Wizard of the Moor

It was, but as a 'work in progress'. Aberdeen is renowned for them Seriously, like all Richard's wagons, it is very nice.

Cheers, Graham. The loons got distracted and nicked the point levers instead...

Ta very much! Here's one that is pretty close. In this shot we've jumped back 10 years to the early 60s. A Caley Beetlecrusher (an emergency transfer from Dalry Road, where it usually employed humphing porrage oats to the mill at Colinton!) is tripping a freight down from Kittybrewster to the docks.

How can anyone norrow this down to three layouts? Mine would be: North Shields - Got me back into railway modelling when I read the article in MRJ #40something. Although I've never seen this layout in the flesh (and one of my greatest regrets in life will be missing it at the Newcastle show when I was a penniless student) it made me realise that a convincing model has to have a story, a narrative, a purpose that rises above te compromises and fiction that lack of space, time or money forces on all (OK, most...) of us. Above all, it's a personal expression, something that captures the heart and soul of the builder. It also helps that the builder is a jolly nice bloke and always willing to help out and give advice when asked. Halifax King Cross - Superb atmosphere and running. Same comments as above really, except that when I first saw it (Nottingham 1996?) it transfixed me for hours. Canada Road - A bit different this one in that it is a simple concept that allows a great deal of expression. The idea of creating a space that can be almost anywhere in the (industrial) country, with stock to suit, really appeals to me. The attention to detail is also just superb. Honourable mentions to Pempoul, High Dyke, Scotland Street, Wibdenshaw, Carron Road, Inkerman Street, Sweethome Chicago, Walker Marine and Bramblewick. I guess this backs up Jim S-W's point about inspiration coming from the real thing, even if black and white images are my only reference. At the end of the day, a model that sticks in my memory is one that contains something uniquely personal to the builder. Above all, though, it's gotta be fun!

Waterloo Street is inspired by the Waterloo Goods branch in Aberdeen. This little known branchline snakes its way down from Kittybrewster yard to the quayside. Opened in 1856 as the main Great North of Scotland railway station in Aberdeen, it closed to passenger traffic when the joint station was constructed. However, the branch remained busy serving the quayside, the local gasworks, shipyards and a fertilizer factory, amongst others. In the 70s, the yard was rationalised and used for storing steel pipes for the offshore industry. Later still, it became the railhead for deliveries of calcium carbonate slurry to Croxton and Garry, and today it sees regular flows of this traffic as well as drilling mud. The model Waterloo Street is 4mm 18.83mm gauge. It fits into an 18.83 square feet footprint and was entered in the 2008 DEMU/Scalefour Society challenge. The area can be found between the bridges on Castle Street (the Tarry Brig) and Beach Boulevard in Aberdeen. Of course, the trackplan is compressed to get it into the required size. However, several people have recognised the location, so I must have got it looking reasonably close to reality. You can see what I am trying to achieve in this photo from the Great North of Scotland Association gallery Bannermill Sidings on the Waterloo Branch At the moment, my preferred operating period is the late 70s and early 80s, in the transition from vac braked to air braked working. Many more types of freight are seen onthe layout than every graced the branch in real life. As it is the first layout that I have attempted, it's more of a test track for ideas and techniques than anything else. The following pictures give some idea of what goes on in this neglected backwater of Scotland's railway system. The yard pilot is busy shuffling wagons about. The local loons have unplugged the electrical conduit again. All the sidings lead under the Tarry Brig. The loons are getting bolder. This time they've nicked the paint off the bridge! It looks like a Western Region permanent way yard today. Someone mis-spelled a requisition form at Awrhyllgwami Quarry. Wonder how that happened...? A class 20 cautiously noses down the loop looking for a rake of wagons.There is a major renovation of the warehouse planned. Hope the new occupants give it a lick of paint She pics out a Walrus to add to the rake... ...and departs back towards Kittybrester Yard As one train leaves, the pilot gets on with preparing the next one. Apparently it's heading for the East Midlands this time... Why not come along to the Nottingham Show and see it in action. If you are able to make it then do say Hello. I'll be the one behind a little ex-GNoSR layout, wearing glasses and a checked shirt. Many thanks to Penrhos1920 for lending his wagons

Single instead of double brake shoes. Different cabin height (but not by much!) No angle trussing (might have been added to the final vans built - I think that it corresponds with concrete weights) Vac. cylinder and V-hangers (does the Dapol kit have these?) Dave Bradwell's instructions for his BR brake van chassis kit are a good source of information on these kind of details.

That tip with the grease-proof paper is a cracker. Thanks for pointing it out. James

Yes, you can solder aluminium provided that you use appropriate solder and flux. The problem is that ali oxidizes instantly. Therefore you need to keep the job covered with flux (to keep the oxygen off) and abrade the surface where you want the solder to flow with a stainless steel scratch brush (to remove the existing oxidization layer). Might be easier to use an adhesive of some sort instead Cheers, James

Lovely stuff! I couldn't agree more with your comments about social history. James

In the latest MRJ (#199) there is an article about building a pair of Y7's. One of these was tried out on Leith docks in 1935. The writer of the article has modelled the loco attached to a Y9-style 'tender' and he refers to the lower, rear portion as being the 'toolbox'. However, he does admit that he doesn't know why the rear portion was lower than the front. In several years of looking, I have never seen a photo that shows the inside of a NB or Caley coal-cart tender. Most photos that come close just show the rear portion to be full of coal. I have been told by several people that the rear portion was for a toolbox, but no-one can confirm if this was a single full width box or two smaller boxes, one at each side with a well in between. If you find out then please post the details here Cheers, James

Model Railway News of July 1953 has 2mm drawings of Burghead station building, goods shed, loco shed adn signal box. Railway Modeller of September 1954 has a 4mm drawing of Inverugie station building

Och, you'll be sick of seeing it afore long There's the little matter of getting to Florida and back next week. I just hope that Witch of the Moor's broomstick can cope with a bit of volcanic ash </thread hijack>

Well done, James! That's looking very nice indeed.

Great to see another GNSR layout on the forum, Stewart. It's looking good so far! Good luck getting your modelling-work balance sorted out.

Very nice indeed!

According to the BR Diagram Book: The D1/350 and D1/352 12 ton cattle wagons were 18'6" over headstocks with an 11' wheelbase. The D1/351 12 ton wagons were 19' over headstocks with a 10'6" wheelbase. The D1/353 8 ton wagons were 18'6" over headstocks with a 11' wheelbase. This is the one that Bachmann have produced. All these wagons are shown with 1'8.5" buffers.

Prototype inspiration for anyone who just fancies a single 'Silver Bullet' Many thanks Simon for pointing out these excellent pictures:icon_thumbsup2:

Looking good :icon_thumbsup2: Sorting out the boiler bands makes a huge difference. James