What I am doing it for

[tedp]

Over the past weeks I experienced something that made me feel uneasy, rather like modelling withdrawal. After having spent a few months furiously building locomotives, the 'drive' was lost. Part of it must have been due to the fact I was confronted with several obligations that had to be seen to - I simply lacked time to work on my models.

The cure? Well, today I ran a few trains to the sequence timetable. Not just the coal trains which I used for running-in purposes over the months (they almost wore a groove in the track, but at least they kept the mainline clean), but all the normal service trains. I discovered the Leek & Manifold Kitson still ran very well despite having spent weeks out of sight in the return loop box over my desk, and the new Jintybash 'Brutus' makes an excellent station pilot at Dunalistair - a nice slow runner although it limps a little. And I experimented with new shunting moves at the colliery, involving the WD Baldwin.

Brutus as the station pilot at Dunalistair:


The Leek & Manifold Kitson pressed into service on another coal train:


The Baldwin having a chat with the Garratt, after slowly hauling the empties under the colliery screen:


Building models is one reason to enjoy the hobby, but this is really what I am doing it for. I find running my layout is very therapeutic - it takes away the day to day worries and it gives me new ideas. I'm going to run more trains tomorrow.  ;)

[WALLSHIRTS]

You could always start on the other end of the layout. Craigcorrie I mean.
Mal.

[B.Meldon]

Like Ted I enjoy operating. I will often spend a couple of hours running trains on Westdorf. I do not have a sequence timetable or anything like that I just run the trains as I like. It takes a few minutes to clean the track and often the locos and rolling stock are away in the boxes as well so it will take 15 minutes or so to set up the four trains (two passenger two goods) the dozen or so extra wagons for shunting and the eight or nine locos. But sometimes I only set up a couple of trains, four locos and a scattering of extra wagons. It all depends on how the mood takes me.

I think a lot to do with the enjoyment is that the layout works very well indeed, if the locos kept stalling, de-railing or couplings coming apart it would be no fun at all, but as it is now it is all about running the trains.

Brian Meldon

[tedp]

You could always start on the other end of the layout. Craigcorrie I mean.
Mal.

I fear that will always be shrouded in mystery! Possibly the branch terminus will see the light in the future.

One thing that caught my attention is the bumpy track of Dunalistair, with a lot of old Fleischmann and even Lima N gauge track that should be replaced, although the running is still fair. Time for another big project soon, I think.

The introduction of several new locomotives led to the temporary withdrawal of others - the layout would become too full otherwise. I often played with the idea of running the layout in two modes: either small engine (Victorian) mode or big engine mode (post 1900), with some of the rolling stock taken off as well. It might even be a good idea to introduce a third mode (1930s) with railcars and early diesel locomotives next to a few big steam locos. This way the growing amount of stock can be managed on a layout that seems to shrink.

Just a few musings...  ;)

[tebee]

It's all to easy to end up with more stock than a layout can handle, even on a relatively large layout like yours Ted.

I did the "multiple eras" idea on my large American HO layout before I left the UK. I used to model 1930-40's steam, but I used be a member of a modular group which modeled 1970's diesels.

I'd moved back up north where I could afford a house with a big enough basement to hold the sort of layout I wanted to build so had left the modular group, but still had all my stock I used to run there.

So I decided to try and keep the new layout era neutral so I could run either set of stock on it. However it soon became apparent that it was going to  be far too much effort to take all one lot of stock off and put another on so I ended up compromising and running in a late 50's time frame so I could  run some of each set.

I later decided that trying to keep a large steam fleet running in slightly damp basement conditions was too much like hard work and with the decision to go DCC started running made the decision to go all diesel and moved the era a few years later, but that's another story.

Anyway Ted, you are only changing a part of your stock, but my point is don't let it get too many or it will become a chore and you won't want to do it. Have you thought of adding some removable hidden sidings, with maybe two sets of tracks, so you can just run the stock you don't want there and detach it from the layout. Then swap in the alternative set of tracks and stock.

Tom       

[tedp]

I'll probably end up adding ANOTHER lot of hidden sidings!   ;D  No seriously, Tom, I only have to exchange a few of the locos and put the bogie coaches into a branch siding, or out of view in the carriage shed, and it works.

Tonight I had another session on the C&DR, running the branch mixed from Dunalistair to Rae Bridge, meeting with the main line mixed from Craigcorrie, and doing some shunting at Rae Bridge.

Here the distillery's battery loco, which some of you may recognise as one of Tom's steeple cab electrics, brings a van to the tail end of the branch mixed. It has displaced old 'Chevalier' which is in need of attention. The branch mixed has been split, the coach and a fitted van continuing into the platform road whilst the distillery shunter does its job. The van of bottled whisky is bound for the standard gauge at Glenfinnan.



Next, the branch mixed loco, which today is the old 'Maid', has set back against the stock on the main line, pulled it forward into the platform, then run round to get the container wagon waiting at the goods shed. This is marshalled in front of the brake van.



This is duly coupled up, following which the loco runs round again, takes water at the big tank next to the main line. Then the whole train is set back from the platform past the junction points, and hauled up the gradient to the road section at the back of the station. I like to think this is an almost 1880s view:



Meanwhile, the main line mixed is pulling out of Inverlochan on its way to Glenclachan and Rae Bridge, hauled by the big Hunslet 'Calabar':



After a swift downhill run the mixed crosses the lower bridge in the gorge:



And finally it ends up in Rae Bridge station, where a few passengers can catch the branch train which has happily been blocking the road behind the station for at least half an hour!



All of this took me about an hour - taking the photos took only a few minutes. Posting them on here takes a bit longer!

[B.Meldon]

I gave up worrying about having too many locos quite a few years ago now!

I do not leave the locos on the layout. They all live in the stock boxes and I just get the ones out that I fancy running.
Most of the rolling stock is also stored in the stock boxes, but as I have not made enough for all the H0e wagons several are left out on the layout, usually the larger bogie wagons. Although they do have a separate box the transporter wagons also normally remain on the layout.

To stop the dust and to prevent the colour in the layout from fading I have covers that go over the layout when it is not in use. These are made from good quality black dustbin bags cut into sheets and then held together with masking tape. They are just laid over the layout with enough overhang to cover the lower storage sidings. I find this works very well at keeping the dust out and because they are very lightweight they do not damage the scenery in any way.

However the section of the layout without scenery (the top NG station) remains uncovered and this is usually the section I use for testing locos.

Brian Meldon

[Krizzy]

Ted

I and probably many others envy you for having a layout permanently set up so you can 'retire' to the railway room and just operate it to your hearts content and dismiss life's worries and cares. Why not, enjoy your superb creation. Meanwhile I will get my test plank out and watch some loco go up and down it to see if it still works.

Roger

[tedp]

If you extend your test plank into a small station, with some scenery, you will have a layout. You have seen Nixnie - a long narrow layout of the same area, about 160 x 30cms, will make an acceptable branch terminus with a fiddle yard. Slot it together from two 80cms units and you can store it anywhere.  ;)

[tedp]

Tonight, the operations were interrupted a few times so it wasn't as relaxing as I hoped for, but such is life! I ran a few trains and shunting moves though. At Dunalistair I used the station pilot (a.k.a. Brutus) to marshal the empty coal wagons. The Kitson proves to bump into the point lever base on the jetty, so that is banned from there in future.



Meanwhile, at Rae Bridge the main line mixed had some work to do. A cattle wagon was set down in the works siding for maintenance, and Bert van Rhijn's exquisite Tralee & Dingle horse box was fetched from the carriage shed.



Shortly afterwards 'Calabar' was spotted on the bridge near the distillery, making for Dunalistair.



And here Calabar is passing the home bracket on the headland at Dunalistair, before meeting the Kitson which by now is waiting on the harbour road with the string of empties bound for Rae Bridge and Inverlochan.

[Krizzy]

Ted

The plank is a plank, 4ft x 6ins wide !  Straight track from one end to t'other. A reverse curve to match the tightest curve on Tan-yr-Allt, two 12in radii points and one 9in point. If what I build negotiates the plank they are good enough to run on any layout. It can be seen on some of Mick's photos taken at Wigan when you were there with Rae Bridge.

Roger

[tedp]

That's a big one indeed, Roger! And with those reverse curves Brian M would have kittens! (sorry for poking fun at you Brian  :P ). With some ballast and green stuff it might be turned into a shunting layout...  ;)

Meanwhile, here the story continues as the empty coal train departs up the line from Dunalistair, hauled by the Kitson.



At the same time, the Garratt sets off from Inverlochan with a loaded train. In the train two open carriages are included for the miners' convenience. These are marshalled behind the engine so they will provide some extra braking power.



As the Kitson will come off the train at Rae Bridge and the new 0-6-4T will be put back on the coal services after minor attention at the works, we will now have a nice shunting puzzle to solve at Rae Bridge. There will be two long trains crossing, and engines having to be exchanged with the point into the works yard blocked by the up empties.

Here is the big 0-6-4 getting steam up outside the shed:



Since the 0-6-4 points with the chimney towards Dunalistair, and all locos on the coal service (except for the Garratt) work uphill chimney first, it will exchange places with the Garratt on the down train so it can be turned at Dunalistair. After the Kitson has been taken off the empties, the Garratt will take these uphill to the colliery. So the 0-6-4 proceeds towards the goods shed siding which is on the side of the down loop.



To clarify the shunting puzzle, here is a diagram.



After the empty train comes in behind the Kitson, this is detached and it proceeds to the station limit to run round the train, to wait behind the brake van on the same track, since it cannot proceed into the loco yard. Meanwhile, the Garratt on the down train is held at the home signal beyond the road overbridge, with the guard walking back through Creag Dhubh tunnel to set a red flag at the tunnel mouth.



Next, when the brakes on the loaded coal train have been set (a dirty job inside Creag Dhubh tunnel), the Garratt comes off its train and couples up to the empties waiting in the station.



Now the 0-6-4 can pick up the loaded coal train held outside the station and proceed to Dunalistair, using the down loop.



Finally, with the line clear, the Garratt can return to Inverlochan hauling the empty train, and the Kitson can proceed into the works yard to clean its fire and be put away to await its next turn of duty.

[tedp]

Following the coal train operations, the afternoon mixed has left Dunalistair and is now shunting at Rae Bridge. The bogie wagon has been dropped at the goods shed, and two vans added. The rear end of the train is a brake third, and due to all the stock on the mixed being vacuum fitted, no brake van is needed. The unfitted stock is left behind for the evening goods. Here the coach is added to the rear of the train.



Now the train sets off through Creag Dhubh Tunnel, and at the other end bursts out into the wild Glenclachan Gorge.



After doubling back through another tunnel, climbing all the way, the train halts at the windswept Glenclachan halt. The loco stops out on the viaduct whilst one or two passengers drop off to start the three-mile walk to the village proper.



Finally, after crossing the Moor, the train halts briefly at Inverlochan, where the Garratt is simmering at the water column between turns of duty. Shortly it will continue over the final few miles to Craigcorrie.



At the other end of the line, the Dunalistair shunter is assembling a train of empty coal wagons for the next up service. This is headed out of the station by the new 0-6-4, with the customary two open carriages to collect the coal miners along the line for the late shift at Inverlochan.





As the big tank engine hauls the train round the curve, a Western Isles panorama unfolds, with the off-lying islands on the horizon of a blue ocean.



The train pauses briefly whilst the branch goods descends through the road section behind the station. Passengers carried in the austere brake third on the branch service may join the even more uncomfortable open coaches on the empty train for the trip up the line.



Then the train sets off, crossing the Gorge on the lower bridge. After a long climb and a quick run across Inverlochan Moor, the empty train finally meets the loaded one that is waiting in the colliery loop. The cramped colliery yard now is occupied by three locomotives, including the recently acquired ex-WD Baldwin used as the colliery shunter, and the Garratt that will work the down train.





Finally, here is a close-up of the empty train rolling across the level crossing leading to Inverlochan station.



Here is one I forgot to post, showing the train stopped under the screening house:

[tedp]

The branch mixed at work

The star of tonight's show is the old Darjeeling 'B' tank 'Shiva' which I built in the 1970s. Last time it came in on the branch goods, trailing Ian Turner's South African brake coach:



First, a van bound for Craigcorrie is dropped in the carriage roads where it will be picked up by the evening goods up the main line. Next, the bogie wagon that came off the mainline mixed earlier in the day, now is taken out of the goods siding and replaced by the cattle van that came from the branch. All this, by the way, is controlled by the John Allen style markers on each vehicle.





The distillery shunter shows up with the van of bottled whisky that will go down to the quay at Dunalistair. In addition, a wagon of steel sheet goes down to the Caledonia Foundry for cutting, after it was marked out for a heavy repair at the loco works. Finally there is a wagon of peat and a wagon containing another load for the Foundry. The ex SAR brake vehicle brings up the rear.





Ready for the road!



After a leisurely run downgrade, the train enters the outskirts of Dunalistair and rolls round the headland.





After arrival, the old loco runs on to the turntable and is off to the ash pit and the water tank. Now 'Brutus' takes over for another shunting puzzle. The return load to Rae Bridge consists of a loaded cattle van and the horse box which has to be returned with one of His Lordship's horses. To prevent injury to the live cargo, both are put out of the way in the goods shed siding with as little shunting as possible. Here is a low level view of the harbour yard, and another view from the roof of the goods shed.





Note the boiler on the bogie flat and the open wagon with the thing under a tarpaulin. These had to be removed from the quay siding, but will have to wait for the evening goods that will pack a bigger engine than the little 'B' class. Some joker decided that a load of steel drums (probably filled with midnight oil) has to go as a deck load on the steamer, so the bogie open is put in the headshunt and will have to be unloaded by hand whilst it blocks the run-round for the next train!



Working long strings of goods stock over the curves in Dunalistair is no problem due to the sprung couplers. The only necessity is an extra man relaying the hand signals of the shunter along the wagons. And the level crossing to the dockyard seems to be eternally blocked.



Here a shuffle takes place to rearrange the sequence of the wagons. The stock in the platform road will return to the quayside. The wagon of scrap will go to the foundry, and the brake has to be the last vehicle in the train, which will however be kept out of the way as the foundry shunter exchanges the stock for the foundry.



Here the foundry shunter (the vertical boiler loco 'Jock') brings a wagon with repaired wheelsets. This is left on the harbour road. The shunter then continues to the turntable and switches to the run-round, where the wagon of scrap was left a while ago. This is the normal procedure of working the foundry traffic.





Finally, the up branch goods has been assembled for the return trip!

[tedp]

Continuing from yesterday, the branch goods has run up the line to Rae Bridge. Here the stationmaster found the flat wagon with the loco wheels was erroneously booked up the branch - funny, as this service usually shuttles between the loco works and the foundry. The route marker must have been exchanged by accident. So none of the stock went up the branch, as the cattle van and the horsebox were bound for Rae Bridge anyway. But there was a wagon of loco coal that suddenly had to go - it now has the marker that came from the flat!



The goods is now waiting in the up road for the branch passenger to come down. The passenger is hauled by 'Inveraray'. Most of the train consists of what can be considered legacy four-wheelers - 1980s period of the C&DR. This is the regular branch passenger, usually between 4 and 7 vehicles as the mood takes me. The train descends the connecting line between the tramway terminus and the main line, then has to reverse into the platform road to clear the branch.







Once the passenger is out of the way, the goods can reverse towards the junction and depart up the branch. The road section and a short stretch of line beyond are shared between the branch (a.k.a. the Glenfinnan Extension Railway) and the Creag Dhubh Mountain tram. There is a tram due down the mountain, but this seems to be delayed.





After the goods has gone, the tram shows up. There is supposed to be a call box at the tram junction further up the line, for tram drivers to ask for clearance from the Rae Bridge signal box to proceed over the shared section of line.



A tram passenger would see this - but note there is a bit of unpainted foundation under the back of the station building which I normally never see!





After arrival of the tram, the passengers can transfer to the train waiting in the station. This then sets off down the line to Dunalistair, arriving the best part of an hour later.







If you think there is a trace of Ffestiniog in the last picture, yes, that is what I was thinking of when I built the train 35 years ago. Only the scale is about 5mm or bigger...