BoD

A good question and one which I should have given more thought to much earlier in the build. It is this which has caused me to move to a more generic/fictitious layout now The space is in the loft but because the way in which the loft has been done out is quite long 17ft (I don’t know what that is in new money) but only 6ft6in wide. Given that I was hand building the track work and was aiming for a minimum radius of 36 inches in the scenic area it was going to be difficult to work to that width. Even early on, severe compromises had to be made. I had to cut the engineering sidings behind the engine shed and reduce the number of sidings on the other side. More significant was the crossover at the north end. I remodelled this on the current track layout but still found it difficult to get the two lines leaving the station in a realistic manner and still be able to curve around to the fiddle yard on the other long wall. Perhaps I should have had a rethink at this point but no, I pressed on regardless. I ended up with the following plan The track at both ends curving round to the fiddle yard. It only allows for 5 Mk1 coach trains at the station. Time for a rethink entirely surely . No I continue to press on regardless and build. The fiddle yard and what will become the south end of the station You can see how the width is becoming a limiting feature - but more so at what was to become the north end The south end trackwork And the north end without that scissors crossover and leaving me the headache of getting the two tracks back to the fiddle yard. A total compromise now - an unrealistic viaduct for one of the tracks - but not too far fetched - similarish to the one in Glen Ogle on the Callandar & Oban branch. I think it was Rob who pointed this out at the time. The far line will be partially hidden in a typical WHL cutting/ shelf At this point I was seriously thinking this isn't Crianlarich anymore. It was then I decided to go generic, but still ending up with a layout that was undoubtedly West Highland in style and that would still be interesting to run in a fairly prototypical way. This would involve doing something extra and creating a branch terminus rather than both lines just returning to the fiddle yard.

I do enjoy working on individual aspects and details, trying to create something that is a reasonable representation of the original. Perhaps I should have concentrated on building small dioramas or building micro layouts that could be scrapped when finished and new ones started. Having said that I also like the idea of a completed layout where I can just watch the trains go by with a bit of occasional shunting. Then there’s the building of rolling stock. And the electrickery and control (more of which soon). They say that railway modelling is a broad church and it seems that I want to be a member of them all.

This is a superb little layout. The photographs could easily have come directly from Ian Peaty’s book ‘Iron Rails and Whisky Trails’ which I’m guessing you have read. Well done.

Next was the signal box - I told you I was doing it in a strange order. and the old (I believe) station master's house. Next up - doubts.

Ok, as promised an update on ‘Inspired by Crianlarich’ which is still has no name. Before the update though, and bearing in mind that many of the photographs previously posted have been ‘lost’, I thought it might be worthwhile doing a quick update as to how far I had got. It began a good few years ago with the idea of creating a model of Crianlarich and to that end I started creating items for the model long before the model itself appeared. The first items I built were the signals. An unusual approach but it gave me something to do as a relief from ‘work’ As the layout progressed I started working on some of the buildings. As far as possible I worked from plans and photographs. The old engine shed. It was when I started the planning, baseboards and trackwork, and constructing the station buildings doubts entered my mind about an exact copy of Crianlarich, hence the change to inspired by Crianlarich. More of this when I find some more of the photographs that have since disappeared.

This evening we got back home from a few days in the West Highlands. Upon unpacking a bag I have come across some Lorne sausage, haggis slices and scotch morning rolls. Now how on earth did they get there? And what should I do with them?

… and if you ever do need to do that, don’t forget that you are meant to take them out of the foil first.

This morning I was at Crianlarich just checking things out and taking photographs, as you do, when it struck me that, whilst progress on the layout has been steady, but slow, I hadn’t updated this thread for a good while. Watch out, anything can happen in the next half hour few days.

Yep. A few days here then moving further north.

I know the feeling.

Well, dear readers, you may recall that earlier this year I was a little downbeat because my HbA1c blood sugar level was high. Entirely my own fault as I admit I wasn't being a sensible diabetic. After a recent re-test (it takes about 12 weeks for the old haemoglobin cells to 'die') my level was 43 mwhatsits/mol. This is not very far outside what is normal for non diabetics. As a side effect I have lost over two stone too. To say I'm chuffed is an understatement. I guess I'm also living proof that, for some, type 2 diabetes is as much to do with lifestyle as anything else. Note to self - this needs to be a lifetime change not just a flash in the pan. I apologise for not being up to date but we are 'away' at the moment. Last night I sat watching this develop ... I even allowed myself a glass of wine whilst watching it. I'm well content at the moment.

I’m addicted to brake fluid … but don’t worry, I can easily stop.

Just caught up with this news. I (along with lots of others, I’m sure) will greatly miss it.

That must be a good feeling. Or does it just become part of the job… Which ever, well done.

… but how many are on your layout at the same time. And how many are likely to be moving at the same time.

It was a Firkin big one.

Many happy returns, Stewart.

Well that definitely decides it then … https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-65446354

What? You stayed there?

I was doing my volunteering stint at a NT property today when a young(ish) gentleman asked “Did you used to teach at ******** school?” I tried to deny it - but he had me bang to rights. “You used to teach me” he said. ”… and my mam”. ”… and my gran”. You can quickly go off people.

Belated birthday wishes to @Dave Hunt I do hope my tardiness hasn’t turned him into a Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.

Or it might be due to a cold northerly wind/arctic blast*. There is already a light covering of snow on some of the Scottish hills. Might @tigerburnie be able to see some I wonder. *Delete according to how sensationalist your forecaster is.

Out of interest I once went to the local library to borrow a book on conspiracy theories. They didn’t have any. Strange.

When reading CVs the motor of a loco does ‘pulse’ in response, often forwards and reverse. This is a normal part of the process. How much the loco actually moves depends on the loco, it’s motor and gearing. I recently read the all the CVs on a new Hornby V2 and had to physically move the loco back to the centre of the programming track a couple of times. It was a loksound decoder so there were lots of CVs to read. Other locos with loksound (as well as other decoders) did move but not nearly as much - so it does vary.

That’s what happens when you put an HO carriage in your OO train.