tom shaw

Hi Karl, I have a Bachmann 9F which I'm converting to a Tyne Dock variant, one of many things on the workbench. They were often used on mineral and general traffic when there was no iron ore ship in Tyne Dock so I can justify having one. Can I justify 9 iron ore wagons - no, does that mean I won't build 9 eventually - no. One of my earliest but vague memories as a child was standing next to what I now know as a 9F, my dad's friend was a 9F driver and we lived a quarter of a mile from the shed. Imagine that as a child of 5 or 6, so I had to have one. Tom

Hi everyone, I’ve just joined RM Web but I’ve been a railway modeller for over 40 years. I’ve never fully finished a layout but I’m determined to with my latest plan, I’ve started this thread as a record of progress, to concentrate my thoughts and, hopefully, to receive encouragement and advice on various matters. Layout requirements and objectives: The layout will be 00 with C&L flexible track, handbuilt pointwork, using C&L components to 00-SF standards (through the common crossing). DCC control using at least two NEC powercabs. Should be transportable, I would like to exhibit eventually (if it all works and proves interesting enough to others) but I also like to work on individual boards in the house, the layout will normally live in the garage which has been floored and boarded out etc. The baseboards of an existing layout will be reclaimed for re-use, these were built five years ago and are still in good condition. There are 10 baseboards forming a layout 4.6m by 2.25m with an operating well in the middle. The front 4 boards will form the viewing area. The layout will be a fictitious location but will depict a reception yard and small engine shed serving coal staiths, a shipyard and a quayside. I have supposed that Sunderland North Dock was developed to rival the South Dock facility to handle coal, fish, oil, timber, general goods and steel. So mostly freight but I may add the odd boat train to provide for passengers to and from the Baltic. Minimum radius will be 750mm (approx 30 inches) but transition curves will be used on the viewing section. The buildings, mostly in the shed area, will be drawn from various locations in the North East such as Blyth, Hartlepool and Tyne Dock. The period modelled will be 1964 to 66 allowing the use of both steam and green diesels, predominantly Q6’s, WD’s and EE type 3’s (I was born in 1959 so can just remember steam at Tyne Dock). I would like an alternative period of around 1970 using blue diesels (some green with full yellow ends, a very attractive livery). DG couplings to be used with electro-magnetic uncoupling. Points will be controlled by tortoise point motors via conventional DC supply. I would like a row of switches, reminiscent of signal box levers, to control points, signals and uncoupling magnets with a separate signal box diagram so the “box” has to be learnt. Static grass to be used (I have not used this medium before so things could get messy). Believable operation, eg full rakes to go to staiths with empties coming back (achieved by using dedicated full and empty rakes). Trackplan (scenic side) Signal box diagram Progress to date: The existing layout is being stripped down so the baseboards can be re-used. Suitable stock has been gathered over the years, mainly ready to run but some kits. DCC decoders have been fitted to most engines and some have sound. All stock is fitted with DG couplings and is representative of items that could be seen in the north east during the period modelled. Stock includes about 40 21 ton hoppers of Dapol/Airfix/Hornby/Parkside origin which will form the basis of the mineral operations on the layout, additional Parkside variants will be built to give three or four rakes. The points for the shed area have been built on the workbench and just need painting and wiring connected. These have been built using C&L plastic sleepers but I have since discovered plywood sleepers. I have started building the points for the yard using plywood and have just about finished three. A gantry type signal box, based on Green Lane (Tyne Dock) is 90% built. The sides and ends for the engine shed, based on West Hartlepool, are built and awaiting windows, assembly and a roof. Various yard offices and huts were built for previous layouts and will be re-used. Signal box based on Green Lane (Tyne Dock). Roof and guttering needs finishing. I'll update as I progress, what does anyone think ? Tom