Waverley West

Brilliant, thanks for that Graham. Cheers, Dave

Incidentally, Flood or anyone else for that matter - what colour upholstry did these ScotRail liveried coaches have during the 80s? Was it the standard InterCity upholstry (i.e. maroon in the case of 2nd class coaches) or was it blue? Dave

Hi Flood, No 'pickiness' taken. I used a photo of 6605 as a basis and assumed they were all the same. I really should know better by now. Not sure why I didn't opt to number the coach 6605 in the first place seeing as I had a photo of it to hand. That's my brain for you. Oh well. I presume 6605 had a replacement door fitted at some time then? And that it may have been different on the other side?? I don't have a photo of 6613 unfortunately. I guess I'll extend the red stripe around the door then, seeing as it's more likely to have been that way, it's easier than renumbering it. Thanks for that Flood. Interesting and a lesson once again to always find a prototype photo! Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi Mick, Like you say, considering their age they're pretty good models. I firstly rewheel them with metal wheels, usually Bachmann's. I then replace the couplings with Bachmann's Mk 2 long type. This really brings the coaches much closer together. I also paint the interiors and fit passengers. I then respray the exteriors. The quality of the original paint finish is really where these models show their age. Otherwise, they're excellent generally. Some new ones to modern standards would be nice, but in the meantime they scrub up quite nicely I think. Here are some shots of my latest, "nearly finished" batch... Firstly, a shot of a completed interior with passengers... Secondly, an almost complete ScotRail second open... And the InterCity version... I am also "converting" one of the ScotRail coaches to a TSOT (trolley buffet), which doesn't involve much more than painting the red stripe above the windows and fitting a "Buffet" sticker behind the end window (not yet done)... Finally, a couple of close ups showing the much closer coupling achieved by using the "Bachmann Mk 2 long type"... That's all for now, folks. Any comments welcome! Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Thanks Jamie and everyone. Ben Jones of MR has suggested an article on layout lighting, so that could be a possibility. Hi Mark, Thanks. I'll keep posting as long as people want to keeping watching! Progress on my Mk 2d's has ground to a halt again as I've run out of weathered black for the roofs. While this is on order, a split headcode 37 has entered the works for conversion to 37043 Loch Lomond. This basically involves restoration of the nose end doors. Here are a couple of shots of my progress so far. The body has been dismantled and the nose ends carefully prised away... The nose end doors have been restored. They need a bit of tidying up but they're getting there. There's nothing like an early morning sun and a closeup photo for showing up the bits you thought looked quite smooth the night before! Cheers for now, Dave Waverley West

Some really nice new shots there, Mike. The new camera definitely shows. I especially like the one of 409 crossing the bridge. Will try and get round to ordering your switches this weekend. I don't think Maplin do a 5-way switch unfortunately, maybe an on/off switch and a 4-way switch would do instead. I know they do a 4-way one but otherwise they only do a 12-way switch I think. I'll look into it a bit more though. It was fun on Thursday. Helena wants to come again, although she reckoned we talked too much. That's quite a statement coming from her!! The words pot and kettle black spring to mind! I take it from your comment about Type 2's on Gary's Glenuig thread (I think it was) that you don't want me to bring a couple of Deltics over for a top-and-tail railtour or two then??!! Just kidding, calm down Mike. Cheers for now, Dave

Thank Lewis. I started the layout in late 2003, so just over 6 years now. Many more years work left to do yet, though. I think I have more plans for the layout now than when I started. Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi again folks, Here are a few more pics as promised. Part of the National Gallery on The Mound... A late night DMU from Fife wends its way through Princes St. Gardens... A close-up of the 108... The station roof and Waverley Bridge... A busy Waverley at night... That's all for the moment, folks. Now, I really must get on with those coaches... Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi folks, A view of Waverley from the top of the National Gallery at night... Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi folks, Had a night operating session last night. Should've been working on my coaches but I wanted to play trains and take some photos instead. View of Waverley from halfway up the Scotts Monument... Will post some more shots later but thought I'd just start with a couple. Cheers for now, Dave Waverley West

Now you're just showing off. Seriously though, Carl, that is one helluva boat. Just stunning. It just keeps getting better and better too. It's not fair, I want one! Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi folks, Just thought I'd post a couple of pics and a quick update. I'm still working away on my second batch of ScotRail and InterCity Mk2d's. They're not far off completion now though, so some pics of these should follow soon. The ends and roofs just need doing now. After a great day out at Model Rail Scotland on Saturday, I've realised how much detailing there is to do on Waverley West. The layout itself has not seen much work recently as I've been concentrating on stock resprays, but I think it's about time I added some of those details I've had in mind for so long. It was great to meet some fellow RMWebbers on Saturday too. Always nice to be able to put faces to names. Cheers for now, Dave Waverley West

Hi Carl, Yeah, that's a bit better. Starting to look quite good in fact. Cheers, Dave

Hi Carl, Fabulous as ever. That 'y' in the lettering on the hull though doesn't seem right - shouldn't it be lower down - or have I missed something? It looks right in one of the earlier shots and then seems to have been moved up somehow?? Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi Gary, That's a very impressive start you've made on the building. High quality modelling. Keep posting, please! I've just noticed the lamp in the above photo (the one with the bottle of rum in it ). Is it a working one? If so, where did you get it or did you make it yourself? It looks very like the ones at Waverley and would be perfect for Waverley West. Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Thanks Jamie. I now use a Canon EOS500D and my mum's birdwatching tripod, although the earlier shots were taken with a Canon Sureshot S40. Thanks, Gus. Glad to have brought back some happy memories (though maybe not about the hangover!). They certainly were happy days. Hi folks, My first batch of Mk 2ds are now complete. Hope to post some pics soon. I have now started on a second batch which should give me all the air-con Mk2's I need. I'm not really looking forward to doing another batch so soon but I thought I'd get them done. It will be quicker in the long run. Have just booked my train tickets to go to Model Rail Scotland. Am looking forward to it already. Cheers for now, Dave Waverley West

Thanks guys. Here are a few more pics. First a few continuing the speed theme, as 50044 heads a railtour north of Edinburgh... Followed by a few close-ups of Heljan's 26s and 27s... Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Thanks James. I think it looks good in b&w too... Cheers, Dave

I like the idea of an unbranded triple grey one. Hornby could put me down for a couple for a start! I really don't understand why it's taking them so long to produce some decent sector 60s (i.e. ones without Transrail branding for example - if you want that, you can add it yourself easily enough but it's not so easy to remove with perfect results). I like the idea of a test train too. Something for the future methinks. Cheers Alex. Dave

Hi Alex, Thanks. I have a couple of 60s stored away in boxes at the moment (an EWS one and a green 60081). They will one day see the light of day but are quite far down the list at the moment. I quite fancy a big sticker EWS one too, but what I'd really like is a Coal Sector one. In the continuing absence of an RTR one (unbelievably), I will have to respray one and that too is on the list. In the meantime, I'm hoping Hornby will see sense and produce one to save me the time. Don't worry, Alex, tugs will one day hit Waverley West! Interesting info that too, Alex, thanks. Do you happen to know which ones ventured north, and in what livery? Cheers, Dave

And just as I'm about to be released back into the community, you go and post some more pictures, Carl. I don't know, some people. Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi folks, Another one from Waverley West... Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi Chris, Not at all. Thanks for the info. Any info which can make Waverley West more accurate is welcomed. To be honest, I'm not really a stickler for absolute accuracy. With Waverley West I have always gone for the atmosphere of the place. I doubt there's a dimension on the layout which is remotely prototypical, but hopefully I've still managed to capture the atmosphere. That doesn't stop me trying to be as accurate as reasonably possible though, so thanks again for the info, Chris. Hi Kev, I certainly will. See you there! Hi folks, Thanks for all the feedback. Much appreciated. While I'm here, I thought I'd post a couple of pics. The speed freak in me has escaped again I'm afraid... Altogether now.... "This is the Aaaaage... of the Train".... My Mk2ds are now almost finished, just a bit of touching up to do. Then the prospect of doing 6 more.... Cheers for now, Dave Waverley West

Hi Peter, Some more nice shots there. As Pennine MC says, your 25 looks great. You're making me think it would be a good idea to put the buffer beam pipework on mine now! Cheers, Dave Waverley West

Hi Gary, Glenuig really is coming along very nicely. I've been watching your thread with interest. Lovely atmosphere, that's what really stands out for me, apart from the superb modelling of course. You really have captured that West Highland feel through the buildings in particular. I'm especially looking forward to the backscene going in (I have a thing about backscenes. I think they can make so much difference to a layout). Please keep posting and sharing! Cheers, Dave Waverley West PS I'm not sure about that bottle of rum though. I think it looks a bit overscale. Might need to do something with that I think.