My latest updates may be read from the top of this page ....
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This is an Ongoing Project - More Updates Soon.
I've recently been asked which are my favourite layouts.
I'll answer that by listing my all time Top 20 (pop pickers!!) of both current and retired layouts
from the exhibition circuit throughout the years.
This list is in alphabetical (therefore in no particular) order.
All are 00-gauge Modern Image Layouts.
Ambleton West
Bee Lane
Blackmill
Boldon Junction
Carstairs Junction
Hayley Mills
New Annington
New Mills
Runswick Leamside
Stackton Tressell
Stonedale Quarry
Summers Lane
Yarborough
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The following item appeared in the 4th January 2010 edition of the excellent
(and in my opinion, the best)
on-line model railway magazine called
Model Railway Express Magazine
If this is not familiar to you, please give this thrice weekly magazine a try.
Heljan Restores My Faith In Human Nature.
When first released back in 2004, I purchased the Heljan model (Reference No:- 4664), 47200 The Fosse Way in Cotswold Rail livery from RAILS of SHEFFIELD, my regular supplier. The model was minimally tested on “CENTRAL” (my former layout) and then placed back into its box and stored on a shelf indoors with the rest of my collection for the next four or so years.
Fast forward to the Spring of 2009 and the track work completion of this new layout, I started testing the layout and my vast collection of locos. When it was the turn of the Class 47s, and in particular, the aforementioned Heljan loco, whilst lifting the lid I noticed that the front end of this loco had split away on one side from the rest of the body and was at a 45°angle. I left the loco in its box on the shelf not really knowing what to do about it. Due to the time span since purchase, I was concerned as to whether it would be replaced.
Fast forward now to the first day of the Warley exhibition 2009; I decided to take it with me to the exhibition and explain to Heljan what had happened to it during the interim period. The gentleman I spoke to at the Heljan stand was in fact Jan Nannestad the “JAN” part of HELJAN. He explained that they had received a few of these back at their factory when first released. He took my defective locomotive and said that he would be in touch.
The following day I contacted Heljan via a courtesy e-mail and included my address.
On 30th November 2009, I received an e-mail from Jan himself apologising for the errant 47 and admitted that they had had approximately eleven pieces returned to them which had warped and therefore damaging the bodies. My defective loco body has now been sent to the
There followed a small amount of bartering on my behalf via a counter offer.
I heard nothing more from Jan due to their busy Christmas despatch period, plus a serious bout of influenza at the Heljan factory which apparently, knocked out 60% of their work force.
Fast forward this time to 22nd December 2009. ParcelForce drew up outside my home with, low and behold a package from Heljan. I opened it and found the exact locomotive I had asked for in my “counter offer.” It was 58009 in triple grey with Mainline Freight
Whilst the original loco was not “fit for purpose” when the damage was found some five years after purchase, I think the Heljan customer service has been exemplary. The replacement loco is a
May I publicly say a very big “thank you” to Heljan (and to Jan in particular) and wish them all a very prosperous 2010.
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LATEST ACQUISITIONS:-
Firstly, the aforementioned Heljan Christmas present,
58009 in “Triple Grey” Livery with MAINLINE FREIGHT Markings.
Bachmann Class 66, 66412 in MALCOLM RAIL Livery.
The full compliment of Hornby coaches, making up the full JAVELIN six car unit.
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07-12-09.
With the exception of odd bits and pieces, I have now laid the electrical trunking troughs around the layout. Whilst quite small and, without the completed ballasting, the trunking looks quite insignificant. Where possible, and just like the real thing, I have included orange tubing. Used when cabling needs to cross the tracks, which it does via the tubing between sleepers, then placed under the running lines.
I have used orange layout wire for this, as I did on "Central" - looks rather effective and to scale.
I have also positioned the dummy motors against each of the points on the main running lines.
You may notice two styles of these dummies. The "box" type, generally on the southern side of the station, are the newer PECO point motor version, whilst the older style (recycled from STROLEY CENTRAL) can be picked out amongst the ballast on "the arches" section of the layout.
03 - 12 - 09.
As mentioned in my last update, I had purchased some "log loads" for my Dapol Monsterbox wagons from TEN COMMANDMENTS and that I was in the process of painting these.
I had also found, whilst rummaging under the layout, five "wagon loads" suitable for the Bachmann Freightliner Heavy Haul HHA Bogie Hoppers.
These latter five "wagon loads" were purchased from SAXONDALE MOULDINGS and are extremely realistic when painted.
LEFT:- The Monsterbox loads have been built up with two strips of balsa wood
to enable the "load" to look full.
The Saxondale "coal" loads as purchased (left) .... and .... painted (right).
LATEST ACQUISITION
(Below)
KERNOW MODEL RAIL CENTRE CLASS 66 in FREIGHTLINER / BARDON AGGREGATES LIVERY.
LIMITED EDITION from BACHMANN.
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24 - 11 - 09.
LATEST ACQUISITIONS
From Left to Right in photo below:-
HORNBY CLASS 395 JAVELIN TRAIN PACK (Catalogue Item).
BACHMANN COLLECTORS CLUB CLASS 150 in SILVERLINK LIVERY LIMITED EDITION.
RAIL EXPRESS MAGAZINE CLASS 66 in FASTLINE FREIGHT LIVERY. LIMITED
EDITION from BACHMANN.
BACHMANN CLASS 221 Five Car TILTING VOYAGER in ARRIVA (XC) CROSS COUNTRY
LIVERY (Catalogue Item).
I also purchased at Warley, nine "log loads" (for the Megabox wagons) from
This company sells many interesting bits and pieces including a wide selection of wagon loads as well as lineside and station accessories. Check them out via the link.
The aforementioned "log loads" are in the process of being painted. Also purchased from the same company were a quantity of "cable trunkimg" which will also need painting and laying prior to any more ballasting being done. I completely forgot to lay the trunking above the arches, so that will need retro-fitting soon.
Due to my visit to the Warley exhibition, little has been done on the layout this week.
One item I have completed this week is the lineside cabinets at the northern end of the station. This area is similar to that at the southern end of platforms three and four.
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22 - 11 - 09
The annual Warley model railway exhibition was top of the agenda this weekend.
The first day (Saturday) of the exhibition was traditionally very busy indeed, creating "pinch-points" in a few places. There was a section of Hall 5 partitioned off which, with hindsight, the organisers should have minimised which would have enabled some of the traders in that area to "spread back" to relieve the squash.
On the whole, it was an excellent show.
The quantity of modern image layouts (in my opinion) was the best for years. The retiring RUNSWICK LEAMSIDE led the way with ALMOND BRIDGE, STACKTON TRESSELL and VAUXHALL ROAD all in my Top 20 list of personal favourites, and attracting viewers four or five deep for much of the first day.
Photographic evidence from Warley can be seen by clicking the following link then viewing the appropriate layout photographs.
Or go directly to one of the three layouts via their individual links below
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CONTINUED FROM W - i - P:- Page 6
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