Signaller69

I realised this project was a test bed for something larger and I think its an ideal plan for testing ideas out. Hopefully my scribled plan gives a clearer idea of my thoughts (sorry I don't have access to templot etc currently), the platform being either a simple concrete job or a former "bay" platform (with the former through line platform rationalised with the edging removed to leave a grassy bank as indicated by the broken lines. The goods shed or coal staithes could alternatively go at * (goods shed favoured, would act as a view blocker if using a flat end board). As I said though it was just something I would think about to suit me if I was working with your plan (and I may do something similar one day!) purely on the grounds it allows a passenger train to be "on scene" whilst still allowing the crossover / run round loop to be used for shunting, you just lose a siding! I was also thinking along the lines of a 2-EPB, 2-HAL and 2-BIL, simply because ~£220 would get one of each. I'm not familiar with the routes they worked however so no idea if it would be likely all three types turning up at the same location, along with a class 74 on vans? (Not that I would lose sleep over it particularly. :-) ) Anyway I hope you are able to make progress with your projects if you can get the pain situation under control. Thanks, Martyn.

I have a soft spot for small layouts and short Southern units (despite my current projects being OO Scottish and Welsh subjects!!!) so will follow this with interest. The current availability of cheap EMU's from that well known Merseyside retailer keeps making my wallet twitch towards a c.1970 "Minories" type layout. But I digress! I like your trackplan, I think if purely using MU's I would think about having the platform line as the lower of the 2 parallel sidings, with a minimalist, rationalised bus shelter/ concrete platform arrangement , which would allow a passenger train to sit there whilst keeping the run-round loop free to use, the downside of course being loss of a goods siding. . . just a thought though as I say! :-)

Has there been any further progress? 3 way points weren't terribly uncommon, particularly in goods yards, Wick being another example. I think the one in the picture is a symmetrical one, the assymetric type having both curving routes to the same side of the straight route. Also found a useful photo on Flickr, showing the short loco coal siding and what appears a fairly new (or newly repainted) water tank, train is interesting too with the 6w full brake added. https://www.flickr.com/photos/38727358@N04/4916965383/ (with apologies if seen before.) Cheers, Martyn.

Super thread you have John, very impressive detail. Also like the way you have stacked those servos, something I'm going to have to tackle with my 4mm efforts. . . Regards, Martyn

Not seen that livery variation Nick, is it a DRS quickie job?

I had given much thought on whether to repaint the Hornby Mk.1 BG shown earlier, as the shade of blue seems darker than my Bachmann Mk.1s, and also being pedantic the "Express Parcels" lettering doesn't seem to have been common until around 1975 onwards, whereas Crinan is set c.1970. However this vehicle will be used with an assortment of parcels vans where the colour isn't an issue, so in the end I compromised and left the paint scheme alone, apart from the ends which had the footsteps and superfluous "plate" above the corridor connection removed, and new handrails, paint touched up (Railmatch) and C1 markings etc (HMRS) added. Finally some subtle weathering was added using acrylics. One oddity I noticed with this model is that the label holder clips fitted on the prototypes and most, if not all parcel vans (lower right corner) is only present on one side as per photos below. Very strange, product of a "morning after the night before" design session possibly?!

Thanks Rich, being barely bigger than a micro layout it will suffice for moving locos and a few wagons about, would be nice to have had more width to allow the adjacent NCB wagon repair sheds to be included for increased playability, but its a case of working with the available space. At least I should be able to start getting some greenery down soon, once the control panel is sorted! :-)

The embankment over the "Big Arch" is taking shape at last using recycled polystyrene tv packaging. The singled Pontypool- Blaenavon line passed over the top, so a Static 37 may feature eventually if space permits, waiting at a signal to pick up full wagons.

An earlier post mentioned Corwen, although building a replacement bridge over the river at Bala, as well as crossing the busy A494 trunk route (due to flattening the road over rail bridge) would be rather costly whichever gauge was used. It would be a cracking journey from Blaenau to Bala though if they could pull it off.

Thanks Merfyn, yes Dave was referring to those ground frames on the Traws line, not Blaenau. Martyn.

Not only do the group want to have trains running to Trawsfynnydd by next year, but have grander plans to reopen the line to Bala (which amongst other obstacles includes a dammed lake, requiring a deviation)! https://www.facebook.com/trawsblaenaurailway/ They will not be able to run into Blaenau Ffestiniog Station as it stands, not least as the link is disconnected with rails removed and a buffer stop in place there. No mention is made of what rolling stock they may or may not have access to, but they do seem to have a keen following in fairness, and apparently NR have done a little clearance work to start them off. Not sure what agreements they have with NR, though speaking with Dave the local NR Locking Fitter, the ground frames etc are still regarded as NR assets and are still checked periodically despite being largely overgrown. I really hope the Traws project gets off the ground, but have to say as others have, that so far it looks more like good intentions than a serious business model, but then I'm sure many other schemes started in a similar manner?

No pic is the real loco in ex works condition, 1960s by look of photo. Definately looks black cab roof and bonnet top to be fair. Edit: photo is part of the BR livery supplement, no suggestion Dapol are doing that loco.

Not a lot of progress on the layout, though a tentative start has been made on painting the backscene using photos of the real place as a guide. Nowadays I would usually go for a photographic backscene, and still may if I'm not happy with the final result. The Dapol J94 cheapie has become local loco "Ebbw", which was based at Big Arch Shed along with "Islwyn" and 7754. Sadly "Islwyn" and "Ebbw" were both scrapped here in the early-mid 70s after the line closed. A few photos taken today: Cheers, Martyn.

Anyone who took my details before June regarding Crinan attending your exhibition AND WHO I HAVE NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SINCE THEN, can you please make contact through this thread or via PM as my contact details (email & address) will have changed since then. Many thanks, Martyn.

And an arty "warts and all" shot of the crew! Shows the rather nice RT Models ejector too which makes a big difference to Dapol and DJM locos.

Finally completed "EBBW" (apart from cosmetic coupling hooks), LMS buffers fitted, crew added (chopped about from the ever useful Dapol Track Workers set) and weathering retouched. Kaydee NEM no.20 couplers attached by the usual ruse of drilling a 2mm hole in the shank and fitting to the tension lock mount using the original screw which gives the correct height. Took some photos in this mornings sun.

May have been mentioned but about time we had a decent OO 46t GLW BRT grain covered hopper (aka "Whisky Blues")? Long lived 60s to 90s, various colourful PO livery options, 2 chassis/suspension options. Bachmann's model is based on the 60s Trix model, Lima's was more acceptable but no longer available and still had solid advertising hoardings on the side. Link to Paul Bartlett's excellent photos here: http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brtgraincovhop Hopefully, Martyn.

Thread dealing mainly Mk.1 BG's here:http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/113899-br-mk-1-bgs-with-express-parcels-lettering-started-when/?fromsearch=1 Linked due to similar topics. Martyn.

Whilst doing a bit more searching this topic online, lo and behold this popped up on parcels traffic http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/66383-modelling-a-traditional-parcels-train/ As this didn't appear when I searched on rmweb I have linked it. Good photo of an Express Parcels lettered blue/grey BG from 1975, also similar from as far back as 1967 but without said lettering.

Snapped this pair at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry on my old low res phone a couple of years ago, they at least seem well looked after. Couldn't tell you their numbers unfortunately. Clearly rebuilds, nearer one is vac braked by look of it so as such is in the wrong livery! Was a nice surprise to see them all the same, particularly in an industrial setting. Martyn.

Looks a good project Mal, always enjoy a simple shunting layout. Regards, Martyn.

Thankyou Rob!

Much appreciated thankyou Al. I'm hoping to start work on the small extension beyond the Station soon, which will include the Crinan canal to Sea locks, I would like to include an interpretation of the Art Deco Crinan Hotel but I don't think space will allow it unfortunately. Also a renewing of backscenes is on the cards, something more resembling the wooded slopes around Crinan than distant hills as at present. The ID Backscenes "Forest Hills" are looking favourites so far.

Almost finished now. The buffers I was thinking of using are too small so I need to source some, then its just a case of a little more weathering of the wheels and adding cosmetic coupling hooks and Kaydees, plus a crew of course. Edit: buffers now sourced from Lanarkshire Models.

After much trial and error owing to the very tight space I have fitted the reciprocating point rodding carrier at the far end of the bridge, made up from bits from the junk box. It is assumed this apparatus converts the push movement of the rod to a pull movement of the signal wires. It is freelance compromise as I have yet to find a photo of an equivalent prototype, but far more cramped space-wise than would be the case in reality (a compromise necessary to feature the signals at all). The small wall around the signal has also been rebuilt.