MRDBLUE17

Hi everyone, Thanks for all the comments, very much appreciated. I will take some more photos this week and add when I get the chance. Mike - I have seen that photo during my trawls of the net for building this layout - there is also a landrover that has been used as well - it certainly would be interesting but beyond me to build. I have an EWS landrover but not a road/rail one! The nearest thing you will see to an engineers train will be the Bachmann MPV which is on order for when it comes out. Phil - The fence posts and wire are in a pack from 10 commandments. The posts are whitemetal and the wire is very fine nylon - You can probably get this from a fabric shop as it is sometimes used in Jewellery making - fishing wire if you can get some really fine should be about right. The finer the better really as it will just glint in the light more like the real thing. Dave - I am planning to use Static Grass - I picked up a fly swatter in B&Q when I was last in Barrow for £4 and my mum provided a tea strainer she had lying about - not made it yet but I have seen a few online videos and details to make one and the results look very good. I didn't have enough time at Glasgow to look out for some grass fibres but I hope to get onto this soon. I have quite a few scenic products to try out that I have never used before on this layout. My plan is to go for that typical Scottish Summer look - the vegetation will have had plenty of rain so the greens will be bright but on parts surrounding the layout the grass and weeds will be quite long with the tall yellow seed grasses sticking out above the greener base. I can also add a lot of summer flowers in amongst the weeds. I just hope I can create the vision I have for it! Peter/Alex - The water effects are still to be played about with - the photos were taken when wet and it reduces quite a lot as it dries but I have added a couple of layers in places and also washed in some watery brown paints as well on a couple as it looked to clean. I intend to add some water down the valley part under the viaduct to try and create the marshy moor around Rannoch. Kev, many thanks for your comments and it will be ready for next year if you do want it. Hope Ally Pally goes well for you! I found this useful link which shows some viaduct detail. I have been working on the decking of the viaduct on the model and currently working on the stone pillars at track level. I will update on this soon, http://www.stobartgroup.co.uk/Services/Rail/Infrastructure-Engineering/CaseStudy/Gaur-And-Tulloch-Viaducts-Re-Decking/ The bit I'm not looking forward to is painting it all but have made a start on patch painting some of it. Should have gone with the full scaffold and plastic sheeted look! May be next time, Thanks, Mark

Hi Charlie, I certainly want to get 143 112 in the Northern Livery from you as you already know, won't make York but I think the next time I see you will be at Perth in June so I will hopefully see your samples then if you let us DEMU lot get our hands on them! Now should I get on with my Morecambe plan for them to run on! Mark

Hi everyone, I have managed to complete the platform painting, not a fun task due to having to bend over and paint a straightish edge by hand. The effect seems to be worth the effort though and was the only way I could recreate the prototype. The concrete edge slabs are painted with railmatch acrylic concrete with the next line in of raised tiles finished in brake dust which gives a nice yellowy look. The brick paving is done using revell matt 37 and WCRC maroon again by railmatch to try and create the purple red hues to the bricks. I found I had a bag of 2mm granite chips which has been ideal for the rest of the platform tops. I spread a thin layer of PVA and pressed and spread the granite chips before fixing in solid with the normal PVA, water soap mix. I have also been working on some of the scenic details with the little track used by engineers added, I used a model landrover to create the grooves whilst the ballast was still wet and then added some scenic water by Javis to create the puddled areas. The long grass in the middle is cut from the gaugemaster sheets which are stuck down with PVA first before adding the ballast around. Next up is more work on the viaduct - this only requires around 300 bits cutting and sticking to it and then painting - I should just go for the plastic covers and scaffold look for one span to save a lot of work! Some pics of the progress, let me know what you think or questions/comments always welcome. Thanks, Mark

Hi Dave, Another top notch Duff for your fleet and the speed shots are just superb as always! The weathering is just right as well and really brings the model to life. I am looking forward to seeing your glazing, that is quick work! Thanks, Mark

Hi Kev, Thanks for that photo - certainly makes a huge improvement over the big plastic lump. I e-mailed Hurst ages ago about their kit but have never heard back but I have heard a rumour that an updated version was being planned but don't know how true that is. Mark

Hi Everyone, I am trying to spend more time modelling than sat on here at the computer in an attempt to get some serious progress made with the layout. I have focussed my time on ballasting with the viaduct trackwork and North end of the station seeing some good progress over the last few nights. I have also done some painting on the viaduct deck and will hopefully have this nearer completion over he next week or so. The wife has got herself an Iphone and there is a clever photo app where you can just add colour to part of the photo so here is a view of the station just for fun! Hope you like it. I will add some of the progress work later this week. Thanks, Mark

Hi everyone, I thought it was about time you get to see and hear some updates from Rannoch so this is a link to my first ever upload to Youtube which shows DRS 37 229 Jonty Jarvis which is all the hard work of Andi Walshaw (Cairns road works). This machine was chosen as Digitrains only had 21 pin decoders left and was fitted during Model Rail in Glasgow at the weekend. There has already been a lot of discussion about the Zimo decoders but having gained some knowledge from a fellow DEMU member who is quite an expert at DCC the quality of them is very good. Whilst not as plug in and play compared the Howes ESU decoders, I will add some at a later date to compare. The Digitrains sounds themselves are very good overall with some nice changes in engine noise especially and the brakes coming on when stopping as well as some of the other sounds on the function buttons. As you all know I have quite a few 37's for Rannoch and this adds further variety and is good value. All I have done so far is alter a few CV's to be able to create a more realistic start up on my layout. Let me know what you think so far and I will over the next few weeks try and get a few more videos done! Many thanks, Mark

Hi Dave, The shot 47701 on the platform end and the side on view of 26004 are superb shots not that the rest aren't of course but they really stand out for me. The colours and weathering on 47701 capture the look of the era perfectly and the side on view of the 26 just emphasise all the detail especially the underframes where Heljan really excell on this model. I don't think Michel was on the stand at that point otherwise I would have introduced you to him. Its an excuse to come back next year and see him then! Thanks, Mark

Hi Dave, Thanks for your kind comments, glad you liked it - It would have been good to have it on the stand as the lighting was better and you could have seen the interior better as well. Thanks for the tips on weathering the roof, I was very impressed by Gary's station on Glenuig with the lichen and things added which is something I planned to do once all the vegatation goes in at the back as I want to weather the whole layout once its all done to create a nice subtle texture across the scene but the powder idea is something I hadn't though about but will be ideal especially for the soots stains around the chimneys. Just let me know when you are about up here and hopefully I'll be about so you can come and take some decent photos of the layout and have a play as well. Got a digitrains 37 chip on Sunday and fitted to a DRS 37 - still to tweak the running of it as different to the ESU ones but has some really nice engine noises and other functions as well. Thanks, Mark

Hi Kev, That 156 looks very good to me and a huge improvement over the plastic block normally seen under them. Do you have any pictures of the work involved to get it to this standard as I have a barbie one to detail in the future. Thanks, Mark

Hi Peter, The TPO looks really good and for its age that Hornby 25 still looks good! Its nice to see you keep adding more variety to your fleet all the time, you never know whats going to turn up at Lanbourne these days! Keep up the good work, Mark

Hi Dave, It was really nice to meet you and chat today. Hope you had a good trip back and enjoyed yourself at the show. Nice to catch up with your latest photos as well while I have the chance and 26004 looks very realistic especially with the coal washed streaks and the bogies have come out very nicely. Did you mix in some powders to create the rust/grime coats? I have done this on my 33 and was really pleased with how it turned out but havn't done much weathering since to any locos but interested to know what you used on yours. Thanks, Mark

Hi Alex, I was talking to a man today at Glasgow, who isn't on RMweb, as he was telling me about depot visits back in BR days and in particular a visit to Toton I mentioned you were building a model of the depot and from what he told me he went to see a couple of 56's and a 58 that were inside the depot. He went into the office where he told me a nice young woman in a rather short tight skirt greeted him and had no issues in taking him round the depot. She even offered to show him into the cab of one loco and deliberately climbed up first! I told him I would have to share this with you so you can get the detail right and re-create this cameo scene! Thanks, Mark

Hi Alex, Your quite right it might seem a tedious job to be doing but the end result is certainly worth the effort you are putting in. Its all the little details that make the overall project come to life and when your doing them you might think you havn't got that much done in a modelling session but once it all comes together the overall scene will be complete. Your work has reminded how many bits of section I still need to stick to the viaduct on mine! Keep up he good work, Mark

Thanks, Pete / Pete and Dave, I'm sorry there are no cakes at present - I've probably eaten them all, well I do have a sweet tooth! But there will be a good choice of cakes and I'm certain tea cakes will be on the menu too once they have re-stocked! See you at Glasgow Dave, Mark

I have used Rails for a number of years for Mail order when my retailer of choice doesn't have an item available or isn't going to get something in particular especially where I have not pre-ordered. I have always found Rails to be excellent for service on new and e-bay items and been happy with their prices. I was once charged postage on a follow on item but a quick phone call found this was an error - very easily done with computer systems and as it was only a small amount this was put on file for the next time I made an order. No issues with that on my part and the team can't be any more helpful. My most recent purchase of the Scotrail 170 was at a bargain pre-order price before it went up only the next day but as I had seen the internet price that is the price I paid and it arrived a few days later very nicely packed. They were also able to accomodate my special instructions for an E-bay item which was very kindly collected from the shop which saved postage to me as it was going to be going for a special re-paint anyway. All I can say is that I have always been a happy customer and would use when ever I needed. Thanks, Mark

Hi everyone, Thanks for all your comments, very much appreciated. Nothing like a bit of a deadline to get on with some modelling and as a result my station building for Rannoch has taken a massive step forward. Eventually it will have some lighting added but that will be part of the wider layout plan so not essential for now. Anyway thought I would show you some of the details that have been added to the interior and exterior to more or less finish off the building. I had mentioned my insanity at making some chairs for the tea room and the first picture shows you all the parts for 7 chairs each made from 10 little sections of plastic strip I have made 8 but I built a test model first to ensure they came out ok which you can see next. I added various details to the tea room such as the till, a mirror, chalk menu boards, clock, tables & chairs and the cake counter. The tea room is closed so no cakes today! Last year at Perth I met a nice chap called Tom who e-mailed some photos of the station which have helped me with some of the external details such as down pipes, benches, the post box etc and I have added what I can so far. The benches are made from plastic strip, the post box is langley and the scales I have had for around 20 years and whilst not the same as those at Rannoch will never find a better use. I have added door handles to finish off the very fine etchings Pete Harvey did for me - I based them on the black victorian style ones as I had an old one in the flat and made by rounding the ends of a section of plastic rod before slicing it off and glueing in place. The down pipes have had brackets fixed to the wall and the pipes are bent from brass rod - I have not fitted the actual wraps to secure the pipes to these but might at some point if I get chance using thin wire. They are glued in place and aligned with the roof gutters so I can still get the roof off to fit lighting later on. I have added the brick paving along the sides and ballast at the ends and finally glazed the end wind panels. The final photos show the building in position on the layout. Things I still need to add are a bright red round bin when I find or make something to match the real one, station poster boards, timetables, platform numbers for the end wall. I can also see from photos there are 2 other boxes on the wall on the rear side from my viewing angle but can't find a clear shot of these - this will be something I will need to go and see eventually to be able to add them on. There are also several purple window boxes and I have a plan to make these as well but need to get the right strip sections first before I can add these on. Hope you like how it is all looking. If your going to Glasgow at the end of the month you can come and see the building at Model Rail Scotland and you will find me with the rest of the DEMU team on the roadshow stand or operating Mikes, New Garnoch layout (I will probably be building cottages for Rannoch). It will be nice to put names to faces and meet those of you in person who can make it so please come and say hello if you get the chance. Look forward to seeing you then, Thanks, Mark

Hi, James the long grass in the sidings is the packs of gaugemaster long grass - it comes in three colours for about £7 a pack which might sound a lot but it is great to work with. It is on a webbed sort of backing and can be cut with scissors into strips clumps or as I did into tiny time consuming bits to glue in between the sleepers. Just stick down with PVA and then ballast around it later it as with other details it helps to create the right effect. I shall soon be experimenting with static grass as I have now obtained a fly swatter from B&Q and a tea strainer provided by my mum. Hopefully this will allow me to create the effects I want on the layout. Mike - I too have never been on the WHL although my wife has promised to go on a trip - it didn't happen last year but I know she is keen to go on the Jacobite so just need to get a time planned. I think Phil's message contains a subliminol message for you to join DEMU! I joined last April, suprisingly the wife thought it was a good idea, and it has been very worthwhile as there is a good crowd up here to share ideas and meet up with at the shows. We even had a meet up at mine in January so you could have come for a play on Rannoch! Hopefully see you at Glasgow. Mark

Alex a 150 would add some variety to all those superb locos in your fleet - just saw your 80's line up and it reminded seeing the REX 37's you have, of a photo I have seen of them on a train heading up the Cumbrian Coast towards Workington with steel for the old rail plant. I have been doing a little research into the line for a future project after Rannoch is finished! Mark - glad you like the layout - hopefully will see you at Glasgow at some point. 4 is a dangerous age - that is when I first played trains and I am still doing it at 30! Mike - The 150 certainly is a nice model - I really want to add sound to it to go with the 158 I already have which has a SWD chip in it but must resist for now! The platform hasn't changed - I am guessing you are referring to the bunk bed shot which is taken on the car park next to the entrance to the station - I put some tarmac in this area using Jarvis scatter but having just watched Micheal Portillo on iplayer i see this may need to change to some lighter shades of gravel. His footage from Rannoch is brilliant and there are so many details I can now pick out in time to add to the layout to help capture the atmosphere of the place better - hopefully this year I will actually get to go as we plan to take a trip up the line and I will be planning a stop off at Rannoch which will allow me time to see everything for myself. My next post when I put the photos on the PC will show my insanity in making the details - I am making 8 chairs for the tea room and each chair has 10 tiny parts in plastic strip to assemble and then paint! Most only being 5-6mm long. Thanks, Mark

Hi everyone, I have been busy working on all those little interior details for the building - so far made 4 bunk beds and 2 singles with matresses for the bunk houses and I have also made a till for the tea room although that will be getting painted later. I had some metal castings from the wills signal box interior kit spare which I have added to the room which I am basing as the old staion masters room with an arm chair, desk, old fashioned telehpone on the wall and the idea is to have this looking quite delapidated as though it hasn't been used since the 80's. The tea room has a clock and will get tables and chairs and a mirror at some point. The passenger service on Rannoch is slowly improving with todays new addition to the fleet. I went to Harburn Hobbies today to collect my model of 150 252. It has a Bachmann 21 pin decoder added along with the ploughs and dummy couplings and has gone straight into service. Eventually it will be upgraded with sound but I will need to sae up a bit for that. Anyway here are a few photos of what I have been up to and now back to the madness of tables and chairs! If you are going to Glasgow at the end of the month come along to the DEMU stand and say hello as I will be there over the 3 days and I will have my (finished) buildings with me and it will be nice to meet in person. Any questions or comments always welcome, Thanks for looking, Mark

Hi Bob, I totally get what you mean with the fault showing up on the handset as mine does that from time to time. It is often only momentary shorts that clear straight away but because the system picks this up it comes up with the fault message. What I have found is that often short wheelbase wagons eg: a TTA tank or similar with metal wheels will slightly fowl on a frog and this is despite have insulfrog on my layout as it just bridges the gap - sometimes you will just see a flicker in your loco headlights as this happens and a short may not occur. What I have learnt from this is that on future builds I will insulate rails leading into forgs and will also be using live frog points anyway for even smoother operation of smaller locos. The easiest fix might be just to insulate the rails on the points that keep causing the issues but ensure you still have good electical connections at the other end as the switch blades can drop a little and therefore loss of power and locos stalling - not fun with sound fitted machines! Overall though I am happy with my prodigy system. Mark

Hi Gary, Great to see your layout in Model Rail, the photography is ecellent and really shows off the level of realism and atmosphere you have managed to create on your layout. All the best, Mark

Thanks Kev, I will let you know when I am about. Your right you can't have too many 37's - just need to get sound in the rest of mine though! I can bring some of my 37's down with me if you like as I know how much you like them in EWS! All the best, Mark

Hi Dave, Great to see all your progress updates. Some stunning photography and I for one really like those at speed photos - you know you will have to take some on my Viaduct when it is finished! I quite like the matt dirty finish on your 47 it seems to capture what I have seen in photos of the time. Perhaps the Scottish ones looked more glossy because they are wet with rain most of the time! The detail work really brings the units to life especially looking at your 107 full of people. I also really like the tiger stripes on the HST power car as that is something that isn't often modelled. The detail work will be well worth the effort especially with what you have done so far as the lighting really helps to set it all off rather well. I will be at Glasgow all 3 days with DEMU so come along and say hello as it will be nice to meet you in person. I should have my finished station building with me as well! Better get on with it. Thanks, Mark

Hi Ian, Thanks for the link there - I was just about to add an update and you saved me searching for my thread so great timing. 37423 is one of my favourites and once it has a sound chip added it will be a regular on my layout there are some pictures of it further back in the thread and it was created by Andi (Cairns road works) you'll find his thread in weathering and painting for some amazing models well worth a look! I have made a fair amount of progress since my last update. I have added the various bits of plastic card to the platform top to create the raised stones next to the edge slabs and then the brickwork beyond this. The plain brickwork is a compromise as I can't find anything to match the block paving pattern that is so common in town cnetres, drive ways etc here but once painted like the end section already complete it looks quite good. The base colour is railmatch West Coast railway maroon with other brick shades then brushed on over but it seems to work. The station building has seen some interior walls go in and details added to some rooms such as lower walls with boarding - textured card from the works was used and works well for this. I have added some interior doors from card, added a counter with folding lifting hatch top and even the glass cake stand in the tea room. Some fire places have also been added. There is still more to do with tables, chairs and till to be made and in some other rooms I will recreate a bunkhouse as found at another station on the line so some bunk beds will be added soon. The glazing apart from the bays is also fitted using the left over plastic from the slate/brick packs and Klear to fix. I have also added the final 2 curved top autoballasters as seen behind 37422. If your on youtube viewing Ians link above you might also find footage of 37 427 at Rannoch just as 422 is on my model. My wagons do need some dirt added to complete the train at some point! 37516 is also seen at Rannoch with my maroon mk 1's in tow which have just had a bogie swap with bachmanns replacement commonwealth packs as they will slowly be transformed into current WCRC stock. Hope you like the progress, any questions or comments always welcome, Thanks, Mark