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anroar53

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  1. anroar53

    Experiments in non DCC sound effects

    By anroar53,


    West Coast Main Line in N Gauge.
    A few recent longish Youtube Videos of the layout with some added sound effects for a bit of atmosphere. Still 'a work in progress' as it were.
     
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X54OMtQ5QuA&t=28s
     
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHfarBLRn2M&t=104s
     
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CWDOapePqg&t=12s
  2. anroar53

    Keep on running....

    By anroar53,


    More from the loft
    Outside the Box at Watford. A southbound Freight passes a northbound Express. A Bakerloo Tube completes its journey from Elephant & Castle as it arrives in platform 5.
     

     
    Looking north towards Harrow, plenty of activity taking place.
     

     
    Thumping south at Linslade, 1005 heading for home territory.

     
    Looking north along the Harrow section of the layout, with the Watford section along the other side of the loft.
     

     
    Looking north along the Watford section of the layout near the Loft Access hatch.
     
    Another fairly recent clip of video from the layout.
    West Coast Main Line N Gauge Layout (Part 18) - YouTube 
     
  3. anroar53

    More time for running the trains....

    By anroar53,


    More time for running the trains....
    Passing the Depot at Watford.
     

     
    Southern Cement passing Harrow.
     

     
    Southbound at Harrow.
     

     
    Cabview approaching Harrow on the Down Slow Line.
     

     
    Suburban interlude at Watford.
     

     
    Northbound at Headstone Lane.
     
    Latest video of the layout with non-DCC sound at   
     
  4. anroar53

    More pictures from Lockdown Loft Junction !!!

    By anroar53,


    More pictures from Lockdown Loft Junction !!!
    A Euston bound Express passes Linslade.
     

     
    A diverted Midland service for Sheffield crosses from the Down Slow to Down Fast Line at the north end at Watford, after providing a connection into the St. Albans Abbey branch.
     

     
    Harrow. Looking south.
     

     
    The southern approaches, outside the Box at Watford.
     

     
    Waiting to leave the Reversing Sidings at Harrow after the southbound Bakerloo service has vacated Platform 2.
     

     
    The first glimmer of light on an overcast November Sunday morning. Passengers await the arrival of the first northbound service at Platform 5 Harrow.
  5. anroar53
    Southbound Freight passes Watford on the Up Slow Line.
     

     
    Harrow & Wealdstone looking south.
     

     
    Passing the Depot at Watford.
     

     
    North end at Watford looking south.
     

     
    Northbound Sleeper service and Freight exit the tunnels at Linslade.
     

     
    Approaching Harrow from the south. Must be the Peak hour, as the Stanmore Branch DMU is formed by a pair of Cravens 105s.
     

     
    The Widnes to North Wembley BOC Tankers head through Harrow on the Up Slow Line.
     

     
    A green liveried 40 plods south at Linslade.
     

     
    North and southbound Cement traffic passing at Harrow.
     

     
    A busy few moments at Harrow. North and southbound Parcels traffic pass on the Fast Lines while a northbound Freightliner passes a 304 heading south on a Birmingham to Euston (via Northampton) service.
     

     
    A Dagenham to Halewood working heads north alongside the canal at Linslade.
     
     
  6. anroar53
    The Up Postal passing Harrow.
     

     
    The southern approaches to Watford.
     

     
    Harrow interlude as the Branch freight arrives from Stanmore.
     

     
    Looking south from the bridge at Harrow.
     

     
    Southbound class 3 Parcels at Linslade.
     

     
    The Widnes to North Wembley BOC Tankers pass Harrow. The Stanmore shuttle approaches platform 7.
     

     
    Northbound through Watford.
     

     
    The Manchester Pullman overtakes a Dagenham to Halewood working approaching Watford.
     

     
    A class 25 heads an Inspection Saloon through Linslade.
     

     
    A Research Department Special heads south through Harrow with the prototype HST Power Cars.
     

     
    Northbound at Linslade.
     

     
    Passing Harrow.
  7. anroar53
    The Branch Freight from Stanmore arrives in the Yard at Harrow. A Euston bound Express passes a pair of 501s as they brake for the station stop.
     

     
    A Derby Lightweight DMU approaches Harrow after another trip to 'The Village'. An 84 heads a freight south as an early liveried 86 overtakes on the Up Fast Line.
     

     
    A class 4 Parcels rattles through on the Up Slow Line at Harrow while an 08 waits to enter Harrow Yard after a short working along the Stanmore branch.
     

     
    At the north end of Watford an Express parcels service overtakes a 'Peak' hauled freight.
     

     
    Looking south from the road bridge at Harrow. An 8 car 310 EMU sets off from the station next stop Euston. 1L10, the Bullion Special, hurries north along the Down Fast Line.
     

     
    Approaching Linslade Tunnel from the north.
     

     
    It's the 'Off Peak' on the Stanmore Branch as a 'Bubble car' operates the shuttle. Racing south a Freightliner is overtaken by a class 3 Parcels service. A 1972 Tube set departs for Elephant & Castle in the background.
     

     
    Things getting busy at Harrow.
     

     
    Heading south past Linslade.
     

     
    Overview of the station at Harrow looking north.
     
    A pair of 25s on Class 1 duty heading south through Watford, as a freight heads south.
     
    A bit of film taken with a £13.98 mini-cam to give a Driver's eye view with a couple of circuits of the Down Fast Line.
    Another clip of some of the trains running on the layout
     
  8. anroar53
    Well, it was just as well the railway was mostly completed when it was, as it seems that it will be seeing a lot of extra use in the coming months. There are a lot of smaller detailing jobs that can still be done, but running the trains is going to be the order of the day for now 
     

    A northbound freight and Express approach Harrow from the south. A Derby Lightweight Single Car DMU finds itself operating the off peak services on the Stanmore Branch.
     

    Busy moment at Harrow. The northbound Liverpool Pullman overtakes a freight on the Down Slow Line. As a 304 passes on the Up Slow Line on a 'stopper' from Birmingham a Euston bound Express sweeps through on the Up Fast Line. In the background on the DC Lines a pair of 501s brake for the Harrow stop, as a 1938 tube set heads off for Watford.
     

    On the southern approaches to Watford a northbound Express overtakes the Kings Cross to Tring Cement Empties. A DPU with 'Tail Traffic' head off along the Up Slow Line. In the background a Metropolitan A60 set sits in the Electric Siding waiting a platform, for its next run to Baker Street via the Croxley Link.
     

    The Kings Cross to Tring Cement Empties race the Stanmore DMU into Harrow.
     

    'Western Invader'. During their last years the 52s made occasional forays along the West Coast on freight workings. Although this example is relatively clean compared to the rather travel stained examples that could be observed at the time.
     

    'Out in the sticks'. The Widnes to North Wembley BOC Tankers head south along the Up Slow Line at Linslade. In the other direction a Postal working passes a Freightliner.
     

    A 31 heads south through Harrow, as the Euston bound Manchester Pullman dashes through on the Up Fast Line. In the background the humble 501s rumble on about their daily business.
     

    The possibilities of a model railway. Watford Depot, that never was. Plenty of 25s to be seen, once an everyday sight at the southern end of the West Coast in the 1970s.
     

    A pair of 20s heads north at Harrow on an empty wagon working destined for Toton via the Northampton to Market Harborough Line.
     

    A 37 heads north at Watford with a train of four wheel petrol tankers. A pair of 310s call at platform 9 on their way into Euston. A Derby Lightweight DMU sits on the Depot Headshunt having arrived from Bletchley, as a Cravens 105 waits in platform 10 with the next service for St. Albans Abbey. In the North Bay a train of DMUs being made up ready to depart for Bletchley TMD.
     
     
     
     
  9. anroar53
    Heading south through Harrow. A class 40 on a Tanker working for Ripple Lane as an Express for Euston overtakes.
     

     
    A short Freight heads south at Linslade with a 25 on the front.
     

     
    Looking south from the Bridge at Harrow.
     

     
    At Linslade, heading south.
     

     
    Approaching Harrow from the south. A class 120 Cross Country DMU has found its way onto the Stanmore Branch.
     

     
    Class 40 on a southbound Freight at Linslade.
     

     
    A brief 'green' moment brings a class 26 through Linslade, a bit improbable, but I like to give some of my other Locos a run every so often !
     

     
    At the north end of Watford.
     

     
    A 'Bubble Car' DMU on the Stanmore Branch, passing the disused siding to the former Cabinet/Coffin Factory.
     

     
    Close up of Harrow & Wealdstone station as two Expresses pass on the Fast Lines.
     

     
    Looking north towards Harrow.
  10. anroar53
    A class 87 heads a Euston to Wolverhampton Express through Watford, as a 304 EMU sets off for Euston on a service from Birmingham via Northampton.
     

     
    Out at Linslade the Southbound Manchester Pullman overtakes a Western Visitor on some loaded Hoppers.
     

     
    The southbound Flasks pass Linslade on the Up Slow Line.
     

     
    Giving the HST a spin, passing south through Watford on the Up Fast Line.
     

     
    The Up Bletchley Mails pass Linslade as a northbound Express passes in the opposite direction.
     

     
    Passing Expresses at Harrow as a six car 501 heads off for Watford.
     

     
    To the south of Harrow. The Stanmore Village DMU arrives in platform 7 as a class 50 heads north on a Freightliner working.
     

     
    A Euston to Bletchley 'Local' arrives in the Down Slow Line platform at Watford. A Cravens 105 waits to leave platform 10 with the next service to St. Albans Abbey.
     

     
    Northbound at Watford. The North Wembley to Widnes BOC Tankers are overtaken by a Down Express.
     

     
    The North Wembley to Widnes BOC Tankers exit the Tunnel at Linslade as a Euston bound 'Local' heads south.
     

     
    Busy period at Harrow.
     
  11. anroar53
    Looking over the top of the Advertising Hoardings on the Upside at Harrow.
     

     
    An Up Motorail service about to plunge into Linslade Tunnel.
     

     
    Overview looking south through Harrow.
     

     
    An Anglo-Scottish service hurries south at Linslade.
     

     
    To the south of Harrow. The Stanmore Village DMU sets off on another trip. A pair of 25s head south on a loaded cement working, and a 40 finds itself working south on an Empty Van working.
     

     
    From the Goods Shed at Harrow. A 304 passes through Harrow on a Birmingham via Northampton service. A southbound Express heads in the opposite direction.
     

     
    1A14 0733 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston 'Pullman' speeds through Harrow on the last stretch into the Capital.
     

     
    To the south of Harrow, visiting Motive Power. A Western heads south as a pair of 33s head north. The Stanmore shuttle returns to platform 7 after another run on the Branch.
     

     
    Southbound Express overtakes a set of Tankers bound for Ripple Lane on the approaches to Harrow.
     

     
    Harrow Goods yard, with a northbound Freightliner passing.
     

     
    North and southbound Parcels workings at Harrow.
     

     
    Occasionally the layout sees other Visitors. In this case one of my normally 'stored' Deltics puts in an appearance on a southbound working to the south of Watford.
  12. anroar53
    To the south of Harrow. A Cravens 105 arrives with a shuttle from Stanmore Village. A southbound Parcels passes a freight with two 25s in charge, as a Euston bound Express hurries through.
     

     
    Northbound Express overtakes a 47 hauling some empty MGR wagons at Harrow. In the background a six car 501 heads off for Watford.
     

     
    Out at Linslade, and the 47 hauled MGR empties has just exited the Tunnels.
     

     
    Improbability factor. 1200 'Falcon' makes an appearance at Watford heading north.
     

     
    Changeover of stock for the St. Albans Abbey service at Watford. A Cravens 105 sits in platform 10 with a Derby Lightweight set in platform 11. A pair of 'Bubble cars' on the Depot headshunt waiting a path to return to Bletchley Depot.
     

     
    An Express Parcels service races a Freightliner as they head north past the Sports Ground at Headstone Lane.
     

     
    Southern visitors on a northbound Cement working at Linslade.
     

     
    Looking north through Harrow. The Stanmore Branch freight about to set off from platform 7, as a Freightliner and Express head south.
     

     
    Midland Lines diversion into Euston passing through Harrow. It will have travelled over the now closed Market Harborough to Northampton route.
     

     
    At the southern end of Watford a class 40 appears on a southbound Freightliner working.
  13. anroar53
    South end at Watford. A green liveried 40 heads some coal empties north as an Express Parcels service overtakes.
     

     
    A Watford to Bournemouth Excursion sets off from Platform 11 at the Junction.
     

     
    Passing Harrow & Wealdstone. The Tring to Kings Cross Cement has a solitary 25 in charge, as an Express for Euston speeds past on the Up Fast Line.
     

     
    The Dagenham to Halewood passes Linslade on the Down Slow Line.
     

     
    A Birmingham to Euston (via Northampton) service produces a 304 as it passes the canal at Linslade.
     

     
    On the southern approaches to Watford. A northbound Express overtakes the North Wembley to Widnes BOC Tankers.
     

     
    The North Wembley to Widnes BOC tankers pass the Depot at Watford.
     

     
    A Toton to Willesden coal working passes Linslade. The train will have travelled over the Market Harborough to Northampton route.
     

     
    Looking over the Advertisement Boards outside Harrow. Northbound Freight and Express passing through. A Bakerloo Tube for Watford sets off in the background.
     

     
    Wide variety of visitors 'on shed' at Watford Depot.
     

     
    A 'Bubble Car' arrives at Harrow on the Stanmore Village shuttle. A 304 heads north on the Down Slow with an Express passing on the Down Fast Line. In the Background a 1938 Tube set arrives on a service from Elephant & Castle.
     

     
    Round the back of the Depot at Watford. E2001 at rest.
  14. anroar53
    I had been meaning to make a TCV (Twin Deck car Carrier) for my West Coast layout. This was to represent the Newton Chambers type that had been used on the 2235 Euston to Perth, and 2140 Perth to Euston during the 1970s. Sorting through my leftovers Box gave me a few things to work with. Although not 100% correct, and not super detailed, it will do for my purposes. It used up some time now the weather had turned wet. The project took about ten hours spread over five days.
     
     
    Finished item, on the rear of 1M12 2140 Perth to Euston as it passes through Watford.
     

     
    Main components, roof, underframe, and cast ends left over from a B H Enterprise kit.
     

     
    Cast ends stuck to the underframe, and roof section cut to fit.
     

     
    The lower well deck added. The underframe had a slight recess filed so that the thin plasticard sides would fit flush under the main side panel. A bit of Balsa used as strengthening.
     

     
    Some plasticard sheet cut for the sides and glued into place. The cast ends were then filed flush with the sides.
     

     
    The roof section has five windows each side. Rather than drill the windows out I used some bits of card, which would be painted a different colour from the roof to represent the glass.
    A coat of Rail Grey applied as undercoat. The cast ends had the original detail filed off and replaced with thin strips of plasticard. Some TPM brass buffers added.
     

     
    As the bogies have a reduced wheelbase I shortened some Minitrix Bogies by taking 4mm out of the middle. Joined together with a bit of plasticard strengthening, and a new pivot hole drilled afterwards.
     

     
    I used some masking tape to cover the rail grey, before painting the rail blue sections, and the roof. Some Ultima roof vents added.
     

     
    Unfortunately I hadn't got the correct transfers, so used some old Pressfix lettering to finish. The top windows in the roof painted a lighter gloss grey to represent the glass.
     

     
    Passing Linslade on the back of 1M12.
     
  15. anroar53
    Harrow & Wealdstone. A class 4 Parcels drifts through on the Up Slow Line. A northbound Express on the Down Fast Line, as two 501s pass in the background on the DC Lines.
     

     
    An up Express passes a Parcels working on the approaches to Linslade Tunnel.
     

     
    An Express for Euston hurries through on the Up Fast Line at Watford Junction. In the background Tube and Local services prepare to leave the New Line platforms.
     

     
    HS4000 making an appearance on a northbound Empty MGR working at Linslade.
     

     
    The Research Department has a new toy to head their Tribometer train as it passes Harrow heading south, about to be overtaken by an Express for Euston.
     

     
    Freightliner heading south at Linslade.
     

     
    1L10 Bullion Special for Birmingham Curzon Street approaching Watford on the Down Fast Line.
     

     
    Southbound MGR working approaching Linslade Tunnel as an Express heads north.
     

     
    Southbound Freight and Express at Harrow. A class 25 and Brake Van waiting for the signal on the Down Slow Line to proceed back to Watford Yard.
     

     
    Northbound Bletchley Local with a pair of 310s at Linslade.
     

     
    A class 40 emerges from Linslade Tunnel on a northbound Freightliner working.
  16. anroar53
    The Layout will be featuring in Traction magazine, as a two-parter, in the September/October issue, and the November/December Issue.
     

     
    To the south of Harrow. A Derby Lightweight DMU approaches with the shuttle from Stanmore Village. The Tring to Kings Cross cement working heads south. Eagle eyed observers will note a Gresley Buffet Car in the southbound Express. Fortunately I had kept good records of the periods, and at least one example turned up on a Special which came out of Euston and did a trip over the Settle & Carlisle and back.
     

     
    Approaching Watford. The Dagenham to Halewood is overtaken by an Express as they head north.
     

     
    The North Wembley to Widnes BOC Tankers head through Watford on the Down Slow Line with a 47 in charge.
     

     
    Passing the Sports Ground at Headstone Lane. A Toton to Willesden loaded Coal working has a 45 heading it. It will have travelled over the now closed Market Harborough to Northampton route.
     

     
    Watford Junction, passing trains. A three car DMU sits in platform 11 waiting to work the next service to St. Albans Abbey.
     

     
    Looking south through Harrow alongside the Goods Yard. The southbound Manchester Pullman overtakes a loaded Hopper working as a northbound Freight is about to pass between them.
     

     
    Looking over the St. Albans Road bridge north of Watford Junction. The entrance to the Depot. 1A14 catches a 'double yellow' on the Up Fast Line as it gains on 1A13 in front of it.
  17. anroar53
    A southbound Freightliner hurries towards Linslade Tunnel on the Up Slow Line. Memories of Summertime canalside walks of the 1970s.
     

     
    A northbound Express thunders through Watford on the Down Fast Line, as a southbound Freightliner passes through on the Up Slow Line. No doubt the passengers are wondering if this will delay their service for London ?
     

     
    A class 6 Parcels working for Hemel Hempstead rattles through Watford on the Down Slow Line.
     

     
    A pair of 47s head south at Linslade with a loaded MGR working. In the background an Express for Wolverhampton dashes past.
     

     
    At Harrow & Wealdstone. An Overnight Sleeper service bound for Euston sweeps through on the Up Fast Line, as a Freight slowly trundles through on the Up Slow Line.
     

     
    Approaching Watford from the south, passing the Power Signal Box. Bakerloo Tubes pass in the background as a Northbound Express overtakes a stopping service for Bletchley.
     

     
    A pair of 501s arrive from Euston into platform 1 at 'The Junction'.
     

     
    The sun catches some ripples on the Canal as a pair of 310s head north at Linslade.
     

     
    The southbound Flasks from Sellafield head towards Willesden as a northbound Empty Wagon working rattles north. An Express passes on the Down Fast Line as another DC working from Euston arrives in Platform 4.
     

     
    A 25 rolls the Tring to Kings Cross Cement working through Harrow on the Up Slow Line.
     

     
    A Euston bound Express thunders through Harrow, as the northbound 'Liverpool Pullman' heads in the opposite direction. A 1972 Bakerloo Tube sets off towards Watford.
     
     
     
     
  18. anroar53
    About twenty years ago I was faced with the problem of how to try and model the West Coast Main Line in N, but with only the Farish 87, and the Lima 86 available? The only solution was to try and fill the gaps by scratch building all the missing items. This had started as a project to run them on the exhibition layout 'Kings Park'. The first three attempts were at class 85s built round some secondhand Fleischmann continental AC locos. However these were a bit overscale in width, topping out at a scale twelve feet. Something had to be done to produce a more true to size model.

    This was the first attempt to produce an early 81 built around an Arnold continental chassis.


    The basic construction was made up from 1mm plasticard, with the cab front and side windows made from 0.5mm plasticard. The bodyshell was made as a solid box first, with the windows and grill apertures drilled out and filed. (As I had done with the EMUs and Underground stock.) The grills were made from P & D Marsh whitemetal corrugated sheeting. Cut to size and inset into the bodyside.
    The following couple of pictures show the first few production locos under construction. Unfortunately the original images have been lost, and these are reproductions from my remaining hard copy.

    The cab roof was made with a small off cut of carriage roof, with space at the front to insert a lot of body filler which could be sanded down to shape.
    After about five locos were completed on a mixed bag of motorised chassis the next step was to build some locos with some leftover Farish 87 bodyshells, leftover from pinching the chassis to power some Multiple units. After talking to Richard Dockerill at an exhibition he told me he had started building some AC Locos using a Minitrix Class 27 chassis, but with Minitrix Class 42 bogies. I found this to be extremely useful, as I had hoarded my own Minitrix locos and they were still available. In fact I then went around the exhibitions picking up more bargain secondhand Minitrix locos to convert. As the Farish 87 body was too long for the 81-5s I removed a section of the original body, so that it would fit the Minitrix 27/42 combo chassis.


    The Minitix 42 bogies had no side frames, so sticking some other ones (from my leftovers box) on the side was quite easy after filing off a bit of surplus metal to the Coupler pockets.
    Bit of a fuzzy picture in early digital camera days, showing how the Farish 87 body was shortened. I used a small saw at first, but as I got more proficient with a slitting disc, I started using that.

    The shortened body put together with liquid poly glue and allowed to harden, then sanded off. Cab front and windows removed.

    Finished bodyshell with a slightly thicker end of plasticard to allow profiling, and thinner plasticard for the front windows drilled and filed out. Route Indicator box also drilled and filed. The original bodyside detail was infilled with filler and sanded flush.

    The bodyside windows and grills were then done in the same was as the early scratchbuilt version.

    To produce some class 86s, this was before the Dapol 86 was introduced, a simple expedient was to modify the Farish 87 by just altering the front end, with some replacement plasticard windows, and removing the 87 front detail and drilling out the Route Indicator Box.

    At this time I also had some old Lima 86 bodyshells, which were too short to be an 86. So I lengthened the body by cutting it into three bits, and inserting odd bits of plasticard to pad it out. Next photo shows roughly where the body was cut, and the pieces inserted. The length was made to fit a standard Farish 87 chassis, freeing up more 87 bodyshells for conversion to class 81-5s.

    One more item to add was the converted gas turbine loco which became E1000/E2001. This started out as just an Ultima coach roof, with shaped plasticard sides and ends in the same way as the early scratchbuilt locos, but with some etched brass grills.

    The loco was built around a standard Farish Class 47 chassis. Note the buffers have had the outer edges filed down. This was done on the actual loco to fit the London Midland Loading Gauge requirements.



    That about wraps up this little story. Next episode to include building the Mark 2 Manchester/Liverpool Pullman stock.

    Andy.
  19. anroar53
    Part of the Control set up. One of five panels, this one looking after Harrow.

    When I began my West Coast project I wanted to use Track occupation and four aspect signals. Fortunately, about twenty five years ago I had run a large scale experiment with N Gauge in the garden. (Railway Modeller April/August 1995). This consisted of about a run of 250 feet out and back. To keep an eye on things I installed track circuiting throughout and automatic four aspect signals. At this time I bought a lot of Track Circuit units and signal control boards, from a firm called Signal & Telegraph of Edmonton. These units gave stirling service over the life of the outdoor line, and when the outdoor line was decommissioned they were carefully stored away for another day. As these are non DCC compatible I stuck with DC throughout. Also as it was going to be a mainly 'watching the trains go by' type layout I didn't think investing in DCC worthwhile.

    Signal unit left, Track Circuit unit right.

    The units as positioned on the old garden railway set up.

    As the units were set up originally on the garden railway, multitude of wires possibly an understatement. On the current layout these units have been spread out to where the units feed the track or signals.


    Early days commissioning the Watford panel. The Control panel is made in an 'L' shape with 2 x 1 framing with hardboard surfaces. The panel was finished in matt grey undercoat. The track layout was lightly drawn in pencil first. The track diagram was made using 'Trimline' lining tape in multi-colours to denote the track sections. These were much simplified from the prototype to reduce the number of Track Circuit units utilised. Labelling was done on the computer, printed, cut to size, and stuck in place, avoiding places that might be damaged when switch and LED holes were drilled. Before drilling the numerous holes the surface was covered with clear plastic sheet to protect the lining and labels. The holes were then drilled carefully ready for fitting the switches and LEDs, plus the holes for the Controllers.

    The four main line storage sidings (Up Fast, Up Slow, Down Fast, Down Slow) have their own panels.

    The Up Yard panel with the Up Fast and Up Slow. The Yards can be run in 'Auto' via Heathcote SA6 Storage Yard units with IRDOT (Infra red detectors between the rails). This means the trains can operate in sequence from Siding 1 to 10 in succession. There is however a switch so that manual control can be taken via push buttons at individual points.

    The Down Yard panel for the Down Fast and Down Slow, and operates the same as the Up Yard Panel. The routes have bi-colour White/Red LEDs which show the route set, and change to red as the trains arrive/depart. The LED route lights are controlled by a simple relay PCB operated from Auxiliary point motor switches.

    Home made Relay boards. gave me lots of soldering practice.

    Fitting the IRDOT units to the Storage sidings.
    Unfortunately I ran out of the signal units, and had to finish off the signalling by making up some home made relay boards. Why Relays? Well, I must admit I don't understand much about transistors and the like, but Relay and Logic circuits I can work out okay. At least I know what to do if I have a failure of any kind!

    Home made signal boards. One of the main things is to keep a record of what each of the terminals does, seen on my printed record sheet. My Circuit Diagrams are probably not up to much, and Bill Corrigan, who guided me through many Route Relay diagrams, would turn in his grave.

    The fifth and final panel. This one controls Harrow Yard, and can be used if I want to do a bit of shunting while the main lines run themselves.

    The Harrow Main Line Panel almost finished. The panels are attached to the layout by large hook and eye fittings to the main 4 x 2 framing so they can be removed if necessary. They have a lot of multi-pin connectors so they can be unplugged. The main panels have an additional central 4 x 2 leg which can be taken off.
    Back of the Harrow Main Panel with most of the track and signal indicators.
    Bottom part of the panel with the Controllers and switches. Wiring probably not up to standard, but at least it works. Although not visible the Poly Block connectors are marked, but haven't shown up well in the pictures.

    The signals themselves are almost 100% CR Signals. All the route indicators work, along with the Calling on and position light ground signals. The searchlight types on the 'New Line' have been slightly modified by fitting Repeater heads. It was a bit complicated to make them work with the automatic calling on facility, so they function mainly as standard two and three aspect types.


    N Brass Gantry with CR Signal heads and shunt signals. A 25 hauled freight gets a main aspect for the St. Albans Branch, while a DMU gets a shunt signal to visit the Depot for fuel.


    A busy time at Harrow, as the Stanmore DMU gets a position 1 Route Indicator. On this signal the Position 4 Indicator is for crossing to the Up Fast, no indication for returning to the Up Slow Line.


    The 08 gets a shunt aspect to proceed from the Loop platform to the Yard.


    Modified Searchlight signals for the New Line. Dummy Ground signals, not strictly correct as these are SR pattern, it's just that I had a number of these lying around gathering dust.


    New Line and Main Line signals. The Main Line has a position 4 for crossing to the Down Slow, the Position 5 for the Loop Platform.


    Position Light Ground signal. In this case it has a dummy 'smoke blue' stencil Indicator. It is mounted on two track pins, blue paper with plastic covering on a square of plasticard, and some etched brass mess painted black and stuck on. Note the Telephone cabinet alongside with the black and white striped plate. I spent ages fitting Signal Post Telephones.

    Home made Block Instruments. A bit gimmicky, yes. By rights they should be Tokenless Block Types, but I wanted to build the more classical version. They were made up in a box shape with 2mm plasticard, with a bit of Perspex over the recessed pointer/needle. Bits were transferred from some old Triang Hornby ones that were around many years ago. The Triang Hornby ones no longer worked. I used the electro magnets and the magnetic pointer, plus the bell unit. However I enlarged the units by about four times to make them more easy to operate. I used some new rotary switches, and the bell tapper was made from a small push button switch which is depressed by pushing down on a piece of brass tube with a wooden draw knob. The instruments are connected to work the Stanmore and St. Albans branches.


    I'm usually assisted by Ralph the 'Cat Controller'. In this case he is working the Watford panel, and is keeping an eye out for a loco coming off shed onto the headshunt.

    Think I've just about covered everything? Next on the list, how the AC Locos were made.

    Andy.
  20. anroar53

    West Coast in N

    By anroar53,

    Have just about finished a 10 year project, although a few minor things need completing, the layout is now in its fully functioning state.
     

    A length of about thirty feet in N Gauge has allowed me to attempt full size stations. Hopefully the station frontage is recognisable (without reading the station name).
    A class 310 calls on a local from Bletchley to Euston.
     

    To the south of the station the actual area has had to be modified from reality, as with only 30 inches of width I had to scale back what could be done.
    A class 40 whistles through on the Down Slow line with a northbound freight from Willesden. An 86 hauled Express about to overtake on the Down Fast Line, while a 1938 tube set heads south for Elephant and Castle.
     

    In a small space at the end of the layout is a representation of canal and railway near Linslade. The canal is at a slightly lower level than the railway. An 85 hauled Freightliner heads north on the Down Slow Line, when Freightliner trains were less colourful..
     

    To the south of Watford a 304 prepares to call at the Junction with a Euston to Birmingham (via Northampton) semi-fast. A 310 accelerates away on the Up Slow Line, next stop Euston. The DC 'New Line' swings away to the left for its loop via Watford High Street.
     

    At the North end of Watford an 84 hauls a long van train (16 on) on the Down Fast Line. On the far left the Depot has managed to survive not being turned into a Car Park.
     

    Just a few images to get started with, hopefully a few more to come.
     
    Andy.
  21. anroar53
    Two 501 sets coast into Harrow on a Euston to Watford local service. A Kenny O to Perth Motorail passes on the Down Fast. On the Slow Lines two eight car 310s pass each other.
     

    304 meets 310 at the south end of Watford. These units were constructed using old style Farish coaches which had the removable window strips. These had been taken out. In the case of the 310 the window section was replaced by solid plasticard. Windows were marked out and then drilled out and filed to shape. In the case of the 304 it has leftover brass sides from a B H Enterprises 4 EPB kit. The ends of both units were created using 2mm plasticard profiled to shape with some fine sandpaper and filing. Windows, destination box, and jumper recesses (310) drilled out and filed.
     

    A 304 sets off from Watford on a Birmingham New Street service (via Northampton). On this occasion it is about to be passed by the Royal Train, double headed by a pair of 40s. A Cravens Diesel Parcel Unit arrives on the Up Slow with tail traffic, one solitary van.
     

    Unfortunately the original images of the construction have been lost over time, and the scans of my remaining hard copy are not that good. However I hope they will show how the units were made. The bottom unit is one of the 310 Driving Trailers. The original coach appears to have been a Network South East Livery example. However some of the large windows with sliding vents have come from a former Western Chocolate/Cream coach. In this case these windows were retained as they had raised ridging for the frames and vents, which the early Farish examples had before fully printed sides came in along with the solid bodyshells. Solid plasticard has been inserted between the large windows, which had the smaller windows marked out and then drilled and filed. The cab front started as a square of 2mm plasticard, and has had the windows and jumper recesses drilled out and filed. The jumper recesses had smaller squares of 1mm plasticard inserted at a shallow angle. The cab roof was sanded/filed down once the coach roof had been fitted, leaving the raised route indicator box. The coach above is the 310 Motor Brake vehicle showing the windows drilled out. The top coach is a 304 Driving Trailer, before I used brass sides from the 4 EPB kit.
     

    Another rather grainy image, this time showing the seating added, and initial body painting. Before glazing and fitting the roof all the window surrounds were painted silver, a very long and fiddly job. The jumper recesses have been fitted.
     

    The completed 310 is seen heading south on the Up Slow Line near Linslade, with an 86 hauled Express for Euston about to pass it. The curved cab windscreens were made from some moulded plastic packaging that I think came from some Peco Point motors? The glazing for the other windows was all done with an application of Humbrol 'Clearfix'.
     

    Showing the 304 that was built with brass sides. These were leftover from the construction of the 501 units. Originally a 4EPB kit only three coaches were required for the 501, leaving one set of coach sides leftover for each of the six 501s I built. The sides were cut and gaps left where I needed to insert the toilets, brake compartment, and cab ends. The bodyside gaps had solid plasticard inserted at window level as with the earlier 310s. Some body filler was spread over the sides so it could be sanded down flush with the brass sides. The windows were then marked out and drilled and filed.
     

    The 304 and 310 Motor Brakes showing how the pantograph well was cut out (with a slitting disc) and some plasticard inserted.
     

    One of the completed 304 Driving Trailers after the brake pipes and jumpers were added (Small electrical wire). The Route Indicator box had a small surround of 1mm plasticard fitted and filed to fit before painting. The numbers were printed on a computer then covered with clear plastic to represent the glazing. The Destination blind has yet to be inserted. Gresley bogies have since been fitted. The tail lights were made from Track pin heads fitted into a small drilled hole. Jumper boxes were just bits of leftover plasticard.
     

    The later version of 304 with the larger windows has also been completed, this time using brass sides from a 116/7 DMU.
     

    One of the 501 Motor Coaches. These have been built using B H Enterprises 4 EPB brass sided kits. The actual construction was the same as for the other EMUs, on early Farish BGs. The coach sides had one compartment removed to shorten them down to a reasonable length. The cab ends were retained, but the jumper detail was filed off and replaced by a revised layout in keeping with a 501. The Destination Blind was also drilled out above the Route Indicator Box (I promise I will replace the hand painted 'B1' with a printed version at some stage ) The shoe beams were etched brass stuck directly to the bogies.
     

    Just to the north of Harrow in the afternoon sun, a 501 bound for Euston is easily outpaced by an AC hauled Express on the Up Fast. In reality, with the position of the shadows, this would actually be sometime in the early morning

    And, finally, as they say, a Clacton 309 makes an appearance on the Down Slow south of Watford. No doubt en route from Ilford to Wolverton, but by this stage lined maroon livery would have been unlikely. I just like these units in their original form, and had to have one.
     

    By this time I was running out of early Farish Coaches to convert, but I still had a few Minitrix Mark 1s that were in the odds and ends box. The 309 was a Worsley Works Brass sided kit. The Minitrix Mark 1s had the entire window section, from just below the roof, to just below the window ledges, sliced out with a slitting disc. The brass sides were then stuck onto the sides, saving a lot of time. In this case a strip of clear plastic was inserted inside the body for the glazing. The bogies were exchanged for some Ultima Commonwealth types, and the redundant Minitrix ones found their way onto some Farish Mark 1s. As I've said before, I never chuck anything away, it all goes into the odds and ends box in case it should become of use again.
     

    I never did get round to fitting the interior, one of those 'never finished' jobs that I must get round to eventually.
     

    309 MBS with 'pan up' at Watford. The St. Albans service is being operated by a Worsley Works Craven 105, but that, as they say, is another story.
     
    I think that ends today's ramblings!
  22. anroar53
    A late running overnight Express races towards the Tunnels at Linslade. My choice of locations was mainly influenced from my early working career on the Southern end of the West Coast Main Line in the 1970s. The third part of a selection of stories is about to appear in Traction Magazine. Many more tales have already been posted on the Layout's Facebook page between September 1975 and June 1976, with more to follow up to 1979. Photos of the layout have been included in the stories to provide a bit more background feel to the tales of day to day operations.
     

     
    Above the Tunnels, and a little scene of church and graveyard.
     

     
    Harrow & Wealdstone looking south. One of the advantages of recreating scenes in model form is that you can add things that you may have wanted to see brought back. In this case it was to bring back the Branch Line to Belmont and Stanmore Village. On the left in Platform 7 is the DMU shuttle for Stanmore waiting to leave. A class 45 'Peak' rattles a Toton to Willesden Coal working through on the Up Slow Line, as an Express for Euston overtakes on the Up Fast Line. 501s and a 1938 Tube set on the DC Lines in the background.
     

     
    To the south of Harrow. 1A88 'The Bletchley Mails' hurries south on the Up Slow Line bound for Euston. On the Down Fast Line 1L10 The Willesden to Birmingham 'Bullion' special heads north. A 1938 Tube set about to call at Harrow with a service from Elephant & Castle. 
     

     
    A class 40 powers the Ripple Lane Tankers through Harrow. The Research Department's Tribometer Train heading north with Baby Deltic D5901. Bakerloo Tubes pass on the DC Lines in the background. 
     

     
    A mixed class 4 Parcels heading south on the Up Slow Line at Harrow. A Motorail service for Kensington Olympia overtakes on the Up Fast Line. 501s and a 1938 Tube set pass in front of Harrow No.2 Box on the DC Lines. 
     

     
    A pair of 25s slog past the Depot at Watford Junction on 6M52 the Kings Cross to Tring Empty Cement working. A Motorail service for Kensington Olympia speeds past on the Up Fast Line. 
     

     
    About to pass Harrow & Wealdstone. A southbound Freightliner on the Up Slow Line. A class 3 Express Parcels on the Up Fast Line, and a 1938 Tube set on the Up DC Line.
     
     more pictures to follow at a later date.....
  24. anroar53
    Tube stock passing at Headstone Lane on the 'New Line'.

    Passing the Sports Ground at Headstone Lane.

    'Peak' southbound at Linslade.

    To the south of Watford

    Harrow & Wealdstone. The Stanmore Village DMU waits to leave from Platform 7 after connecting with the Bletchley 'Local'.

    A short Parcels working from Hemel Hempstead paces the Stanmore Village service.

    North end at Harrow. Two 73s thrash south on Diesel power.

    Looking north through Watford as a 304 EMU calls at the Up Slow Platform with a Birmingham New Street to Euston (via Northampton) service.

    A 40 rattles through Harrow on the Up Slow Line with a class 4 Parcels working

    A class 1 on the Down Slow at Watford.

    Crossing to the Down Fast Line from the Down Slow at the north end of Watford.

    View of the north end of Watford looking over the control panel.

    To the south of Harrow the Stanmore Branch Freight approaches with a 25 in charge

    Southbound Motorail swings round the curves at Linslade on the approach to the Tunnels

    Approaching Watford from the south.

    Connecting pause at Harrow. A Cross Country 120 has found its way onto the Stanmore Branch.

    'Off peak' at Harrow. The Stanmore Branch has just a single car Derby Lightweight DMU for the quiet hours

    Double headed Special approaches Linslade Tunnel.

    A 1938 Tube set arrives in Platform 5 at Watford after a run from Elephant & Castle.

    From above the tunnels at Linslade a Euston bound Express hurries past

    All go to the south of Harrow

    As a pair of 310s set off from the Watford stop an 86 hauled Express overtakes

    To the south of Watford all is busy.

    Heading south at Linslade

    1A14 The southbound Manchester Pullman races through Linslade

    On the last 11 miles into Euston the Manchester Pullman continues its southward progress.

    A 25 assists a 40 through Harrow on a freight bound for Willesden.

    A southbound Anglo-Scottish Sleeper disturbs the peace at Linslade.
  25. anroar53
    One of the jobs I have been meaning to do for ages was to add some castellated ornaments above my representation of Linslade Tunnels. As I didn't have enough space to recreate the gap between the Up and Down Fast Lines at the real location I had to settle on a slightly different arrangement, and my Tunnel has four instead of three towers. Hopefully the end result looks something like the real thing?

    Making up the castle towers using leftover bits of cardboard and embossed plasticard.

    Adding some thin plasticard strips on the completed towers, and the joining curtain walls

    Completed sections painted, just requiring some weathering powder to tone down the paint.

    Centre section added over the Up Fast/Down Slow Line portal

    Completed towers and walls added, some extra weathering added to the Tunnels to try and blend the new additions together. Some 'clump' foliage added to hide the gaps with the original scenery

    All finished ! It took about seven hours work spread over four days to complete.
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