Signaller69

Question if I may for the Collective regarding Mallaig signalling. Before they were removed, the platform Starter signals were "main aspect" only with no "Shunt Ahead" arms. As most trains required propelling back beyond these signals for run round movements, were they cleared for the movement, or was Signaller's permission given to pass them at danger for this? And was there a "Shunt Limit" board or marker for such movements? Many thanks, Martyn.

Another quick job done this morning, which I'd put off for a few weeks. My unpowered class 29 had the Hornby "road-roller" wheels replaced with nice Alan Gibson 3'6", 10 spoked ones (Closest available to the prototype 3'7", and about 0.5mm larger over the wheel tread than the Hornby wheels they replace), mainly for better running. Some "washers" were cut from plastic tube to reduce sideplay. I'd like to say they improve the aesthetics no end too, but in truth they are barely visible!

The Class 37 restoration project is finished; the bulk of the work involved fitting the replacement Shawplan/Extreme Etchings roof grille, frost grilles, headcode box fronts, windscreens and Lazer-glaze and brake levers, renumbering and touching up the paintwork as required. Despite some tricky moments it has turned out quite well. Although Scottish Region didn't appear to get an allocation of split headcode box 37's before the late 70s, Eastern Region locos did get to the Edinburgh/Glasgow area at least c.1970 (eg Bathgate Carflat trains), so its use on a grain working ex Eastern Region to Crinan may be justified. . .

Crinan's next scheduled outing is at the Merseyside Hobbies & Model Railway Show on Saturday June 10th at Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Wirral. (Possibly the last show before the new Locks extension is ready.) Please say hi if you are visiting! http://www.barrystocktonfairs.co.uk/Page3.html

Hi Jim, Not sure how I managed to miss your layout until now! Just spent an enjoyable half hour reading through, very impressed and inspired by your signalling and buildings in particular, some real "labours of love" there! The Glasgow area railway network has fascinated me since visits (from Wales) in the 80s and many a book and website studied since then so I will certainly be following progress! Martyn.

Another job off the Class 37 rebuild list; the bogie mounts have been replaced with new ones fabricated from bits of plasticard, sprue and aluminium tube spacers, in order to lower the loco on the bogies (as this version sits too high as standard) and reduce the visible gap between bogies and body as mentioned in the previous post. The new mounts result in a 1.5mm - 2mm drop which improves the look no end. Bogie swing is slightly more restricted of course as the wheel faces now foul the inside of the body (rather than the flanges fouling it), but as I don't use tight curves it isn't a problem. The mounts themselves were fiddly rather than hard to make, taking measurements from the originals (which unscrew from the bogies) and adjusting them in height whilst noting clearances etc; I managed to swap them out without removing the bogies completely, although it was a little fiddly locating the pair of screws which secure each pivot to the bogie through the chassis block cutouts, whilst ensuring the cardan shaft remained in situ - this however saved the need to have to cut and re-solder the pick-up wires. Just need to give the loco a test run, then I can think about starting the bodywork. . .

Bachmann Class 37 bogie sideframe arrived (though not a weathered one, but this has been rectified). TOPS loco numbers removed ready for runumbering as 6728 as I found a photo of it hauling Carflats from Bathgate c.1970. Having had a look at the innards of the loco I am aiming to lower the body onto the bogies by 1mm or so to reduce the unsightly gap above the bogies. The postman has just delivered my Shawplan order for this loco too, happy days.

Many thanks for clarifying and for the Diagram information. Regards, Martyn.

Whilst at shows I have spoken to two people who have built models of Holywell Town (1 in 00 scale, 1 in 'N'), seems quite a popular prototype. Although fairly easy to understand why!

Thanks for that. It would be interesting to know what the station site looked like in the 1970s, any chance you might be able to show any of the photos you took, if the site was much different then? Cheers, Martyn.

Ah yes, I suspect you may mean this one; I was told the original worked on Anglesey before ending up on the Holywell branch, I suspect it started as an LNWR Railmotor or trailer car as you say. I was loaned the model at Colwyn show a couple of years ago, iirc it is a Larry Goddard ("Coachmann" on here I think - apologies if mistaken) model, and absolutely lovely. Regarding the LMS standard push/pull coach, I'm sure Bachmann announced one but little seems to have been mentioned in the press lately. The Farish one is very dated now of course, and a little short but can be made passable with work, and is a fairly cheap option. Cheers, Martyn.

This morning "Holywell Town" was transported to Greenfield Valley Heritage Park where it will be on long term loan as part of a new exhibition opening soon, featuring local rail and tramway artefacts in the old Wool Mill adjacent to the former Holywell Town branch trackbed (now footpath). The layout will be clad with wood surrounds and I believe, a perspex cover (or behind barriers) to prevent ingress of fingers; much preparatory work is being undertaken at the Mill prior to opening. The plan is that myself or other volunteers will be able to have the layout running on selected open days and for school groups etc; an auto shuttle can be used at other times where required. Other items on display include a stationary steam engine (working on selected dates), a huge stationary pumping engine (immaculate but non working), a me hanical pop bottling line, an electric mine tramway loco (in need of restoration) and mine wagons, along with local tramway rails and other artefacts. Updates on opening dates/times to follow.

Very true Jim, I can only apologise about the poor backscene in recent photos! And flaws, yes there are probably "a few" which need sorting! Martyn.

More great pics Dave. Apologies if I missed it but how did you do the damaged roof covering on that Mk.2? Did you use Maskol? Cheers, Martyn.

Many thanks Alain. Martyn.

More work done on buildings, with more yet to do. Also test fitted the extension to the layout for the first time tonight. Only recent detail added on the main layout is a new "yellow" ground disc signal (non working) for the goods yard exit/headshunt, which still needs a little more work blending in.

According to Strathwood's rather nice book on the 26/27s probably the only green 26 to receive a fywp (cab ends only, not cabsides which kept the white window surrounds) was D5335 by Aug 1969 (nose doors plated over). It was still in green fywp patch painted minus the white bodyside stripe and cabside windows in October 1971. Looking through the photos suggests the nose doors were sealed between around 1967 and 1971ish as others have said. HTH.

Hello, a very nice compact layout. The high rise flats, as well as the tenement blocks and flats painted onto the backscene look very effective too. Regards, Martyn.

Excellent job on the point rodding, it does massively improve the authenticity I think. I used the same Wills items on Crinan but after ballasting most of the track, much scraping away involved with a jewellers screwdriver and a lesson learned! Top job. Martyn.

The buildings look excellent Al, suitably grubby weathering looks great. Martyn.

Looks VERY similar to the stuff I've been using (likewise have a fairly big bag of it), thanks for the kind offer. Martyn.

Looks really superb David, really like how you have adapted the Ratio platform canopies to suit the location. Cheers, Martyn.

Ha, yes I've had similar experiences at shows myself! Years ago I was near a video stand playing the same video on a loop for 2 days which had the most irritating musical interludes. Rock star image of tv thrown through the window and all that. . . ! ;-)

Many thanks Andy, must admit I didn't hold much hope they would have any in stock, let alone the exact one from my version. Had visions of having to butcher some old Lima sideframes or such to fit the loco! Cheers, Martyn.

Hi Markus,My Dad gave me some scenic left overs from his American logging layout (now dismantled), among which was a large bag of "Finescale Forest" US natural preserved mini Lichen stems (for making fir trees; I suspect he bought it on holiday in the USA) which display subtle variations in colour, and are also superb for representing ferns, but looks good as seaweed too I think. It was simply cut into small pieces and pressed into PVA adhesive, with more "growing" off the walls/ lock gates. When dry and the Yacht Varnish is applied it soaks into the foliage leaving a wet look. Hopefully the photos show it better, as well as the supplier details from the instructions. Not sure if this is readily available in the UK, but I'm sure I've seen similar products in the "Anita Decor" range in the past. HTH, Martyn.