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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
    • 3,301 views
Fen End Pit's Blog

Vertical fiddleyard - and a story of modelling mojo lost and found

It has, as they say, been a while since the last blog entries. What with the unexpected appearance at the Ely show with 'Fen End Pit' and biggest son doing AS levels and wanting help revising Empire Basin has taken a bit of a back seat. To be honest I was a bit dissatisfied with the operation and reliablity of the vertical fiddleyard and it was a bit of a downer.   The problem was that no matter how many times I adjusted the vertical alignment on the rails it just seemed to be 'out' on the nex
Fen End Pit

Fen End Pit

1
The 891mm Project

Z4p 317 - 1/35 Scale Swedish Narrow Gauge Loco

I cant believe it has been so long since my last post.   Still, in between the previous post, Christmas and now (!) work has been making headway on a couple of items of rolling stock, one of them shown here the Z4p loco.   Built to replicate loco SJ 317, it represents one of the 2nd batch of locos later modified with dual operating control gear and heavy duty couplings. Initially allocated to the Visby–Burgsvik region, it soon found itself working the Böda-Ottenby, Eksjö-Österbymo and
Bristol_Rich

Bristol_Rich

1
Chris' Minor Blog

Greetings and Introductions.

First I would like to extend greetings to all reading this first blog of which I hope there will be many. I have been reading various topics and blogs over the past couple of years and very impressed by the quality of the modelling undertaken on here. I would certainly be glad if my modelling was a fraction of that shown on here.   I have just finished my Mining Engineering Degree in Falmouth and have also worked for the last two summers underground at Daw Mill Colliery. It seems an appropriat
MinerChris

MinerChris

7
cornish trains jez's Blog

Par Station in N Gauge - track ballasting and painting

Good afternoon all,   I have managed to progress board 3 of the layout (or the London end of Par station) over the last week or so. Ballasting has taken place and the track has been painted.   I first painted the rails in Phoenix "rusty rails" colour, then a week wash of track dirt to take the sheen off the sleepers and blend the rusty rails a little. The ballast is a 70/30 mix of Woodland scenics buff and brown. I used this successfully on my swiss layout and having studied the many photos
cornish trains jez

cornish trains jez

12
gc4946's Model World

A quick (and dirty) Hornby 4VEP makeover

The aim of this weekend project was to model an early refurbished 4VEP based on those outshopped in 1988/89 to run alongside my appropriate loco and MUs that would stand up to the rigours of handling and storage. Hornby's modelled a late refurbished version with cab door sealed headlights so the biggest change was to file off the headlamps. I snapped the fragile front cab handrails several times beforehand so they were replaced by Slaters 20thou X 10thou microstrip, glued onto the bodies, as th
gc4946

gc4946

0
Wenlock's Blog

Time for a Brake! (or two)

GWR 16 ton Toad brake van Diag AA3   Constructed from a Connoisseur etched brass kit. I really rate Jim McGeowen's kits, well thought out, go together well and don't cost the earth. I just wish he did more Edwardian Great Western Stock!           GWR 10t outside wooden framed brake van Diag AA16 Constructed from a WEP etched brass kit. I had real problems with this one! The outside framing has to be folded up along it's length to form a "U" shape
Snitzl's Main Blog

Kimberley - Large Brick Semi.

Construction of a Large Brick Semi for Kimberley.   Using more traditional modeling methods, here is a beginners step by step guide to building  a fairly typical semi-detached structure, based on houses on Newdigate St, Kimberley, Nottingham. Constructed for a layout of Kimberley Station, three models were made, one having the front sliced, due to the back scene. The front of these buildings are only seen  by the operator, which is a shame.  
snitzl

snitzl in Kimberley

0
Stock for Brent 1947 GWR

5512 P4ing the Bachmann model continued

Finally a little more progress Today I soldered up the Mitchell con rods and test fitted to the lock, first test and they are prefect. Although it appears since this afternoons first test the quartering had shifted on the driven axel which now needs to be corrected   The linkage between the pistons and con rods still needs to be drilled (I am reusing the Bachman slider) but I don't have the right drill bit for the job   I also test Fitted the Mitchell pony trucks, which now just need pain
The Fatadder

The Fatadder

0
Engine Wood

'Engine Wood' - more weathered rolling stock

Having had part of 'Engine Wood' set up this afternoon to start the process of fitting baseboard alignment dowels, I took the opportunity to take a few more photos of the recently weathered RTR rolling stock that I did recently:   The Gresley full brake:     A Hawksworth full brake:   Bachmann Mark 1 BG:   Ex-GW horsebox:       Two coach Hawksworth set:           Finally, another photo of the bogie bolster taken last week:
Captain Kernow

Captain Kernow

5
Engine Wood

'Engine Wood' - fitting baseboard alignment dowels

For the last 18 years, each time 'Engine Wood' has been set up, it's been necessary to align the track over the baseboard joints by eye, tightening up the bolts between the boards as you do so. Yes, there are some relatively primitive alignment aids but it generally involves kneeling down and carefully adjusting each baseboard joint by hand, whilst a friend watches the alignment of the rails from a different angle.   I've got fed up with this and have decided to fit C&L alignment dowels be
Captain Kernow

Captain Kernow

4
LC's 5 inch gauge blog

coach completion and RailFest 2012

Hi all   This ones gonna be picture heavy so sorry to anyone with a slow browser!   Went to Railfest on the tuesday bank holiday, took a look around, and despite the weather had a thoroughly enjoyable day. I'm guessing knows the big deal about railfest, so as per you might expect was dominated by the big names in preservation, Mallard, Tornado, Lizzie, truro, and even scotsman, just about back in loco form made it. But luckily a few more workaday forms made it, with everything from the small
London cambrian

London cambrian

3
Wenlock's Blog

Pondering on plans 2

Here's my attempt at resolving some of the issues previously discussed.   I'd appreciate any input as to whether a double slip would be used in this way to provide a catch and protect the main from the loop and sidings.   Thanks in anticipation   Dave
wenlock

wenlock

13
Wenlock's Blog

Pondering on layout plans!

Time has come to start finalising plans for the "Great Railway Project." After numerous drafts and ambitious schemes, that never had any chance of ever being completed, I'm going to settle on something that endeavours to fill the following wish list.   Layout Requirements list   Great Western Railway circa 1907 7mm to the foot O gauge finescale Hand built track/pointwork to a minimum radius of 6 foot Branch line terminus Station platform facing vi
Wenlock's Blog

Great Western Railway 4 wheel Brake 3rd diag T34

This is one of a rake of coaches that I have built to represent a branch line train as running circa 1905. It was constructed from a Slaters Plastikard kit and is to 7mm scale. I added additional detail, including suitable period figures, mirrors and advertisements to the interior compartments. The model was sprayed using my Iwata airbrush with enamel paint and then lined using a Bob Moore pen. Best described as a labour of love, the lining took me ages, but despite a few choice words during it'
Marsh Lane Sidings

In the beginning...

I have been wanting to build a small layout for some time but was not sure what to do. I model B.R. in the early 80s until the end of Speedlink in '91. Trying to design a small layout running both passenger and freight during this time would be hard to achieve. Steam modelers do not have this problem. The move away from 10-foot wheelbase to longer vehicles exacerbated the problem I had.   My interest is in freight trains, as I find these far more interesting than passenger trains. As an exampl
RobboPetes

RobboPetes

3
Brackhampton Snow Hill

Tracklaying continues

Work has commenced on laying the pointwork at the North end of Brackhampton. I've been waiting until Hayfield of this parish (who has been very patient with me and long suiffering) had built enough of the various pointwork to allow me to lay the mainline almost all at once. I didn't want to lay each piece as it was built only to find I had miscalculated and it didn't fit. These first two photos shopw the point work for the mainlines with the trackwork leading to the eastern bay platforms.   T
rovex

rovex

3
Sixties Snapshots - 00 scale

Platform Three

Ten days of continuous sunshine - must be a record for the west of Scotland. However the rains have set in again so back to normal and time for another platform update.     In my previous Blog entries I touched upon basic platform construction and gave some pointers as to the sizes of paving stones. This entry contains some reminders on techniques for marking out the paving.     Work commenced with a nice simple island platform with 'parallel' sides. First I marked out two lines wit
Silver Sidelines

Silver Sidelines

2
Wenlock's Blog

Manning Wardle F class 0-4-0 number 719 "Lady Jayne"

Something a little different that my usual G.W.R. offerings! "Lady Jayne" will be employed on my proposed layout to propel wagons along a private line, leading from a yet decided industry and onto an exchange siding. The loco was built using the Slaters kit as a base, with a lot of additional detail. Before anyone spends time looking through their Manning Wardle archives, the loco Lady Jayne never really existed and is a feeble attempt on my part to keep Mrs Wenlock sweet!    

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