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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
    • 2,728 views
Playing with 1/50 scale

The 1/50 project, A low loader wagon

I have been running trains on Kelvinbank. Some cleaning needed but things are running smoothly with one slight annoyance. That tool/riding van I butchered from a Hornby brake. I got annoyed with the wheel flanges hitting chairs and rattling so I swapped the wheelsets out for a proper pair of 51L EM  ones. Ahhh, much better…..   That left me with a pair of 14.2 mm 00 wheels rolling about on the bench. Not going to be used on Kelvinbank, but in 1/50 th thats 710 mm dia. Perhaps a bit sma
Dave John

Dave John in The 1/50 scale project

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Disused and Misused

The Totnes to Dartmouth Extension

Based on a “what-if” scenario, if the GWR had built a line to Dartmouth, putting the GWR “station” building in Dartmouth on a real platform.   Starting in Totnes and proceeding south…   Totnes Station   As was, c.1910. Bottom right is the start of the branch to Totnes Riverside, and the route to Dartmouth. Clearly that would need some enhancement, to provide a better route from Dartmouth back into Totnes.     Next, as it should be, c.19xx. The f
MikeOxon's Broad Gauge Blog

Taking Stock

On one or two occasions, I have received comments along the lines of “we want a layout”. From the beginning of my exploration of the broad gauge, it has been my intention to produce some sort of layout or diorama to display the various models of rolling stock that I’ve constructed.   Of course I already have a small layout carrying both narrow and standard gauge routes, based in Oxfordshire, towards the end of the 19th century. This layout continues to provide entertainment to my grand
MikeOxon

MikeOxon in General

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Northumberton

Vertical track wiring and Faller Kits in Northumberton?

Hello again,   No more Metcalfe models for now, they are a pleasant distraction, however I have been spending some time on a Faller kit - see below. The more relevant news for Northumberton is the installation of the station board with tracks and wiring plus the turntable and its adjacent tracks. I'm using a Heljan turntable code 89121 but I did acquire this several years ago when the DCC version first became available, I was shocked to see the current price of this and would possibly
Northumberton

Northumberton in Track Wiring

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richierich's Blog / D&E WIP Workbench . . .

September 2023 - The Sprinter Outer Gangway Connection Conundrum…

One thing that I have noticed over the years with models is how what are standard sizes on the prototype, when the model manufacturers replicate somehow the accuracy is lost in translation.     I guess the biggest debated model in diesel world exemplified by the many models by difference manufacturers is the Class 37, a popular class of loco, which people scrutinise the dimensions even down position of the rivets and screws head positions. Questionable when the prototypes where built at a
Freshwater, Isle of Wight, in 2FS

The animals are taking over

The petrol station is now firmly planted on the layout, and the final scenic work complete. This entailed more herring gulls, a couple of foxes and a few colonies of rabbits.   The Rev.W Audrey (from ModelU) is pondering over his Bradshaws Guide and deciding if his scooter would get him to Newport in time to see the train just departed from Freshwater arrive there.     This fox (also from ModelU) is not looking for fish.     Rabbits are more to
Ian Morgan

Ian Morgan in The Layout

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richierich's Blog / D&E WIP Workbench . . .

September 2023 - Lima Class 156 Super Sprinter Part 2 - Bogie Frame Mods

Decided today to do a little bit more tinkering with the Lima Class 156 bogie. I’ve found the best dummy wheelsets are those Hornby use on their production of the former Lima 156, which are 11mm diameter, which is about right for a BT38 bogie. However these aren’t cheap.….  The bogie frame has had a bit more plastic cut away to represent the prototype, including removing the moulding the coupler.    So fitted some pin point bearings. I think these are from Markits MPP/B. Dri
richierich

richierich in Lima / Hornby Class 156

0
A Sussex countryside model railway

Filling in a gap..

.. in Lyghtondown.  The good yard didn't have any form of cattle or livestock facility.  Given that the size of the yard in real terms is, well, really, really tiny, this was never going to be a trivial decision or subsequent action.   I had a choice of either putting a more normal dock in on the same siding as the coal staithes (?) where it could be basically rectangular, or "jamming" it between the good shed siding and the main good siding but necessitating some significant black bel
jeff_p

jeff_p in Lyghtondown

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46444's Blog

Bachmann 7327 Detailing Continued. A Cheeky Little Rascal.

Eveventually I came across some pictures of Collett cabbed Moguls with lining which answered my previous question.   Using Fox GWR/BR passenger loco lining I have finished the lining out including the wheel splashers.     The lining transfers were fixed with Johnson's Kleer when in the correct place. Once dry a couple of light coats of Halfords Laquer varnish was applied. To tone things down a misting of Halfords Matt varnish was then applied    
46444

46444 in 46444 Blog

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Jim Champ's "Introduction to Great Western Locomotive Development"

GWR Nos 34, 35 0-4-0s (Shrewsbury and Chester - 1853) and 0-6-0s (Wolverhampton, 1866)

Numbers 34 and 35 seem to have been reserved for oddities! Later there were a couple of Dean 0-4-4Ts. The original GWR 34 & 35 were a pair of locomotives built by the Vulcan Foundry which the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway bought off the shelf in 1853, and one may suspect at a bargain price. They could be described as long boiler 0-4-0 tender engines, but the drive was not to either wheel axle, but to an intermediate crank axle, somewhat in the position that the middle driving axle of a lo
JimC

JimC in GWR Locomotive Sketches

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MikeOxon's Broad Gauge Blog

A Missing Link?

In my last few posts, I’ve been delving into the almost lost world of the early days of the GWR broad gauge. I notice that my previous post aroused little comment so, perhaps, I have moved rather too far from what most people think of as ‘railway modelling’ - but I do like using models as a way of improving our understanding of these early engines.  I do appreciate the various 'likes' that many of you have given me.   Before I move back into more familiar territory, there is one more p
MikeOxon

MikeOxon in General

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46444's Blog

Asking for a friend?...Bachmann 'Old School' GWR/BR 2-6-0 Mogul detailing: 7327

Recently a good friend of mine picked up a fairly decent 'old school' Bachmann split chassis GWR Mogul.   In this instance the Collett cabbed later prototype version.     I said I would give it a service and make good any problem areas.    Initially the model came in unlined economy BR green. Something 7327 carried in later life. The Bachmann green was a bit flat. I decided I would give it a makeover for him.    I carefully removed the moulded
46444

46444 in 46444 Blog

5
Disused and Misused

Calne to Hungerford – a missing link in Eastern Wiltshire

Calne to Hungerford – a missing link in Eastern Wiltshire   By invitation only. Summons to Briefing Briefing location : Marlborough College, Combined Cadet Force Hut Date and time : 30th February, 1940, 09:00 Normal "Top Secret" rules apply. RSVP   Briefing Introduction   Right chaps, glad you all got the invitations, you all know each other, so stand easy and gather round.   Firstly, a hearty “thank you” to the Headmaster, Francis Me
DBC90024's Blog

Johnson Street IEMD - loco update - 7th September 2023

Another arrival in the Long term store siding    Since 90031 arrived in my long term siding, it was always my intention to have another Crewe Long Termer (LTS - Long Term Storage) join them for company and to add to the scene space. The layout is becoming a kind of diorama in some ways, and although 90031 is DCC fitted, there isn't any plan for it be going anywhere.   Soooo, what should join 90031, well, if one looks at what has been sitting alongside them for a good long tim
Freshwater, Isle of Wight, in 2FS

Petrol Station for Freshwater

Finally, I have got round to creating the last building required for my Freshwater layout. There were two reasons for the procrastination afforded to this project. Firstly, the building is right at the front of the layout, and would get in the way, or be damaged, when working on other parts of the layout. The second reason was the severe shortage of images or information about the petrol station as it was in the 1940's or 1950's.   Having completed the rest of the layout scenics, excus
Ian Morgan

Ian Morgan in Structures

0
How to Not Build a Model Railway

How to not plan a model railway (part 4) - In which we find an unexpected ending...

At the end of my last post I was thinking of a North American standard gauge HO project again.  It would be instead of the European one I'd been edging towards since being joyfully distracted by my Roco HO OBB Taurus loco (and all that followed).   I previously shifted my focus stateside last November, but while I already have about forty US HO freight cars and kits, plus kits for buildings, I hadn't managed to find the inspiration to keep going when my ideas for a layout design got a
Disused and Misused

The North & South Wiltshire Railway – N&SWR - (Swindon to Salisbury)

The North & South Wiltshire Railway – N&SWR - (Swindon to Salisbury)   Preamble   My interest in this was sparked during the development of the Calne & Hungerford Railway by a question from @Northroader     Praise where it's due, @Mikkel's Farthing line is excellent in its own right. Please do have a look, it’s worth it.     That crossing point is (I believe) near Avebury Trusloe. But (opening a can of worms) I wondered where the r
Disused and Misused

Lyme Regis stations, with the Funicular Railway

Lyme Regis stations, with the funicular railway   By way of two reports in the Lyme Regis Gazette and Herald.   Report in the Lyme Regis Gazette and Herald (1st April, 1899) By our staff reporter Ronald Waffle.   Grand Opening of The Bridport, Lyme Regis and Axminster Railway (BLR&A)   Today I was privileged to witness a great day in the rich history of our great town of Lyme Regis. A veritable throng of citizens gathered for the grand opening of
Disused and Misused

Ocean Quay and the Mount Wise Dock

Why?   I fancied Ocean Quay as a modelling opportunity. I've not seen it modelled by anyone else (yet?), and I'd been wondering where to find any pictures of the quayside station. There's a few pics of the Stonehouse branch from Devonport station here on this Cornwall Railway Society page. http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/millbay-friary--stonehouse-branch.html   But no pics there of the station or quay themselves. The only pic I've found of the station so far is
Chesworth - Horsham MRC's 00 Finescale project

Decision time on priorities

August was a productive month, but there is still much to do to get the layout ready for the Dorking show, even as a work in progress job. We're hoping that some of the things we are trying to do are of interest to visitors, there will be plenty of other layouts with trains running on them through completed scenery. We can't escape from the fact though that making models of real buildings is a lot more time-consuming than throwing together a Metcalfe kit or that making trees from thin wire takes
whart57

whart57 in Monthly Reports

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