Jason Fisher

Just came across this thread, crack modelling, real atmosphere to the layout, and I'd like to say thanks, as I have the same Bachmann shed and have been toying with ideas, but my mind kept drawing a blank but that has shown whats possible on that size board as space is something I no longer have, and has given me some enthusiasm back.

ps daylight shots look ace

Thats not a bad size against the hoppers Chris. Done some digging (no pun intended ) through my plant books and on the whole the L150 hasnt really changed a great deal through the 90s until the current series which is a good bit different with large rear wheel arches, so get some coal dust splattered on her, some greasy marks round the bucket pins and unless anyone is a diehard plant nut like myself they'll be none the wiser lol. Working on coal shovels is a nightmare, just done a host of repairs to one coaldust gets everywhere, so you can go as crazy as you like with the weathering on it as I've seen examples that are clean and ones that you can barely make out the colours on. I'm getting some plant models together for an opencast scene although to be honest the correct ones for UK opencasting arent really available but as long as they "look" right then thats the main thing

Chris, the most common shovels for loading coal hoppers was CAT 950, 966 and 980s, probably C and D variants for early 90s, F's and G's and upto the current H & K series now. The only one of these available in 87th is a Norscot Cat 966G, introduced mid-late 90s so would fit in with the FHH 66 etc, but to be honest unless you work with plant ( I'm a fitter for Finning UK) and dont mind then you'd probably get away with it. One question though, how does the Volvo scale with the hoppers? I have a Siku Liebherr 580 which sits OK with them

Jason

That is one nice layout, also like how it feels bigger than it is

Neat layout idea you've got there mate, I'll be following this one. The loading bunker will certainly be an impressive model

That is a work of art, absolutely stunning