Jules

Hi Mikkel Yes the do run and pivot well. I did have a couple of issues with them: 1. The axle boxes were completely missing on one side of one bogie! Fortunately, I had a couple of spares from a wagon kit (as the coaches are too short I don't think anyone will notice the wrong axle boxes!) The printed axle boxes seem to be attached by only the thinnest bit of plastic, so I can see how they might have got knocked off. 2. To ensure the wheels/axles didn't slop around too much, the brass bearings shouldn't be pushed all the way home. Will I treat my other two clerestories to them? I'm undecided at the moment. While they improve the look no-end, I'm not sure I'm convinced about the overall quality to justify spending the money. Jules

As there have been a couple of wet evenings/mornings over the last couple of days, I have had the chance to perform a minor upgrade to an old Triang/Hornby Clerestory coach. I cannot remember how I found it, but came across this site. After having a browse, I decided to purchase a couple of the Dean 8'6" bogies to see what they would be like as replacements for the BR Mk1 bogies as fitted. First thing to do, was take the coach apart, remove the brass rivet and bin the old bogies. Next, fit brass bearings and wheels to the new printed bogies and trial fit. All seemed ok! The bogies were then painted, and the coach re-assembled. After comparing it to another original coach, it was riding a bit high, so off with the bogies, remove a bit of the moulded boss on the underframe and refit! I also added some internal partitions to break up the empty view through the carriage. It really needs a repaint to match the other coaches, but it will do for now!

Hi Dave Thanks for the Mayshill name-check! I look forward to seeing this incarnation of Danemouth develop. Jules

I hadn't noticed that! He was standing up, but I think I knocked the baseboard. Or he's drunk! (He is not fixed down as I use him to measure heights for, walls, hedges etc!)

Hi Scott, It always amazes me the amount of goods traffic generated by this small terminus - the must be a lot of industry off scene! Jules

Hi Les The grain wagon is a new old wagon! I had it (two actually) on my old layout but it was in BR livery. During a tidy up the railway room, I sort of rediscovered it, changed the BR lettering for NE and put it back in service. As you say, unlikely to have ever turned up on a sleepy GW branch line, but as you say, rule 1! I think if I was to operate Mayshill in true prototypical style, I would soon get bored, hence the unusual and exotic make the odd appearance. Jules

...continued (hit the post button too soon!) The shorty brake van is a chopped down Hornby/Airfix one. I always run it this way round as the gaps between the vertical uprights are more even on this side!

A few pictures from a recent operating session, featuring pannier 3715, initially taking water while on passenger duties, then returning with a goods train, shunting and then departing.

Really enjoyed this layout, nice to see something completely different. the first picture shows the back of my head admiring the layout!!

Look forward to seeing this one develop. Spent lots of my youth spotting from the bridge in Winterbourne - not something that would be easy to do these days!

Nice to see some more pics of BP, and congratulations on the move to 'just outside Totnes'! We often visit that area, as it it where my Dad was from so I have many happy memories of visiting my Grandparents, and the Dart Valley Railway as it was then!

Good luck with the build! I have done 1.5 of these, I bottled on the steps and some of the underframe for the second one!

Thanks for the 'likes' and comments - always much appreciated. Les - the wagon tarpaulins are indeed the Smiths ones. It is quite a while since I fitted them, and I don't remember any particular problems in fitting them. I seem to remember fitting them round the wagon body and folding the sheet sheet to the correct shape, and running my finger along the folds to make the creases obvious. I then removed the sheet from the wagon, and again ran my finger over the folds/creases to really define them. I then put them back on the wagon, and I glued in place using Bostick, held in place with fingers until set. I seem to remember the sheet over the bar was quite a challenge, and that one might have been a bit on the small side - perhaps that is why the other two do not have a raised rail!

The branch goods arrives behind another small prairie! running round Removing the brake van and placing in the headshunt entering the sidings to remove the out going wagons removing the wagons After placing the out going wagons in the loop and attaching to the brake van, the incoming wagons are removed from the platform road I then forgot to take any more photos! I like the make up of the last shot, as all the wagons apart from the Mogo are kit built.

A few pre Christmas pics, as the weather here is grey and gloomy, a few black and white ones... A small prairie arrives with the branch passenger train, and attaches a pre-positioned extra coach for all the extra Christmas shoppers! Passing the barn... passing the dairy slowing to a stop Retrieving the extra coach from the siding the lengthened train Ready to depart

Happy Christmas! Nice job on the prairie re-letting. I did two of mine, plus a pannier, 2251 and something else! It did seem like the old G W R was hardest to remove from the prairies.

Thanks for all the likes, and comments on the changes to Mayshill. Posting the pics spurred me on to do the ballasting, so that makes it look a bit better! I will attempt to keep the thread updated with pictures - but not promising anything There are no current plans for a Dean goods, but then again there were no plans for 3 prairies, 3 pannier tanks, a 58xx or two, 52xx, 43xx 2251...

Enjoyed watching the trains go by on this, especially the banking operation.

Another update! As I had to replace the point at the station throat, I toyed with the idea of replacing it with an asymmetrical 3-way point to create a bay platform. I eventually decoded that this was a step to far! The wiring changes put me off, the under board wiring is quite fragile so I didn't really want to disturb it or have to undertake a major re-wiring. So I just changed the broken point. (no pictures) I did however decided to do some alterations at the platform end. The existing headshunt was a little bit tight for when I run the 43xx, and also meant that a loco and box van were a little tight. Plus the platform ends had never really been finished. Some before pictures : The builders moved in to move the wall at the platform end a couple of inches westwards, extend the track and erect additional station accommodation. As can be seen, ballasting is still required!

Crikey - I cannot believe it was March I last posted anything in this topic! I had taken some photos back in August, and meant to post them then, but somehow didn't get around to it. Anyway, here are the photos I took of that operating session. The session was cut short as the point at the station throat failed - again. There are the usual suspects, pannier, two small prairies and the still running in big freight tank!

Hmmmm a slightly sore point! I haven't done anything on my layout for while (apart from operate it) and was actually in the middle of taking some photos when the point at the station throat failed (again) so all operations were halted. I have manged to replace the point over the weekend, but still need to fettle it, ballast etc.

Hi Scott I think the weathering on the lamp hut looks ok. I like what you are doing with the signal box - it is always nice to include items on the layout that have sentimental value even if not strictly prototypical. Hence my old peco salt wagon on my layout!

I assume that 'Portway Parkway' will be on the Severn Beach branch as the news article says it is next to an existing park and ride car park. The only P&R I know is on the north side of the Avon - unless one has opened up on the south side?

Hi Les Your modelling time seems to be the reverse of mine - the summer months generally signal a halt of railway related activities as keeping the garden in check and generally being outdoors more limits the time to spend up in the railway room! I look forward to seeing your continued updates Jules

Nice to see the developments - there's always something to do isn't there?