JCClark

Hello Class 66 Apologies for the lack of updates but had a bit of a setback with one of my ESU switch pilots. For some reason, I had two of the tortoise motors seemed to want to operate in sympathy with each other. Finally removed the switchpilot and extension from the layout and spent some time head scratching as to why I could not re-set the switchpilot to factory defaults!! Problem was mine, not reading the manual properly!! Once I realised that you had to have both track power and power supply both linked from the ECoS controller, I had no difficulty interrogating the accessory decoder and changing the CV to factory default. A test on the bench seems all Ok now and preparing to re-install the switchpilot+extension on the layout!! I can then start re-laying more fiddle yard track and testing it all before starting on the real business of the upper level scenic section!! However, have now completed the body of 57312 Solway Princess in Northern Belle livery so will shortly post a photo of complete loco. Gave also prepared Hornby class 90 ready for applying all the DBS decals. 47550 and 47640 are now awaiting final varnish coat now they are in Inverness guise of University of Dundee and University of Strathclyde. More updates to follow soon. Thanks for your interest and best regards John

Hi Jim Your layout is really coming on and some inspiration for Parkway which I am currently building. Some challenges as first time I have gone totally DCC with both locos and point/signal control. First time I have involved Helixes in a layout also but getting there I think! Love your collection of Colas fleet - have 11 Colas locos myself having re-sprayed a couple of 60s and 37s! Add my 70, 2 x 47s and 3 x 56s, a bit of an obsession I reckon!! Just received a sheet of decals for Colas locos from Railtec transfers so my two new Hornby 56s have already been de-numbered (I use Brasso on a cotton bud - brilliant!). These two will become 56105 and 56113 very soon I hope! Keep up your good work, look forward to seeing your progress. John

Hi Longrail You are quite correct - two of the lower storage tracks go right round the shed to enable substantial trains to be stored. The main scenic section will be same level as the helix to helix level shown on video so will sit above the lower storage level. There will only be 14 inches between boards which was to assist in accessing any problems that may occur during running times. The upper board depth will be same as lower storage yard - circ 2 foot 6 inches and hoping for a 4 track system for through trains on centre roads. Just need to ensure all testing carried out successfully prior to installing upper board. Really appreciate your comments - thank you Regards John

Hi Jack I was concerned about the Helix "ski jump" myself but so far so good with both short and long wheelbase rolling stock. What I have not tried yet are my HAAs yet and hoping the knuckle couplings don't uncouple as they traverse the joint!! John

Hi Matt You are spot on regarding the couplings on the Hornby class 60. I have modified the slot where the coupling swings through it's arc. When you look at the slot, there are two distinct points at each side and I have ground them down flush. I do not have the same problem now. Regards John

Hello everyone Must apologise for the delay between posting but Parkway has been a bit of a challenge regarding wiring as this is the first time I have used my ECoS controller with ESU switchpilots linked to ESU extensions for control of Tortoise switch machines! Well worth the scratching of head for programming control decoders etc and also well worth a good bit of work on the PC with Pixlr photo image software to generate and download another 40 loco icons for the controller. Now have 120 British outline loco icons on the controller. I have also been doing a bit more re-spray work and currently finalising a Hornby class 90 into DB Schenker livery as 90 029 and 57 312 into Northern belle livery complete with Dellner coupling. I have applied all the decals to one side on this loco and you certainly need some patience to apply them - there are many of them!! I have also re-numbered a couple of Large Logo class 47s complete with Inverness Highland Stag. A black head code Heljan 47 is now 47550 "University of Dundee" and I managed to get a Bachmann "University of Leicester" which is now "University of Strathclyde" - both locos are looking good and will post photos in the near future. Back to the layout - Roy and I have laid some more track on the lower storage level and track plan duly input to ECoS planning tool. Also wired up a further 8 points including 2 double slips and all tested. Thought it was time to carry out some helix load testing with the 20 SSA wagons I have and some mixed results! Roy tried out his Hornby TTS sound 47 on 8 x ICI TTAs as this loco is very light. The results were as follows:- Hornby 47 401 with 8 x TTAs managed OK ViTrains Large Logo 37310 - 20 x SSA Hornby DBS 60001 - 20 wagons Heljan Railfreight Petroleum - 20 wagons Hornby class 56 - 20 wagons Bachmann class 37 just made it with 15 wagons Bachmann class 70 just made it with 10 wagons!!! Bachmann class 66 managed 15 wagons OK Very disappointed with the Bachmann locos but the Heljan and Hornby locos romped away with the wagons. Note- about 6 of the wagons had cast 10 commandment loads in them so we are talking a substantially heavy train. I think, generally the Helix performance was better than I thought it would be. Hopefully, will not be so long before the next post and please feel free to comment on the preceding as your thoughts are valuable in developing Parkway. Thanks and regards John

Don't forget those heady days in the 60s when a highlight at York was the passing through of the double headed 33s on the Cliffe - Uddingston cement train. It was the only time northerners got to see a 33!

Top modelling as usual Lee - an inspiration to other members. Always look forward to your thread updates John

Hi Neil See what you mean about your 37 fixation!! You have some great models there and I will continue to follow - get those large logos done ! I will post some photos of my LL collection as Parkway develops. Regards John

Hi njee20 Thanks for that, I don't like my locos too heavily weathered and certainly not too keen on them straight out of the box. I have not been on the airbrush too long but, hopefully, my resprays are improving. My next one could be a challenge as I am attempting 57312 in Northern Belle livery!! I already have the pair of original NB class 47s but they were done by that excellent resprayer Andi Walshaw of Cairnsroadworks. I have a way to go to emulate him but here is hoping!! Regards John

Hello again everyone Thought we had been quiet for a while so just a small update as to what has been happening since early May. I continued with the re-spray on 37 108 and 37 310 and actually completed 37 310 "British Steel Ravenscraig" and added a bit of weathering. There are a couple of photos attached showing the loco on the by pass main and also ascending the South Helix. This model was a Vitrains 37 156 prior to the re-spray. A bit of delay with 37108 "Lanarkshire Steel" as this was originally Bachmann 37034 so only had the split indicators and no high intensity light. I have re-worked the nose ends and they now have the high intensity light fitting along with a bit of rubbing down to show plated over connecting doors. Today, I received the Express Models kit to fit the full array of lighting as per the modified locomotive once it went to Large Logo. Otherwise, a fair bit of electrical work on the layout and photographs show the bypass line ESU switchpilot and extension fitted along with the tortoise point motors. Have also installed the socket connector across the lift out section at the door and also been laying some of the lower level fiddle yard track work. need to get all this completed prior to starting the upper scenic section and running trains properly. Hope, in the not too distant future, to start running Helix to Helix through all the lower level fiddle yard sidings!! Please feel free to comment. Best regards John

Evening all Bit more progress on the re-spraying of my two new Motherwell class 37/0s. Note the differences regarding the yellow with 37108 having the band across the roof over cab ends. Going to be awkward painting cantline round the cab front just above the windows on this one!! 37310 only has the cantline along the roof line just above the roof curve grills but a bit thicker than normal. Plates ordered today along with large Logo decals. 37108 will be "Lanarkshire Steel" and 37310will be "British Steel Ravenscraig" so looking forward to completing them and a nice bit of weathering before they take to the new layout. Regards John

Quite a productive day today in one way or another. That is the two 37/0 locomotives have had the blue sprayed on so it will be the final colour of black next as that was the roof colour of the Motherwell locos that these two will depict. Had an interesting time with the ECoS 50200 today as I had to get the software to version 4.0.2 from its' delivered version 3.4. Had to update to 3.7 first and then firmware 4.0 along with the rescue programme! Not as easy as I thought but all done now. Finished off by downloading 112 images from the ESU loco bazaar to my unit as it looks far better when you have a picture that matches the loco you have on the track. Still a few locos that there are no images for so looks like I will have to get the camera out and add some user defined images to the ESU website. Still lots to do so will keep you posted and add some photos of 37108 and 37310 once they are completed. Regards John

Hi again everyone Although mentioned in DCC topics thought a couple of mentions worth putting in this topic. On YouTube there is a subscriber called Ruud Boer and he has just posted some excellent tutorial videos related to the ECoS 50200. His latest videos are regarding setting up accessories and routes and they are excellent. Earlier videos demonstrate writing the codes on loco decoder sand also how to download user defined photographs to the ECoS controller. Al in all, very comprehensive tutorials from Ruud. Further to these videos, I was looking at the SCARM layout design software which is a free download and looks like a very impressive design tool. It is Ruud Boer who also presents an excellent set of tutorials for potential users of the software and well worth a look. Regards John

Hi Dave Your modelling skills are second to none! What an absolutely fabulous layout you have generated. Photographs of two of my favourite locos - the 47/7s and the Large Logo 37! I will keep following your thread with great interest and thanks for sharing it with the forum Regards John

Hi Chard Ha! Ha! Ha! - maybe that is what I should do as, when I have completed these two locos they will be my 29th and 30th examples of Large Logo 37s with all but one being Eastfield or Inverness allocated! With regard to the helices - I am looking forward to the first trial run helix to helix. Currently completing the crossovers as per photographs and nearly completed a couple of tracks on the lower layout board fiddle area. Really need to ensure I get the points set up correctly on the ECoS 50200 and then, hopefully, cooking on gas as they say! I will keep you all posted and thanks for your comments John

Thanks class 66 - must admit that I have more than a little liking for class 37s, especially in large logo! I am currently re- sparing a Vitrains 37/0 and Bachmann 37/0 into Mortherwell based Large Logo machines. I intend to have one as 37108 and the other as 37310 so will post photos on completion. John

Hi Everyone Just thought I would add a wee update on how Parkway is coming on. I have added three photographs of the Helix crossovers and bypasses to Up and Down main lines and showing the work completed on the upper level lift out section across the shed entrance. I have also now completed the wiring up - as per photograph - of 12 Tortoise Point Motors using some 8 core alarm cable that I managed to get on Ebay for a third of the price found in B & Q!! The other two photos show the first of my ESU Switchpilots + Extension wired up for coding and bench testing with the ECoS 50200 (screen shot of the four points is last hotograph). The ECoS is absolutely brilliant and have also input 20 of my locos into the system as well. You can split the locos into three sections so may use one for my small steam collection and the other two to split the two main eras I have a collection for. Next task is to hitch the controller up to the internet and download some British locomotive photos to the system, also need to update the latest firmware for the unit. It is certainly a big learning curve but far more intuitive than the Lenz system I have. Parkway Mark 1 was analogue for all the points and signals so this is a new start for me with everything going to be DCC controlled this time - probably why the layout build is taking longer than I thought!! Please feel free to make any comments or observations Thanks and regards to all John

Hi Shaun Really enjoying your thread. Like you, my progress on Parkway is not overly fast but want to make sure I have learnt from all the mistakes I made on my last layout. Your layout is looking great and I look forward to seeing future progress. Best regards John

Hi there Class 66 In case you are interested, I just purchased DCC on board 70004 from the Freightliner shop for £95.00 including postage. This loco normally selling for about £120. Regards John

Hi Everyone As you saw on the previous post by Roy, we managed to get a loco running across the Helix to Helix and Helix to main tracks yesterday. Found a couple of issues regarding insulation on points when thought no need when running into an insulfrog diamond crossing!! Wrong on that one but, after cutting a space on points where required, had a trouble free run today and locos ran beautifully across the diamond crossing without any hesitation. Meanwhile, I have been busy on other bits and pieces ready for hitching up the electrics. Managed to procure a full real of 8 core alarm cable on Ebay and have used it to make short tails from 10 Tortoise point motors to 3 amp choc blocks. Will save having to solder underneath the layout when it comes to installation. I have yet to connect up my new ECoS Control unit and the ESU Switchpilots and their extensions so some fun to come yet!! I had some locos that I was working on that I have now completed - Four of them were re-numbers and one was a resparay which did have a bit of a disaster at one stage when the applied final matt coat bubbled up on one side only!! Anyway, managed to fix it thank goodness. I have attached some images for those who are interested. there are two Thornaby Trainload Metals locos - 37506 "British Steel Skinningrove" and 37511 "Stockton Haulage" which I have also weathered. Also attached a Motherwell 37/0 in the guise of 37239 "Coal Merchants Association of Scotland" - only weathered around chassis. I have also just renumbered the Heljan 47 as Ripple Lane's 47223 "British Petroleum" (Attached) The final image is of a Hornby class 60 which I have re-sprayed, weathered and fitted Shawplan Laserglaze to - it is finished in DB Schenker livery as 60001. Please feel free to make any comments or observations. John

Hi all Steve has been fantastic and helped me out more than once. Just about completed DBS 60001 including all those awkward decals for the sole bar! Also Steve did me a complete set of decals for an Oxford diecast wagon that is now all labelled up as a DB Schenker wagon! Just received a set of custom numbers for my Scotrail Mark 2 fleet. Cannot fault Steve and Railtec at all. John

Hi Lee Willing to have a go at anything and my friend who helps me on "Parkway" is pretty good on the microscopic electrics so would appreciate any information at all! Regards John

Hi Lee As usual - your thread is brilliant and I love the variety of liveries you turn out. Are you using a lining pen for your cantrails now. I am very interested in your re-wiring of the Hornby 56 chassis - any chance of a more detailed explanation as I have the same problem John

Hi Calum You have certainly done your homework and the layout is looking brilliant. I loved the 47/7s and currently have all but two of them for the layout I am currently constructing (Parkway). I will follow your thread with great interest and thanks for sharing it with us all. John