87023Velocity

Hi all, Thanks everyone for all the kind comments and assistance. I have been looking into the radius of the curves required at each end of the layout. The Dallam yard end will require 5 lines to curve round to the fiddle yard at the rear. My concern is with the inside line which feeds Dallam yard, the radii I have planned will be 12 inches(it may be possible to increase to 13 once actual track laying commences), I have tried an SPA and OBA coupled together and they seem ok. See picture below. I will be using Farish VGA's in the yard and hoping that they will be ok being propelled around this curve into Dallam yard, knowing that I believe they don't like 9 inch curves, so hopefully 12 should be ok! Currently looking at stock and just purchased a Dapol Res Class 86 86425, which should be on its way to me shortly, looking through Flickr, this loco appeared to have been used by Virgin on several occasions, however my intention is to use it for parcels traffic only. Next on my list will be a Farish Virgin 87 for one of the 2 push pull rakes. I am going to try and avoid buying too many locos (famous last words). Cheers Simon

Thanks for all the comments everyone. Just trying to work out stock formations and what is currently available RTR. Cheers Simon

Hi Brit15, I had seen some pictures on flickr but not all those, they will be very useful for the bridges etc. Cheers Simon

Hi Phil, I am currently thinking of scratchbuilding the OHLE, though I don't think I will be fitting the contact wires. Cheers Simon

Thanks Phil, will be a bit for me to learn as although I have been involved in building several 4mm layouts, this is the first in n gauge for me. Fortunately Dallam itself is roughly 25mins in the car from home so need to make a few visits. Luckly not much has changed since 2001 railway wise I think?. Cheers Simon

Hi, I have decided to start a layout in n gauge which will represent a stretch of WCML north of Warrington Bank Quay at Dallam. The area I will be modelling will be between the 2 road over bridges, Folly Lane and Bewsey road for those of you local to Warrington. The period modelled will be 2001, so plenty of variety of stock which can be modelled, Virgin West Coast and XC,EWS,DRS, Freightliner, First North Western, Parcel trains to the Railhub, Serco test trains etc Here are a few pictures of progress so far (The Arriva XC TGS was picked up cheap for clearance checks): Managed to make a start on Bewsey Road overbridge. Track will be Peco code 55. I am not sure if the rail served warehouse was being used by rail in 2001, the sidings outside certainly were, VGA's and Bogie Ferryvans present in this video clip on Youtube around 1:00 min in Will need plenty of James Irlam road trailers. The dimensions will be approx 14ft x3ft. Over the coming weeks work will focus on fitting the pattern makers dowels and ensuring the baseboards are nice and flat where the baseboards meet. Also lay cork tiles prior to track laying. In between this, I need to sort out my 4mm stock that has been lying in the loft, some of the items I forgot I had bought or even the reason I bought them. Also need to finish my 4mm crane and now build a smalller version for this layout! Cheers Simon

I think I may just be tempted to get one, with regards to the 56, it will probably be done by Heljan before I ever get round to finishing my MMP kit! Simon

Hi Alex, As others have said, excellent work, it certainly has the atmosphere of Toton. Those pictures of the Peaks look great. Cheers Simon

Hi Nick, That does make a difference, didn't realise they had not been modelled. However strictly speaking, the brake discs on 185/350/360/450/444 are 1 piece brake discs. The discs you have used are sometimes referred to as split discs or 2 piece discs, basically 2 half segments make up each disc face on either side (inside/outside) of each wheel. Cheers Simon

Hi Grimley, I remember 60061 on Springs Branch not long after delivery, along with 60058. Prior to its allocation, Springs Branch were given 60015 & 016 to play with but cannot remember if they were Toton machines aswell. Cheers Simon

Only looked on mobile and resolution therefore not great are they the early bodies? If the later mouldings, thought they may be worth watching for as that weathering may come off easily, t-cut thinners? Simon

Weathered class 37 body. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-CLASS-37-37671-TRE-POL-AND-PEN-RAILFREIGHT-DISTRIBUTION-BODY-ONLY-/281063611436?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item4170b25c2c Cheers Simon

Hi Mick, All I can say is doh! Missed that bit. Cheers Simon

Just looked on the Manchester Evening News website and it is stating that a vital piece of trackwork has been damaged and could spell weeks of misery for passengers, does not sound good. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/several-trains-were-cancelled-after-1238797 This has been quoted from National Rail, suspect they mean Network Rail? Cheers Simon

WCRC have some of their tyre turning undertaken on the wheel lathe at Ardwick. Simon

Hi Tim, Great pictures, really like the shot of 86206 at BNS and 97204. Cheers Simon