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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
    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.
  6. 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.
     
     
  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
    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.....
  20. anroar53
    Approaching Watford from the south.
     

    On the DC Side. A 1959 Tube set departs from Watford, as a Metropolitan A60 arrives on a service from Baker Street via the Croxley Link.
     

    Alongside the Grand Union canal at Linslade. Northbound Freight.
     

    A Derby Lightweight Single Car DMU waits to leave platform 7 at Harrow & Wealdstone for Stanmore Village.
     

    To the south of Harrow.
     

    Motorail versus Coal. Passing through Harrow.
     

    47 passes 47 at Watford.
     

    Busy period at Harrow.
     

    Out at Linslade.
     

    South of Harrow.
     

    Euston bound. An 87 hauled Express powers through Linslade.
     

    Northbound Express overtakes northbound Freight at Harrow.
     

    To the north of Harrow.
     

    North end at Harrow & Wealdstone.
     

    Green 47 to the rescue. A late running 1A04 0110 off Holyhead thunders south through Harrow.
     

    The Southbound Bullion Special passes through Watford Junction.
     

    A 1959 Tube set arrives in platform three at The Junction.
     

    Southbound Manchester Pullman passes the northbound Liverpool Pullman at Linslade.
     

    The overhead wiring train heading north at Linslade.
     

    Research Department Special heading north at Linslade.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. anroar53
    The latest selection of pictures from my little slice of 70s West Coast Main Line
     

    To the south of Harrow

    Racing northwards at Linslade

    The Manchester Pullman passes an Inspection Saloon south of Harrow

    Southbound Express raises the dust as it passes Harrow & Wealdstone

    Peeping over the Hoardings at Harrow

    The Widnes to North Wembley BOC Tankers pass Harrow

    Harrow & Wealdstone

    Express Parcels hammers through Harrow

    Harrow overview

    The 'Piggy Bank' Bullion Special passes through Watford

    The southbound Bullion Special passes Linslade

    Shunting into the Yard at Harrow

    Double headed 37s on a Freightliner bound for Stratford L.I.F.T.

    The Wiring Train heads north through Watford

    DMU substitute on the Stanmore Village service. A class 24 and two mark 1s fill in for a non available DMU

    Passing Harrow

    To the south of Harrow. A single car Derby Lightweight DMU works the Stanmore Shuttle

    Busy time at Harrow

    Two 1938 Tube sets in the Reversing Sidings at Harrow, as two 501s pass each side

    Green versus Blue/Grey. Giving the DEMUs a run

    Cement passes Cement at Watford Junction

    The 'Spotters' at Watford can't believe their luck as a 12 car DEMU speeds by on the Up Fast Line (Thump! Thump! Thump!)

    Euston bound Express passes Harrow at speed.

    The Manchester Pullman bursts out of Linslade Tunnel on its run to the north.

    Passing trains at Harrow

    A 1972 Tube set departs from Watford Junction while a 1938 set waits at the signal to enter the station

    A six car 501 departs Watford on an all stations service to Euston, as a northbound Express passes the other way

    Connections at Harrow. The DMU from Stanmore Village has arrived in time to connect with the Bletchley Local

    Passing coal south of Harrow.

    Tunnel vision?
  24. anroar53
    Another selection of pictures from the past two months of running the layout.

    Up and Down Expresses pass at Watford Junction

    In the DC Lines at Watford Junction a line up of trains wait their turn to depart.

    Racing alongside the Grand Union Canal at Linslade, Southbound Express overtakes a Freightliner working.

    Looking north towards Harrow. Freights pass on the Slow Lines as a southbound 501 scoots along on its way to Euston.

    HS4000 heading north on an empty MGR working.

    The Kings Cross to Tring Cement empties heads through Watford.

    Cement workings pass at Harrow & Wealdstone

    Off the beaten track, a Hastings DEMU heads for home on the Up Slow Line at Harrow.

    Northbound through Watford Junction.

    The Research Departments Tribometer Train heads south at Linslade.

    A Railtour produces a pair of Hymeks heading north through Watford on the Down Slow Line.

    A northbound Parcels for Curzon Street passes the Depot at Watford.

    Beast from the East turns up on a diversion at Watford.

    A Derby Lightweight DMU waits in Platform 11 at the Junction with the next service for St. Albans Abbey.

    A Bletchley to Euston 310 is overtaken by an Express at Linslade.

    Turning the clock back to the 1960s and what things used to be. The 1938 Tube set is a timeless link between the periods.

    A green liveried 47 hauling a train of Bogie Hoppers south of Harrow. The Stanmore Branch train arrives in Harrow's No. 7 Platform.

    The Tring Cutting to Kings Cross Cement alongside the Grand Union Canal at Linslade.

    From above the tunnels at Linslade looking north.

    Southbound overnighter with 14 on about to enter the Tunnel at Linslade.

    The Widnes to North Wembley BOC tankers pass Linslade.

    Early Electric Blue 86 on a southbound working at Linslade with a uniform West Coast formation of 12 coaches.

    An 84 on a class 1 working disturbs the tranquillity at Linslade.

    To the south of Watford Junction a flurry of activity.

    All in one direction. The Stanmore Village DMU is paced by a Northampton to Euston 310. While a Euston Express is about to sweep past them all as a 501 sets off with a stopper to Euston.

    A Class 40 turns up on a passenger working for Euston passing the Spotters at the Junction.

    The busy Forecourt at Watford. Plenty of buses.

    Northbound through Linslade.

    Near Headstone Lane.

    Southbound by the Canal.

    North end at the Junction with the Cement empties blasting through on the Down Slow Line.

    Once in a while the Steam Fleet makes a comeback. Nearing Watford northbound.

    When things get busy, Ralph, the Cat Controller, lends a paw.
  25. anroar53
    Re-creating summertime walks by the Grand Union canal in the 1970s

    Busy time to the south of Harrow. A 25 slows for the Yard on the Trip Freight from Stanmore Village.

    A 1938 Tube set emerges from the High Street Loop as it arrives at Watford Junction. This set contains experimental 'sunshine' car no. 10306.

    As a 25 couples up to a failed electric in the Up Fast platform another Express comes round it on the Up Slow Line, and is signalled to cross back to the Up Fast Line.

    if you were fortunate (or unfortunate) to be at Watford Junction on the morning of 27th January 1977, your commute into Euston might have produced this. After an overnight derailment of a Freightliner working in Tring Cutting had trapped all but three EMU sets on the north side of the blockage. To supplement the remaining EMUs on a shuttle service from Hemel Hempstead other sets were pressed into service. This stock had arrived on 1A00 2045 Barrow to Euston, much delayed having been diverted to Birmingham New Street, then diesel hauled via Warwick, High Wycombe, the Greenford Loop, and Willesden. After the sleeping cars had been shunted off the remaining stock (including the TPO, locked out of use) formed the 0725 Euston to Hemel Hempstead, and the return trip to Euston.

    27.01.77. The improvised service sets off for Euston from Watford. The two Full Brakes at the front contained many standing passengers that morning. This set was retired to Willesden after just one trip, as other loco hauled sets had by now been put into service from the Downside Shed at Euston, some even having the Buffet Cars staffed and open !

    South of Harrow. It was surprising just how many freights were diesel hauled 'under the wires'.

    A pair of DMUs head south on the Up Slow Line. There was a daily DMU working into Euston in the 1970s. The 0100 Watford - Euston, and the 0149 Euston - Watford Staff train was a scheduled DMU service. Normally one of the Cravens 105 off the St. Albans Abbey workings. The 0013 Euston - Bletchley on Sunday mornings was also a booked DMU working, which could produce a wide variety of sets, whatever Bletchley had on hand usually. One morning I rode home on a recently refurbished Marylebone 115 which had just been outshopped in Blue/Grey Livery.

    A Metropolitan A60 arrives at the Junction on a service from Baker Street via the Croxley link. A Euston bound 501 disappears round the High Street loop. Southbound Liverpool Pullman passes a northbound parcels working for Rugby via Northampton.

    A Toton - Willesden freight crosses the Colne Viaduct hauled by a 45 plus Brake Tender.

    The Widnes - North Wembley BOC Tankers cross the Colne Viaduct south of Watford.

    South of Harrow. The North Wembley BOC Tankers pass a Rugby Class 6 Parcels working.

    The Halewood - Dagenham coasts through Harrow on the Up Slow Line.

    The Halewood - Dagenham crosses the Colne Viaduct.

    A Northampton to Euston 310 crosses the Colne.

    A Bletchley - Euston 310 calls at Platform 6 at Harrow & Wealdstone. An 84 on a class 1 working for Euston hurries through on the Up Fast Line as a 1972 Tube set arrives in Platform 1 on the 'New Lines'.

    Full House of Tube stock at the Junction.

    'Out in the sticks' near Linslade. Passing Express services, with a northbound freight creeping into shot.
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