87023Velocity

Hi everyone. Boxing of the layout continues, 3 boards completed so far and just half way through completing board 4. At the recent Wigan exhibition I managed to pick up some overhead bits from N Brass Locos. So tonight I made a start on one of the three structures which are installed at the crossovers. Here it is, still needs the registration arms adding etc. Cheers Simon

Due to a derailment in the goods yard at Eaton Gommery, the points have been set and signal cleared which will allow 37714 and the Cardiff Canton breakdown train access to goods yard. Thanks to Peter (Eaton) for allowing my diesels and breakdown train onto Eaton Gommery during a quiet spell. Thanks to Chris for pic as my camera battery expired during photo positioning. Cheers Simon

Hi Jeremy, Good to see the trackwork going down. Seeing that Intercity DVT is giving me some ideas! Cheers Simon

First of the boards to have its protection cover made. This is made using 3mm hardboard with 18x28mm stripwood as framework. Caseclips fitted to hold it all in place. Just 5 more boards to go. Cheers Simon

Yes think your right. Looking back to operating our 4mm layout at shows, as you say its surprising how many failures can happen even with checking all the stock before a show, wheel cleaning etc. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, There will be more 86's in the future! I have got 6 at the moment, the number will probably be in double figures once all stock diagrams are worked out and maybe a spare loco. The design of the layout boxing is something that has been used on a number of layouts from members of the Wigan club including our diesel layout Strathmuir as shown in post #293, probably other layouts out on the exhibition circuit use the same/similar method. In this format they can be stacked in the back of a van easily, handled easily also and as you say protect the scenic sections well. Cheers Simon

Hi Jeremy, Thanks, that would be a cool idea! The pressure is on now as I have just got over 12 months to get Dallam ready for its first show at Wigan ,October 2016, ideally I would like it ready and tested etc by end of August 2016 at the latest. Cheers Simon

After a few weeks of working on my 4mm projects, decided yesterday evening to get stuck into Dallam again. I was intending to atleast finish the rail overbridge but thought I should look at protecting the layut for storage etc. As I intend for Dallam to hopefully be suitable for exhibitions, its important to have the boards well protected and also make them easier for transportation. The method I am using is to have a hinged board fitted to each baseboard front. A lid with a hinged board each end is then placed over the top - front board up and end ones down. All then secured in place using small toggle catches. An example of a boxed board here from our 4mm layout Strathmuir. Work so far has seen the first two front hinged boards fitted in place. This method should prevent less handling damage to the scenic section at the baseboard ends when they are being joined together. Cheers Simon

Well after 2 months of not touching Dallam, thought I would at least check over my 2 latest arrivals from Kernow Model centre. Here they are posed L.E. with 2 of the dummy 86's. 86621 which has the red fire bottles on the roof was still in Freightliner 3 tone grey in 2001. The fire bottles only seem to be on this loco in 2001 aswell from the quick trawl of flickr. A repaint may be on the cards. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, Great class 60 line up and as others have said, I think the best livery for them aswell. Certainly think you need a few more! Cheers Simon

Somewhere within the dock sidings at Hamworthy possibly? Eastleigh allocated 08760 waits for its next duty. Cheers Simon

Hi Jeremy, No probs. Kernow are quick at sending orders out. Postman did try to deliver Saturday morning but we were out. Hopefully will collect tomorrow from the local sorting office. Managed to get a FL grey and a FL green 86, with the 2 dummy locos that I already have, thats my FL trains sorted for now. Cheers Simon

Hi Jeremy, Just going back a few posts RE HST's. I had a look in a book, North Wales Coast Diesels, which mentions the driver training runs prior to the service starting. Power car pairs 038/039, 013/084, 044/047, 102/086 and 079/062 had been noted in use from July to September 1991. There is a picture of 038/039 with 2 buffet cars and what looks like a TGS on the 18th July 1991 during driver training. The first service train with 057/082 is also pictured. All these power cars according to my Platform 5 books were in Swallow livery at the time. Hope thats useful. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, Nice shot at Springs Branch. I am tempted myself to get the collectors club model, however as you say it looks better in its weathered state. I think it may be easier to achieve this by respraying a class 20 myself - bonus of doing this is I could do 20028 to go with it. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, Are you tempted by the Bachmann collectors club LE 20172, it would fit in quite well on Boxenby. It was paired up with a standard blue 20 I think at one point when allocated to Toton. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, Nice list of numbers on your transfer sheet, see a few McRats aswell. Are you modelling 31101and will it have the red stripe around the cab ends? Cheers Simon

31233, this used to be a regular at Springs Branch on the Ashton in Makerfield bitumen diagram, think it was sometimes double headed. 31201 Fina Energy seems to ring a bell also before it got transfered to the Coal sector. Cheers Simon

Hi, Bit more work done on the bridge tonight. Started on toning down the stonework using a couple of brown and black washes, also put the last coat of green on the latice girder. Feel happy so far, so next stage will focus on the arched section of the bridge and retaining wall. 86628 passing through L.E Cheers Simon

Hi, Thanks for all the comments everyone! Managed to get a bit more done tonight on the bridge. If you look at the picture of the actual bridge, you can see a latice type girder under the bridge. This has been represented using 40 thou plasticard with suitable holes cut in it. Here it is with a coat of primer. Fitted losely in position to the bridge. First coat of green paint - Humbrol 80. Cheers Simon

Thanks for the comments Christian, it will be good when a train runs for the first time along the layout and through the fiddleyard and the wires are up! Hi Ben, Thanks for the comments. I was abit confused as to why the lower section is in red brick, unless this bridge was partially rebuilt for the WCML electrification? Cheers Simon

Hi Graham, Liking the layout and like the crane. Think I may need to invest in one having seen yours. Cheers Simon

Evening all. Work on the layout has slowed the past week whilst I concentrated on the 75 tonne crane. Fortunately over the weekend I did manage to do a bit more work on the CLC bridge which forms the south end scenic break. This is the actual bridge http://www.mywarrington.me.uk/mt_bharris_0-02.jpg seen from the other side. Still quite alot to do and should look better once the overhead is in place and the track weathered. Cheers Simon

Decided to do a bit more testing tonight, well actually play really! Picked up some Farish Super BG's a few weeks back so basically got enough for the first mail train. I have got one RES GUV in the rake at the moment. It should be a Super GUV with the roller shutter doors. Looks like I will need to do several Super GUV conversions in the near future. I think there are usually 3-4 Super Guvs in each 7-8 van rake. Here is 86425 on load 7 joining the Up fast after departing Warrington Royal Mail terminal while 2 L.E 86's head north to Coatbridge. Going to have approximately 3 mail train rakes with 7-8 vans per rake. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, I will see what I can do, I could do with it being finished for the Wigan show in October so I can run it and the mk1 vans down Eaton Gommery (Cambrian layout - pre grouping) so it should fit in well. This will only happen before opening to the public of course Cheers Simon