Scottish Modeller

Hi Chard, Ref to - '24124 and 24126 'unknown' are probably both taken at Millerhill during their storage period, I'm guessing spring '77.' The FlickR page says Millerhill April 2 1977 in the caption and map section. Thanks

Hi Jack, Express Models for the lights.... http://www.expressmodels.co.uk/acatalog/WORKING_YARD_TOWER.html Hope this helps! Thanks

Hi Chris, You are very close! From the signal positions this shot was taken from the embankment that now seperates ASDA from the railway. The wagons would be under the current route of the A1. It was a favoured spot as a quick move to the bridge (behind the photographer) enabled you to see anything that was coming round the sub to Millerhill yard. Thanks

Hi Dave, Michel (59004) is in a huff because you never got introduced to him when you were at the DEMU stand! Never mind - it's all Mark's fault.... Anyway - like the new photo - very authentic look! Just needs loads of dirt on the inside ot the tunnel roof. Thanks

Hi Martin, Tanks are starting to look good... Will have to point Rodders to the thread. Tank Walkways..... To make them more secure to the tank I add an extended leg to each of the tank supports. This is then fitted into holes drilled into the tank to make the whole thing a lot more 'Exhibition Proof'. Once you get the filler into the hole with the brass and smooth it off - you cannot see that this has been done. Then the paint job covers it as well! Thanks

Hi all, I had a quick duck in and scan about. I can confirm that the 3 piers that have scaffolding around them are the piers which already had rail banding to tie the structure together and where there is visible shifting in the arch crown around what should be the keystone. If it's a bit brighter tomorrow I will take photos. The viaduct did have an inspection before the false start about 4 years ago. However, even though all the trees were removed in an attempt to prevent further root damage, there has been some further visible damage to the viaduct. There have been a couple of instances where masonary lumps have fallen onto the roadway or into the caravan park. Thanks

Hi All, Please note... Work appears to have started again! Scaffolding has appeared around two of piers of the Lothianbridge Viaduct near Newtongrange. Not had chance to go and speak to the contractors. However, this appears to be initial work and a scafflod frame to protect the buildings of the caravan park from damage by falling objects. Thanks

Hi Mike, Some recommendations.... Keep the tapes and get them transferred to the pc asap! Take a week out and do all the lines in a concentrated effort! Join DEMU and come along with the Edinburgh group trying to do the lot in a weekend (sometime during the summer) Join DEMU and get some more modelling donew on our Roadshow events! Join DEMU Scotland and get fit humping our Roadshow gear in and out of exhibitions! Thanks

Hi Craig, Even if it's going out of you way.... or taking time you had planned for something else.... It's definately worth the time! Thanks

Hi Robert, That's that book I'd love to have available on the Scottish Modellers grooup as well! Very useful set of information. Thanks

Hi there, Correct - Crianlarich it was. Suppossed to be used on propelling moves of timber wagons into Crianlaich Lower. Have a vague memory it didn't get a lot of use but can't remember why. Rare to find photos of it though - thank for that. I've had the Bachmann model sat in a box since it was first released but was put off because there were so few photos. Then 2 photos turn up in one day! Thanks

Hi 'Chard, Yes - the line floods here.... Like between Xmas and New Year from the bulk of the snow melt - deck of bridge under about 6 inches of water and into the tunnel mouth as well. Usually only for short periods on any occasion though. Thanks

The things we used to get up to on railtours Even managed to change a loco number one time - and on both sides! Thanks

Hi 'Chard, Good pint, good meal, not too busy! Short answer is Yes... Real answer is that it was so long ago it's all growing back! In 2007 a full clearance was done down to ballast level - Yes - still has ballast under all the rest of the muck. This has slowed the growth a lot, not stopped it though. If you come by again... Take the road up to Newtongrange at the traffic lights. There is a layby for parking. At the top of the layby a walk across the road will bring you to what is now a common user pathway. If you go onto the rough ground there you will be able to get to the fence that blocks the trackbed over the viaduct. Having looked again today - This will be a major obstacle to be overcome. Looking at the underside of the arches, there are now 3 where a shift in the crown of the arch is visible. One of them is the skew arch over the A7. Thanks

Hi 'Chard, In that case we have someone else out and about taking photos of the viaduct from the car park of The Sun Inn and then the accomodation bridge for the farm lane just before Hardengreen roundabout. It's amazing just how many people do come and take photos of bits of the line! Thanks

Hi 'Chard, Were you somewhere near me at about 2.15pm taking photos of a viaduct? If so - missed you! Thanks

Hi Mark, Believe it or not... The ex VDA's were one of the simplest groups to sort out! They seem to have been very well covered by a lot of different photographers. Thanks

Hi there, Your first thoughts are correct.... It's actually a frame with bars as strengthers. It's there to prevent icicles breaking on the front of the tender when working tender first and stops them coming into the cab itself. Thanks

Hi Ian, Correct - these wagons are a minefield! I made a start some time ago trying to sort and split the various types and what they were converted from etc. Yes - the straight topped end ones were originally OCA. Yes - most (that survived long enough) had rebuilt high ends. However I have some gaps in the numbers where I don't know, can't find out or were no longer listed and these may or may not have been given new or extended ends. However, I'm hoping to get something in UPDate at some stage. Thanks

Hi Bruce, This was one of the 'Queen of Scots' workings. Wiki article here:- http://en.wikipedia....passenger_train Info here:- http://www.queenofscots.co.uk/ A day on:- http://stephen9466.fotopic.net/c1387215.html Apart from the coaches mentioned in this article th train was strengthened as and when required. I have nothing in the diary for the date of the photo - although that is no suprise as this was a 'tourist train' and not aimed at the British enthusiast I do have the SRPS railtour to Kyle for the following day though! Thanks

Hi Bruce, Never mind the Class 47 variety.... Look at the coach variety in this shot! Thanks

Hi Flood, That appears to be the only measure and cut I did correctly! Ah well.... Been back to the loft and now have a fresh pair of coaches for a restart on the BFK. Mk2E TSO... How about taking the coach areas off 2 BSO then rebuild with the join in the middle? That way the toilet windows are diagonally opposite. Thoughts? Thanks

Hi Flood, Thanks for the photos and drawing... Same start point as me then! I've not done the cuts in the same positions though:o Hopefully I can work it all out! Back to the workbench then..... I worked it all out and now remember why I didn't get any further:angry: I cut the First class section 4mm shorter than I should have. This means that the brake end of the coach is too long and does not line up the windows with the seats at the join between First and Brake sections. Good job I only paid 99p each for the coaches! Ah well... Back to the next box (hmmm - I still have 10 spare Mk2 FO!) Thanks

Hi Flood, Seeing the pictures of this coach set me thinking back in time... Then I realised why - I had started the same conversion some 20 years ago on a demonstration stand at an exhibition. Anyway - I had time today to dig in the loft and (eventually) found the exclusive box with 2 Airfix coaches cut into a good number of bits! Will have to try and find the drawing now so I can work out which piece I intended to put where. Inspiration to get something completed indeed! Thanks

HI Wayne, My photos were removed at the request of the overseeing body at the time. I still have all of them - including official approval for use ot the extracted plans for 'Projected stations'. Note - that is not my quotation marks - it's how it was sent to me in the response and request to remove. Having had furthr discussion - this was because of the apparent lack of progress! Having been on the Waverley route today with the dog - The lack of progress is evident! Where there was cleared trackbed - it is no longer. The trees are back - in force! Hopefully I will get some photos in the next few days - the weather was s**** today - even the dog was protesting! So - Yes... Have a go at presenting things as they are - just like I did - Why not? The public has a right to know if they are being fed bulls***! After all it's our money.... Thanks