WCML Model Railway: Davidson Parkway: Layout Tour 

Many thanks for the compliment and glad you enjoyed .... but please don’t give up!! Hopefully if anything, watching gives you extra mojo and motivation to either progress your layout or to develop one ... Regards, Mark

Many thanks for the lovely message .... I tried to build this layout so that it’s reliable (so that I’m not always fixing derailments or having to poke to get a train moving!) and so far so good .... I do have the odd issue from time to time but overall it’s pretty reliable. Yes, I used a little bit of card under the main line curves to get some banking, along with transitions to the straights to get some smooth running. Stay safe and healthy over in the US 👍 Regards, Mark

Many thanks Phillip for the kind comment .... and yes! There’s a few sections from the WCML I’ve used to try to capture the atmosphere ... the through station is a bit of Stafford and Warrington BQ ... the curved viaduct of Runcorn/Dutton ... sweeping curves between Stafford and Crewe ... had I had more space I would have attempted Willesden TMD! Regards, Mark

Many thanks Craig for the lovely compliment ... I’ve still got plenty of improvement on the to-do list ... watch this space! Regards, Mark

Many thanks … Stockport viaduct is certainly huge and very impressive! I did use the viaduct at Dutton as some inspiration as it’s curved and double-track (the one near Runcorn on the Liverpool side of the Mersey) but does have a similar feel as Stockport. 👍

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed … and I’ve recently added a few more loco sidings below the main layout! I’m planning to record a layout update video soon that will show these … as well as some recent arrivals! 👍

@@ModelRailway ditto I’m due an video, look forward to your next video 👍

Many thanks for the lovely comment, glad you enjoyed ... and yes, I do like seeing full length trains as well and I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to build reasonable sized layout to run decent length trains. Regards, Mark

Many thanks Nihal, glad you enjoyed 👍 Regards, Mark

Hi Phil, many thanks for the lovely comment and hope you enjoyed your career on the footplate ... I bet you have plenty of stories during that time! I was fortunate enough a few years ago as part of my work role to have a few cab rides along the WCML and the North Staffs line is certainly a challenging route to learn and drive as there’s many less features along it compared to other routes ... so I admire the skills of yourself and your profession, and slightly envious of all the miles behind the variety of traction over the years! Regards, Mark

Many thanks ... and go for it! Unfortunately I missed out visiting Scotland during the 80’s (too young!); my first trip was in the mid 90s ... I would have liked to have seen the steel coil trains roll past, along with the early AC loco’s and variety of other loco’s and liveries ... Regards, Mark

Hi James, many thanks for the comment and compliment ... the new mechanisms on the models really help and I do like reliability and smooth running .... although when I created the ‘meet the fleet’ video and ran some of the older Lima loco’s, I was pleasantly surprised how well many of them ran. Regards, Mark

Thanks Gary for the lovely comment. 👍

Many thanks for the comment! Regarding the catenary, it’s purely cosmetic … the Dapol plastic masts aren’t strong enough to withstand a pantograph running and as the layout isn’t an exhibition layout, it’s primarily for myself at home and one-person operation … then I wanted reliability to be a priority. I’ve begun to set pantograph heights just below the minimum wire height and pleased with the results so far … I know it’s not perfect, but from a realistic viewing distance looks effective. I do admire those like yourself that attempt pantographs in contact … good effort! Great to see others modelling electrics though and enjoying the hobby! 👍 ps Plenty of other items on the to-do list besides the OLE … watch this space!

@@ModelRailway The trick with catenary is to place every third or fourth mast 1mm too far from the previous mast to obtain a little tension. Also catenary wire can only go in straight lines. So in tighter corners the masts have to be a lot closer together, to ensure the wire stays above the flat central section of any pantograph. Takes a little trial and error to get used to how it all works. But once you get your first pantograph running on the overhead, it becomes addictive. The Sommerfeldt & Viesmann ranges (Both German made) include certain BR type masts, and of course all those clever little bits to cope with pointwork, and even working tensioners. These two ranges are of course almost totally interchangeable. Their catalogues also give details of how to install catenary. Happy Modelling.

Many thanks .... glad you enjoyed! Regards, Mark

Many thanks Glenn for the compliments ... and yes, the electrics have been fun ... fortunately I actually enjoyed installing over time and even enjoy soldering! I may include a tour of the electrics/control panel in a future video if you/others are interested ... regards, Mark

@@ModelRailway Please do a vido of the electrics and control panel, I am as interested in what's under the boards as what is running on the top. I run DCC as I find it simple to setup and operate, but woudn't have a clue how to wire multiple lines and contorllers. I would also be interested in video of how you made old Lima and Hornby chasis more electrically reliable. I used to run my Hornby and Lima class 86 & 87's on Lima's overhead catanery back in the late 80's early 90's, with reasonable sucess, however the are not as reliable running on DCC. Thanks for sharing your superb layout with us.

@@hughrooney6933 Thanks Hugh ... and some good requests and ideas for a future video; I’ve made a note of them. I’m thinking of a ‘behind the scenes’ video to show the control panel, points, OLE, signalling etc. Meanwhile, regarding the older Lima and Hornby loco’s ... I’ve found that having clean wheels and contacts really help; also some have additional pickups fitted to increase reliability. The Hornby Class 86’s and 90’s have the ‘Limby’ style chassis fitted with the upgraded motor; so no more Ringfield motors around the layout! Quite a few of the Lima Class 87’s do have the older ‘pancake’ style motors ... again, clean wheels and pickups help. Regards, Mark

Many thanks Graham for the lovely comment, glad you enjoyed the layout tour … and I’ve added a few more bits to the layout since that was recorded and uploaded a few videos of the progress as well! Kind regards, Mark

Many thanks ... I had thought about a layout tour as a kind of introduction to the layout, but when I saw your previous comment, gave me the nudge to actually create one! I know what you mean ... I find fiddle yards etc interesting at exhibitions 👍

Agreed, a fantastic layout

Many thanks for the lovely compliment ... far too flattering! 😳👍 Regards, Mark

Glad you enjoyed 👍

Many thanks for the lovely comment. When I developed the plan for the layout I wanted something where I could either set it up and running to watch the trains go by ... or where I also had operational interest, with the terminal station, loops, junctions between tracks and the yards. Thanks again, Mark

Many thanks ... glad you enjoyed and hope you also managed to watch the other videos I’ve loaded so far. Good luck with your own layout ... there’s plenty of resources that can help, hope it progresses well! Regards, Mark

Many thanks John, glad you’re still enjoying 👍

Many thanks Lee for the lovely comment. I’ve followed a few model railway channels on RU-vid over time, good inspiration and tips, but only recently figured out how to create and load my own video, so plucked up the courage to load a few up! Regarding the layout, it commenced about 13 years ago, not a full-time hobby or project, but steady progress over the years; still lots on the to-do list! I’m hoping to have time this weekend to create and load a new video (introduction to the DP fleet) ... watch this space! 👍

@@ModelRailway like @Lee Greenwood, I have never seen this layout either. I don't build model railways myself but am an avid follower of Daveclass 47 & Everard Junction. What I have just watched is bloody brilliant and, well bloody impressive! Can't wait to see more!!!

Many thanks Richard, glad you found the tour video and enjoyed! 👍

Many thanks Ben for the compliments … glad you enjoyed and a new video being loaded today! 👍

Many thanks Bob for the kind comments and best wishes with your health. Which exhibition layouts did you have? I might have seen them ... Regards, Mark

@@ModelRailway Moorcock Junction (the layout built by Andy Calvert before he so sadly passed away). Now I have Armathwaite which was built by Howard Staniforth and myself and is currently being highly modified when health allows.

Thanks Chris! 👍 The layout was good fun actually to plan and build ... it’s taken approx 13yrs to get to where it is today, still lots more to do ... but taking my time and modelling/building when time and mojo allows! I took extra time to plan and design the layout, especially using plenty of lining paper and Peco turnout templates before and baseboards were built .... I’ve only made a couple of major changes since the original plan; as the saying goes .... measure twice, cut once! Glad you enjoyed .... Regards, Mark

@@ModelRailway I'd be grateful Mark if I could reply to you via an email if possible, kind regards, chris.

Sure ... what’s your email addy?

@@ModelRailway it is- c.uddin@yahoo.com

Thanks Rick ... I do like reasonably realistic operating (with some modellers licence) ... glad you enjoyed. The top-speed of the Pendolino and a few others is very very fast ... so really have to reign it in! Regards, Mark 👍

Many thanks for the lovely comment ... and yes, I always liked the multi-track West Coast Main Line and was able to incorporate 4-track running with some extra bits ... Regards, Mark

Many thanks Christopher .... glad you enjoyed. I heard last week that Bachmann are bringing out some Motor-rail GUV vans .... so it’s a bit tempting to purchase a few to recreate the rake where the vans were attached and detached, especially to the DVT! I’ve been aboard a few of the diesel drags over the S&C with the loco changes at each end ... lovely trip and memories. Regards, Mark

Many thanks for the comments Dave. I’m glad I spent quite a bit of time planning the layout, only a small number of things I would have done different with the benefit of hindsight (eg a couple of point motors situated too close to a baseboard support underneath!), but overall I’m pleased with the progress and reliability so far ... still many projects to progress! I’ve subscribed to your impressive channel and layout as well, will have a look at your videos ... regards, Mark

@@ModelRailway Thank you Mark for your comments and subscribing to my channel too. Much appreciated. Best regards Dave.

Many thanks ... and how about having a layout with multiple era’s? Mine has plenty of stock/loco’s from the Virgin trains era, stored in the lower fiddle yard ... good luck with your project 👍 Regards, Mark

Many thanks for the compliment, glad you enjoyed 👍

Many thanks Guy for the lovely comment ... glad you enjoyed the tour and seeing different aspects of the layout. I’ve tried to design and build it to allow plenty of operational interest while without it being too cluttered 👍 Regards, Mark

Many thanks for the comment .... there’s a track plan on the first page of my thread on RMWeb (link in the description) ... the track plan was also published in the Model Rail magazine article (September 2020 issue). Regards, Mark

Many thanks .... glad you enjoyed watching the tour! 👍

Thanks Kev ... and yes, quite a few hours over time! The layout has taken approx 13yrs so far, still plenty on the to-do list ... and overall it’s pretty reliable; not perfect though (just like the real thing!) Regards, Mark

Thanks for the compliment and comment 👍

Many thanks Mark for the compliment, hope you enjoyed ... Regards, Mark

Many thanks! My layout is currently ‘DC/analogue’ only but I’m open minded about converting to DCC in the future ... perhaps I could dub a train horn at some stage, watch this space! 👍

Many thanks for the Wow! 👍

Thanks Gareth for the kind comment, good luck with your own layout as well 👍 Regards, Mark

Hi Andy, glad you enjoyed and thanks for subbing 👍 Best wishes, Mark

Many thanks Howard for the lovely comment … it’s been a hectic few weeks but I’m hoping to record a new video very soon … watch this space! 👍

Many thanks Rob 👍

Many thanks for the lovely message 👍

Many thanks! Hopefully a dream can result in reality for you one day .... I started with a small train set type layout and over the years, grown a collection and eventually the current layout ... regards, Mark

Many thanks Steve ... glad you enjoyed 👍 Regards, Mark