Silver Sidelines

I thought this a suitable occasion to reminisce.   What railway models did I treat myself to in the past? 46115 ‘Scots Guardsman’ – Mainline Pallitoy model on Bachmann chassis One of my all time favourites was ‘Scots Guardsman’.   This was purchased new from Kings Cross Models at the end of November 1983 for the princely sum of £27.64.   The scanned image below shows the model shortly after purchase with black painted wheels. 46115 ‘Scots Guardsman’ – Mainline Pallitoy model on early Mainline Royal Scot chassis (937 088) Pallitoy’s Scots Guardsman was one of the first Mainline models to be fitted with the new slimmer profile wheels.   I seem to recall that I had serious issues with the quartering of these wheels and that Scots Guardsman was soon given a replacement chassis from an original Royal Scot model with a damaged body that I came across in Trent’s Toy shop in Swindon.   I had a similar issue with Jubilee Class ‘Mars’...

An outline of the current layout would not be complete without reference to the controllers and switch panels. Diagrammatic Controllers and Panels 2005 At the start of construction in 2005 there was a lot of trackwork and rolling stock from previous incarnations dating back to the 1980s.   In 2005 DCC was not considered and the layout was to be operated by quality Gaugemaster controllers using ‘cab control’.   The diagram above shows the initial layout of control panels and controllers.   Originally it was planned to use Gaugemaster E and D controllers.   However at an early stage I came across one of Gaugemaster’s inertia controllers with brake simulation and subsequently two Model P and one Model DS controllers were purchased.   The control panels are diagrammatic representations of the track layout with press buttons (momentary contact) for point operation, single pole double throw centre off toggle switches for track sections and single p...

One or two of you have asked if I can describe the layout itself in more detail. 1999 and the old layout was dismantled and all the rolling stock boxed up ready to move house.   After the move there were flower borders to be made, stone walls to be built and ponds to be dug.   It took until 2005 before a start could be made constructing the new layout.   After much discussion an area was identified which would enable the formation of an oval approximately 12ft by 9ft together with an extension some 20ft long by 3ft wide – being the maximum width thought practical for leaning over / gaining access. What were the layout constraints? The minimum radius had to be 36inches / PECO Medium Radius. The layout must accommodate seven coach trains – for ‘steam’ hauled trains past experience suggested gradients no steeper than 1 in 60.   For operational interest there needed to be a mainline (terminus), an ex GWR branchline (terminus) and hidden sidings / reversin...

Apparently I recorded my intention to purchase the Bachmann Blue Pullman in August 2010.   Well it finally arrived in November 2012 and has provided hours and hours of nail biting entertainment. Get 50% off (Insurance) My layout is DC and I thought that perhaps I would have to go inside and remove the installed DC Chips.   I did not expect that I would have to do it so soon and to have to dismantle and correct so many other bits before enjoying its running. I cannot imagine that I am going to be alone with these matters - hence this Blog.   Initially one of my power cars had an intermittent fault.   It would stop and start.   All the lights worked.   Sometimes if I gave it shake it would go again - then it would stop.   I am indebted to Rob who appears to have had the same problem and who pointed out that as well as the ‘four screws’ there are two hidden tabs under the Guards doors that need to be released to allow the...

There has not been a lot of progress with the layout so instead some ideas on close coupling and corridor connectors for Bachmann Collett coaches. Coach Couplings as bought   As with so many Ready to Run models there can be quite a gap between coaches.   Can the gap be closed up?   Is it cheap to do and will it significantly reduce the value of the original coach? Coach Couplings as modified I can remember the introduction of the first Collett coaches by Mainline (Bachmann).   At the time these coaches seemed to me to mark a step change in the increased degree of detail on offer.     I purchased my first Collett coaches back in July 1984 from the then Cheltenham Model Centre, they came with rubber corridor connectors and wire water fillers. Moving the Couplings Inwards The latest Bachmann Collett coaches are fitted with Bachmann Short Mini Couplings.   The gap between the coaches can be closed up considerably b...

Some weeks have elapsed since I first wrote about using sieved sand from the garden for ‘scatter’.   I can now report on what happens when you add coal dust. In the view above the area of ‘ground’ at the end of the platform is a mixture of my original sieved sand and paste mix with the addition of 25% coal dust (three teaspoons of sand and one teaspoon of coal dust).   This Station is a busy junction and the dark colouring seemed perfect.   However to differentiate between more rural and less heavily trafficked areas I decided to reduce the coal content further. In the view above the area labelled ‘A’ is my original mix of sieved sand and paste.   The material labelled ‘B’ is this original mix with 12.5% coal dust added (seven teaspoons of sand and one teaspoonful of coal dust).   The area labelled ‘C’ is a mixture of the two and was an attempt to grade the colour of the material on the right so that it matched the material on the left.   I...