspension on 26/0, 26/1 and 27, it is difficult to accept the RTR deficiencies. I also ordered from PHD their lamp irons etch and ETH sprue. Time to decide which one of the 12 to do! Brian.

As it seems quite clear that Bachmann are not going to tool up a class 101 centre car, why not try and persuade Hornby to sell their class 101 centre car individually, they’ve previously sold class 110 centre cars individually. If you want a 3 car you get the Hornby, if you want a 2 car you get the Bachmann, both have imperfections. I got a Hornby as I wanted a Scr 3 car as I wanted to put a depot symbol on the centre car.

But ‘n’ ben?

DJModels appears to be a case of the Peter Principle - everyone has a managerial ceiling, but nobody discovers it until they go above their managerial ability ceiling. Everyone has a managerial ceiling. David Jones intentions were honorable, he did bring much wanted models in to fruition, but trying to continually find that rich seam of latent model 'wants' is hard going, especially after you have found a limited one. There's always plenty of encouragement for new models but it's actual sales that matter. My main concern at the moment in all this is David Jones the person (I've never met or bought any of his products but have been tempted by the J94 now and again). He has lost more than anyone and possibly needs the moral support of the 'Model Rail' community now more than ever.The liquidators will do what they have to do, but what we all say and do over the next few days and weeks will influence what happens to the wreckage of this situation. He has a wealth of experience which would be a loss to our hobby. I hope he can play a part in future product to market development as that appears to be his strength, possibly as a consultant or suchlike. The other aspect of this situation is that the financial markets tolerate our hobby (along with such things as Golf and Gyms) as it is considered to be a weather vane of the amount of money people have to spare/fritter. I really hope this isn't the first casualty in our hobby of a forthcoming recession. Brian.

I’m quite pleased with this announcement as I held back from buying multiple ScotRail TSOs as Oxford had said they’d produce more with different numbers if they sold well, I’ve already got my order in for this pair.

I’m not sure Peco included transfers in the ex-PD range when they first appeared in the Peco Parkside packaging, you may have one of those early Peco Parkside kits.

Three 12t Vanwides, a VWV and two VEA. All three are Parkside kits with buffers and draw hooks from Lanarkshire Model Supplies and brake leavers from Bill Bedford, VWV decals are mostly Modelmaster and VEA decals are mostly Railtec. I might weather the VWV and lightly weather the VEA with the Haz symbols as VEAs were in good condition in the early 1980s. I weighted these with an M10 nut held in place with a piece of sprue. Couplings are Bachmann short cranked on Parkside mounts.

I like what you’re doing, I do the same thing with salt to get the flaking paint effect. I don’t have a thread yet but you can see some of my finished wagons on my blog.

Hi Gibbo, Thanks for your kind words, I don't have a thread yet on my work but I have posted pictures of my completed wagons in my blog. I will do a thread on a Whisky Blue when I do my second one now that I have some sort of idea what I'm doing. I do tend to jump from one wagon type to another so I don't get to bored/wagon blind, the Whisky Blue took over a year from initially dismantling it to this stage as I worked out what was required and where to source the necessary parts from. I currently have some VEA's, a Vanwide and some double door MDO's competing for my attention to complete, so it might be a wee while until the second Whisky Blue gets done. Cheers, Brian.

I too have a box of Whisky Blues which I have made a start on fettling to improve, 50/50 mix of Lima and Hornby. I chose the Hornby over the Trix/Lilliput/Bachmann version mainly as they were cheaper and more numerous, it wouldn't surprise me if Hornby have made over 10000 of them and they've certainly made well over 20000 underframes, so no worries if you destroy an underframe as there's plenty to be had for a couple of quid each. Both versions have different issues on length and height but they also have the same issues of vertical stanchion positioning (the Peco N gauge has the same issue) and poorly detailed underframe. Both versions can be made look OK alongside the Lima type but alongside each other just doesn't work. I've also used the Cambrian pedestal suspension kit under a Hornby grain hopper as the wagons on the East Anglia to North of Scotland route all appeared to have been modified by the early 70s, probably a reaction to the Thirsk accident. The Lima version still had examples carrying the advertising hoarding in the early 70s but had all lost them by the mid 70s, the Hornby and Bachmann version appeared to lose their hoardings around the same time as their suspension was changed. Here's some pic's I took earlier today showing Lima, Trix and Hornby wagons together and a couple of the Hornby wagon I've been working on. Slainte mhath, Brian.

I can’t believe I’m missing this as I live only 7 minutes from the venue, but I’m currently in New Orleans for a family wedding. Hope you all have a great time.

A few photos on the Model Rail Scotland Exhibition thread.

Not likely as the 'Sliding Door' MK3 underframe has a the very obvious CET tank in the underskirt on both sides which the 'Slam Door' MK3 doesn't have. I received my two OR ScotRail MK3's on Monday and I'm happy with them, I'd describe the colour shade as 'Perth Railfair' condition as this was the only time I seen an immaculate rake and loco, from then on I only observed them either stationary under the gloomy sodium glare that was 1980's Waverley and Queen St. in their more normal brake dust and sewage splattered condition or hammering along the E&G and more interested in the loco number and name than observing the shade of each colour. No ScotRail blue stripe passenger coaches produced for decades and then two manufacturers produce in the space of a few weeks all the coaches required for an E&G push-pull rake, great times now in the world of Scottish 80s railway modelling! Hopefully OR release a further batch with different numbers as the said they might do if sales were good enough. Brian.

An interesting decision to produce 27 001 in green, 27s in green with TOPS numbers were very rare as the Scottish depots seemed to be quite enthusiastic for the BR all over blue. 27 001 was only in green TOPS numbered for a short time and was ‘heavily weathered’. I wonder if this is Heljan following Bachmann with they’re green TOPS numbered 20 and 25. A 27/2 would require re-tooling the moulds for what was a small specialist sub-group which in their E&G days were rarely seen anywhere else and post E&G were withdrawal prone and became part of the 27/0 non boilered fleet. Anyone wanting to model a 27/2 then Shawplan produce the grills. 27 012 is a definite for me and the other blue TOPS will depend on what my credit card can sustain/big lottery win. Great time to be a Scottish railway modeller. Thank you Heljan. Brian.

I recently completed these three wagons. Two BR 13ton medfit from Parkside Dundas kits, both with some additonal brake detailing, one with 51L axleboxes. BR Medfits spent most of their life in non-revenue use so naturally this was how I wanted to model them, frustratingly no specific ZAV decals are available so I modified some Modelmaster decals. Paint is Precision on Halfords undercoat. Rust is Rust-it The third wagon is a Cambrian Dogfish with some additional detailing with brass wire for the vacuum pipe and I replaced the handrail with wire as well, paint is as above and decals are slightly modified Modelmaster apart from the Overhead Electrical warning flash is by Fox. Next up on the workbench are some vans. Brian.

Additionally to my previous post (apologies for it in triplicate, faulty device and poor internet connection), here is the loco numbers currently being quoted on the SLW site. AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW (APPROVED FOR PRODUCTION IN 2019)Cat No. 2451: Running number D5132 Inverness-based locomotive with headcode boxes and working headlights. The common mid-1960s livery of standard BR green with small yellow warning panels. Cat No. 2452: Running number D5131 Inverness-based locomotive with headcode boxes and working headlights. Early pre-TOPS numbers in 1968 onwards BR blue livery. Cat No. 2461: Running number 24117 Inverness-based locomotive with headcode boxes and working headlights. Post 1974 TOPS numbers and plated front ends. As Phil said to me, these running numbers might not be the final ones chosen for them as research is on going. Although they're not my first choice of running numbers I'm quite happy with them. If anyone comes up with a reason to change Cat No.2452 running number, it better be a very good reason or else you may suffer the wrath of 'CHARD! Really looking forward to these being produced. I can honestly say that us Scottish Railway Modellers have never had it so good. Brian.

Ordered two this afternoon, one blue pre tops and one blue tops numbered. My first SLW order, really nice people to deal with. Phil did let me know the numbers that they are planning for them but it might change as they do more research. Ordered two this afternoon, one blue pre tops and one blue tops numbered. My first SLW order, really nice people to deal with. Phil did let me know the numbers that they are planning for them but it might change as they do more research. Ordered two this afternoon, one blue pre tops and one blue tops numbered. My first SLW order, really nice people to deal with. Phil did let me know the numbers that they are planning for them but it might change as they do more research.

170402 was moved to Arbroath sidings earlier today where it received some repairs. It will head very slowly (max 20 mph) to Kilmarnock for full repair work, probably stabling at Haymarket Depot and various other sidings on its journey there.

The picture only tells so much, the leading bogie under the visible cab is the only one on the correct line. The other other bogies are all ‘wrong line’ and every coach has a derailed bogie. Quite a challenge for the re-railing team!

Additionally the half hourly Edinburgh-Falkirk Grahamston-Glasgow QS (2Jxx) service is also planned to be operated by the new 3 car class 385.

Modelmaster do a set of Scottish DMU numbers which covers all the classes that were in Scotland in the 70s-80s period. They should still be available at the moment but Modelmaster are thinning out their range of transfers. I have no links to this company, I’m just a satisfied customer, Other transfer suppliers might also have suitable products. The Scottish 1st generation DMU scene has not seen much produced in blue or blue/grey. I’ve always thought an Eastfield 101 with a west highland terrier on the centre car would’ve been popular.

Whenever I’ve looked on Howes website the Heljan fuel tanks are listed as out of stock, so scratch build is the only alternative.

Both!

I have a slightly beaten up Lima 27 that I picked up on EBay for £20 which I’ll get round to making into a 27/2 with Shawplan 27/2 grills, fan grill and drop light glazing. I’ll need to get some buffers and scratch build the under frame tanks. I converted a Lima 33 to a 27/0 with a Craftsmam kit back in the 80s, this should require a lot less work. As said previously, closely check photos of the one you wish to do as the grill positioning was not always identical.