Alcanman

I've been fascinated by Deanside Transit for 30 years ever since I saw it in 'Freight Only volume 3' by Michael Rhodes and Paul Shannon published in 1988. Their description at the time that 'The Speedlink distribution depot at Deanside is one of the jewels in the Railfreight crown north of the border'. Of course, it would an excellent subject for a 1980s layout. As it is 20 years since I started using my unconventional method of based building, I thought I'd mention it again for those who haven't seen it. This is the 3x1 timber frame built in 1998 which has supported countless layouts including Deanside. For each new layout it's simply a matter of removing the 12mm MDF baseboards which are screwed in place and replacing with new MDF.

Thanks Rob. Yes, a 67 will be coming along soon.

Once again, I’ve returned to one of favourite themes for a small modern era layout - Wagonload freight services. This type of layout offers the opportunity to run short trains with large locos. In 1983,during the BR Speedlink era, Deanside Transit came into the ownership of JG Russell who operated the large distribution depot. Traffic at that time was very varied. Most traffic came via trip workings from Mossend. However, there was the well known (6L80) direct service from Wisbech, Cambs conveying Spillers pet food. Deanside continued into the EWS Enterprise era with the following trip workings: 6D30 Mossend – Deanside 6D31 Deanside - Mossend I cannot find reference to exactly when Deanside ceased receiving rail traffic . In any event, I’ve imagined that it continued to operate under DB Cargo. Traffic has considerably reduced with only paper products, (imported via Immingham) arriving in VGA vans, and some steel traffic,(although there is no evidence that steel was ever handled at Deanside.) I just like steel wagons! Other types of wagons may be seen from time to time. In addition to the trip workings above, there are 2 kickback sidings which see the occasional engineers wagon or two and locos stabled. Here are a few photos to show the variety of motive power used https://www.flickr.com/photos/60539035@N02/6066522471/in/photolist-af5vM2-UQx9fq-m77cm-uS3BS5-9uuZvi-Rpd5Em-RWyGnr-85KK7W-9CCKqs-h5Dhx7-7cErL9-27tHnoY-dT2pv4-MSix2U-WUU3of-aTixG8-9fnJ7x-aE1KA2-89u2L5-cU9QS5-5o6yRZ-Xegeau-f4tLS8-dYDBXd-a7TYvr-8AFXG1-8B4YvY-aE5B3C-pjfUa9-6w9y8h-EpAxpF-SZ73ur-VamFLk-zAPR8E-QjjMea-G8y2fQ-CSZUUT-MkDgNi-vLR7cK-23uiy9n-bjW5qm-CudHjY-M1UjaV-bhZAYv-HzzKBy-QLZnPq-Djs9vn-kRrnHD-Gkst93-L9vJcd https://www.flickr.com/photos/21513703@N06/19524792012/in/photolist-5o6yRZ-Xegeau-f4tLS8-dYDBXd-a7TYvr-8AFXG1-8B4YvY-aE5B3C-pjfUa9-6w9y8h-EpAxpF-SZ73ur-VamFLk-zAPR8E-QjjMea-G8y2fQ-CSZUUT-MkDgNi-vLR7cK-23uiy9n-bjW5qm-CudHjY-M1UjaV-bhZAYv-HzzKBy-QLZnPq-Djs9vn-kRrnHD-Gkst93-L9vJcd-Kbr2Dk-CK3dST-KfSGbr-L37GgN-G7x6F2-NX4tXV-NPfGQa-L38kYw-QLLKQR-Ph9kKd-251mJC1-uKhCkG-t8uKCJ-KfSH2z-NrKUJN-L5F8pg-L9vHHN-x3BghY-x3Bgad-vKkEr3 https://www.flickr.com/photos/21513703@N06/10554249044/in/photolist-kojTAR-9CCKqs-QjjMea-cT8YYQ-22Gucge-pM25eE-85FWCx-qHWXzo-aZjgFx-85KLtN-9uuZvi-Rpd5Em-85KK7W-h5Dhx7-dT2pv4-27tHnoY-7cErL9-EpAxpF-6w9y8h-VamFLk-zAPR8E-vLR7cK Track Plan, my usual 9ft x 15ins

I've been building small layouts for most of my life and for the last 20 years they have all been 9ft x 15ins (I'm currently planning another). Some layouts have simply been copies of what other modellers have done. So easy to visualise those layouts. However, I have built quite a few of my own design and I do seem to be able to visualise what they will look like. Perhaps it's because they are small, the scenic area is usually only 6ft. My only problem is not being able to visualise or have the imagination to add all those small details and scenes that the great modellers seem to achieve. I'm thinking of Chris Nevard and Roger Nicholls US layouts. Mal

37114 looks great. Here's some weathering reference pics for you. It was ex-works when I saw it at Kyle of Lochalsh. I've just noticed the positioning of the headlamp. Mal ps I'll be in touch soon regarding weathering/sound fitting a loco.

According to my 1963 Ian Allan ABC , Pelton Level was indeed a sub shed of Tyne Dock. Mal

I've always painted mine with Humbrol enamels, together with a little dry brushing and weathering powders. Quite happy with the results. I have a few to paint for my new layout and I'm going to use a Humbrol acrylic spray can no 29 'Dark Brown' followed by dry brushing and weathering powders.

ex Colas 60047 has been used for driver training and working GBRf biomass trains on the Blyth & Tyne this week. (Thanks to Big Jim for the heads up). 2.00pm this afternoon at South Newsham level crossing. 6N87 / 13:32 Lynemouth PS - Tyne Mal

With the heads up from Big Jim that 60047 would be working 6N86 / 9:19 Tyne - Lynemouth PS ( confirmed around 10.30am by looking out my window and seeing 60047 heading north) I guessed the loco would be powering the return working 6N87 / 13:32 Lynemouth - Tyne. 14:00 South Newsham level crossing.

I was at Newsham just past the Plessey Road crossing and standing next to a field (on your right hand side). Thanks again. The wagons are leased IIA-C Tanoos covered hoppers carrying imported biomass from Port of Tyne to Lynemouth Power Station which was converted to biomass early this year.

Great Blyth & Tyne pics. Thanks for sharing. Bedlington South box hasn't changed in 20 years and is still in use today. Mal ps Look out for GBRf (ex Colas) 60047 on the Blyth & Tyne this week. Driver training, the loco worked a Tyne - Lynemouth PS biomass train this afternoon.

GBRf 66727 'Maritime 1' at Newsham, Northumberland with 4N80 Doncaster Down Decoy - North Blyth a few minutes later Freightliner 66508 with North Blyth - York Yard South

Thanks to Big Jim for the heads up, I managed to catch ex Colas 60047 with GBRf 6N22 / 1351 Tyne Coal Terminal - Lynemouth PS at Newsham this afternoon. Great to see and hear a class 60 on the Blyth & Tyne again! Earlier in the afternoon, another 'celeb' loco, GBRf 66727 'Maritime' was at Newsham with 4N80 Doncaster Down Decoy - North Blyth. Mal

I'm pleased to see that 37099 doesn't have sprung buffers. I bought a new Bachmann 37 which had buffers pointing upwards at 30 degrees! When I posted here on RMweb it turned out to be a common problem with the sprung buffers on 37s. I managed to sort out the problem but then one of the buffers kept falling out, again easy sort.

I haven't used TCS Wow Sound although it was generally well received by US modellers when introduced a few years ago. I have US locos with Turbocharged EMD prime movers from ESU Loksound, Tsunami and QSI and I find that all lack bass when compared to Legomanbiffo's Class 66, which , of course, has a 710 series prime mover. Mal

I called into my local model today and 37099 was in stock. However, the proprietor told me they were selling out fast.

Thanks. Sorry, I have no idea of the type of speaker. I bought the loco with pre-fitted sound direct from Charlie at DC Kits. The loco sounds even better 'in the flesh' on my small layout.

Drivelock is a brilliant innovation, as described above. Here is my class 37 with Legomanbiffo drivelock.

Following the cancellation of Saturday's 6S45 North Blyth - Fort William , GBRf 66738 'Huddersfield Town' has been 'marooned' at North Blyth Alcan for a few days. 3.00pm this afternoon Freightliner 66513 is at Winning, Northumberland with North Blyth - York Yard South A few minutes later at the same location GBRf 66702 'Blue Lightning' passes with 4N80 Doncaster Down Decoy - North Blyth.

As always, great to see pics of Blyth and Cambois. Thanks for sharing. Mal ps. There's a GBRf 66 currently stabled at North Blyth Alcan due to the cancellation of this morning's 6S45 North Blyth - Fort William.

9.20 am this morning. GBRf 66752 'The Hoosier State' at Newsham with 4N84 / 0900 Lynemouth PS - Tyne Coal Terminal (biomass empties)

This is great news indeed. Delighted Hattons have decided to use Legomanbiffo and credit to them for not only introducing their own range of locos but their own sound too! Looking forward to 'Sure Sound'.

I recently watched a Youtube video where a chap was unpacking a box of the new Peco Code 75 bullhead track. 1 length of track had a lot of the sleepers detached from the rails and another length of track was so badly bent as to render it virtually unusable. He was most dissapointed to say the least! I'll be sticking with Peco Code 100 for my next layout. It's bulletproof!

Earlier today. GBRF 66753 at Newsham, Northmberland with 4N86 Lynemouth PS - Port ot Tyne biomass empties. and GBRf 66784 'Keighley and Worth Valley Railway' at Winning, Northumberland with 4N80 Doncaster Down Decoy - North Blyth.(note the Ex -EWS, de-branded HTAs) 66784 entering Battleship Wharf Coal Terminal, North Blyth

A couple more pics of Boppard taken during my visit in 1998.