Grimleygrid

Don’t worry Ian I have not forgotten about Peaks! Only yesterday I was looking at models, I think that I do have a Replica BR Blue 45 somewhere….. I need to look into the Bachmann version, although I don’t think that they have done one that would be suitable for the mid to late 80s. Would like one with a high intensity headlight on. Thanks Mallard60022, I do also plan to get a few BR blue, original Railfreight and Large logo 47s. To add to the already growing list of required locos! Peter, I picked up my copy of Freight in the 1980s yesterday and have to say what a great book. Loving the Large Logo 56s! I especially liked the photo towards the back of a BR blue 47 on a ballast working passing Toton, that is the sort of shot that first got me interested in the depot. Or should I say obsessed! I keep looking at the photo…. Thanks again for the recommendation, a great purchase. Makes me wish that I had taken more photos back when we used to go out and about and also should have visited more places off the beaten track! I see that there were a few photos by a certain Mr. Mantle………..good work!

Excellent modelling Mark, it is the small details that really make it. Great work. Love the 150/2, I do like the Bachmann Sprinter. I saw a photo of a 154 (I believe that was a 150!) at Toton back in 1988 so may get away with having an early 150/1 at Boxenby.

Hi Peter, still need a few more though, I keep resisting! I keep looking at locos that I could buy to fit straight in but have to keep funds for the layout. It is very hard not to go and buy a couple of Coal sector grids, 31s and a couple more 20s! I would like to be able to line up 5 or 6 grids of various liveries on the blocks to recreate those scenes of the late 80s. One day! Following your recommendation I have order the book and should hopefully pick it up tomorrow. Thanks for that, I am looking forward to getting it and seeing the PCM and YVM photos! Thanks Bluebird, to be honest I think that is quite good compared to when I visited Toton back in Feb 1988, admittedly it was a weekend but the following locos were present; 10 class 20s, 7 class 56s and 9 class 58s. I think I need a few more locos! B) I do like the 60s, looking forward to getting some coal, petroleum and metals sector liveried examples. Thanks Lewis, that would cost a few bob to fit them all with DCC sound. In fact it is going to cost quite a bit to fill the shed with DCC ready locos. Better not talk about that in front of Mrs. G! I am hoping to make a start on getting the inspection pits in place at the weekend although I have yet to decide whether to weather them first or not. Think it will be easier to weather them first!

Thanks Ian, I do like 56006 an absolute beast in BR Blue! I need a few more Grids though the shed would not look right without a few of them on the blocks! Thanks Peter, to be honest it is much better having it inside and not having to go out in the cold garage. Much nicer! Also I was getting a bit worried about the damp in the garage, didn’t want all my hard work ruined. Still hopefully now I can get things moving! Not sure if you had noticed but I do quite like 60s! The next few will be low numbered examples in Petroleum and Metals, 002, 003 and 008. Nice new 60s, nice! I think you boys might quite like these next few photos back to the 80s although it makes you realise just how many more locos are required to fill it! Really must get some more Grids….. Apologies some are not that great as the camera seemed to be struggling to focus! 58037 on road 5: A general view from road 3: A view looking down the dead-end roads: Looking down roads 5 and 6: Grids on roads 7 and 8: Choppers on road 7: Looking down roads 7 and 8, this really shows the length of the long inspection platforms: 37/5s on road 9 with a 20 on road 10: 58041 on road 13: A couple of unusual visitors were seen; at Boxenby over the weekend; first up 37501 and 502. These worked south on Friday’s 6M29 FO Lakenby – Toton Old Bank and have come into the shed for attention to a minor fault. They will then work 6D23 MO Toton Old Bank to Corby BSC. The other one was 56032 which worked up from the Western Region to visit the wheel lathe as the one at Cardiff Canton was under going routine maintenance. Oh that reminds me that I will soon have to make a start on the pit for the wheel lathe!

Thanks Ian, I do like 56006 an absolute beast in BR Blue! I need a few more Grids though the shed would not look right without a few of them on the blocks! Thanks Peter, to be honest it is much better having it inside and not having to go out in the cold garage. Much nicer! Also I was getting a bit worried about the damp in the garage, didn’t want all my hard work ruined. Still hopefully now I can get things moving! Not sure if you had noticed but I do quite like 60s! The next few will be low numbered examples in Petroleum and Metals, 002, 003 and 008. Nice new 60s, nice! I think you boys might quite like these next few photos back to the 80s although it makes you realise just how many more locos are required to fill it! Really must get some more Grids….. Apologies some are not that great as the camera seemed to be struggling to focus! 58037 on road 5: A general view from road 3: A view looking down the dead-end roads: Looking down roads 5 and 6: Grids on roads 7 and 8: Choppers on road 7: Looking down roads 7 and 8, this really shows the length of the long inspection platforms: 37/5s on road 9 with a 20 on road 10: 58041 on road 13: A couple of unusual visitors were seen; at Boxenby over the weekend; first up 37501 and 502. These worked south on Friday’s 6M29 FO Lakenby – Toton Old Bank and have come into the shed for attention to a minor fault. They will then work 6D23 MO Toton Old Bank to Corby BSC. The other one was 56032 which worked up from the Western Region to visit the wheel lathe as the one at Cardiff Canton was under going routine maintenance. Oh that reminds me that I will soon have to make a start on the pit for the wheel lathe!

Wow Chris fantastic modelling. The 210 is stunning, I remember one of them was used for the Old Oak Commons shuttles between Paddington and the depot in 1985. Great DMUs, you really have captured it perfectly. Oh and the 321 is rather nice too! Well done Sir, great modelling. B)

Excellent layout, loving all the type 5s on shed. The photo of the Mainline 58 is fantastic really good modelling, at first I thought that it was real and not a model! Is the brick building behind the depot scratch built? It is superb, reminds me of the office block at Colchester depot.

Thanks Class 66, could still do with a few more though!! Hi Lukasz, I do indeed have a model of 054, it was in its box! Thanks it is coming on although a long way to go yet! Last week I started to look at getting the inspection platforms in position and realised that some minor tweaking was required. This entailed removing the lower floor to make some small cuts to the wood in order to give the platforms a little bit of extra space to get them in the correct position. Especially number 5 road as this was not quite far enough over to allow a loco to get in. Yesterday afternoon out came the router for a little bit of work in the garage and now the inspection pits sit nicely in position with a bit of breathing space to help align them. Here are a couple of photos of all the pits in position including road 5: Next to get the rear wall and buildings covered and then make a start on getting the floor and inspection pits down. Yes I am really looking forward to the latter!! I have just got out some late 80s locos so will post some photos of Boxenby with 20s, 37s, 56s and 58s later…..

Hi Chris, excellent work so far. The pit head is going to be rather impressive and will certainly add to what is already a superb layout. I am thinking lots of Knottingley based Grids………. Looking forward to seeing this one progress. Cracking work.

Love the Brutes Dave, superb. I do love your 461, reminds me of when I saw it stabled at Carstairs many years ago! I wonder if I could move Boxenby north of the border to accommodate Scottish 37s and 47s with a few choppers and 26s!.....may be not!

Loving Peak 141, looks superb arriving on the Trans-Pennine service. Your photos really make you feel like you are actually there! I always enjoy reading the text that accompanies the photos as it gives details of what the working is and takes you there…... That is the sort of ballast train that I remember seeing back in my teens, quality modelling as usual. I think I am going to have to pay a visit to Llanbourne this summer to catch some 20 haulage!

Thought you might like it BigT! Yeah I know only a few, more required me thinks Ste! I do have a few more but they were left in their boxes. I am sure that you could find some space somewhere….. Thanks D Winpenny, I agree! Seeing as you mentioned Grids I have included a couple of photos for you to browse! You are right Simon I do need more 60s, still once the depot is finished I can then get some more…..would eventually like to have a model of all 100!B) Thanks Lewis, not entirely sure but I believe it is about 24,so far with many more to come in the future! Thanks Graham it is coming on, it will look better once the rear wall is covered. You did indeed 60026, doubt it will return to traffic though but hey you never know. Perhaps the Boxenby fitters could work some magic! One of my favourites 081.… As Ste mentioned Grids I decided to get 006 out and see how she looked inside the shed: I think that at the weekend my limited fleet from the late 80s might have to come out…..

Thanks very much for the kind comments everyone, much appreciated. Baggie, it is starting to come on and now that I can see something for the work and effort does help. You will appreciate one of the photos below! 047 seems to have been transferred in from the Grimley fleet! Thanks Scott, I do think about that quite a lot especially full of 20s, 56s and 58s like it was when I visited back in 1988. But then I do quite like the idea of it in 1992 full of newly built Brush 60s! Along with other classes too….. Thanks Mark, as soon as I got them out of the packaging I just wanted to assemble them. So I did! Once one had been built I was really motivated to assemble the others and glad that I did. The beams need adjusting but I need to get the lower floor level and secured first before getting the inspection pits in position. Oh and then look at getting the platforms and rest of the floor down. I also need to finish off the inside of the building by covering the rear wall…. So much to do that I don’t know where to go next! Thanks Class 66. Heading in the right direction! Thanks SirMadog, glad that you like it. Hopefully over the next few months I can get the inside of the shed finished and the floor area down which will certainly make a difference. Thanks Lewis, I am trying to recreate something similar although not exactly the same but it is starting to look like a large TMD. Thanks Simon, I paid a quick visit to Boxenby earlier and by the looks of it there were quite a few 60s there already! Hi YVM, thanks I can see a BR blue Crompton visiting as I have seen a couple of photos on the internet of one at Toton and after seeing your brother's 33s I am very tempted to get one. I think that there might have to be an open day to celebrate the depot opening! Thanks Bluebird, I am looking forward to seeing some Large Logo and Original Railfreight Grids on the blocks accompanied by some 20s and 58s! Thanks Mick, I think I must just be mad! Well yesterday I finally gave in and got out a few of my class 60s to see how they would look inside the depot. I couldn’t resist any longer, they had been cooped up in their boxes and were screaming to come out, what could I do?!! Looking west across the shed from road 1 From road 2 From road 4 The dead-end roads: 60074 on road 4 60014 and 60018 on roads 5 and 6 60059 on road 7 60006 and 60081 on roads 13 and 14 60095 sits at the end of road 10

Thanks Dave, I am glad that you like the progress that has been made so far. I am really pleased with the platforms and feel that they have given me lots of motivation as I can see the project moving forward. It is funny you should mention that as my plan was to have a class 60 with the engine room doors open allowing you to see the engine and also the roof panels open too. So whenever you are ready I can send a nice Brush beast off to the Lane for attention by the fitters!! Thanks to the excellent service at York Modelmaking the replacement parts for the damaged inspection platform arrived in the post yesterday and last night it was assembled. Phew what a relief, all the platforms have now been built without a major disaster. Earlier this evening the missing platform was put it in position completing the raised platform area. Some photos but please bear in mind that the pits, platforms and girders have only just been put down on the board so some are not level or vertical. Oh what fun that is going to be sorting that lot out! The final inspection platform: Some photos of the platform in position and a few locos inside: Now what to do next?……

Great photos Dave. You and Peter must stop posting photos of your 47s as it makes me want some! Just seen the Kernow 47079....I really must stop looking......

Hi Ian, I am quite pleased that I am modelling the shed after modernisation. Looking at the photo that would certainly prove quite a challenge! Very interesting to see how it looked before.

Hi Peter, you have a nice collection of 47s there, whenever I see photos on your thread it makes me start thinking of locos to buy! I really do like 37698, was that on test from Crewe? The Peak looks rather nice, especially the peeling paint on the front! I be there were some bashers on the platform hoping it might work a service later!

A couple of unusual visitors at Boxenby today, a pair of DRS 37s! These belong to my eldest son, he wanted to put them in the depot. Not sure why they were there but I am sure someone must know! Here are some photos of the large platform which sits to the rear of the dead-end roads: This shows how the inspection platforms fit together: Looking down the main platform:

Thanks Trev, I feel now that after quite a while with not much to show for it, I can see it starting to look like the inside of a TMD. I cannot believe that a year has passed by since I made that mad decision to start this project! The inspection platforms are really superb and much better than I had ever imagined that they would turn out. I am really, really pleased with them. As yet I have resisted the temptation to fill up the roads with 60s to see how it looks but I might just have to give in at the weekend…….. Thanks Noakesy, it has changed a bit since I picked up those Peco inspection platforms lasyt year! Thanks MM, indeed sometimes this madness is required! I am looking forward to seeing the depot filled up with 20s, 31s, 37s, 45s, 47s, 56s and 58s as per the late 80s/early 90s. Oh and a few shiny new class 60s!! Hi Porkie, that is something that I have not thought about. I will have to investigate, although that is some way off yet! Not sure if anyone makes depot maintenance staff? I have to say that Mrs. Grimley has been very, very helpful and at times very patient with my latest obsession so painting figures might be a step too far! I think Location, Location, Location or Grand Designs might come before painting people!! Nice idea though! Thanks class 66. Last night I went upstairs to have another look at the depot inspection pits and ended up putting together the large platform which sits directly behind all the dead-end roads. A couple of hours well spent, hopefully tonight I can put it in place to see how it links up with the rest of the inspection platforms. Will post some photos later.

Here is the press release from the DB website: http://www.rail.dbschenker.co.uk/cmsnews/news_article.asp?src=h&guid=%20{6E0F0995-0DBF-43A2-83B0-5503EEC448A8} At last some good news about the Brush beasts!

Robgregson1, to be honest I am amazed at times that I have been so ridiculous as to attempt such a project! Ian, you are not wrong. She has already mentioned a trip to John Lewis! An all day job….. Hopefully now that it is inside I can crack on with it a bit more, good idea will go and retrieve the credit cards now! Hi Lewis, yes I have thanks, got it on video! Watched it quite a few times, well loads actually and it has been very helpful with my project. Quite interesting too. You might be right Mark, Mrs. Grimley might become the TOPS controller or depot manager for monitoring loco movements! You never know 60011 might just turn up at Boxenby at some point, quite fancy one actually! Glad that you like it Class66. This weekend I have assembled the remaining inspection platforms although unfortunately one of them got damaged and unfit for purpose. I had a bit of an accident and glued the middle section on the wrong way round. Ooops! So I will have to have a couple of parts remade and although it is annoying I am quite relieved that that is all that has happened especially considering what could have gone wrong! Well I am glad that I made the decision to design my own platforms and get the made as kits as they really do look good. I am really pleased especially as the platforms are a main feature of the depot. Earlier today the last couple of platforms were put on the board inside the shed just to see how it would look. Some of the girders and platforms are not quite vertical and a few adjustments will be made prior to their final placement but you can see the look that I am trying to achieve. I am very, very pleased with progress and feel that it really is beginning to look like the inside of a TMD even at this stage. Here are some photos: This week I hope to assemble the large platform which sits directly behind the dead-end roads and connects the inspection platforms with the rear of the shed allowing access to the offices and stores. 　 　

WhiteRoseRamblewr, Thanks for mentioning about the image on the Bachmann website I have just had a look and it certainly does look very nice indeed. I think that may well be my favourite wagon! I can see my rake of Cambrian ones being replaced at the end of the year!!! I too used to love the old Tubeliner and they will look superb behind a pair of Bachmann 37/5s or a nice Metals class 60!.....Bring it on!! I wonder if they will do any wagons with solid brake handles?

Thanks Scott, have you used your new toy yet?!! Thanks Guy, to be honest I try not to think about it! Still once the depot is finished then I can concentrate on filling it…after visiting the bank manager for a loan to purchase several locos! Lukasz, I do at times think that it might be a silly idea but now I can see some progress. Hopefully my 60 fleet will enjoy their new home! Something quite extraordinary happened last week which I definitely had not either expected or planned. Mrs. Grimley suggested bringing my depot in from the garage and housing it in the spare room. Rather superb idea I thought! However this did entail a bit of tidying up but well worth the time and effort!! What a result! So here is Boxenby in its new home: I have made a start on assembling the inspection pits beginning with the one which will sit between roads 5 and 6. Railings and steps need to be added. Here are a few photos of it plonked down in place just to give an idea of how it should look. The class 60 is leaning a little this being due to the pits and the plasticard underneath not being glued down: Three inspection platforms have now been assembled, here is a photo of two of them in position: Hopefully over the weekend I can get a few more assembled including the five long ones!! I can now see a depot coming together……

Hi Scott, I have to confess that I went and got one in the sale! Although I did have a cordless drill I wanted a corded version too so treated myself. This proved to be a good decision as it made the job a lot easier having two drills. Funny, as sometimes I do have a lot of patience yet other times I don’t! I am relieved to have carried out a job which has been high on my to do list for a while and very pleased with how it has turned out. The board not only looks nicer but the pits now sit in place much better. Hopefully we will see more progress over the next few months. Thanks Damian I had a look at your thread earlier very interesting to see how you constructed your pits. Slightly different to my version! I am looking forward to seeing more photos of how the depot shed was built. Thanks for the suggestion and guidance. A couple of them will need a little persuasion as they are slightly curved, although it is not that much. I like your idea about the MDF to weigh down the tracks. I am trying not to get too worried and worked up ahead of installing them permanently! Here are a couple of photos of the inside showing the latest walls to be covered: First of all the short wall of the raised roof section just above roads 12/13: The rear wall behind 37501: A couple more photos:

Hi Damian, thanks for posting the photos of Diesels in the Duchy under construction, it is always interesting to see how layouts are built and how they come about. After seeing it in the flesh last year it is really good to see photos like the most recent ones showing the shed going up and the pits being constructed. Funny isn’t it you mention that you used a router to cut out the channels for your pits. I used a jig saw and had an interesting time whilst my Father’s router sat on the shelf! Completely forgot it was there…it would have been a lot easier using the router!! Still, you live and learn. Looking forward to seeing more photos.