Waverley West

Hi Mike, Yep, it's sound fitted. It has a bass reflex speaker in the fuel tanks, a first for me. I think I'll be doing a few more like that now given how good it sounds. The thrash is so good, it even sounds like you might be driving it! Cheers, Dave Hi Mark, Thanks. Re. the LRT Leyland National, were they only ever operated on routes 13 and 49, do you know? I was thinking of "converting" one to a 27 to Silverknowes, which is the bus we usually catch into town when we stay in Edinburgh. Funnily enough, the Leyland Nationals were built just up the road from here at Lillyhall (Workington) I believe. That was when we had a manufacturing industry of course. Glad to bring back some memories for you! Cheers for now, Dave

Hi folks, The standard on this thread seems to be just as high as ever. Keep them coming please!! A couple more from Waverley... Cheers, Dave

Hi folks, Not a lot of modelling progress being made at the moment due to various commitments, not to mention the World Cup. I'm plugging away on the Strathclyde Transport 107 at the moment, which is now ready for installation of the Howes sound chip after spraying/weathering of the underframe and roof and painting of the interior. Just thought I'd post a few pics that I thought came out quite well thanks to the sunshine. Hope you like them... First up, some backlit shots looking from the National Gallery... And a night shot of 27005 and 37043 side by side in the "bay" platforms... 37043... A few shots of Waverley Bridge in the sunshine... And finally an InterCity Swallow-liveried HST awaits its departure time... Just realised I forgot to do those shots of the 150 power car. Will try and remember to do those next. Cheers, Dave

You certainly do. I'd never heard of a vuvuzella until a couple of weeks ago either!

Right, yes, I see now. Fortunately, I'm not too familiar with the workings of lifeboat release mechanisms! Dave

Definitely a big improvement that, Carl. But to me, it now looks as though the rope holding the boat passes through the bottom of the boat and then round and up the side. That can't be how it is, can it? That must be a separate rope on the hull, right? Dave

A fascinating, original and innovative idea superbly executed. I think that just about covers it. I presume the lathe actually works? Love this layout. There always seems to be something interesting and new every time I visit this thread. Inspirational. And based around 1980s ScotRail to boot, what more can you ask for in a layout? Cheers Dave Waverley West

Hi Ian, My comment was meant firmly with tongue in cheek. I'm sure Carl will realise that, after my various comments through his superb thread. I think the ferry is just stunning but I think (as Carl clearly does too) that you were quite right to point out the minor error. It was meant as nothing more than a bit of fun. You really have to know about these beasts in order to find any fault whatsoever with Carl's modelling. Hope that clears up any misunderstanding. Cheers, Dave

Dear me, yes, dreadful, absolutely dreadful. Cheers, Dave

What I want to know is why a Code 5 security alert (Normal person) wasn't triggered by this post. Think of the consequences - we could have reasoned, heaven forbid even intelligent, contributions on here. RMWeb would never be the same again. This needs to be looked into as a matter of urgency.

Thanks Jamie. 2005 is worryingly close to 2006. Hmmm, will have to think about that. Thanks RW James. The nameplates were from Shawplan. They do a superb range of etched plates and are essential fittings in my view. Hornby and Heljan do frustrate me when they don't provide them like Bachmann do. Printed plates are just not the same. Cheers, Dave

Hi Mark, Thanks. Unfortunately I have seen Harburns' Swoosh liveried 150. I've been trying to convince myself that it's outside my era, which it is really. But then I have a Heljan Kestrel sitting in front of me on my desk, so I'm not really all that good at convincing myself about these things. I will probably follow my usual pattern of resisting valiantly until they are actually released, at which point I will cave in and order one. I believe they started to be painted in that livery around 1998 (?), but do you know how long they stayed in that livery for? Were any still around in that livery in 2006? I have a collection of stock for that year too, which hopefully will see the light of day sometime in the dim and distant future, once time and funds permit sound-fitting and weathering. I'll post some pics of the motor car sometime, so you and Peter can see the difference the etches make. They do help but I can't help thinking what an opportunity Bachmann missed with the 150. The Howes sound is highly recommended too by the way. Cheers, Dave

37114 looks good, Mike. I very nearly went for that one when I was deciding which split box 37 to go for but decided on 37043 in the end. Fancy a visit from 37043 sometime, along with maybe 37401 and a 26 or 27 or two. They'd look right at home. I like the latest photos too, some of your best yet I think. I especially like the one with the upturned boat above the beach. True Cornish atmosphere. Looking forward to seeing the ferry arrive soon. Will be in touch about the dates soon, honest! Cheers, Dave

Will do, Mark! The platforms are looking good. I love the level of detail you're putting into it all. Cheers, Dave

No worries. Peter. It still shows how the livery (and the roof in particular) weathers. Changing the destination blinds in the 150 is easy. The blind itself is printed on a plastic insert which is glued into the cab windscreen. It can be prised out reasonably easily, altered and then glued back in. Just don't use too much glue like I did and spoil it - I spoiled the Edinburgh one a little and I can't get it out now, so I'm just going to have to live with it. It's not too bad fortunately and you don't see it close up with the way round that the unit is on the layout. Bodge-it Dave strikes again. Cheers, Dave

Thanks for the photo Peter. The pic actually shows the trailer car. From quite a few angles, the trailer car looks much the same as the power car actually. Not side on though, obviously. Will post some photos of the power car when I get chance. The etches do make a difference and are definitely worthwhile. I'll have a look at jim s-w's thread though, some of his work is quite good actually. Thanks for that! Cheers, Dave

Hi Peter, Thanks. It took me a little while to work out how best to do the blue data panel. In the end it was quite simple as I just used the Fox BR blue blanking transfer sheet. Not quite sure why it took me so long to work that out! I couldn't make up my mind between 37114 and 37043 when I was deciding which split box 37 to do. In the end, it was your photo which swung it, especially with the InterCity Mk1s in tow. Thanks! Hi folks, 37043 is now finally, once and for all, finished (at least until I work out how to make the central headlight work). I have also been working away on a Regional Railways 150, "ScotRailising" and lightly weathering it. The destination blinds have been changed to read "Dundee/Edinburgh". I have also fitted the PH Designs etched seat profiles to the power car, which helps to disguise the interior a little. I still can't quite believe Bachmann's solution to the motor arrangement though. That motored car is heavy enough to pull a 15-coach train, let alone its trailer! One day I will get round to replacing the motor with something a bit more sensible and less obvious. I decided not to fit passengers, as I thought it would only accentuate the difference between the motor car and the trailer. It's a real shame as a lit interior with passengers would really make this model something special. Here are a few more pics of 37043 as well as a couple of the 150... I'm really impressed with the Howes sound/bass reflex speaker in the fuel tank arrangement on this loco. A few more locos are going to be heading to the works for this arrangement now. Will post a video when I get chance. And now for ScotRail 150285... Now in the works is a Harburn Hobbies/MR Strathclyde Transport 107, for fitting with a Howes sound chip and weathering/passengering. I won't even have to change the destination blinds on this one though. Cheers for now, Dave

Hi folks, A couple more from Waverley... 150285 arrives from Dundee... And 37043 ticks over at Platform 11 waiting for departure on a late-night parcels train... Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Thanks Mark. We certainly were lucky with the weather. Next time I'm up your way, I'll let you know! Enjoy your trip at the weekend, Jamie. Not that I'm jealous in any way at all of course. Thanks Gary. I think the natural light coming in through two windows helps the lighting hugely. Hi folks, With 37043 nearing completion, I thought I'd post a few shots of it in its current state. It's nearly finished, it just needs the snowploughs weathering now and the car headlight making and fitting. I'm not totally happy with it as for some reason the blue and yellow coats came out a bit thick, losing some of the detail a little. Still, it's not that bad, so I'm not going to redo it. I also need to work on the weathering a bit, it doesn't look quite right to me close up at the moment. This loco has been fitted with a Howes sound chip with a bass reflex speaker in the fuel tank, a first for me on both counts. I have to say I'm impressed by the resulting sound. Hope to post a video which hopefully shows what I mean. Right, on with the snowploughs and the headlights to actually finish the project... Cheers for now, Dave

Hi again folks, A blue/grey HST heads north for Aberdeen, setting a new diesel-powered land speed record in the process... Cheers, Dave

Gorse also flowers twice a year in spring and late autumn, plus a bit through the winter as well, so there's no need for the late May timeframe anyway, not that it will trouble Mike, as he clearly holds a valid modeller's licence... Cheers, Dave

Hi again folks, Here is another one of 55021... ... and one of 55022 arriving from Cragentinny later in the afternoon... If only I had the space, Waverley East could become a reality... Cheers, Dave

Hi folks, It's been a bit quiet on the modelling front recently here at Waverley West. I was away last week on holiday in...errr....Edinburgh. While I was there I spent some time in Princes St. Gardens (not to mention Waverley itself) as 55022 was due in on the Deltic Retro II railtour... And just a few minutes later, 55021 amazingly passed by on another railtour... In between, the first footbridge near The Mound had been reinstated and the lines had been de-electrified. Who says Network Rail always overrun on projects? Off layout, Large Logo 37043 is now nearing completion. The sound chip is fitted and working and the loco has been weathered. It just needs its snowploughs finishing off and fitting and a few final touches and it will be added to the fleet. Next on the list is fitting a bass reflex speaker to my 60009 Union of South Africa. I have always thought the SWD recording, although good, sounded a bit tinny even with a 20 x 40mm speaker with the chamber thingy, so I'm hoping this will improve things. There's plenty of space in the tender, so that shouldn't be a problem. Cheers for now, Dave

Not convinced it's 9 out of 10, Carl. I must admit I always thought it was all gorse, but on a trip up the highland line last year my mum pointed out that much of it was broom and the more I looked the more I realised she was right. I'm no expert but it did make me realise it's not as obvious as it seems.

Hi Mike, Much of what looks like gorse in Scotland in particular is actually broom I think. It looks very similar and has the same yellow-coloured flowers. It just doesn't have the spikes. It flowers during both spring and summer, so it needn't always be late May at Caolisport! Love the latest photos. Will be in touch, Dave