87023Velocity

Hi Alex, I need to stop looking at your excellent thread, my 4mm stock keeps winking at me and thoughts of modelling Dallam in 1990 keep appearing in my mind! Remember the green 20's well 030/064. They turned up on a renewals job one weekend night on the line that runs close to my mum's house. Think on that job there was 6-7 different pairs of 20's in use spoil, new ballast, scrap track panels, I had the window open all night trying to watch through the darkness. I am almost certain 20172 (large bodyside numbers)https://www.flickr.com/photos/63308252@N06/5759038237/in/photolist-9LUzqH-jkXrcb-dj56WG-dj58Lx-dj57qe-dj575s-dj57G2-dj584p-dj57CJ-dj57WV-dMkxod-dj57yg-dj567A-dj57PK-9vne8b-9LKeim-nKQ1FL-ex13Wf-dddTum-7Fo1Dn-dMkyyb-dcXwUB-aua7dp-fjbwmU-fiR5QX-fiViVX-fiR7dX-fj3CqS-fjayRo-dydk1E-dNUngC-dje941-ii2iz4-9qnQKV-onZgAx-onZRq4-oEgeTG-dL4qrN-fj3GrC-nkq9RX-fjbEMy-dazV5h-mYY9rK-mZ6Nzq-mZ1wgx-mZ3M4q-mZ3vaw-mZSWGr-n2pCj8-mZSKgx-8TwBk9 appeared aswell on that job. Cheers Simon

Hi, Thanks for the comments regards the signals, looks like I have a few options to look into then. Whilst waiting for the arrival of more tag boards to allow progression of the wiring, I made a start on some of the backscenes. These have been made using hardboard strenghtened at the back with 18x28mm wood battens. The height of the backscene is 9" which will allow operators to reach the front for any derailments etc. Cheers Simon

Hi, The class 20's and POA's have been put back away ready for when I start my 4mm project. Not only would they not fit under the bridges, they would wipe out the overhead. All the brass section, wire and insulators have been ordered so in the near future I will have ago at knocking together a trial Mk3 headspan. I also require a number of signals for Dallam which I think will require scratchbuilding unless something is available in kit form?. I think at the time the signal type and numbers were: WN174 (Bi-Di Slow) & WN175 (Up Fast)- 4 Aspect Signal with Number 1 Route Indicator and Position light - Both mounted on a gantry. WN R175 - Banner repeater for signal WN175 WN176 (Bi-Di Slow) - 4 Aspect Signal WN173 (Bi-Di Slow) - 4 Aspect Signal with position light WN181 (Down Slow) - 4 Aspect Signal - Mounted on gantry with WN182 WN182 (Down Fast) - 4 Aspect Signal with Number 4 Route Indicator - Mounted on gantry with WN181 Here is a picture taken from Bewsey Road overbridge which shows the gantry containing WN181 & 182 and also WN176 on the left. You can just make out signals WN174 & 175 in the distance through the gantry showing red. Cheers Simon

Hi, Wiring has come to a grinding halt as run out of tag boards, thought I had more in my drawer than I actually had. Anyway whilst waiting for more got thinking about the OHLE. Need to order some 2mm brass H section from Eileens and also some insulators from Sommerfeldt. Also if I get chance this week, will purchase some hardboard to form the backscenes. Had a silly 5 minutes tonight with all talk of class 20's and I don't have any n gauge versions here is 20023 leading on the Ashton-in-Makerfield (Lowton Metals) to Warrington Arpley trip working. Bit of a gauging issue! Cheers Simon

Hi Cav, Thanks, yes that is one benefit of N gauge. A train of approx 36 HAA hoppers and a class 60 in n gauge is approx 8ft in length, the 60 and HAA's in the picture is around 3ft and it looks lost. The trip working from Warrington Arpley to Dallam yard and return using a class 08 will certainly be a long move on the layout if operated at a scale speed. Cheers Simon

Hi, Thanks for kind comments. Mike, Yes the thought of a 390 has crossed my mind, may see about squeezing timeframe to allow 390001 or 390002 (or Pre series1 & Pre series2 (PS1 & PS2)as they were referred to at the time). Alex, Don't worry, the thought of class 20's appearing on Dallam has crossed my mind. Don't be suprised if you see a weathered battered pair of 20's (1 blue, 1 railfreight) straight from Springs Branch appear on an MGR working. Coal sector 56134 and 60060 at Warrington in 2001, link to photos posted thanks to Dave (Beast 66606) http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/77973-2001-a-space-odyssey-or-warrington-area-trains/ These 2 will certainly be on the roster for Dallam. Cheers Simon

Hi, I managed to set all 6 boards up for the first time to get a feel for how the whole layout will look. The scenic section is 15ft between Folly Lane bridge and the Cheshire Lines bridge. Whilst the layout was up, a small amount of stock was placed on. Took a few photographs, apologies for pics, used mobile. 60078 heads south with an MGR rake on the Bi-Directional slow line whilst 2 Freightliner 86's head north L.E on the down fast line. Wagons in the siding awaiting the trip loco to arrive. The Dapol box in the picture below is were the bridge which carries the Cheshire Lines over the WCML will be located on the layout. Looking the other way from Folly Lane bridge. The wiring is progressing well, the 4th board is almost complete and some wiring has been started on the 5th board. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, Some excellent shots there, like the large logo blue grid on the lathe. Have you thought about 20088 https://www.flickr.com/photos/16819691@N08/7395566506/in/photolist-cgwdgm-dJcJ3p-e2X3RX-dCNZNS-icqSTi-k7du8L-pkLbY6-icrpA8-eeXuoU-fMWYCw-9LYD5j-ahDdrj-9LVTp8-9LYC9C-9a2DZ3-dpFxZv-ohgRTVI only saw it once and that was at Wigan Springs Branch, managed to get round the depot one cold Sunday morning and it was sat inside, think I was about 12 at the time! Now I feel old. It did not hang about for long, think it may have done a few Parkside and Bickershaw jobs then returned to Toton diagrams. Cheers Simon

Hi Mike, Cracking layout, the attention to detail is superb, the work on Granary looks good. I've got 6 POA's I think in the loft for a future project which will involve a small scrap yard and will hopefully be P4, your layout has certainly give me a few ideas. Cheers Simon

Hi, Thanks Christian, looking forward to installing the OHLE but think that may take a bit of work to complete. Managed to wire 3 boards and now working on board 4. The first train ran tonight along the down slow across boards 1 to 3 with no electrical problems. 86261 with 2 mk3's and a DVT pictured below. Cheers Simon

Hi, Managed to make a start on the wiring. Below is board 2 which is fairly straight forward to wire as it is just 4 tracks along the front. There will be more wiring added once the fiddleyard has been laid at the rear of the layout. Also a signal gantry will be on this board for the down slow and fast lines. Aiming to have the majority of the layout wired over the next few weeks. Cheers Simon

Hi Jeremey, Yes could not ignore the 86 at £50 as it is ideal for Dallam, may order another! Thanks about the ballasting, its Chinchilla dust which is quite cheap however it can crack in areas whilst drying but it is easy enough to sort. It just all needs some weathering but will probably leave that job for now. Just starting the wiring now which should keep me busy for a while. Thanks Simon

Hi, Latest addition to the Dallam fleet arrived this morning direct from Dapol. Could not resist some quick pics. Here it is, 86261 hauling mk3's ecs Polmadie to Wembley. The plastic h section has been used to gauge the size of the ohle. The ohle will eventually be made out of brass section. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, Metal 60's sound good. Regards the Cowan Sheldon crane, I have put it on hold while concentrating on Dallam. Hopefully will resume once the bulk of the track and wiring for Dallam has been completed. Cheers Simon

Hi Alex, The pits and service platforms are looking very good, certainly has the Toton feel to it. Yes have to agree regards Thornaby 37's, got 501 & 502 in the loft, don't think they have actually been run yet! Wish I had bought 37507 along with the two Hattons were selling a while ago for £50 each. Cheers Simon

Hi, Managed to get the remaining stretch of track laid and ballasted on the mainline. The pva will probably not be fully dry till tomorrow. The scenic break will be formed by the Liverpool to Manchester line crossing where the ruler is on the pic (balanced on the 2 tubs of paint). The siding on the left was not used much if at all in 2001 and this will be modelled in an overgrown condition as in the link below. https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/37190-dalzell/15464415881/in/search_QM_q_IS_37375+dallam_AND_mt_IS_all_AND_w_IS_all Next to start on the wiring and make a control panel! Cheers Simon

Yes, remember the mixed rakes well. Remember seeing the occasional Transpennine liveried mk2 added into a rake. cheers Simon

Hi Cav, Thats a nice job you have made of that mk2, will be just right with the windows tinted. Are you going to have a mix of Intercity and blue/grey mk2's in your rakes? Cheers Simon

Evening everyone, Tracklaying started across boards 5&6 today. The minimum radius of the inner curve (bi directional slow line) at this end of the layout will be 11 inches which should be ok. My goal is to have the remaining 4 track sections laid and ballasted on boards 5&6 by next weekend! Hopefully will be able to make a start on the wiring then. Cheers Simon

Hi Jeremy, Looking good, like the look of 37196 and the station is looking smart . Think you need to start planning a layout for those ac locos! Cheers Simon

Hi, Thanks for the nice comments! Managed to fit the pattern makers dowels to boards 5&6 this afternoon, the cork tiles have been laid also. Aswell as the excellent pictures Dave (Beast 66606) has posted, just been looking on Youtube again and found this clip where all services being diverted through Walton yard in June 2001. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v2TkTPFt6hI Bit of blue aswell for the trip workings to Dallam yard. https://www.flickr.com/photos/23987565@N05/4888211332/in/photolist-8rXmVJ-9hnv8R-8c5mTB-9Bvrgc-9BvrrK-d2JJUw-cYqVJL-8c5mTH-izoQCi-7WM6Tk-bCGWTQ-8bk2rB-aAynhW-azVANf-pbAgWV-9xqfTB-kMq3ee-o5AafS-d22MJ9-mtQwnk-8rXnc9-9BvsTR-84RrBg-8rUhcz-jJkYJF-9asG3Y-8rUhrF-8rXn7m-9BynwN-aRw5c4-cKnbP5-e2B5Sp-9QXJY3-n6JCUx-9kcpzJ-n2Do72-eJmrSa-dacEYQ-9uj3ys-9BykUo-9wA6JP-oDR41K-9y4g1X-d76T23-cqeoqd-erEAXd-9mMkoR-9mMhoc-9nzGrm-9n7h5h-gAnAzw Cheers Simon

Hi, Managed to get all the track ballasted and the concrete trunking completed following the picture in my last post. Next task is to fit the dowels between boards 5&6, lay the cork and lay the last stretch of track on the scenic side. Here below, 60078 heads north towards Dallam sidings with the trip working. 87019 heads south leading a failed DVT. Needs the OHLE in position! Cheers Simon

Hi Jeremy, Looking good and also your first show planned, currently painting the rail sides on Dallam and to say its boring is an understatement, but as you say it does make a difference. The blue 87 and mk3's sound good for 'occasional' running. Cheers Simon

Hi, Track work continues this weekend. Positioned the crossovers which allow parcels stock to access the nearby Royal Mail terminal from the down fast. These also allow south bound departures from the RMT to access the up fast. The picture below is taken roughly were Bewsey Road bridge will be located. Cheers Simon

Hi, Managed to get some more of the hard standing done around the sidings area. Hopefully all that is required now is to lightly sand the filler and then paint to a suitable finish. Decided to try and take a picture from what is Folly Lane bridge looking south towards Bewsey Road and Warrington Bank Quay, just needs the overhead in place! Cheers Simon