Glencoe Model Railway

Been a while since any meaningful progress so thought I’d do an update. 
 

The plans for a loco stabling area have been binned now, and instead I’ve installed two more loops plus a long siding for storage. This has in turn led to a look at what stock I need/want for the layout. I managed to get 3 Accurascale Mk2Bs to start a new set. At present they are running around with a Bachmann BFK for company! 
 

I’ve also become the proud owner of a Sentinel shunter. At present it’s getting used in the cement plant but there are other plans for it in the future. 
 

Next job is to wire up the new loops and the point frogs then it’s back on with testing. 
 

That’s 3 more of my fleet sold. Just too fragile for my fat sausage fingers and having to keep the sound turned down rather negates the fun of it. Of an original fleet of about 13, I’m down to 3 left. It’s a shame, as they are stunning locos. I did get the sound files updated from Support but even then it still would only work properly with CV63 set at volume 140 or below. 
 

Hopefully subsequent batches will use better glue as I’ve lost kick plates, horn grilles and bogie chains to the carpet monster! With constructive feedback, I’m sure that the next lot will be that step on in quality 

Cheers
 

On 14/02/2024 at 21:14, BoD said:

Arrangements made, various advanced tickets bought, and I will, fingers crossed, be heading up for the weekend. ASLEF willing.
 

 Given that a certain rugby match will be taking place that weekend it wouldn’t surprise me if they took the opportunity to disrupt.

14 days notice of any industrial action needs posted so trains will be running ok (unless any operational issues or incidents on the day) 

N gauge class 26 in Dutch, BR blue with the twin headlights, and a rerun of the celebrity Green pair 26001/007 please. 

Unfortunately, a new job means I won’t be able to make the show this year. Was looking forward to seeing Eastfield and Wellpark too. The pics look fantastic 

Got the droppers all installed and wired into the bus. The long process of testing has now started. Below is a link to one of my YT videos 

Yeah, there is a small corner piece of plywood to be fitted! The point actually has a track in through the tiebar just now so I don’t set it in error. 
 

Been fascinated by NSE ever since I first saw Tonbridge West Yard at Glasgow way back in its first visit. I also have a couple of very good friends who are SR modellers so I suppose it was inevitable that one day I would build a layout in the NSE glory days. 
 

The west end loops are now done too. I’ve also loosely laid the stabling point track to have an idea of what would look ok. I’ve run out of track pins but I’m planning a trip to the local shop over the weekend anyway. 
 

A run of 47s in liveries that could easily be renumbered would be lovely. Far too often they have done locos that are quite unique or difficult to do alternatives with. 
 

Also would love to have a rerun of InterCity, InterCity Scotrail and Scottish 47/4 in large logo. 
 

Would also add my vote to more bog standard Mk1/2 coaches. 
 

That’s odd. All the Mk1s I have are too high. The Kadee seems to rub on the buffer beam. The Mk2/2a is also at the wrong height but not quite as bad. 
 

More oddly, the Mk1 GUV does have them at the right height, along with the Aircon Mk2F. 

Managed to finish the loops at the east end of the layout. I also have installed an EMU berthing siding which can hold a 4 car with ease. 
 

Next job will be to rework the west end to add a couple of loops and some form of loco stabling area. 
 

The Bachmann coaches have the pockets at the wrong height sadly. Best option is to get some of the Keen Systems drawbars which are pretty good. 

Simplified the original West junction. Slight alignment tweaks to do but so far so good. I’ve still to install the point for the stabling area so that will take the worst of the kink out on the second pic. Next step is for more droppers not too many this time. Will rejuice the frogs at the same time.

Finally got the circuits completed last night. Still got the various loops to lay but at least I can now run trains round the shed for the first time in years. Below is a link to a video I have loaded to Twitter. I’ll get some pics up later tonight hopefully 

https://x.com/glencoemrg/status/1752337537463468478?s=46

Fantastic work, you have really captured the essence of the area. Kyle is one of the routes I sign as a driver and what you have managed in such a small space just screams Kyle line. 
 

Cheers

Eddie

Absolutely fantastic to see these units being modelled. Well done. 

A start has been made on track laying. The old run round loop has been lifted and new Up line installed. Then I fitted all the pointwork at one end of the loops. By this stage it started getting too cold to do more so hopefully the temperature rises over the weekend. 
 

1 hour ago, BachelorBoy said:

 

Precisely. But it has led to the end of many camera shops. 

We are lucky up here in the Highlands to still have a specialist camera shop (Ffordes) that you can go in and browse. They are very well priced and I’ve bought a few lenses etc from them. I did buy the new camera (Canon 90D) online but that was due a massive saving that they couldn’t compete with sadly. I guess it’s like buying model railway items, I prefer to buy local but sometimes offers come up that are just too good to refuse. I’m keen to not spend fully online because the beauty of going into the local shop means I can pick up most of my scenic materials, track and a fair chunk of my stock. Fortunately I also get a very good “loyalty” deal on everything. 

Thanks, now that I’ve built the boards, progress should be a bit more rapid now! 
 

Cheers

Thanks for your kind words

Oddly, TWY was the first NSE layout I saw on its first visit to ModelRail Scotland many years ago. It seemed so exotic to a wee lad from the West Highlands! Roll on many years and I saw it again and it still held all its charm, and all those memories came back. 
 

In the meantime, I became really good friends with a couple of SR modellers who have guided me through the process of building Leysbourne. 
 

I’ve also learned loads of new skills and different products from watching YT channels such as Everard Junction, Luke Towan, Chadwick etc. 

Cheers

Eddie

A period of reflection on what I wanted to do with the layouts has resulted in the decision to turn Leysbourne into a roundy roundy layout. Two tracks will run along the back part of Glencoe and will get hidden by scenery…..hopefully! The woodwork is nearly complete and the next job is to start laying the track. Sadly the arrival of winter, it’s a bit chilly to start that today but I have been to the local model shop to get more track and cork so it’s just a case of waiting on the temperature to rise a bit! 
 

1 minute ago, AY Mod said:

 

I think you need a good dose of a small but perfectly formed informal show. I know our members' day would be a trek to Taunton but you get the idea.

A good example of this was the small show I went to in Elgin back in November. Modelling was vastly different standards but seeing the good attendance, that didn’t seem to matter to the paying public. I’d love to get to more shows further afield but it’s like an expedition to get there! 
 

On other thing that affects folks visiting habits is a change in circumstances. Late last year we had a new addition to the family which means that days out have to be more carefully planned

Just now, AY Mod said:

 

And miss out on catching up with friends, having a cuppa and a slice of cake, spot some bargains or something you could do with for the workbench? You can't tell me the comments in a YouTube stream replace intelligent conversation with the layout owner, a demonstrator or society stand or an old friend.

I totally get that, and that’s why shows will always exist in some form. Maybe I’ve been lucky but I have had some good message exchanges with some of the YouTubers who were happy to share their techniques and tips. 
 

Part of the issue for me is the distance I have to travel for shows due to my home being in the North of Scotland- my choice and wouldn’t change it for the world. Cost isn’t too much of an issue for travel as I get free rail travel, but time is. Minimum of 3hrs to get to the central belt so it becomes a very long day. It’s not meant as a moan, it’s my choice! 
 

There will be as many opinions on this topic as there is modellers and it’s been good to read the range of views on this. We have plenty reason to be optimistic about the future of the hobby- it’s going to see me out!! 

1 hour ago, Northerngirl said:

I find it hard to believe that any layout other than making tracks is attracting enough interest online or at a show to generate profit, but it's a far easier to show off your creation on YouTube than bring it to a show. There's been magazines for decades, social media is just a new interpretation of it

This probably hits the nail squarely on the head. It’s far easier for the majority to sit in the comfort of your own place and watch YT vids. No travel expenses, and some excellent layouts streamed straight to your device. 
Exhibitions will always have a place but the changes in the way we live since 2020 and the various lockdowns means that a lot of folk now don’t want to go where crowds are. 
From a personal point, I’ve done visited 2 shows in the last 3 years and still undecided about going to ModelRail Scotland next month. I will make the effort and go to Perth in June however as it’s evolved into one of the best shows on the circuit. 
In a previous life, I was an exhibition manager for the local show and the amount of effort to get a small two day show on was huge. I completely understand why the folks at Warley decided to make the decision they did. 
 

Everything in life evolves and what I see now are some amazing new hi spec models available, with features we could only dream off when I started in the hobby 40 odd years ago. They will continue to evolve long after I’ve departed! 
 

One final thought…. We need to relearn how to be more tolerant again, not just in the hobby but life in general. Probably too deep a topic for this thread, but we have lost this ability and I for one would love to see it back. 
 

Cheers

Eddie

That’s far from easy on these new models unfortunately. The way the lights are fitted mean trying to get a power source to actually illuminate them so I can work out which wire to check at each nose. 
 

I’ve just ordered a Bachmann decoder as it’s going to save a load of time in the long run. 
 

Thanks for the help everyone.