That looks very good Pete. I'm especially taken by the understated appearance of the whole thing, and how effectively the dries set off the stock. Yet at the same time the structures have enough variety to make them interesting when you look more closely.

The moss on the roof is a stroke of genius, adding a subdued but effective splash of colour and visually separating the roof from the background.

The arrangement illustrates the principle of having a single long structure that stretches from one end of a small layout to the other, something I've been pondering. Thanks for the inspiration yet again!

I went specially to see it and it didn't disappoint. If you wanted to ring the changes I've seen an 03 on the branch hauling a brake van special - if you ever do an O gauge show everyone could supply a guest brake van!

Looks great - I assume the class 37 is running under rule 1 conditions :)

Having spent the weekend operating Ewe alongside Pete, I can vouch for just how good this layout looks and sounds. 

Visually, it's an understated delight and for someone who welcomes the less is more approach Wenford Dries really floated one's boat. 

Rob

13 hours ago, Mikkel said:

That looks very good Pete. I'm especially taken by the understated appearance of the whole thing, and how effectively the dries set off the stock. Yet at the same time the structures have enough variety to make them interesting when you look more closely.

 

The moss on the roof is a stroke of genius, adding a subdued but effective splash of colour and visually separating the roof from the background.

 

The arrangement illustrates the principle of having a single long structure that stretches from one end of a small layout to the other, something I've been pondering. Thanks for the inspiration yet again!

 

 

 

Many thanks for your kind comments Mikkel. 
 

As I was explaining to visitors at the weekend, the mirror was introduced to give a hint at the length of the building as they are so long I could probably have modelled another board of it however I didn’t think that would particularly add anything to the layout…hence the mirror gag!

I did want to capture a slice of the different treatments to the openings along it’s length as I thought that would provide some visual interest.

11 hours ago, Hal Nail said:

I went specially to see it and it didn't disappoint. If you wanted to ring the changes I've seen an 03 on the branch hauling a brake van special - if you ever do an O gauge show everyone could supply a guest brake van!

Many thanks also Hal Nail - I think I have that photo too showing the BV special! The layout started as a 7mm toe dip using one loco…I now have accumulated about 9 so I best hold off on the 03!

7 hours ago, Halvarras said:

That was D2127 in June 1966 Hal, unusually still wasp-stripeless by then (Heljan ref 2052 just the job, only needs numbers adding). 

 

Lovely job Pete, as Mikkel says the understated appearance works so well, as does the end mirror making the long straight building look even longer - as it was in reality. I visited the site in April 1968 (with a schoolfriend and his dad who drove us there) hoping to see the "Drewry" but the Class 03s had departed the previous year and we found Class 08 D3255 there instead. I walked part of the branch around 1970/71 and often wished I'd visited the line again since as it had a charm all of its own, but life and circumstances got in the way. I found myself in Bodmin in early September 1983 and did think about it again, but with a family in tow by then I rejected the idea - the line closed 3 weeks later, having existed for 149 years, and that was that!

 

Of course it's well known that Class 37s could never have traversed the branch, I believe the only bogie vehicle allowed up it was the SR's 'Queen Mary' brake van (and S56294 has been recorded) but prototypical operation would be a little dull so......Rule 1 enacted! Coincidentally I have a Bachmann model of 37412 sitting in my modelling room right now, I discovered it on a market stall earlier this year for £40 in need of a little TLC and aware that it worked the china clays in full Scottish regalia from August 1989 it had to join my other three Cornish 37s 😁!

 

If you do bring the layout along to Camborne (whether the trains stop there or not!) at some point I'll have to come along and see it 👍

Many thanks also Halvarras - TBH I was quite enjoying just running the layout with the 08. The sound gives a micro layout a little something else and I was only too happy to get the 37 out of the box!

Would love to bing it to Camborne so I could actually visit the branch myself although I think the van hire is the sticking point.

6 hours ago, rab said:

Looks great - I assume the class 37 is running under rule 1 conditions :)

Many thanks Rab - Indeed, Rule 1 was administered at the weekend!

2 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

Having spent the weekend operating Ewe alongside Pete, I can vouch for just how good this layout looks and sounds. 

 

Visually, it's an understated delight and for someone who welcomes the less is more approach Wenford Dries really floated one's boat. 

 

Rob

 

Many thanks also Rob,

Being an Architect, the Less is More approach is something I subscribe too in my day job! Very kind of you to say so and I appreciated being located alongside yourself exhibiting the fabulous Ewe layout which is very inspirational.

9 hours ago, bcnPete said:

As I was explaining to visitors at the weekend, the mirror was introduced to give a hint at the length of the building as they are so long I could probably have modelled another board of it however I didn’t think that would particularly add anything to the layout…hence the mirror gag!

The mirror seems to work very well. One problem I remember when trying it out was that it looked a bit odd when a train arrived from two directions at the same time on the same track. But that was a small 4mm scale micro layout. Here I can imagine that the distances are big enough so that the viewer has to focus on the real train when it moves, and not really noticing the train in the mirror.

3 hours ago, Mikkel said:

 

The mirror seems to work very well. One problem I remember when trying it out was that it looked a bit odd when a train arrived from two directions at the same time on the same track. But that was a small 4mm scale micro layout. Here I can imagine that the distances are big enough so that the viewer has to focus on the real train when it moves, and not really noticing the train in the mirror.

 

Yes this is still a problem in the senior scale! But moreso when you are standing at the Fiddle yard end looking back. I decided that this was a small compromise to make though and some people at the show didn’t notice it was a mirror until it was pointed out!

Very nice Pete

The world needs more china clay layouts!

6 hours ago, ullypug said:

Very nice Pete

The world needs more china clay layouts!

Many thanks Andrew…I agree (am back on a 2FS one now 😉)

Good to see the little orange people in their rightful place Pete. I believe a driver and relief shunter will soon be on their way. 

Sounds like Wenford was well received and has captured the essence of the setting nicely. 

I would agree with Andrew. We certainly need more china clay layouts in this world and glad to hear of more 2mmFS Cornish goings on.

There's one for my varifocals...

Cheers,

Mark

8 hours ago, 46444 said:

Good to see the little orange people in their rightful place Pete. I believe a driver and relief shunter will soon be on their way. 

 

Sounds like Wenford was well received and has captured the essence of the setting nicely. 

 

I would agree with Andrew. We certainly need more china clay layouts in this world and glad to hear of more 2mmFS Cornish goings on.

 

There's one for my varifocals...

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Many thanks Mark.

Was one of the most asked questions at the weekend - “where’s the driver in the 08!” I did experiment having a figure clinging to the front steps of the 08 too…then found it wouldn’t pass through the apertures to the Fiddleyard 🙄

Thanks again for providing the shunter crew - it’s good prep for your venture 😉

8 hours ago, marc smith said:

Really glad the first show went well. The layout is looking great, I must say. Shame I couldn't be there to witness the inaugural exhibition. Hopefully, I'll get to see it in future. 

 

Excellent modeling sir 😀 

Many thanks also Marc - Of course all credit should go to yourself for starting me on 7mm with your excellent micro layouts - does that me I can invoice you for all the purchases since? 😂

7 hours ago, LBRJ said:

Nice to know that Wenford was so well received at it's first show.

It really is another outstanding exercise in beautifully observed and nicely restrained modelling.

 

I think you have managed to get that subtle ghostly pallor, that china clay facilities tend to have, really spot on. 

The moss on the roof  looks just right and it does add some colour to the scene.

Many thanks too LBRJ.

The moss and the white to the dries were virtually the last two things I did as I had been mulling it over for a long time how to try and capture the look without over cooking things. I think the 08 could also have a few subtle white stains added as well as some more work done on the China clay hoodies…

Beautiful, just beautiful.  That has turned out just right, Pete.  The mirror trick is brilliant and I noticed that you have it exactly square on so the illusion works perfectly.  Architecturally sound and neat workmanship as per usual from you.  Proper Museum/display quality.  

On 02/01/2024 at 20:01, PaternosterRow said:

Beautiful, just beautiful.  That has turned out just right, Pete.  The mirror trick is brilliant and I noticed that you have it exactly square on so the illusion works perfectly.  Architecturally sound and neat workmanship as per usual from you.  Proper Museum/display quality.  

Many thanks indeed Mike for your kind words.

Yes I was pleased how the mirror worked out - otherwise I would have curved the back scene slightly.

As an update, I seemed to have cracked the 3 link couplings. Have replaced the end links with some steel links and made a brass rod with a miniture 1x2mm magnet in one end - coupling and uncoupling now a lot smoother...and quicker 😅

On 26/10/2023 at 06:45, bcnPete said:

Many thanks Mark.

 

Was one of the most asked questions at the weekend - “where’s the driver in the 08!” I did experiment having a figure clinging to the front steps of the 08 too…then found it wouldn’t pass through the apertures to the Fiddleyard 🙄

I have a steam roller on my layout, without driver or steerage chain.  If I get asked where the chain is, I say "the driver has gone to look for it"