Tay Bridge

Hi Can't provide photos as I didn't get custody of them (not that I am bitter.....) However My memories are from 1980 on when we used to listen from Monifieth High School to see what was passing Monifieth heading to Aberdeen ex Kings Cross. (While studying hard of course.....) The distinct Deltic sound led to a swift bus journey/car to Dundee Tay Bridge.to get photos/haulage. My personal favourite following a cab ride was 55 002 when in two tone green guise. I was on my own that day too! I remember some long faces when I got off at Dundee My best mate from those days,Ken Joy went on to buy a few locos through Diesel Group at Brechin including 27 024 etc. We were a great crowd at Dundee then but time has fogged the memory re names. If you were there drop me a line! I remember some Nestle Chocolate eating.......you will know if you were there! Great Deltic days indeed!

The Hornby 56 is an excellent model. Howes sound do a 26 and 27 sound. Plenty clips on you tube. Think around £100. Will make all the difference. My bachy 25 sound is ok ish but I intend getting it re blown by Howes. My class 40 sound is awsome and takes the mind back. Chris

Hi Cheers mate. Lights add a bit in my opinion. Creates a good atmosphere. Chris

Hi Well, it was flaming freezing in the wind here today. The boat was abandoned and a spot of modelling commenced. I have added the new Hornby Modern Shed to the depot and moved my Bachmann one. A third Deltic (to be 55022) has been added to the stock. Here are a couple of quick update photos. and a photo of Class 121 DMU at night awaiting departure

Well, I guess that was summer! Not the best for sailing up here. However the shortening days lead back to some modelling time. The spare room has been cleared of sailing junk and a return to modelling has begun. This winter is going to be a time of detailing the depot...(not spending cash on sound chips!!)..and getting a new baseboard for the static part of the layout where Glasburgh station is above the tunnel. I have decided to do this and create some more room for stock and perhaps a carriage wash plant and station walls as at Perth for some coaches etc to hide behind. Also in mind is creating a space for my little fleet of 1980 ish buses.Modelled on the ones I went on then(Tayside Region buses and WA Alexanders both Northern and Fife Scottish) I would like to fit lights to these too! Here is a photo of the new Bachmann shed now that it has been tidied up a bit with Class 31 and 37 on shed. Second photo is of 40 169 inside the other new shed.

Hi Looking good.....and you can now run a blue Deltic in 55 022 guise with clay wagons. just goes to show anything is possible! http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobthelomond/5778345700/ Sure you can stretch this to Clays??? chris

Hi So far so good. Much of the big stuff done but as you will see alot of detailing to go. I am quite pleased with things so far. The only remaining shed from effort 1 will need a good bit of detailing and a repaint to stand next to the new ones! Here are a couple of progress shots

Hi Dave I was (or should it be we were...?) 'enjoying' good quality Diesels preferably the blue ones. Even Wendy had to agree that 55 022 makes an awsome noise! Can't see her down at the end of your platforms...then again..... As you can see from the photo my better half just wouldn't behave .... Will get round to posting some of the photos on You tube at some point and may stick a few good ones on here. Will let you know Chris

Hi Jon That certainly looks fantastic. The work done was well worth the effort. I must admit to looking forward to the top coat going on. Well done Jon Chris

Neither mate.... Perth, Scotland...about 20 miles from where I Live Chris

Hi Well, the 'rip it up' has expanded a bit. I have got ripped in to a fairly major re development. It started off as re doing the concrete hard standing but has ended up much more. I flogged my Class 50 DCC sound loco to pay for some of it. I have bought the Bachmann Diesel maintenance depot to replace one of my Peco engine sheds. It is a superbly detailed resin casting. They are worth the £50 they cost. Great roof detail.I have also bought the Bachmann carriage shed. It is a much simpler structure (got mine second hand for £22 boxed mint condition) Again a resin casting well detailed but much simpler than maintenance depot. This involves digging out a siding and putting in a little curve and making it parallel to the other three roads. I am using it as an engine servicing depot. It is actually quite like one of the sheds at Haymarket Depot (see far right shed of attached photo) so will fit in well. While doing this I will replace a faulty point at the A4's shed. Will not stay open on one setting...derails every time! Will replace power feed to two sidings as they have not worked well. In fact when point closed the power still goes off and you lose the loco lights etc! Will check thoroughly before re laying the hard standing. Both sheds to get fitted with LED yellowish lights prior to fitting on layout. Have plans for raised work platforms in the Bachmann Diesel maintenace shed and to this end bought some plasticard etc while at Perth Model railway show. I reckon it will be worth all the effort. Completion hopefully before I return to work after summer holidays. (Mind you a two week sailing escape down to the Firth of Forth will further limit time when we get back from Gibraltar. Going to spend more time getting it right this time rather than be in my usual hurry! So probably not finished for a little while.

Hi there Great photos as usual. I particularly like night shots on your layout. The effect is just spot on. The HST looks fantastic (personally prefer original livery but I don't have a time machine to change my stock Off down to East Lancs for a session on the real things on Sunday....just happened to be passing on route to airport......sort of... keep up the good work Chris

Here are the two photos from previous post. Attachment didn't work! Computers! (or operators more accurately!) Chris

Hi No, I was at the Perth Model Railway show at Dewars Ice Rink this past weekend. Some excellent stuff indeed! Most shows show some fantastic stuff to strive for. It is also good when you see things displayed that are or appear to be no better (or not so good as) your own. As Jon says it usually ends up with improvements...it's just that first decision to ...as the song says...'rip it up and start again (-1980 stuff too ....) Attached photos...initially enough to make you weep! Off to Gibraltar to see my son and Grandchild (and yes I am far too young for that..) on Saturday so the building site will last for at least a couple of weeks! Bright sunshine and warmth to re energise the builder! Chris

Hi Enjoyed the Perth model rail show on Sunday with my dad. Trouble is ....you always see something done better than yours. So, The engine maintenance sheds have been removed (carefully!) and the hard standing is to be re done! Mine just doesn't look like concrete!. Bought some paint to paint the new stuff concrete colour before weathering. have also splashed out on some plasti card and plastic to make up internal platforms for one of the sheds. I have also purchased one of the Bachmann Maintenance (2 road) depot buildings. I am taking this opportunity to re site my fueling point to a dedicated siding. more typical of the real ones. Moral is....stay away from shows Seriously it is great to see other folks work close up. Work will continue this week and will post some photos later. Next week...off to Bury on Sunday for the diesel gala and then on to see our son in Gibraltar for a week. Alas his posting there is coming to an end. both he and I will miss the heat!! Chris

Hi Yip, 27 105 was a regular visitor up Dundee way in those times too...needless to say it is on Glasburgh TMD too! Great pics as always Chris

Hi Folks My layout is Glasburgh TMD set circa 1981 DCC Sound Chris Glasburgh TMD Circa 1981

Hi Not quite up to Dave's standards but here are two photos of 47 712 at Glasburgh circa 1981

Hi Jon Yes, the 40 lights were fitted by Jason. Another excellent job I think. Where about can we find the Class 55 Group? Chris

Hi Just for Jon a picture of a pristine 55 002 with working lights! As you can see the nose end still has handrails etc to be fitted but the lights do look pretty good!

Hi used to be a couple of 06s that used to hang about Dundee early 80s. They were withdrawn there too. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookephotography/1465794832/in/set-72157605329209629 06 006 and 06 005 Got a few rides in and out of central platforms a few times when releasing 26s and 27s from Edinburgh/Glasgow stock. Ahhh the memories Chris

Hi That interior detailing is just superb. getting lots of future ideas for mine! Cheers Chris

My favourite 'real' Deltic has now returned from Jason's workshop complete with new tail and headcode lights. In particular the headcode looks superb and you can't tell the difference between it and the factory fitted 55 001 donor. Now that it is complete with sound, cab and marker lights I am extremely pleased with the result! Only thing still to be done is etched nameplates. Chris

Hi Jon That looks great. Shows off your excellent Deltics well. The weathering and extra details make all the difference. Perhaps some cables running along the wall near ground? Chris

Wheel cleaner made by Trix . Chris