CovDriver

Well the Layout now has it's name Loch Doon yes it's a play on words of Lockdown but seen as it's Scottish region based I thought Loch Doon would be more appropriate. The name comes from an actual freshwater Loch in the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland. there has been no work as such carried out on the layout as such for the past two weeks as work and home schooling is taking up way much to time at the moment. But I'm trying to fit in the odd half hour a day doing research and detailing rolling stock. That's all for now Colin

This is how the layout currently stands the track is laid on the scenic section and is wired up for DCC operation the only 3points are now wired up correctly with cobalt ip digital motors. The track has been sprayed with acrylic railmatch sleeper grime thats been toned down a shade. A start has been made on the retaining wall I'm not sure on that yet. And the loco is a Heljan 27 that was bought via ebay it was an absolute wreck but I've managed to rebuild it and detail it up to a half decent standard. Im stuck for a name on the layout i was going to base it upon Balloch pier but not use that particular name. Has anybody got any ideas? Cheers Colin

You know when you've been tango'd

Great pics Jim I'm glad I won't be signing them anytime soon I'll be learning the 172 units first. What is view like from the cab I hear it's not a lot just the legal requirement. Cheers Colin

We are the new fresh air carriers during this C19 era. Now most if not all of our TOC is within a Tier 4 zone.

Further more to some of the replies regarding why there is no run round facilities. After trawling the web for pictures of Balloch Pier which finally closed in 1986 I'm hoping to capture something similar a bit of run down Scottish region branch/spur from a mainline around the Glasgow area. The front sidings are for civil engineers wagons waiting for the weekend possession. As Balloch pier was electrified with 25kv A.C I may consider adding that at a later date but for the time being it will have to be 1st generation DMU's for any passenger services there will be no freight as such apart from engineers trains into the sidings for stabling. Colin

Totally agree with the Rule 1, Also I've no more handbuilt points to put in a run round at the far end. Colin

Jim that's a cracking build of the castle looks very good indeed. I'm tempted to build something similar but no railway involved at and purely set in a Welsh theme perhaps a diorama/photo set. Colin

The loco hauled stock was being used for testing and clearance purposes only. When I eventually get to the stage of running the layout the passenger side of things will be in the hands of class 101,108 and 121 DMU's All other services will be hauled by the 27 and also class 24's,25's and the odd 37/0 Cheers Colin

Having decided to abandon my last project as it was a bit boring operationally. I have decided to start again with a whole new approach. This time I've opted for 3 of the minimum size baseboards from scale model scenery as the main scenic area which gives me roughly 5ft x 10ins of scenic area. I've decided on a terminus of a scottish branchline that has no run round facilities but just a couple of engineers sidings to the front. The plain track is DCC concepts/legacy flexi track and 3x handbuilt points it's all wired for DCC operation and I've installed cobalt iP digital point motors on the points. The scenic boards took about a day to wire up fully and so far no faults. As of today this is the stage I've got to The class 27 in the first picture was purchased from Rails via Ebay and it was an absolute wreck it had an awful weathering attempt bits missing but now it's been fully rebuilt,renumbered and detailed and tuns beautifully. Hope you all like the new project. I'm just such for a name for it how about some suggestions? Cheers Colin

I do believe I saw you showing someone around the yard and that could be me driving the 350 in the background. If it was between 0930 and 1130 as I had a double New St - Walsall.

Depending on what times your flying through Coventry I might see you in the morning as I'm on at 0438 and in the yard prepping units. Cheers Colin

As it's been a while since I had been to Soho LMD I had the chance of a brief visit to take a pair of 323's there and back to New St just to get them out of the way as there was a bit of service disruption due to problems with the overheads. And this was hiding around the back of the depot. It was good to see the Badger again, It's now allocated to Soho Depot whilst the last few remaining jobs are carried out and it has been powered up last Sunday from the overheads and it moved a few inches under it's own power. Cheers Colin

I'll have to keep an eye open for you as you seem to be coming my way more often these days I'm back in tomorrow morning at 0400 for a spare turn as the original man has come back from being on jury service. Cheers Colin

I passed Bahamas this morning on my way towards Northampton this morning I wondered why there was so many enthusiasts on the platform at Rugby some even took a pic of me arriving into platform 6 at Rugby.

And I'm slipping and sliding everywhere this morning. It's a really bad morning for a Red Leaf day. Cheers Colin

We was talking about this the other day in our messroom at Coventry Depot we also have an ex Saltley man in our depot now by the name of Gaz Ward he was telling all the newbies of the ways it used to be back in the day even when a couple of Ex Saltley men now no longer with us would welcome you in the cab and before you know it you was in the seat. Great days indeed...... Cheers Colin

Are we still able to watch the video that links from the front cover of BRM magazine through the exact editions link that's posted for the RMweb Gold members. As I've tried a few times now to have a watch but it eventually goes through to YouTube and says the video is unavailable and has been removed by the uploader. Sorry if this has been posted in the wrong place as I couldn't find a suitable location for it to be posted. Cheers Colin

I thought I might add this pic of 33020 on my current layout.

Just a couple from yesterday's small job firstly a couple of pics in Coventry North yard of a pair of 323's after I'd just prepped them ready for service. Then there is a pic of a pair of 156's passing through Northampton. I was spare this morning but as a job was uncovered I've copped it from being spare at 0533. So today it's just a New St - Redditch and back followed by a New St - Northampton and back.

I've only ever seen one of your drivers (Anthony Middleton) do that job he had to follow me to Rugby yesterday as the signaller gave me the road first but then again the 47's did depart Kings Heath 108mins early.

Well a couple of days of constant New St - Northampton work it's all a bit same old $%^& just a different day. But here's a few from yesterday and this morning. The first one a rare move for us a 12car ECS move from Birmingham International to Coventry. The second pic showing this mornings chariots 350102 on the rear and 350370 waiting to leave Coventry Yard. Next up is what is becoming a regular move for GBRf a pair of 47's doing a class 360 unit move from Ilford EMD to Northampton Kings Heath EMD for modifications. The last two pics show the steelworks going up for the new Coventry station building. Cheers Colin

The station work has really taken off in the last few weeks most of the prep work for the new over bridge at the North end of the platform is nearly done. The superstructure for the new station building (that's got an eight story car park on top ) is really going up faster than your average mecano set.. I'll try and get some pictures of the construction work on Friday or Saturday morning as I'm spare on both days.

Just a couple from yesterday's job and this mornings chariot firstly 325013 passing through Northampton on it's way to Wembley. Then a couple of EMU's in warm storage just outside Northampton. And finally 350252 & 350372 waiting departure time with the 0611 Coventry to Birmingham New Street service. A double New St - Northampton for todays fun on the iron road. Tomorrow mornings book on of 0341 isn't very appealing at the moment but should be done by 1047. Cheers Colin

Just a couple of pics from the past few days as it's a same old stuff regarding work getting a bit bored of cross city now I'm considering a change of scenery. The two pics are from yesterday as I was spare all morning. 0Z88 Derby RTC to Derby RTC via Coventry and Nuneaton.