Jamesb

And continuing on.... On looking at the bridge again, something didn't look quite right. Then I realised it was the cutting. As I'd originally planned for it to be a canal, it was more of a trench than a cutting. A bit of fettling with the jigsaw has softened the sides a bit and made it look less 'trench like'. While the safety catch was off on the jigsaw, I also fettled another part of the boards to give an embankment and bridge underneath. Cardboard formers are in place waiting for when I get to the scenery stage. James.

The build continues. I wanted to incorporate a drop section in the baseboard (originally to be a canal), but after some thought I decided to go with a disused railway line underneath. Perhaps a rival company who's fortunes in the area didn't pan out quite as planned under BR? The bridge carries the up and down main as well as the up goods and the connection to a pair of down sidings. Construction is off cuts of 4x2 timber for the main sides, with ply decks. False side walls are from Wills English bond brick sheets with Peco/Wills girders over the top. The cable run in the metal tray is plasticard U shaped channel with tinned copper wire offcuts sprayed black and superglued in place (along with my fingers on several occasions!) James

Hi Bob, Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware the Earl of Dudley's line went through Wall Heath (is there a space in the name?) I'm hoping for an overall flavour of this part of the world, rather than an accurate replica of anywhere in particular, but hopefully it won't disappoint! Thanks, James.

Now, if I can just persuade Mrs B to get rid of those wardrobes..

The build continues..

Afternoon everyone, I thought I'd begin a thread for my ongoing layout build, Wall Heath. For those not familiar with the area, Wall Heath is on the fringe of the Black country, north west of Brierley Hill and Kingswinford Junction. To my knowledge (prepared to be corrected!), the real Wall Heath was never graced with a railway, although the GWR did get close with the Wombourne branch and a station at Himley. My interpretation of Wall Heath is that the industrialised areas of Brierley Hill and Pensnett have spread to the north west and Wall Heath has got in on the act via the GWR. The time period I've chosen is mid 80's to mid 90's which will give me a decent enough range of locos and liveries to keep things interesting. So much for the back story... The layout is a traditional U shaped, end to end (fiddle yard to fiddle yard) design. I wanted the emphasis to be on freight operations so there are no passenger facilities. In keeping with the lines around Brierley Hill, Kingswinford Junction and Round Oak, I've assumed that passenger services ceased in the 60s. The layout measures 11ft x 9ft 9inches x 9ft. Control is DCC (my first foray into this and something I'm still learning) with trackwork being a mix of Peco streamline and electrofrog points in the fiddle yards with C&L bullhead, concrete sleeper flatbottom rail and Peco Bullhead points in the scenic areas. The layout is a work in progress, but I'm now at a stage where I'm happy to share. All comments and advice are as always, more than welcome. Enjoy, James Beginnings; Laser cut baseboards from Model railway solutions. Originally purchased for another project which was quickly scrapped. The baseboards remained unopened in the garage for about 5 years and survived a house move before Wall Heath popped into my head. The original plan was as simple 'L' shape but even as I constructed the boards, I knew it wasn't going to satisfy me! Too many compromises at the planning stage made this a non starter for me, but always time for a quick beer to celebrate progress!

Ah, great work Tony. Many thanks. I've been googling various permutations of the phrase '4mm scale factory roof ventilators' without success. Many thanks, James

Evening all, I've stuck this topic in the kitbuilding and scratchbuilding section as I think that's where it should go! I want to scratchbuild some low/half relief factory buildings for one corner of my Black Country based layout. I've got a plan for the shape and initial construction and even the outer cladding, but I want the roofs to feature a certain type of ventilator which was a common sight across the country. What I'm after is whether this type of vent is available commercially as a casting, kit or anything else or would I be looking at scratchbuilding? If its the latter, has anyone else attempted this type of ventilator and if so, do you have any tips on the best way to go about it. Apologies for the dodgy pics. They're from Google Street View. Many thanks, James.

Ah, yes very good point! 00 gauge, late 80s to mid 90s diesels. Thanks.

Many thanks, I'll check out the link.

Hi all, I'm not sure if this is the correct place for this, so apologies in advance if it isn't. As per the title, I'm after some recommendations for respray work. I have some locos which I want work on which ranges from weathering to full resprays and would appreciate any and all comments regarding positive or negative experiences. I'm asking as I've never used a professional service to respray locos before and I'm a little wary about picking somebody at random. I appreciate that some people may not want to offer feedback in public, especially if it's negative, so private messages are fine. Nothing underhand going on, I just want some decent feedback on who to use! Many thanks, James

Thanks Al, that is a great suggestion. James

Thanks for the reply Grovenor. In this scenario then, would it be good practice to solder the two rail ends together? Ie the ends of the flat-bottomed section to the bullhead and then use cosmetic fish plates after that? Thanks, James.

Many thanks for the replies. This makes sense. James.

Hi all, I'm currently in the process of building my first layout in about 10 years. The general setting is in the Black Country, mid to late 80s. I'm modelling in 00 and using C&L finescale flexi track. I want to use a combination of wooden sleepers, bullhead rail and flat bottom, concrete sleepered rail. For the bullhead sections I've used Peco SL-114 bullhead fish plates which slide nicely on to the C&L rail. I want a transition point to replicate a recently replaced section of line with flat bottom, concrete sleeper track but I can't seem to find any suitable fish plates/rail joiners. My question is this; are there any conductive code 75 fish plates/rail joiners on the market which have a reasonably realistic appearance (like the Peco bullhead ones) or am I looking at soldering the flat bottom section to the bullhead and going with cosmetic fish plates? As you can see from the attached picture, there is quite a difference in size and appearance between the two types of conductive fish plates! Thanks, James

Hi all, Im currently in the process of building my first layout in over 10 years. I'm new to Dcc but think I've mastered the basics. I have a quick question though regarding wiring Peco unifrog points. I understand that they are wired as per normal electrofrog/insulfrog points (ie at the toe). My question might seem like a completely daft one, but I'd appreciate any help. In this scenario pictured below, do I require a single pair of droppers at point (A) which will feed both points or do I need an additional pair of droppers at (B) as well? Thanks, James.

Just a couple from me. 66 047 at Ashburys, awaiting departure back to Dowlow with 6H53. 66 035 entering Briggs sidings/Dowlow with the empty MMA wagons which will form the 6M09 departure to Walsall

No problem. I hope the pics were of some interest. Not sure why the JEA is still there to be honest. I'll have to ask next time I'm there. 60 039 is currently at Attercliffe with me. It's been the favoured engine on this job this week!

The French registered ferry flat is still there, along with a Grampus (well hidden in the trees on the down side).

A neat little follow on from Pharrc20's post. While he was photting us, we were photting the bits of Northwich you can't see from the platform! Enjoy. On the same day as Pharrc20's picture, we're now on the spur to the unloading plant at Lostock with 8Q99, the new headcode for the tedious, drawing forward one wagon at a time, unloading process. The trees are quite close in here, as you can see, giving the spur the feel of a country branch line! Back inside, with the fan trying it's best to blow some cold air about! Looking back up towards Northwich. More 'branch line' style stuff in the trees. Now we jump forward a day to the Saturday train. Still with 059 doing the honours at Lostock. And finally, a change of scenery (and loco). 60 039 'Dove Holes' at Brightside, Sheffield with 6M52, the empty Attercliffe box wagons.

Been away from the site for a while. Some 66's from the recent months. 66 091 on the fuelling point at Peterborough. 66 133 basks in the June sunshine at Eastleigh yard. 66 177 (middle) and 188 (right), stand on the fuel point at Toton, in company with a pair of Colas machines in the form of a 60 and a 66. Inside the main shed at Toton, 66 086 and 018 receive attention.

Warrington Arpley. Peak Forest. Wigan Springs Branch (if you like Windhoff Mpvs) Bescot Toton Knottingley ADJ (Newport) There are more.. Whether they are worth a visit is purely down to time and day. Unfortunately, I can't help you much with that.

Couple of scans from 2002. 37 415 at Peak Forest.

I'm a bit late to the topic, but Bramhall was briefly mentioned on page 4 (post #97?). It was situated on the down side between Bramhall and Poynton and had its own box, 'Bramhall sidings shunting frame' which was an LMR type 15. The actual oil terminal is still in situ but is now served only by road. I think the sidings were out of use by the early 80's with the box being demolished (after lying derelict for many years) in the late 80's/early 90's. I recall seeing some black four-wheeled tanks in there as we passed by on a train, probably in the very early 80's, but that was the only time I ever saw anything close to any rail activity! It is currently shown as being a Conoco-Phillips site. The box (not my pics). 1970's aerial view. Modern day Google map image. James

Bit of a sombre post this one. As it turned out, my last drive of a 66. On to pastures new, as you will see at the bottom. The first day of my last week at DB and what a scorcher (weather wise). Not only that but getting my last trip over the Marches was in daylight, so a double win! 66 075 on 6W98 at Basford Hall. I was photted and spotted all the way from Hereford to Nantwich on this one, not that I was complaining! I videoed the final run for posterity as well (it's on Youtube if anyone is interested) After arriving at Basford Hall, it was back to Warrington to relieve 6L97 and 66 188 and take that to Basford Hall as well! By this time, my GoPro battery had died and my phone battery was on its last legs as well, so just the one shot. Then onto the last day (as it turned out). 66 154 on 6F60/62 (Arpley - Folly Lane - Arpley). Also GoPro-d and stuck on Youtube And time for a quick phot of the shiny and new 66 136 after it arrived back at Arpley from Ditton. And finally, pastures new. The one in the background, not the one in the foreground 323 237 at Longsight wheel lathe for tyre turning.