Glencoe Model Railway

Took a wee trip out to my local model shop and accidentally bought a Hornby Railroad 47! What struck me was the quality of the livery application, it’s very good indeed. Unfortunately the body details are incorrect for 598 but that’s not a huge problem as I’m planning to do 47708 instead. I have a set of tanks, TDM cables plus ordered light kit and new numbers and nameplates. Looking forward to doing a bit of modelling to create something a little unique. I’ve already taken the numbers off with a wee bit Brasso and it’s left a nice shiny patch for the new numbers. More as it progresses

Good news that the folks are ok, that’s the main thing. Cheers

Belmond don’t operate the loco when on the Strathspey. Under normal circumstances it’s Strathspey drivers (volunteers) but not sure who was driving the FS. On the mainline, the traction provider is GBRf Cheers

There is a video of the incident on Twitter/X now. I am led to believe that the Obs Car is going by road at some point, to Hamilton, along with possibly the next coach. No word on what’s happening with the loco as yet. It’s a sad state of the world we live in, where more people are concerned about the state of the rolling stock that the poor individuals who were hurt in the incident. It also serves as a lesson that rail safety is just as important on preserved lines as it is the mainline, in some cases more so, as some volunteers may not have the same levels of experience as those that work day in day out for mainline companies. Whilst that may appear sweeping, my experience of helping out on a preserved line certainly made me realise how many things could be tweaked to improve them. I hope all involved are ok and get the support they need going forward.

Only a short spell in the shed this afternoon so I stripped an MOD VDA and primed it ready to repaint into maroon. Also did a bit more investigation work with the 3 37s. Looks like the decoders are faulty so are going back to Accurascale for replacement /repair. Big thumbs up to Simon on the help desk for his patience and advice.

Thanks Keith They do lend themselves to a bit of bashing about to create something different. I really need to get an interior for the office part then blend them in at ground level. Cheers Eddie

Busy few hours in the shed this afternoon. Fitted the speaker clips to my retrofit Accurascale 37s. Decided to take the body off to make it easier. I’ve also reblown the decoders with updated sound files from the technical dept but sadly these are still exhibiting the same fault. Simon on their help desk has been superb and will be back in touch tomorrow with the next steps. I’ve acquired a 47/8 body shell so have decided to model a very non-descript Cross Country machine. I’ve settled on 47818 so had to remove the numbers, names and the swallow. Finally, I picked up a bargain bin Hornby Mk2E coach a while back from the wee model shop in Grantown for £15. It was all scratched and a coupling missing. I’ve now taken some Brasso to the lower part and polished out all the marks. I’ll still need to reinstate the InterCity logos but I’m quite happy with it.

Normality has returned Leysbourne and the stock back to a manageable level! I’ve fitted a decoder to the class 33 and it just needs Kadee couplings and etched plates. I’ve also got 6 Accurascale MGR hoppers out the box. Very nice wagons indeed

So, as you can see, the initial burst of activity has calmed for just now whilst I work on Glencoe, so much so that Leysbourne has become a dumping ground for all sorts of traction!

The extension is not complete with regards to track as I have done some remedial work to the boards so should get this part progressed during the winter. Back on the scenic section, I have built the station platform using a piece of MDF routed to shape and followed the method that Richard at Everard Jct uses of individual slabs and tile grout for the platform surface. The buildings are all Scenecraft products and the canopies have been modified to wrap round the building a bit better. In the engineers yard, I have started building a loading bank for the wagons to use and whilst the basics are there, I have a long way to go with the detailing.

As the layout developed, I tweaked a few bits of the track as I wasn’t entirely happy with how it was developing. I originally planned to have a couple of hidden sidings behind the cement worked but access was extremely convoluted. I’m all for a wee operating “wrinkle” but this was full blown PiTA. With the factory moved up against the wall, it leads to a better operating experience, and coupled to the storage yard extension, makes much more operating sense.

Whilst Glencoe has been the focus of my attention recently, I also have a second 00 gauge layout on the go at the moment. Leysbourne is another “what if” layout based very loosely in the Isle of Sheppey, set around the period 1986-1993. I’ve taken some serious liberties with the freight stock and locos but the passenger fleet is a mix of EPB and VEP types. The idea is that it’s a truncated line that used to be double track but cut back when traffic dropped off in the late 70s. There is a long platform which holds 4 coaches and a short bay platform which normally holds 2 coaches. For freight, there is a cement plant with a single siding plus a couple of engineers sidings for added shunting.

First section of rock face has been installed and blended in with Sculptamold. It was then all painted and the first coat of greenery added. Much more to do but it’s starting to return to something like what it should!

Just a wee update pic. Started adding the trees and bushes to the extension. Very early days yet but it’s starting to return to something viewable again! I’ve also started working on the 1980s rakes of stock to work out what gaps need filled.

Looks like the 3 retro fit sound decoders are all displaying symptoms of the fault. Just off to email support to see what they say. In other news, 606 arrived today to add to the fleet! It’s perfect.

Just catching up with the potential decoder issue. What are the symptoms to look for? I know about the desk lights at both ends but is there any other tell-tales to check for? Cheers

All I needed was a bit more patience. Got the dispatch email for the 37 too! Delighted customer. Now just need to decide what to spend my credits on…..

I will do for the 37/6 but fortunately got the email for the clips. That reminds me, need to open the box with the MGR hoppers in!

Literally just got mine too! Guess the speed they sold out at means they are extremely popular. It means they will be here for my annual leave next week so will have plenty time to fit them. Cheers

Any word on the speaker clips being sent out? I ordered 5 packs for all my retrofit versions but still says unfulfilled about a week later, which is quite unusual. Also waiting on a sound 37606 being dispatched whilst the 37027 I ordered the same day has already been delivered? Cheers

Today didn’t quite go to plan but so still managed a little bit of time in the shed. Started adding some relief to the hillside and gave it a quick coat of scatter, more just to see what the contours look like. Plonked the cottages back on but soon realised that I probably need another 2 pairs for a decent representation. Still a very long way to go but looks like the mojo is coming back.

Thanks Stephen. Appreciate the quick reply cheers Eddie

Forgive me if it’s been answered, but are we due a delivery update this week on the green ones? Personally waiting on D6703. Cheers

Managed to get a Compass liveried 37606. Sound fitted too. Well pleased with that. Normally when I get to the excess stock, all the sound has gone so this is definitely a bonus. Just need for Accurascale to announce 37183 as part of the next run, or a dealer exclusive. And 37188, 192 and 081……

As for the whole starting a sentence with “So,…..” argh!!!!