BR37414

Thanks Cheesysmith, I will do that. Cheers!

Thanks Mark, glad I asked the question before ordering the buffers! Cheers!

Hello Chaps, I'm about to venture down the sprung buffer path with 6 Bachmann BDA and 6 Bachmann VGA van wagons using Accurascale sprung buffers. I have dove through many photos of them, and I can't seem to figure out what size of buffer they had. To my eye they look like 13" Oleo, but could someone verify or correct me on this? Thanks! Alex

Good day chaps, After being slightly disappointed with the Hornby range announcement lacking a new run of Mk3 Sleepers, I'm curious if there is another option for them? I've tried locating both Hornby and Lima ones on ebay, in second hand shops and facebook groups, but no luck. I did purchase 3 Hornby FGW livery ones in the hopes of respraying them, but after the the all but destruction of one of them on disassembly, I've ruled that out. Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. -Alex

Thanks for that info. I will definitely look into getting some. -Alex

Wonderful layout mate! What did you use for your ballast? I've been struggling with using the red or grey ballast on my Highland based layout. Keep the pictures/videos coming, really enjoyed catching up on your progress! -Alex

Thanks for all that insight Paul, it all plants seeds for more questions. If your willing, I certainly like to hear more on the hours/rules if you wouldn't mind. In a PM would work too. Who would do the sweeping off the wagons? Would they be done before being moved from Hereford? Once empty, would they be collected into a complete rake before being moved to Scotland or would it be done as they were emptied a wagon or two at a time? Cheers! Alex

Thats really interesting Paul. How long would that trip take? Please forgive me, I live in Canada and google maps can only provide so much info regarding distances, etc. Could you explain your work rules a bit, such as how many hours you could work, etc? Cheers! Alex

I saw a picture on Flickr today with a Queen Mary in the sidings at Crainlarich and it was mentioned that it was used for the timber flow from there to Corpach. The picture was taken in 1986, before RETB. Guess that was to avoid the runaround move at Mallaig Jct? Would share the picture, but sharing is disabled.

Thank you for sharing those photos and info Paul. I shall have to get some OBAs now to also mix with my BDAs and OTAs. Would you be loco only from Hereford to Warrington to collect the wagons? I'm assuming so. Cheers!

Thanks again FC. I purchased the Rail Express Formations Handbook last year and it shows BSWs in several of the formations but only says Lower Crianlarich/Fort William to Mossend with a date. Thats very helpful to know they were most likely going to Hereford. Cheers!

Thanks Mark! I will search up BTAs and do some research on that. Thanks for that correction, I must have gotten confused where I read the bogie swap. Thanks FC, I will do a Flickr search and see if I can find some photos of that. Do you happen to know where the flows to Hereford orginated from? Alex

Hey lads, Is there a possibility that BDA wagons where used for timber traffic? I know some Bolster Ds were fitted with new bogies and called BSWs, but was wondering if BDAs were ever used in Timber flows or was it steel flows only? Thanks, Alex

Thank you everyone for the replies. Very helpful information. My period is 1986-1993. I know for modelling purposes, the cabs seem a bit irrelevant but mainly for having headlights on/off as well the tail light markers. I have a railfreight liveried brake van that will serve as a shoving platform but was wondering how important it was to modify the lighting on my class 37s to reflect the changing of cabs or not. Cheers!

Hey folks, After a bit of delay, I finally have some bench work started and had the station tracks laid down to a newer track plan. Problem is, I wasn't happy with it and tore 75% of it up again. Now after playing with SCARM again, I have come up with two more ideas. This is option #1. Relatively simple, with a redesigned station, yard and TMD area. I have a few slight issues with this one. One, there is no headshunt to be able to shunt from the Yard to the TMD, or the Yard to the Timber loading/goods shed track. The station had platform 1 and platform 2. Platform 2 will be used for departures, with Platform 1 being used for incoming trains. There is a engine escape track off the track for Platform 2, with a train stabling point beyond that. The platforms are designed for 5 coach rakes, with a enough room for a class 37 to use the escape track. There is a small engine stabling point also at the station for a pilot or spare loco. Option #2 Station pretty much stays the same, with the addition of a small headshunt for the yard now (green), with the timber/goods track (blue) being a bit longer, and accessed from the yard, opposed to the TMD road. There is now also a stabling point at the TMD (purple), with a new road for the fueling point/shed track (red). On the next section of benchwork, there will be a fuel terminal off the main, with a catch point, bellow the TMD area. The yard will also serve as a reversing point for the Speedlink service to the paper mill. Plus timber wagons will be loaded at the yard for forwarding elsewhere (fiddle yard). There will be a small goods shed by the TMD as well, very similar to Fort William. The main has been relocated slightly to allow for some low relief scenery, instead of being right up against the back drop. I have also thought about shorting up the rakes to 4 cars, and not making the station as long either to not make it as cluttered. If you lads wouldn't mind, I would like some feed back on this part. I think its coming along, but would like some experienced thoughts on it please. Thanks, Alex

Pins are needed to secure the correctly oriented screwlink, as to Porcy's fix for the OP's question.

Very much relevant. It's a example of a brake van being used. Thank you! How far did they have to reverse? Was it used by a helper for spotting?

In planning operations for my late 80s/early 90s Highlands themed ayout, it occured to me that some reversing onto and off of the main was going to be required. This then lead me to looking prototypical workings that required this. The Fort William speedlink and Alcan workings are prime examples. In these cases, would the driver be required to switch cabs before reversing into/out of Mallaig Jct yard and Alcan? Would the driver turn on the red markers if he did switch cabs or leave the headlight on? Would there be cases of brake vans being used in long reverse movements where it wasn't possible to runaround the train? Thanks in advance! Alex

I'm not sure entirely.I ordered enough to equip 12 of my 37s with these couplings a both ends. So at least 24, say 30 to account for mistakes being made. The ones I found are the steel coated brass ones. Glad I didn't purchase those!

Thanks Phil, I have a Michaels right near me so I will check that out.

Thanks for the info Murray! I'm going to use those ideas on my layout if you don't mind!

I just ordered a bunch to try out, could some one direct me to a source of lace pins? All I've managed to find here in Canada are 64mm long and are just thin pins. Thanks

Looking great. May I ask what you used for your platform and your grass?

I have enjoyed researching the freight side of BR in its various forms. One thing I haven't been successful in finding out, is why BR turned against Speedlink and ultimately Railfreight? Seems kind of short sighted losing all that traffic to lorries, and then there is privatization. Were you a driver, if I may ask?

You are most correct, and that was one of the first things I learned about the West Highland line. My love of the 37 is what lead me to model the region. My layout is 11 x 20, is multi level point to point but with a lower continuous circuitand multi level. Over the majority of the layout will be class 37 only, with a class 20 and 26 for trip workings or running multiple with the 37s. The 47 will be restricted to the lower level circuit track, and will simulate the the speedlink service coming into and leaving Mossend (the fiddle yard on the lower level), along with a couple non scottish 37/0s and 37/5s. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks again! Alex