The Bigbee Line

I currently try and focus on the main projects and not to get diverted.... This post caught my attention. I wondered if the chassis had any possible UK uses... What size wheels are fitted and what sort of wheelbase, last question.. would the motor fit in the typical UK boiler... Thanks in advance. p.s. I've already trawled ebay, saw some reasonably priced WM 2-8-0's, have you come across those... maybe for a Z'ish 0-8-0 tank...

Test shot. - Verdict - Good enough. I’ve also knocked up a station building “footprint”

I added the left hand “glass” and label framing. I beaded a thin layer of PVA to give the outer frame some texture. Made a slight mistake as some wicked between the panes. The layer of card under the second window added some nice relief. This is a test placement in the end position. Here on the side.

Today Matthew I’ll be making windows. My various attempts at windows have taken me up the learning curve. Bars too thick, not enough relief etc. So this time I’ve drawn a guide onto a buff envelope for better contrast when adding the glazing bars. Strips of self adhesive label are cut for the basic frames. The right hand window slides behind the left hand window when it opens. To give this relief I’ve added a card frame to move the left hand window forwards. The glass for this is stuck to the first layer of label (seems to have better stiction than PVA to the glazing.). Just got to wait for the PVA to dry...

Paul Thanks. Just actually putting my Dunces hat on..... No electric light in the box, but the signalling instruments and telephones would need batteries. What sort of maintenance regime were they on. How often and where were they charged. Also railways often had “accumulator vans” in Es (Engineers) use. Did these deliver charged accumulators on a circuit (pardon the pun) working.

I'm building up the core for the roof section and planning the barge boards. I also made another 'draft' window. Here placed in the frame... I need to create a 'business card' frame, paint green and add... The roof trimmed so far... Here is the prototype cabin, what is in the cupboards , located on the side? Any ideas.. Here is a close up....

Tonight I made a solid core for the signal box roof.

A bit more painting titivation and illusion......

I’ve added a bit of representative colour to the levers. Starting to look the part. Blue levers are the facing point locks. Red the signals and Black are points.

I’ve created a representation of the lever frame. Evergreen section was used. Plus some scrap styrene. Its had a small fettle.

Finally got confirmation of the number of wire stands..... Fence Nerd now....

John, On Bullhead track, the check rail can be fixed just by the wooden keys, but this gives the chance that soggy keys will allow the check rail to flex towards the gauge, allowing the wheels to rub the crossing nose and eventually ride up the crossing and derail. The answer was to bolt the check rail to the running rail and fit a spacer block in between. Usually 3 blocks per check rail. There are also spaced clocks on slide chairs to give the switch rail some support. These vary in dimension depending which chair they are fitted to. I'll look for some pictures... It is one thing I always look for when visiting a yard.. Thanks Ernie

At the same time as the actual modelling I'm always researching 'Hayling Island' for that extra detail etc. One thing on my hit list are the poster boards in the car park. The Martin Welch book 'Southern Counties Branch Line Steam' published by Capital Transport. Lots of inspirational colour pictures. One shows a posterboard with 4 posters. One is for cheap tickets for a Football Match at Fratton Park. Here is the draft version of my rendition

Alex I’ve not got that book, so ordered it tonight. This was the first stab. The door was a test. I’ll do a proper planked job tomorrow....

I’ve been trying some colours to see what would look right. Here is the second go. Quite bright. But it should weather down.

I’ve been adding the barge boards. First set in place. Them made a few details. The writing desk, here being formed from bits of card. Finally the wood support that with take the phone. To cover the garish box covering I will add some faux planking from shellaced paper.

I found another excellent picture on the internet.. Posted on flickr by Pete Brabham https://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/44783177940/in/faves-55938574@N03/ Peter has give prmission for its use. It shows Terrier 32646 at terminus of Hayling Island Branch during October 1962, the original picture was taken by John Wiltshire: Peter Brabham collection. For me these pictures are 'national treasures'

I knocked up a core for the roof from a business card..... Shellac coated, then folded and three internal ribs glued in. The Flickr image in the background will be my colour match. Using the figure in the doorway I could create a Tromp-l’oeil, the art technique that uses realistic imagery to create an optical illusion that the depicted object exists in 3 dimensions. Finally some of the trackside vegetation including SR 8 wire fencing.....

Phase 2 windows on a trial run. The bars in general need thinning. I’ve got to find my ruling pen. But that will be for tomorrow.

The Signal Box proceeds. Here with the door posed....

Here the two sub assemblies stood together. Not too bad. I’ve glued and clamped the 3rd corner.

A side and end were glued together, then held square by earth blocks....

The signal box has progressed. A layer of boards added. The windows were much thought about. Probably over thinking. So I cut out some clear plastic packaging and cut some thin strips of paper label. A test window was knocked up..... Quite easy. Interestingly my planned method was OTT and this will be much easier. I’ll lay out the frames on the clear plastic. Then cut out each window. The edges will get some white paint. Then the whole window sealed with varnish.

The signal box has progressed. A layer of boards added. The windows were much thought about. Probably over thinking. So I cut out some clear plastic packaging and cut some thin strips of paper label. A test window was knocked up..... Quite easy. Interestingly my planned method was OTT and will be much easier. I’ll lay out the frames on the clear plastic. Then cut out each window. The edges will get some white paint. Then the whole window sealed with varnish.

Simon For the times a classic pose Ernie