Gallows Close

MGR Shunt 1956 Style in 1991 Best wishes, Chris.

Hello Peter, Good luck with your build. Here is a photo of my Bratchell based effort. I do have loads more reference photos and model photos if there is any interest. Here are some ideas / notes that you may find useful. The large grille on the power car is cut from a scrap HST. Bachmann class 170 bogies are very similar to the ones you need for the trailers (and the motor is excellent). Powered bogie may be more difficult without the Bratchell bits. Glazing from Lazerglaze fits the Bratchell apertures The saloon windows are smaller than Sprinter windows. The same size as standard Mk III coaches. Would an Oxford Mk III provide glazing, with just the hopper windows to scratch build? Not sure, but the Oxford glazing is moulded with the fine frame included. The sliding door windows are not as tall as those on a Sprinter The hopper vents on the 210 were glazed, whereas on a class 317 they are stainless steel Best wishes, Chris.

You could try looking at aquarium suppliers. I use decorative black fish tank grit for a good coal likeness. Different grades can be also found at the garden centre in the flower arranging section. Better value than ‘specialist’ model suppliers. Best wishes, Chris.

Afternoon All. Thought I might share a sequence of shots from a driver training run. The sequence represents the training and proving rake used to test and train staff for the new class 91 and surrogate DVT sets being introduced on the ECML. Thanks for looking in. Chris.

Afternoon all, I thought it might be interesting to show the layout in its operating mode. The extension boards are added using the open shed doors making a full circuit and holding all the stock 'off scene' With the layout running, I decided to make a short video featuring some of my latest models from my workbench. Thanks for looking in, Best wishes, Chris.

Hello David, The old class 56 is quite a workhorse. I do load them up with extra ballast, and for my 'standard' length HAA train of 22 wagons each they can handle them empty with ease, but fully loaded is a bit more of a struggle. I have had one with 36 empties running with no problem. Here are a few more shots from the layout. 1991 - Ex NSE clss 307 EMU's were drafted in to work the newly electrified line on local services between Leeds and Doncaster. Problems with the class 321 units intended for this service saw the old order lasting way longer than it should. 2N09 - Sheffield to Leeds Sprinter 7K84 July 1990 - Class 56, 56067 works from Gascoigne Wood Stone Bunker to South Kirkby Colliery conveying waste shale in HAA wagons from the Selby Complex. Hope you like them. Thanks for looking in. Best wishes, Chris.

Hello Lewis, The layout is coming along. I have been concentrating on rolling stock projects and building fiddle yards lately. I have laid over 40 meters of new storage sidings as well as focusing on a few DMU projects and upgrading some old Lima stuff. Here is the class 56 with the top off. It is just a matter of cutting off the 8 pin plug from the decoder and soldering the wires in place on the motor and pick-ups. I usually wire the headlights to Aux 1 and Aux 2 and make the tail lights controllable and directional with the white and yellow wires. In the colliery that means that I can control the headlights so that they are on even when the loco is propelling its train - just as it would have been in real life. For a flavour of my other projects, here is my bi-mode surrogate DVT from a Hornby NMT power car. .... and here is a lovely little model of an NCB Sherpa van from the Oxford model. Thanks for looking in and best wishes, Chris.

If you cut along the cantrail above the brake end, and down along one of the door seams, then you will be able to slot in the appropriate panel of passenger compartments from a donor vehicle. I used the center car for this when I did one way back. Best wishes, Chris.

..... and the ‘56.

Thanks. I like stuff like that. Is there a link to your thread please? I’d like to see how you get on with the XP64 stock. Thanks, Chris.

Good evening, May I ask what the coach is behind the TPO in the first photo please. Thanks, Chris.

‘035. De-named Taff Merthyr? Very nice. The name went to 37702. Best wishes, Chris.

Good morning A. I have sent you a PM. Best wishes, Chris.

Bi-Mode

The Plimsoll Line

Dusty Bin

Out with the old.... In with the new

They are hiding the Daleks. Chris.

Loaded

Good ‘ole ‘OO’ I’m afraid. Glad you like it though. Best wishes, Chris.

Derby Delivery

Baby BREL

Good morning Jamie, This is built from the DC Kits range. I too have fond memories of the old slam door stock. I often rode the Class 304, 305 and 308's. The 304's and 305's were running up and down between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester, and the 308's in their twilight years rumbling around on the Leeds electrified network. Happy days - You would sit down, sink in and almost choke on the dust from the cushions. In motion, everyone's heads would bob in unison to the track joints. Best wishes, Chris.

Metro AM8

Weary Bones