RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 10, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 10, 2021 Nice video Ian, 1970's pre tops material which shows the Kyle line to its best. I do'nt do a lot of Youtube but I did recently find the 1987 clip below. It's interesting in so much as the semaphores have gone but they are still using single line tokens and running on the original lines through stations. Presumably RETB was still being proved at the time of the video being taken. Note also the lack of aerial on the locomotive bonnets. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
03060 Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 27 minutes ago, young37215 said: Nice video Ian, 1970's pre tops material which shows the Kyle line to its best. I do'nt do a lot of Youtube but I did recently find the 1987 clip below. It's interesting in so much as the semaphores have gone but they are still using single line tokens and running on the original lines through stations. Presumably RETB was still being proved at the time of the video being taken. Note also the lack of aerial on the locomotive bonnets. Glad that you've found this clip, Rob, as I'd only just come across it myself on Weds and had tried to post it on here but am having great difficulty with RM Web and adverts on my tablet at the moment which is making the site currently unusable to me, I've had to go onto my phone to be able to post this reply. Whilst the film seemed quite pixelated in places on my TV I did feel that it oozed atmosphere and, as you say, shows a transitional period. I loved the sections filmed around Glen Douglas although I'm not a fan of the unsightly MOD base in the background. Seasons greetings to all. Regards, Ian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISW Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 10 hours ago, 03060 said: and had tried to post it on here but am having great difficulty with RM Web and adverts on my tablet at the moment which is making the site currently unusable to me Ian I use the Brave browser (obtained from https://brave.com/) and use that un place of Chrome. Visually it's exactly the same as Chrome, but the Settings bit is different. What it does have, though, is a built-in ad-blocker that works rather well. I certainly have no problems (ie: ads) in RMWeb on my PC. As a bonus, you can watch Youtube on the Brave browser without all the adverts (except those 'baked in' to the actual video). Worth a try ... Rob, apologies for going a tad . Ian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 11, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 11, 2021 37033 is viewed arriving at Crianlarich with 7D12 heading south where it will cross northbound 7B13 and the crews will change over. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 12, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 12, 2021 37108 and 7B13 pass through Crianlarich on their way north. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 13, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 13, 2021 Having crossed 7B13 and with a change of crew at the helm, 37033 departs Crianlarich with 7D12 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 14, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 14, 2021 A bit of a race down the A82 but we managed to get to Ardlui in time to see 7D12 arriving. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 15, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 15, 2021 (edited) One of the many outstanding tasks I have are the improvments required to the south of Crianlarich. When I created the area to the south of the station I had intended to add fir trees and bought the Woodland Scenics 'build your own' set. These proved more challenging to construct than I had anticipated and the activity stalled leaving just a few spindly bits of fine leaf foliage. Recently I bought some of the ready made fir trees and yesterday I finally got around to planting them. How it should look. How it first appeared on WHL4 How it now looks, more trees would be nice but for now I am happy that the upgrade has considerably improved the appearance of the area. I need to master the WS 'build your own' trees so that I can make the plantation bigger. Edited December 15, 2021 by young37215 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1X Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 loving this layout , so nice to watch the progress your making . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISW Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 10 hours ago, young37215 said: I need to master the WS 'build your own' trees so that I can make the plantation bigger. Rob, Have you considered the trees from AliExpress, for example at https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33043150454.html I gather they do need a little painting of the trunk/branches, but that should be no harder than airbrushing for track weathering? Ian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 16, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 16, 2021 (edited) On 15/12/2021 at 17:49, ISW said: Rob, Have you considered the trees from AliExpress, for example at https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33043150454.html I gather they do need a little painting of the trunk/branches, but that should be no harder than airbrushing for track weathering? Ian I have'nt seen the ALiExpress before and they look rather nice. That said I already have a number of the Woodland Scenics 'DIY' pine trees and just need to improve my construction technique to make the trees usable. Today I spent some time building the two base's for the rocky cuttings and glueing several rock moulds to the bases. Both bases will be removable so that I retain access to the hidden sidings and the track that leads to the upper section. The glue should harden overnight which will enable me to fill the gaps with additional plaster tomorrow. Once this is complete and all dry I can start painting the rocks. Rock moulds are glued to the base on the workbench. Bases are tested for size, fortunately they fit. Edited December 19, 2021 by young37215 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 18, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2021 The issue of cable trunking and why it was installed continues to occupy my mind. I continue to favour the trunking being for power supply intially for signal lighting and subsequently RETB lights but the evidence from pictures is inconclusive in supporting this. For example: Ardlui 1978, has trunking Wheras Garelochead as late as 1984 had no trunking By August 1986 trunking had been installed, the picture below shows signs of disturbance in the ballast around the trunking indicating recent activity. I dont suppose that power was installed at the same time which may explain some of the time variances. However all things considered I am no clearer a definitive answer to the reasons for the installation of trunking. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Sloy Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 I hope I can help with the trunking situation. I think the trunking appeared when the lineside telegraph wires were put underground and the poles removed, mid seventies from memory, purely telegraph wiring as Ardlui's signals were oil lit to the end. Great modelling of the West Highland, you've certainly captured the character of the stations James 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
03060 Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, young37215 said: The issue of cable trunking and why it was installed continues to occupy my mind. I continue to favour the trunking being for power supply intially for signal lighting and subsequently RETB lights but the evidence from pictures is inconclusive in supporting this. For example: Ardlui 1978, has trunking I dont suppose that power was installed at the same time which may explain some of the time variances. However all things considered I am no clearer a definitive answer to the reasons for the installation of trunking. Morning Rob, I'm afraid that signalling isn't one of my strong subjects but the top photo of 27 010 led me onto the flickr album by Peter James where there is another photo of 27 040 at Ardlui facing South awaiting the arrival of a snowplough train. Behind the the loco are the semaphore signals and on full magnification you can make out the cable running up to power the light behind the signal aspect, would these be the reason for the trunking ? I'm not sure when oil lit backed signal lamps were phased out as opposed to electrically lit ones and regarding which stations were upgraded when may be in connection with staffing at the time, Ardlui having lost it's station building may have also lost it's staff and so been an early contender for upgrading ?? Only guesswork on my part, you understand, hopefully somebody who understands these things will provide the definitive answer. Does anybody know if the book on Scottish Signalboxes by Allen Jackson contains much WHL information, please ? Seasons greetings, Ian. Edited December 18, 2021 by 03060 (Written at same time as @Glen Sloy was replying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
03060 Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 The next to last photo in the Peter James flickr album (Arrochar, Ardlui and the Oban line) shows the trunking ending level with the Southern end of the station platform, almost reaching the signal post there, whereas the point rodding continues further South. A great set of 19 photos that I don't believe I've seen before, so thankyou for that. (Signalling book now ordered ...for education purposes !) Regards, Ian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 18, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2021 (edited) Interesting thoughts on the reasons for the trunking installation. As 03060 has identified, the trunking that I have seen only extends as far as the signals which is one of a number of reasons that I favour the power for replacement oil lamps hypothesis. Glen Sloy's assertion also makes sense and it should'nt be too difficult to test as it should be easy to identify where overhead cabling has disappeared. Any excuse for another wander through Flickr! I have the Allen Jackson signalling book which is good reading with a decent chunk of WHL signalling albeit focusing on the post RETB era. I have made progress with the rock cuttings. Starting with the moulds already glued down, I added liquid casting plaster using a plastic jug to infill the variety of gaps. This was easy enough with a very satisfying outcome. I then applied leopard spotting using Woodland Scenics acyrilics and finally added a wash of their slate grey to finish. I may add some more slate grey or black washes depending on how dark the dried cutting faces turn out. Irrespective of this the results are fantastic, I am delighted with the outcome which was so easy to achieve and gives me confidence I can produce that the larger areas of rock I have planned to an acceptable standard. Most importantly I was able to clean up the utility room after painting so that my wife is blissfully unaware of the work. Infilled rock moulds Simple plastic jug used to mix and pour the plaster Painted and largely completed rock faces Edited December 19, 2021 by young37215 5 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallaig1983 Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 Those rock faces look the business Rob. I agree that it is reasonably easy to achieve and I found the process very enjoyable. Don’t be scared by having a go folks. Since you first showed a photo of your cutting I’ve been pondering the possibility of a hidden microphone and small speaker to get an echo effect but maybe that’s taking it a bit far. Looks really nice and fair play to you for managing to keep the domestic authorities blissfully unaware. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 20, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 20, 2021 (edited) Cutting placed into its position and initial guaging undertaken. All seems to fit, one tight spot adjacent the left hand cab door in the first picture was easily trimmed back and painted over. In addition to cleaning up the cutting bases and painting them, I additionally hope to fill the gaps between the track bed and the base of the cuttings with a water effect to represent the drainage channels so often found in a cutting. This will have to wait until last, the rails need another coat of sleeper grime before I fix anything in place. The activity for today is extending and linking the existing scenery to complete the new area up to the removable sections. Edited December 21, 2021 by young37215 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemonkey presents.... Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 Really like the cutting, looks fabulous. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 21, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 21, 2021 Further progress with the area surrounding the cutting created with Sculptamold and painted. More Woodland Scenics rock moulds have been used in an effort to blend the rocky area into the background where I want to link up with the existing scenery with a seamless join. What will look best for the removable 'roof' over the hidden siding was not obvious to me. I do'nt want anymore height otherwise it will make accessing the cutting difficult. Hopefully a solution will become clearer today. The painted areas should be dry enough to dress with Woodland Scenics materials today which will break the back of the work and allow me to tick it off of the 'outstanding work' list. Sculptamold added to join the cutting to the existing scenery Sculptamold painted and the newly added rocks darkened Looking north through the cutting the new scenic area joins the existing scenery The 'roof' where I am undecided on how best to cover the area. 9 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37Oban Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 3 hours ago, young37215 said: What will look best for the removable 'roof' over the hidden siding was not obvious to me. I do'nt want anymore height otherwise it will make accessing the cutting difficult. Hopefully a solution will become clearer today. The painted areas should be dry enough to dress with Woodland Scenics materials today which will break the back of the work and allow me to tick it off of the 'outstanding work' list. Hi, the first thing that came to my mind regarding this is a levelish area with a few hummocks, a mixture of short grass, as grazed by sheep, tussock and cotton grass, with some bog myrtle and the odd tussock of heather, with, maybe, some lowish rocks showing. Maybe a hidden burn or small pools of water. Very Rannoch moorish but also found all over the west and north of Scotland. Roja 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 22, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 22, 2021 (edited) 20 hours ago, 37Oban said: Hi, the first thing that came to my mind regarding this is a levelish area with a few hummocks, a mixture of short grass, as grazed by sheep, tussock and cotton grass, with some bog myrtle and the odd tussock of heather, with, maybe, some lowish rocks showing. Maybe a hidden burn or small pools of water. Very Rannoch moorish but also found all over the west and north of Scotland. Roja I have something along these lines in my mind, particularly some low exposed rock to break up the area. This requires more rock casting which meant I left the roof section alone yesterday and focused on dressing the remaining newly created area. Using Woodland Scenices coarse turf materials I covered the new areas between the cutting and exisiting scenery trying to match the colours to blend them together. As ever the transformation created by dressing an area is spectacular and largely completes the work I intend doing here for now. More trees and bushes will get added over time and a small area of additional rock is required at the end of the cutting to blend it into the landscape but otherwise I am done with this activity. Back to running some trains for the next few days before tackling Mallaig where I have set myself a year end deadline to get this activity done. Looking south from Garelochead Small area that requires an additional rock casting. Looking north Edited December 22, 2021 by young37215 11 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37Oban Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Great minds and all that! You've really caught the essence and atmosphere of a line I knew well and still travel along when I get chance, which is all too infrequent nowadays. Hopefully that will change in the next couple of years! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Hogmanay! Roja 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 23, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 23, 2021 I am currently running the 1983 WTT with a few tweaks for operational reasons which all seems to work well. 37081 is seen on departure from Garelochead passing through the new scenic area with 1245 Mallaig to Glasgow. 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37Oban Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Can almost hear the sound of EE engine echoing of the rock walls, although my favourite would a hard working 27! Magic! Roja 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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