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  • SouthernRegionSteam

    Coastguard Creek - 15 months of planning!

    By SouthernRegionSteam

    Hold on to your socks - this is going to be a lengthy one! (In fact it's so long, I've now split it into 2 separate posts - the next will be up soon...)   I think it's fair to say that you are all long overdue an update on Coastguard Creek. Due to other commitments, no real progress has been made since the last post way back in March 2021; almost 15 months ago! If anything, things went backwards for quite a while, as I kept finding more and more inspiring locations that I really wanted
    • 8 comments
    • 3,310 views
General coach works

Making a BPOT diagram 723

One thing I needed to run Penzance was a TPO rake. It sounds straightforward but it took me a long ages to work out what diagram the coaches were in the rake because photos of the TPO are sparse (it ran at night naturally) and generally only show the loco and one or two coaches. Finally I established the rake was made up of Dia 723 brake stowage/Dia 721 sorting vans. Whilst in the interim a Bachmann Dia 720 would suffice for the sorting vans I wanted a correct looking stowage van and the Padd
chrisstiffer

chrisstiffer

0
Penzance layout 1970's

Work has finally started on the platforms

After a long hiatus of mostly working on stock I've decided I really need to get the platforms up to scratch. After the disaster with the cardboard topping warping in the variable atmospheric conditions I've gone for all all plastic platform top. Wills york paving cut up does the job just great. Just need to weather it a bit and add the tarmac centre strip. Takes quite a long time though as the platforms are roughly 12 feet long.   I've also made a couple of signals for the platform ends ou
chrisstiffer

chrisstiffer

1
Black 5 Bear's Blog

Good lineside dog friendly pubs on the East Lancs Railway

Morning All,   I'm planning to visit the steam gala on the East Lancs Railway this weekend, does anyone out there know of a good pub with a lineside view, good beer and is happy to accomodate a very well behaved King Charles Spaniel ????   I'm told that the bar on the station at Bury doesn't let dogs in unfortunately.   Thanks in anticipation
Black 5 Bear

Black 5 Bear

2
Hilux5972's Blog

72xx class

So my new class 72xx tank from Hirnby has arrived. Very impressed. A great slow runner after running in. I have made a few fixes. The smokebox dart has been removed and awaits the arrival of a replacement item from 247 developments. The footplate has been straightened and the body tightly screwed in, as it was loose when I opened the box. Will have to make a few mods to the packaging as the loco won't go back in now it has had the front steps added. Overall I'm very happy.
Hilux5972

Hilux5972

1
Fen End Pit's Blog

E4 painted - and the trouble with blogs!

One of the things about keeping a blog is that it makes you photograph your models and one of the things about photographing your models is that every time you do you just can't avoid seeing the faults in the results - things that somehow the eye only picks up when blown up on the screen when you look at the photograph.   So, here is the current state of the E4. I had to go back once and clean off around the dome which I didn't really pick up until I took some pictures last night. Tonight I ca
Fen End Pit

Fen End Pit

7
Petes Model workshop (or ramblings from the balcony)

GWR 850 CLASS (12)

Just a bit more done. I have managed to add the castings to the footplate, I now need to clean it up before painting. I think Thursday should see things finished for painting. I was hoping it would be sooner but I am limited with work shop time tomorrow.   I did start to repair the smokebox door hinges today, but I I think it was a waste of time, should of cleaned them off, and remade them. I will do this next time at the bench.   Not much of an update today, so here are
N15class

N15class in GWR 850 CLASS

0
MikeOxon's Pre-Grouping Blog

William Dean's Express Tank

Being somewhat of a back-water in railway history, the Witney branch via North Leigh became home to many unusual vehicles, rarely seen elsewhere. I have already shown the standard-gauge Tilt Wagon ('Hat Box') but a particular claim to fame for this line was that it became the 'stamping ground' for William Dean's experimental 4-2-4 express tank engine, shown below entering North Leigh station.                       William Dean's e
MikeOxon

MikeOxon in general

18
The Farthing layouts

Fun with crates

I’m detailing my goods depot, something I’ve been looking forward to. As the layout is designed for close-up viewing I’ve been searching for goods items that could pass muster at a reasonably close range.   To begin with, here is a selection of crates. I'm afraid it's my usual unholy mix of kitbuilt, scratchbuilt, modified and ready to plunk! Hopefully it will all blend in with a bit of weathering and careful positioning on the layout.       First up are these
Mikkel

Mikkel

23
What's new at Furness Wagon Co

Highland Coaches

At Gauge O Guild Telford we had on show the prototypes of our new Highland Railway Rib sided coaches. The coaches are now available. There are 3 kits are an All 3rd, an 2nd/3rd Composite and a 1st/2nd Composite. A passenger brake van will be add to the range next year.   Also at Telford could be seen the following new kits GWR Z1 Gunpowder Van GWR X1 Mica B NBR 4 Plank (builds fixed side/drop side/Centre door)   Coming very shortly NER C9 5 plank open GNoSR 16ft Box NER K1 Cattle Van
MarcD

MarcD

0
The sleepers workspace

My Metro-Vick 3

The two coats of Acrylic paint made a difference to the roof, making it harder and filling the course grain of the Balsa. Next came the base plate, I made this from 2mm thick plastic card with 2x2mm strips of angle along the sides to which I glued some T shaped strip to replicate the base in the photo.       Next came the bogie frames, these I cut from Slaters plastic card but the top section I cut from some French card which is softer and more 'bendy' than the British card, this enabled
sleeper

sleeper

0
Shipston-on-Stour Branch

Dean Goods update with photo

So, it's been a while and a quick update is in order. The photo has brought out all the as yet untouched blemishes, etc after meddling with the Hornby shell. But the progress is there to see. Loco brake rodding, smokebox dart, spare lamp brackets and top rear tender lamp bracket.     I still have those pesky lamp brackets to fit on the buffer beams and smokebox top.   The connecting rods need to be permanently fixed in place but there will be one more teardown of the wheels and motor b
Focalplane

Focalplane

0
The San Miguel Central RR

Part 41: The Minturn stn.

At the local narrow gauge convention, I bought a Detail associates kit for the "Foothill station". The kit is sold out since many years, so I guess it could be hard to find another one.... It is a mixed media, but mostly wood, kit with plastic windows and doors. The building is made for two levels of terrain which I will use to serve two railroads. A standard gauge railroad on the upper level, and a HOn3 narrow gauge on the lower. A bit like John Allen did with Corsa on the G&D. So, he
M Graff

M Graff

1
BangkokPaul's Blog

Planning the layout

The layout design is intended to maximize the locos that can be on shed at anyone time with the original design attached here. Subsequent playing around with the track and points lead to a modfied version of the attached, albeit with the same overall feeling. I know the old adage of less is more in terms of running track but I wanted to create a busy and claustrophobic feeling to the depot and also to get as many engines on shed as possible at any given time.
BangkokPaul

BangkokPaul

0
BangkokPaul's Blog

Diesel depot background

Having been away from modelling for many a year, my interest was rekindled whilst browsing a retailers website and coming across a Bachmann class 37 in large logo blue livery. Not having a layout for around 25 years with the last 12 spent in Bangkok, I was still suitably impressed by the model to purchase and subsequently store in the cupboard. This pattern was repeated over a few years with a collection diesel models starting to grow.   The models collected all hark back to the 80's and 90's
BangkokPaul

BangkokPaul

2
Goosehill Central

The Baseboard

I used 9mm MDF for the baseboard, it is a material I have used before and have not encountered any problems. A piece 6ft 4in by 22in was cut then 2 strengthening lengthwise beams were screwed on. No widthwise beams were added due to the layouts thinness. I then rested the whole thing on 2 more beams until a more permanent home is found.
misterscrubb

misterscrubb

1
Will J's Random Adventures in N Gauge

More Arley musings..

Not much has developed on the 3D printed Arley front over the last couple of weeks, but with a few nights away from home looming, CAD design does make for a tidy way to create modelling output in a hotel, so watch this space!   I have had chance to have a good look around the real thing however. On Sunday Arley was basking in spots of sunshine and a slice of lovely branchline-ish ness...     Modelling challenges include the picnic area, which I know very well.. the site is busy and requir
Will J

Will J

3
N-Gauge LMS Layout

Foster Street - Water - Electrics - Missed Bargains

Well with a deadline looming I should be spending more time getting the layout up to a reasonable standard. However like most things there in always something in the way, and I don't mean the Domestic Overlord   The problem is the major jobs I need to complete are those little jobs that just eat up modelling time, and in the case of me and a soldering iron, lead to lots of burnt fingers and industrial language.   Still I managed to get the surface of the canal ready, or at least nearly read
paulprice

paulprice

6
MikeOxon's Pre-Grouping Blog

A new 'Old Engine' - GWR 184 - part 4

Part 4 already, and I've not actually touched any metal yet! My thanks to all who have given encouragement by their 'Likes' and a warning not to expect any 'model engineering' in this thread - it's more like cut-out scrap-booking - but I enjoy it and it might lead to a working model.   Since my last post, I've re-visited the cab area, so that it can accommodate the rear pair of drivers. On my paper model, I've cut slots in the front of the cab and floor, to allow for the 14.4mm back-to
MikeOxon

MikeOxon in general

4
On The Workbench

In pursuit of domestic harmony.....

Heard in households across the land...   'Sorry dear - do you have an emery board I can borrow?'   A few weeks later...   'You know that emery board you borrowed? Can I have it back?'   A few seconds later...   'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO IT???'   Ladies & gentlemen - a solution....Highly technical and involves a bit of 'misappropriation'...   1. Obtain some 'coffee stirrers' from your favourite coffee shop. Remove the rounded end if present and cut to a suitable length. (I get a
scanman

scanman

5
Up the Line - 1918

Hudson Hold Up

Firstly a big thank you for all the fine comments on the pictures in last post - is good to know I am doing something right! But now onto less conclusive matters.....   Having had a bit of a busy spell with work progress has been a bit slow on the KB Scale Hudson but have been managing to do a little bit each day and have made it to here;     I know the boiler isn't fitting correctly but that is because I haven't cut off the spare length of motor shaft yet and may not get around to doing
KH1

KH1

0
Snitzl's Main Blog

Adams B4 Modification.

Scratchbuilt Em to P4 conversion with wheel rim turning for this L.S.W.R. class B4 Dock Tank.   This second installment of Snitzl Works section covers the conversion of a scratchbuilt Adams  B4 in EM gauge to P4. The original model was built way back in the early 1980's to standard  gauge and a few years later converted to EM, so its taken a while to build up enough  enthusiasm to do this final conversion.  
snitzl

snitzl in Locos

0

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    • Yan
      Post Scaleforum 2024

      By Yan · Posted

      Thank you for leaving the comments and thoughts guys, much appreciated.   Both Butley Mills and Ditchling Green are with new owners that are currently refurbishing them. Even the modelling skill and composition still shine through, so they were both well worth seeing in the flesh. One of Iain Rice's layouts I'd like to get the opportunity to see is Trerice.
    • BarryP
      Post Scaleforum 2024

      By BarryP · Posted

      It's good to see so many positive reviews of a model railway exhibition. I did dabble in S4/P4 way back and Iain Rice's writings were inspirational. I saw Butley Mills when it was first shown at Scaleforum in 1987 and I loved it. Gordon Gravett's models are fabulous and I would love to see them in the flesh, as it were. I did visit two shows specifically to see the magnificent "Pempoul" layout that the Gravetts built, that was the finest I've ever seen. I'm dabbling in "O" Gauge and an opportuni
    • Keith Addenbrooke
      Post Scaleforum 2024

      By Keith Addenbrooke · Posted

      Good to see it was a positive experience - and really nice to see a couple of photos of Ditchling Green (I didn’t realise it was still around).  Always struck me as a lovely layout: an early example perhaps of the ‘less is (so much) more’ approach to railway modelling that is now widely appreciated.  Keep up the good work, Keith.
    • Mikkel
      Post Scaleforum 2024

      By Mikkel · Posted

      The layout and info display looks very good. Thanks for posting photos of the other layouts, always a gift for those of us abroad - especially when they are this good.   Imposter syndrome is common I think, it can hold us back but on the hand I'll take that over bragging anytime.  
    • Mikkel
      Netherport and Basuto Quay Chronology

      By Mikkel · Posted

      That sounds like a good approach Nick, thank you for clarifying. A sense of space is so important, less is more and all that.   The Penzance photo shows unloading of flower traffic from the Scilly Isles (no date). It features on the front page of this volume by Tony Atkins. The book is perhaps not unexpendable and a tad dry, but it is informative and some of the photos are lovely.    

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