Gallows Close

Thanks again for all the comments. Encouraged by the feedback from the short video earlier in the thread I have made another. The thing with this layout is that it tells the story of the colliery and it's interaction with the railway, and that was covered with the first video. So, what to do next? I have decided to focus on the main line for this film, and here you can see some of the typical Leeds to Doncaster trains. http://youtu.be/MJ1rW-KM2Lo Sadly the layout was having one of it's moments today so I was unable to present as much variety as I'd hoped, but please feel free to pass comment or feedback. From now on its back to plain old model making (can't play all the time ) Best wishes, Chris.

You too David, and of course everyone else too. Best wishes for 2014 - I hope to make more progress this year than last! Chris.

Ron, Your latest bridge has raised the bar (again!). Absolutely stunning. Best wishes, Chris.

Hello Lewis, The great thing about the track layout is that all coupling and uncoupling is carried out off scene. The locos can be uncoupled before propelling the train to the run round point, then it looks like they have detached without intervention. Likewise, once on the other end of the train they can be coupled up off scene too. Best wishes, Chris.

Hello Lewis, I have standardized on Smiths couplings for all wagon stock. On the HAA's they are all Smiths instanter type, and on the locomotives I use Smiths screw couplings. Careful track planning ensures that there is no buffer-lock whilst propelling the train. Thank you Max. I have also been following your progress too. I find it fascinating that two similar projects run simultaneously with different ways of tackling the same thing. I love your loader and the way it sits in the countryside. For the loading process I'm going to try filling the wagons first on the push through, and then trimming the load on the run back through. The evenness of the load is very much dependant on the slow running qualities of the train engine, and the operation of the clam shell doors. I doesn't always go well! I intend to have another go at a short video over the holidays (this was one a first) attempting to paint the scene a bit better, and sorting out the depth of field on the camera (EOS 60D). Thanks again to everyone for all the comments and feedback, and my very warmest wishes to you for Christmas and New Year. Chris.

Hello RM Webbers, Thank you for all the recent comments, they are very much appreciated. Although it has seemed quiet on this thread, I have been quite active with the model. The rapid loader has been positioned in its final spot and ballasted in. This has necessitated quite a bit of engineering to the track and embankments, with the result that the layout now has a much more natural flow - and of course more play value. I have uploaded a short video so that you can see how it all works together. Particularly pleasing is the loading process - no camera trickery I promise! http://youtu.be/jTTig6C5Cu4 Hope you enjoy the film. Best wishes, Chris.

Hello Jeff, They are Bachmann ones. The class 156 is re-engineered with a Bachcy drive train, bogies, ploughs, gangways, lights and underframe details. The Bachmann sprinter chassis proves a cost effective option for a total upgrade of the old Lima sprinter model dating from the late '80's. I've got two more to still do yet. I use this as my standard sprinter chassis/motor combination now across my fleet of 150's, 153'3 and 156's. I also want to try this combo with a Dapol class 155 at some point, but that needs a bit more thought and work. Thanks, Chris.

Hi Alex, I really like your progress with the roof, the geometry and symmetry really set it apart from your run of the mill two road depot layout. This is truely stunning. By the way, I was hoping for the red stripe 31 to compliment this.... But all sold out I hope you don't mind me posting this. Best wishes, Chris.

Hello All, Thanks for the comments! Sorry guys, nothing to report. The best I can do is a couple of recent photos - I've just been playing really ! Hope you enjoy I'm hoping to start building again soon as the poorer weather keeps me indoors. Thanks, and best wishes, Chris

I set about making a half decent model of a Stone Faiveley AMBR pantograph today. My chosen class 307 unit carried such a pan until the end, and with the options either a Hurst models kit or Sommerfeldt proprietary I plumped for the Sommerfeldt option. The Sommerfeldt comes in two types; there is a three leg base and a four leg version - It is the four legger which is required. Of course the four legger is designed to fit a continental SNCF locomotive and as a result the base does not fit the standard BR mounting. The pan head is also quite a heavy duty affair as befits its French prototype. So to the model - Below a before and after. Firstly the base was modified to match the standard BR mounting. This was achieved with sections of bullhead rail soldered to the existing legs. At the extreme ends, the rail section was ground away to allow for the insulating pots. Secondly, the pan head was cut back to the basic frame and a new head fabricated from brass rod. The new head was soldered in to place. Finally a coat of rail grey. Here it is on the class 307 for testing prior to painting. Thanks for looking in, Chris

Thanks for all the likes - and of course the comments. Well Alex, to be honest - no. I have been in rolling stock mode, and just enjoying running trains. I made a traverser for the 'Leeds' end and have whiled away quite a few evenings shuttling up and down the layout. Returning to the class 307, I have picked up a Lok Pilot decoder and begun test running. I retained the Bachmann close coupling system, but I was interested to see you the unit coped particularly on the tight curves I have leading to my storage yards. Power wise, the one motored bogie is sufficient to move all four cars, but I did notice that the non-powered bogie on the motor coach was derailing. This turned out to be nothing more than the bogie frame fouling the underslung compressor. With this removed it seems to run without further problem. The underframes will be re-built anyway, so for now the offending compressor is in store. One thing was however bothering me more. The TSOL coach had a distorted cantrail at one end - picked up only once the unit was in primer. I tried to remove the roof, but this was pretty well solid, so I decided on some more drastic surgery. First I carved off the cantrail and sanded smooth. I then re-profiled the roof to remove some of the distortion caused by my error. I then made a new cantrail with plastic strip and glued in place. Finally, I have filled a small area at the very end of the coach to help match the profile of the roof with the other vehicles. A bit more sanding (may be) yet, but I think it is more or less OK now. Apologies for the photo quality - I was losing the light I'll get it all back in primer and then hopefully I'm back on track. Thanks for looking in, Chris.

So, it seems I was quite accurate when I said it might be a little while yet! Just over half a year and I have a new update on the Class 307. The unit is now reassembled and in undercoat. There are a couple of small spots remaining that require some sanding down with wet and dry, but in principal she's ready for the paint shop. I'm hoping to get it through the paint shop over the next couple of weeks, and I'll be turning my thoughts to the pantograph. My chosen unit 307130 carried a Stone Faiveley AMBR type pan until the end so I've picked up a Sommerfeldt one to fit. I will be giving some attention to the base and contact strip before it is added to the unit. The base will be made up to the standard BR base using bullhead rail, and the contact strip will be made more representative of the type with brass wire and strip. Also on the list is the underframe. I couldn't resist seeing how the whole thing looks on the rails. I have put a before and after below. During the last months I have not neglected the DMUs for my layout. I picked up a batch of cheap Bachmann class 150s with a view to standardising this drive train across my class 15X fleet. So far I have converted a class 153 from Hornby to the Bachmann drive and bogies, and I have done a prototype conversion on one of my Lima class 156s. I wanted to see if it was possible to use the underframe parts to re-build the Lima solebar as well as repower. All in all to update a 25 year old model I think it has turned out OK. First photo is standard Lima (front) and rebuild (rear), the two after that are of the new underframe. I have scratch built the fuel tanks, and the rest is either from the class 150 or salvaged from the old Lima underframe. Here is is the complete unit. Lastly, I have finally finished my class 308. This has been awaiting glazing for literally years. I have used Replica flush glaze to finish the kit. I also repowered it with the spare motor from EPB unit used for the class 307 project. Thanks for looking in, Chris.

OK, Got it! Right. First up, the manual I have contains some errors (6th Ed. February 2013). Referring to the Standard Mapping Table on page 55, the lines 7 & 8 pertain to Key F1, and lines 9 & 10 pertain to Key F2. Using the line numbers, then refer to the table on page 50 and read across lines 7 & 8 initially to ascertain the CV values to change for button F1. For my situation I checked / changed the CVs below for Button F1 referring to the Conditions Block CV tables and the Control CV tables. F1, Aux 1 on Forwards direction. CV 31 = 16 CV 32 = 2 CV 353 = 68 CV 362 = 4 F1, Aux 2 on Reverse direction CV 31 = 16 CV 32 = 2 CV 369 = 72 CV 378 = 8 To disable button F2 from operating Aux 2 I altered the following CVs (lines 9 & 10 on the table) CV 394 = 0 CV 410 = 0 Sorted! See what can be achieved after a strong cup of tea and some thinking time.... Thanks, and best wishes, Chris.

Hello All, I am completely confused by the index register method of programming mu ESU Lokpilot v4.0 chip.. What I'd like to do is map button F1 to Aux 1 in the forward direction, and button F1 to Aux 2 in the reverse direction. I also want to make sure that button F2 does not activate Aux 2 (as this is the factory default). So far, it has not gone well. This is an operation I have done with ease with the V3.0 chip! Help! Can anyone on the forum please help! Many thanks, Chris.

That all happened rather quick! This is really coming to life now. Best wishes, Chris.

Not much progress.....? I beg to differ. Looks really impressive too.

Hi Alex, Just a question on the track the '50 is standing on.... Is that a standard shop bought section, or have you modified or made something to get the sleeper spacing? Thanks and best wishes, Chris.

You can't beat full length trains, whatever the scale. Looking very good. Best wishes, Chris.

Thank you Clive. The Barrowmore Group was up until yesterday unknown to me, but I'm rather pleased that they are able to host these books online. I'm also looking forward to seeing the unit finished, but it might be a little while yet. Best wishes, Chris,

These type of drawings are General Arrangement drawings, and have their uses. The original question was what was behind the blanked off compartment on the TS. In that respect the drawings are most helpful. I think it is fairly safe to assume that a luggage rack stands in that spot. As for other aspects requireing modelling, these drawings are an aid, but not definitive. As always, gather as much information about the model you are trying to create before you start if you can - photos are key. As for building the model itself, Bachmann did that for me - I'm only moving the windows around. Cheers, Chris.

Thank you very much Keefer. That book is a treasure trove, and extremely useful. The class 307 drawings are labelled as refurb during 1981, whereas Wiki has the upgrade down for 1984. Maybe the retention of the five marker lights was taken from a pilot refurb? Anyway, most interesting. I'll line up a post to cover the interiors and the creation of the lavatory compartments in due course. Maybe I'll combine it with the pantograph post - Pots & Pans.... Best wishes, Chris.

Hello All, The latest update will focus on creating first the trailer second open lavatory (TSOL) and the driving trailer second open lavatory (DTSOL) in what are the last structural major changes to the EPB bodies to create the class 307 cars. First up the TSOL. This coach was created in the same way as the MSO earlier in the thread. The redundant cab and guard's van being removed and two compartments from the donor Mk I coach spliced on. With the coach re-assembled the windows requiring blanking off were filled and allowed to set. One feature of this coach is that on one side a complete compartment has been plated over - presumably during the 1984 refurb. I know not why, and would appreciate knowing the seating layout of the refurbished coaches if anyone can help please. http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p575280184/h339e4118#h339e4118 Here is the coach, with the correct windows blanked. On the other side is a toilet compartment, so the two seating bay windows were blanked, together with the door frame. The door was then opened out to the dimensions of the toilet window. Next, the DTSOL received the same treatment. During the 1984 refurb the second compartment door counting from the driver's cab was removed and replaced with a plain window. The first class section was relocated here from the trailer second during that time. The West Yorkshire units were of course all standard, but the window layout remained. The redundant door was cut from the bodyshell, and a window bay taken from one of the spare cabs was cut and spliced in to the coach side. The larger windows needed for the toilet and the seating bay oposite it are yet to be opened out., and will be done as before. With these tasks finished, the work becomes pretty dull on the bodywork, focussing on re-assembly, filling and priming. There is of course plenty going on below the solebar, and the pantograph bay will be getting a post in the near future. Thanks for looking in, Chris.

Thank you Rod. Gallows Close, now there are some memories. It is hard to imagine it is over fifteen yaers ago that I began building that model. I wish I still had it. Best wishes, Chris.

Hello All, I've been continuing to work on the driving car, in particular the cab front. Uppermost in my mind was the need to change the face of the unit from the EPB design to the rather distinctly ugly front of the class 307. Most obvious - once all the EPB jumper cables were removed - was the plated over centre headcode box. For this I carefully popped out the plastic headcode insert and removed the window frame and rainstrip with a scalpel blade. I then refitted the insert and glued it in to place. The whole cab front area was sanded smooth to remove the unwanted raised detail remaining from the EBP, taking care to preserve the driver's and second man's window frames. I then fitted a destination blind. This is an etched brass DC Kits one, simply glued in to the correct postion. The MW boxes were next. After some thought, I came up with an old Lima class 87 body shell long consigned to the spares box. The MW boxes were carefully cut from the body and tidied up before fitting to the new cab front. Finally, I have added the two headlights and the solitary tail light. These have been made from slivers of plastic rod glued in position. After allowing to fully set, they have been carefully hollowed out with a drill bit to give them a dished appearance. I have given the cab a quick squirt of undercoat to see where I need to focus my filler, and as you can see the former headcode box needs some attention. Thanks for looking in, Chris.

It could make two episodes.... One for the house, and the other for the railway! Best wishes, Chris.