67A

Another new addition was a complete surprise on Christmas day, I had originally pre-ordered it when it was announced the the price soared and I promptly cancelled the order saying I was not prepared to spend over £200 on "a glorified wagon". So imagine my shock when I opened this up! The gift tag was from my Wife, her friend and members of my running nights crew who all chipped in knowing it was something I would never buy myself, they know me too well. I have to admit however it is a fabulous representation of a typical breakdown crane from the steam era and the fine detail in the slewing and hoist mechanisms are a sight to behold. The instruction sheet is quite hilarious when it describes the re-rigging operation should the owner ever need to carry this out, it begins with "we suggest you go and have a cup of tea and sit in the garden for 10 minutes to calm ones nerves". I quite understand this as it looks a real work of art, it was bad enough rigging the real things which I done many times in my stint at Derby Loco Works Crane Shop, now the 'Roundhouse' building used for the Mickleover MRC annual show, this brings back many memories when I attend this each year. There is one obvious fault with the model sadly and that is the fact the hook does not swivel in the block thus preventing the equalising bar from being positioned correctly over anything requiring a lift resulting in the ropes being twisted. Needless to say its doubtful any actual lifting will be carried out so its a minor issue. That's it for now guys, hope you all have a good 2020.

Seemingly incongruous in the opposite direction we find the diverted down ROYAL SCOT behind a pair of English Electric Type 4 'D400's as we called them back then, however these were introduced in 1967 and the 9Fs did not bow out until 1968 so all is well in my make believe world. D421 and D420 both entered service in May 1968 so just make the cut, my favourite of the class was D444 but it would have to be used following the end of steam as it did not arrive until the November. I actually scratchbuilt a version of D444 back in 1968/69 from tin plate with carved wooden cab fronts and simply painted detail such as grilles etc, it ran on the Hornby Class 37 chassis, however my mother was quite religious and when the parish priest came round he was invited into my room to tempt me to become an alter-boy which he had little to no chance of, whilst here he asked if he could play with my 'train set' - heckles up immediately - "its a model railway"! Anyway he could not take the hint to slow down and with that the whole train careered off the viaduct smashing onto the concrete floor which destroyed my pride and joy, my retort was " You stupid effing- C" his was " I don't think Michael is alter-boy material" with that my father came into the room and told him to leave, my mother was left distraught praying for forgiveness for her wayward son!

Hi guys, Hit the wrong button after hassle reducing file sizes! Here are some images of the full Anhydrite rake behind 9F 92058 an S&C regular performer back in the good old days.

Hi all, I know its been a while since I posted so would like to wish you all a happy new year first and foremost. Not a lot has changed on the layout apart from the addition of some stock and the revised fiddleyard system is now fully operational and proving popular with my mates on operating nights. One long-term objective has been achieved over the holidays has been the completion of the final eight Anhydrite wagon conversions which now total 20, the standard rake for 9F haulage, I will not be building another 20!

Hi David, Only just seen your post and 'Peach-James' has provided a link to my 'DENT' thread. I would just like to add although in principle the spirals which worked out at 1:75 when elongated continued to give rise to problems such as the inability of some loco's to tackle the gradient unassisted, I converted two BG full brakes with the REPLICA RAILWAYS powered chassis which allowed heavy trains to perform quite well so that seemed to work on the uphill struggle, the downhill presented its own dilemmas due to the supposedly universal tension lock couplings over-running and causing bufferlock resulting in derailments more often than I could tolerate, it was at this point I took the decision to abandon the system and revert to initially an end to end format followed by a roundy-roundy due to lack of play value. Hope this helps.

Hi all, Slightly off topic for Dent but can anyone identify the locations of these photos, I am wading through thousands of old photos and the old grey cells are well grey even more! I hope someone out there recognizes some of them, they may all be the same place to be honest.

Hi Scott, It seems I am not alone and we both have entered the 'twilight zone'! All appears to be normal when I was operating last night so here's hoping.

Hi Scott, Yes that's what I can't understand the same transformer set at 12v was simply reconnected, its the black box seen to the right on the last lot of photos. I initially set this at 9v when I first fitted them several years ago but found as time went on the operation was definitely slowing down quite significantly so I upped the voltage to 12v which seemed okay, I believe they can operate up to 14v but I would be reluctant to give the full amount. We shall see what happens eh!

Hi all, Had a good day out to the Hazel Grove exhibition where I met Andy P, George T and Martin who has his Chester Northgate layout displayed. It was a good show with good trade support. Regarding Dent, I spent most of the day yesterday changing seven faulty Cobalt point motors, its not the changing it's the access which is the main problem with so much stuff to move in order to get under the area in question followed by back breaking contortionistic moves just to remove them! Once out I tested one or two to find either a continuous clicking noise or whirring motor sound neither of which I can understand as it all happened following the control panel swap, strange thing electrics! Here are a few views of the new panel in position I still have a few more wires to connect so once everything is working we will be able at long last to see some trains running again.

Hi all, A quick note to say the new scenic section control panel is almost up and running however for some in-explicable reason when the I re-attached the self same wiring into the new panel and switched it on almost all 10 Cobalt point motors have gone berserk! with continuous clicking which when investigated it appears the gear system has ripped itself to bits on most of them, same power supply - same wiring just a different wooden box and utter chaos, no wonder my head hurts!!! I have about 6 refurbished units sent back from DCC Concepts following various faults such as ripped gears and extremely slow operation so I will change these once I get into my Leonardo Da'Vinci mode and see where we go from there.

That was that for running trains, here are some behind the scenes views which I know many of you like This is the 'Garsdale' end of the fiddleyard, sadly the number of set trains has been reduced from the days of the spirals with the 13 road yard below or the short lived end-to-end period but this will make running more enjoyable I'm sure Looking down from the centre of the fiddleyard This is the 'Dent Head' end however train lengths are curtailed due to the brick wall The two run-round lines which where added in the end-to-end design have remained and I now use them to stack 4 long length trains, at present one is the Thames Clyde Express with Peak D55 and the other is a long rake of 21T mineral hoppers with a 9F at the head. Behind the 'TCE' is the steel train you saw earlier. This is the new 'GARSDALE' panel, the green cross is the scissors crossover for swapping rakes of stock from Up to Down lines This is the new 'DENT HEAD' panel And this is the old master control panel sadly in need of rebuilding into a much smaller affair, it will be done! That's it for now hope you all enjoyed.

The Clayton heads over the bridge And into Rise Hill tunnel. Shortly after 8F 48045 emerges with a southbound Anhydrite working Proceeding under the spillway the crew can take a breather on the level track through Dentdale Bridge No.96 the 'Coal Road' is next to be encoutered Rumbling through the station with its load for Widnes Unusual view showing the opposite side I truly love this train and have another eight wagon conversion on the go with which to complete the rake of 20 The 8F rumbles over Widdale viaduct on its way to Hellifield where it will take the Blackburn route. Hot on the heels of the 8F comes the Carlisle-Skipton stopper The Met-Cam unit later Class 101 slows for the station stop Again a view from the far side and I have only just noticed the 'drunk' female passenger! Ready for the off Next stop Hellifield I can just imagine the gear changing as the DMU enters Widdale tunnel. Cont/...

Hi all, Been to the Wigan show today and it was fabulous, real good selection of layouts and excellent trade support together with seeing so many people I knew made the visit brilliant. I have filled up the fiddleyard on Dent during the week so if all goes well tomorrow I'll post a few long awaited photos of trains running through Dent at last. Mind you I'm tempted to go back to Wigan to be honest. Well its tomorrow and I never went to Wigan again, I just messed about in the den and ran a few trains so here are some photos of the proceedings guys... Stranger on the line in the form of Ex:LNER 02/4 'Tango' class 2-8-0 heavy freight loco emerges from Rise Hill tunnel The loco is hauling a train of bogie bolsters laden with all manor of steel construction materials so we shall see a selection as the train traverses Dentdale This view shows a Bogie Bolster 'A' with 'I' section girders BR Std Class 4MT 2-6-4T 80120 is awaiting a chance to return north having been short of steam earlier The Tango' passes the stricken Std 4 Here we can see a few more loads including various girder section, tubes and pipes Heading for the depths of Widdale tunnel. Shortly after the steel train has passed we have the first glimpse of a northbound ICI chemical tank train hauled by Clayton Type 1 doyen D8500 Camera setting must have been wrong here, I set it on 'selective focus' looks like a bad choice The chemical train passed Dent signalbox Followed by the goods yard Quiet station forecourt - not surprising eh! Halted by the home signal Once line clears the train proceeds under the spillway toward Rise Hill tunnel. Cont?...

Hi all, Been to the Wigan show today and it was fabulous, real good selection of layouts and excellent trade support together with seeing so many people I knew made the visit brilliant. I have filled up the fiddleyard on Dent during the week so if all goes well tomorrow I'll post a few long awaited photos of trains running through Dent at last. Mind you I'm tempted to go back to Wigan to be honest.

Hi all, Better late than never, I have finally got around to uploading some photos from the Poynton show, strangely many images are saying they are too large to upload and when I use my 'Pixresizer' program it says they are too small! I detest technology. Anyway I hope they give you a feeling of the day. It was nice to see 'George T' of this parish who came by a few time to spend a little while chatting with us. General overall view of the layout frontage The triangular return section with the diesel depot in the background The steam depot features here with the large engineering factory above, the staff push-pull is in the loading dock, this is a brass kit and is superb Eclectic mix of ex:LMS and ex:LNER on shed The coaling stage and sidings showing the staff busily clearing up the spent ash The diesel depot plays host to a full house of pre-TOPS blue diesels with the exception of the 08' John and Peter were in charge of the Diesels so I'm taking no flak haha. The Bermuda Roadshow Crew John, Me and Peter

Cheers Andy, It was a hectic weekend and all three of us were wore out by getting home time and then had the layout to get out of the van, still its all good fun............I think! Hahaha. I'll post some photos at some point once I download them. I hope all goes well for you down south mate, take care and look after yourself.

Hi all, We had an excellent 1st day at the Poynton show, no major dramas to contend with as the layout ran very well and the viewing public appeared to be very satisfied with what they saw, several questions from the viewers were answered and one visitor in particular was back and forward noting down any locomotive changes on his phone, sort of 21st century train spotting of a late 20th century scene - IF ONLY IT WERE POSSIBLE eh!! Had a good chat with 'George T' of this parish who informed me Andrew P hoped to visit but could not, sorry you could not make mate. Oh well here we go again just leaving for today's adventure!

Cheers Ade, Thanks for the thoughts on the filler, it will probably be something along those lines but I want the viewers to be able to see the diesel depot so any high structures need to be avoided to prevent any damage if the viewing public need to lean over for a better view. I am even contemplating a larger diesel depot in the void but that is major work so time will tell!

Hi all, All the preparation on Bermuda Road is now done for the Poynton show next weekend, I have installed some Kadee uncoupling ramps but I'm not fully convinced they are the best option so will be taking along a selection of tension lock fitted stock just incase. The final item to check was the backscenes and I had hoped to update these but time was against me. Below are some photos minus the two loco depot buildings which I have packed away safely, starting at the Diesel depot we'll work our way around. Diesel depot with fuelling tanks prominent Main street leads to the factory entrance The triangle reversal road (timber strap is to support cover) You can see the triangular route clearly here Looking toward the Diesel depot Looking toward the Steam depot The 'Finlay and Son' engineering factory is prominent on left Oil tanks will not be stabled here at the show!!! The depot loading dock Lines leading to the sidings and coal stage in addition to the entrance/exit routes Coal hole and ashpit Busy road scene Factory gates receiving a repaint The arrival road approaches from the tunnel Quieter end of town allows time for reflection Diesel depot interior will hardly be seen at the show View along the main street On the far right are housing, a church and school. This void area to the right is giving me sleepless night trying to think of a suitable filler scene. That's it for now guys, hope to see some of you next weekend.

Hi all, Just a note to say that most of the updating work has now been done in readiness for the Poynton show in a couple of weeks, the MPD building refurb took much longer than anticipated but it does look pretty good I must admit. I did want to update the housing and other non-railway items but time is against me. All the electrics have been tested and are now (for the time being) faultless, there are some annoying items which have got damaged simply by protecting the layout whilst it has to suffer being set-up outside under a canopy as there is no room in the house or the den. I do hope some of you can make it to the Poynton show near Stockport on September 14th/15th and just say hello when you see us, I'll be the one with the furrowed brow! Haha.

Apologies guys, still being led astray with updating 'Bermuda Road' for the Poynton show in a couple of weeks, its one of those jobs that no matter what you are actually doing you always see something else that needs doing or in some cases I break something whilst fixing others!!! In addition I was searching for some entrance doors to the MPD and a gate for the factory and after a few weeks of trying I made replacements, I only painted them ready to fit this week and guess what I found today!£$%^&&. So its probably best to leave Dent updates until the Poynton show is well and truly over, all the wiring is now complete and the layout runs but needs a few tweaks in places through the trackwork in the fiddleyard.

Hi Jeff, I was chatting with a mate of mine today who mentioned he had looked in on your forum and it prompted me to have a look myself, I have not been on RMWeb very much of late due to various pressures the main one being lack of spare time. I'm pleased to read your house move is well underway and that things are on the move especially the plans for the new as yet un-named project, you always had an inspirational effect when I followed the last two incarnations and I look forward to the next instalment with bated breath, best wishes to you and the family.

Hi all Managed to actually get all the new wiring completed over the weekend and ran a couple of test trains to prove the circuits, it was a real delight to see trains running again I must admit, next job before proper operation can take place is to make the two new control panel boxes for 'Garsdale' and 'Dent Head' and as mentioned previously the main control panel is to be reduced from the large floor standing model to a much smaller affair to regain some floor space, there is a good chance an impromptu running session will take place on Wednesday evening so some photos of the re-stocked fiddleyard will be posted after that.

Hi, (apologies your name has slipped the grey matter as usual) Sorry I've not replied earlier, I just have not been on the forum with all the chaos going on. Congratulations to you and Deborah and hope the house hunting goes to plan. The wiring is all but complete on the fiddleyard which just leaves the re-jigging of the main control panel which is now redundant. The layout will have its own separate panel and each end of the fiddleyard will have their own so as to keep 3 operators busy when having running sessions. Main thing at present is getting a bit of good weather to carry on with Bermuda Road which is outside and going to the Poynton show in 4 weeks!

Hi all, Sadly not a lot to report this week, I have set the layout up under the canopy but its rained all weekend so got little work done on it. I managed to electrically test the main frontage section before it got too inclement and all is well. I have been very busy on the rewiring of Dent's fiddleyard alterations and things are progressing well there. The only thing I have managed to do was some more slate renewal on the MPD roof but it is a very boring mundane task it has to be said, still it certainly has improved the overall look. There is only the final section to finish off before adding the smoke stacks, office chimney and barge boarding etc. That's it for now guys.