Churminster & Stowe Magna, Southern Railway

[Tony Teague]

On 22/09/2021 at 23:07, Jack P said:

Those locos all look the business, the U especially. 

 

How would you compare the Kitbuilt I3 to the OO works I3? 

 

Interesting question Jack, and back in January I covered their relative haulage ability at that time:

 

 

Now that it is fixed, I think the SEF model will easily outhaul the OO works versions and cope with the Sunny South Express, but on a broader basis, neither model is up to what I perceive as being 'modern RTR standards':

 

 

 

Whilst both have cast bodies, so are heavy, and equally are pretty good representations of the overall body shape, but the buffers on the SEF model (2091) look a bit chunky, whilst the lettering on the OO Works model (2023) looks a bit heavy. The OO Works version seems to have sharper, less rounded corners, and a skinnier chimney than I am seeing on prototype images, but it also has a modern coreless motor which is quieter but not necessarily more powerful (it won't pull the Sunny South Express for example).

 

 

 

 

 

So for me it is a very close thing, and with No.2091 now having the edge on hauling capability, I think it is that one which will be on the front of the SSE from now on.

 

Tony

Edited November 24, 2022 by Tony Teague

[Tony Teague]

The long gap between posts seems to have become the norm, but there has been some activity even if it is only slight!

 

First off, Arun Sharma has been working for some time on a kit of parts for the LB&SCR C3 loco & tender which is one of those on my 'Missing List'; during this time it became apparent that the C3 tenders had been exchanged during the 1930's for tenders from older, & by then scrapped, B2X locos. Arun delivered the loco parts a little while ago, and then in the last couple of weeks he has produced the parts for the B2X tender - so now both have been despatched to my chosen builder to await their turn in his build queue.

 

[Original image cannot be located]

This was the first test build of the loco (courtesy of Arun Sharma); and all will be revealed in due course!

 

Secondly, and after a pandemic-enforced absence of just over 18 months, Mike Gascoigne has recently returned to complete the backscene along the Churminster side of the layout. If one looks at this image of platform 1 at Churminster Station, the current end of the backscene can clearly be seen (or scene, perhaps?).

 

 

After a couple of further sessions, Mike has now completed the 4 remaining panels which will stretch from here towards the mouth of Stowe Magna tunnel, where they will join up with work already completed. Parts of the first two of the four new panels are shown here propped in position but not yet fixed:

 

 

I think they make an immense difference! The paint on the last two panels is drying on the workbench:

 

 

In the meantime I have been working to complete the platform canopies for Stowe Magna Station, and so there is now little excuse for me to avoid finishing this work and fixing them in place!

 

Tony

Edited November 24, 2022 by Tony Teague

[Arun Sharma]

That's nice Tony.

As it happens, I've just received back from the casters the lost-wax castings for the 7mm versions of the C3 and its B2X tender. The 7mm etches for the tender footplate and internal chassis should also be back from PPD very soon. The tender tank and toolboxes are Hi-Res 3D prints but I might get them done by CMA-CSL in resin if I release it as a kit.

 

 

[Nick Holliday]

18 hours ago, Tony Teague said:

First off, Arun Sharma has been working for some time on a kit of parts for the LB&SCR C3 loco & tender which is one of those on my 'Missing List'; during this time it became apparent that the C3 tenders had been exchanged during the 1930's for tenders from older, & by then scrapped, B2X locos. Arun delivered the loco parts a little while ago, and then in the last couple of weeks he has produced the parts for the B2X tender - so now both have been despatched to my chosen builder to await their turn in his build queue

The tender saga regarding C3 and B2X is rather more complex than the above suggests.  The C3 were built with 3,112 gallon tenders, weighing 37½ tons.  The B2X conversions originally retained the tenders they had as B2's, with a capacity of only 2,420 gallons and weighing 32t 13cwt, but they had received additional well tanks which increased the capacity to 2,985 gallons. By 1914 it had become apparent that the C3's were not exactly brilliant performers and were allocated tasks which did not require such a large tender, and by 1919 the whole class had swapped tenders with 10 of the B2X.  After grouping, as the B2X were withdrawn, 3 of the old C3 tenders were swapped back to C3's 303, 308 and 309, in 1930, 1937 and 1932 respectively.

So, from 1906 to around 1916, the C3's hauled their larger tenders; from various dates around 1916 they were coupled to the smaller ex-B2X tenders, and from around 1932, three of them re-acquired their original larger tenders, seven presumably going to scrap in the fifties pulling the older ex-B2X tenders.

[Tony Teague]

1 hour ago, Nick Holliday said:

The tender saga regarding C3 and B2X is rather more complex than the above suggests.  The C3 were built with 3,112 gallon tenders, weighing 37½ tons.  The B2X conversions originally retained the tenders they had as B2's, with a capacity of only 2,420 gallons and weighing 32t 13cwt, but they had received additional well tanks which increased the capacity to 2,985 gallons. By 1914 it had become apparent that the C3's were not exactly brilliant performers and were allocated tasks which did not require such a large tender, and by 1919 the whole class had swapped tenders with 10 of the B2X.  After grouping, as the B2X were withdrawn, 3 of the old C3 tenders were swapped back to C3's 303, 308 and 309, in 1930, 1937 and 1932 respectively.

So, from 1906 to around 1916, the C3's hauled their larger tenders; from various dates around 1916 they were coupled to the smaller ex-B2X tenders, and from around 1932, three of them re-acquired their original larger tenders, seven presumably going to scrap in the fifties pulling the older ex-B2X tenders.

 

I'd better be careful what number I choose!

[Tony Teague]

I decided to take a day out on Monday, and having recently heard about the permanently exhibited "Famous Trains" layout in Derby, I paid it a visit; sadly I'm afraid that I was not that impressed.   I wouldn't normally criticise, but this layout is as I say, on permanent display and whilst it is certainly large - at about 60 feet long  - and the centrally featured station of Chinley is scale length and very nicely constructed, the layout's name and it's marketing, implies that what you will see is a succession of named 'famous trains' - and I didn't see a single one!

 

It was very quiet and there were more staff present (volunteers I imagine) than customers, but the famous trains remained firmly at the back in their storage sidings whilst an HST, a coal train and another modern freight rain continuous loops at high speed. Nothing was seen of what must be the considerable operating potential of Chinley Station, whilst in the subsidiary displays two derailments within a few minutes were distracting,. So whilst I am certain that the layout has considerable potential, it wasn't displayed at it's best for me. Fortunately the entry fee is modest at £2.50 = but parking cost almost twice this and when you add a 120mile round trip, I was certainly hoping for more! Sorry guys!

 

Back to the layout........

With Mike having made progress on the backscenes there is now little excuse for me not to work on what is in front of it!

 

This week I have been working on the platform canopies for Stowe Magna Station, where platform 1 has been completed for a long time, with the canopy over platforms 2 & 3 part built but never finished.

 

 

At close of play today, the platform 2-3 canopy is complete barring some Southern cream paint, whilst the new canopy for platforms 4 & 5 is structurally completed, part painted but lacking any supports! (Shown here just retsing in place).

 

The decision at this point has been to leave passengers on platforms 6 & 7 without any shelter from the elements, but whether I will change my mind once these are completed, only time will tell.

 

 

Progress has not been as quick as I would like, partly because each canopy has two lengths of 0.45 brass wire threaded under them, to which some LED pendant lamps are soldered, but I am hoping the end appearance will justify the effort.

 

Tony

Edited November 24, 2022 by Tony Teague

[Tony Teague]

A very productive visit by Giles over the last couple of days made for good progress!

 

First we finished off the CCTV installation started further up this page, by adding the remaining camers and illuminating the darker nooks & crannies with LED strips; the latter will prevent the cameras switching to night mode and emitting infra-red light which would be likely to interfere with the numerous IRDOT detectors around the layout.

 

 

This is now what the operator sees at the main control console (the untidy wiring was never designed to be seen on the big screen but is unlikely to be re-layed!), so there will be little excuse for not knowing what is happening or whether a train is moving according to instructions.

The CCTV control box has recording capability but I can't for the life of me think why I would want to replay a particular train movement!

 

With this job completed we turned our attention to the Faller Road system - the running track for which has been in place since very early on. The route loops around Churminster Market Square and then runs the full length of the room / layout before descending to a turning circle hidden beneath RAF Charmy Bottom.

 

 

So this was our starting point, and we first fitted the space with our last remaining camera so that the operator will be able to see the status of the turning circle.

 

 

We then removed the turning circle (which is cut from 6mm ply) and fitted it with side "safety barriers" made from plasticard off-cuts - although no vehicle so far has ever managed to fall off! - plus 4 Faller 'Parking Stop' devices and 4 miniature IR detectors (one detector only shown here):

 

 

Now re-installed, this set up will facilitate the running of up to 4 road vehicles in turn, along the roadway and back, with fully automated control being achieved via an Arduino and a bank of relays linked to both the detectors and the electro-magnetic coils within the Faller devices:

 

 

We managed to complete and fully test the installation, with only some refinement of the Arduino program left to be completed, however, as the eagle-eyed will have noticed, one problem remains - which is that Faller only make HO vehicles of faily modern vintage, and so whilst I can run the system, there is a significant amount of work to do in converting vehicles to my 1938 - 48 era of choice!  I'd welcome hearing about any experiences ffrom others having done this!

 

Finally - the road turning circle as seen from the Control Console:

 

 

Tony

Edited November 24, 2022 by Tony Teague

[Tony Teague]

It feels about the right time to be writing an "annual review" covering the achievements of 2021 - and I have to say that before I sat down and thought about it, there didn't seem much to say, such has been the effect of my prolonged mojo-loss this year!

 

In looking back, however, there have been some significant milestones, and so taking things by area, here goes!

 

In setting out my Loco Department priorities for 2021, I said:

     1. Reduce the "Missing List" by perhaps 3, to just 9; the deliveries are likely to come from the E5X, Hecate, and perhaps the C3 or C14. It would be good to firm up on plans for those that      

      remain, but it is encouraging that since I re-published the list just a few days ago, I have received updates on no less than 5 of the 12.

     2. Weather some more of the loco fleet; the 25% given above is accurate, so I'd perhaps like to get this up to say 35% but preferably to include the trains that go with the locos.

 

Well the "Missing List" was indeed reduced by three, albeit not the three that I had predicted!

 

 

Mike Edge delivered a fine model of No.949 'Hecate' (seen here with a fine coating of dust!), and I completed a model of Waterloo & City line shunter DS75 from components provided by Arun Sharma:

 

 

Unexpectedly, and courtesy of @Nick C, the third loco to arrive was ex-Plymouth Dockyard Co. No.3458 'Ironside' - and regrettably he / she / it is still awaiting some fettling, but can certainly be crossed off the list.

 

 

There were some further additions to the loco roster, although they didn't affect the Missing List, being:

 - an LMS, ex-LNWR coal tank to work an odd inter-regional parcels train, once photographed at East Croydon

 - Bachmann H1 No.2038 'Portland Bill'

 - Hornby Merchant Navy No.21C7 'Aberdeen Commonwealth'

 - 2 x Rails / Dapol ex-SECR D class locos - one in a dreadful yellowy-green livery

 

Arun Sharma delivered a full kit of parts for the ex-LB&SCR C3 loco, and these are now with the intended builder (however, I will not remove the loco from the Missing List until it is built), whilst just 8 further locos were weathered.

 

So where does that leave the loco fleet? Well it is still at just 25% weathered, because additions to stock have off-set the small number passing by the paint booth!  The updated "Missing List" is indeed down to just 9 as planned, whilst status of each model that remains is as follow:

 

B&SCR Billinton E5X     (4) - build yet to re-start, using a 3D printed body and SEF E5 chassis that has been in stock for more than two and a half years! (a disgrace!).

LB&SCR Marsh C3         (8) - Arun Sharma's 'kit of parts' for the loco and related B2X tender, both with the intended builder & awaiting a slot in his work queue.

LB&SCR Marsh D3X      (1) - the solution proposed has been through a 3D printed body, and use of the chassis from a Chivers D3 kit, which is in stock, however, design work on the body

                                                 has yet to start so this one is not going to be a quick win.

LB&SCR Billinton B4X (12) - A commission for this to be built from existing etches has been agreed, and so this one awaits its turn on the builder's list.

SECR Wainwright F1     (9) - SER Kits have design and drawings in hand for a 7mm kit which they have indicated they are prepared to scale down to produce 4mm etches; I am also now aware

                                                 of a proposal for this (and the B1) to be produced via 3D printing

SECR Wainwright B1    (16) - Mike Edge's offer to build the Jidenco kit accepted, although this will have to wait its turn in his workbook.

LSWR Drummond S11 (10) - Andy Sparks has offered to assist with the build of what is a set of L12 body parts (S11 = L12 with smaller wheels or T9 with large boiler & smaller wheels); I have

                                                   yet  to acquire the correct driving wheels which are now available from Markits; the plan is to use an adapted SE Finecast T9 chassis.

LSWR Drummond C14  (3) - Mike Edge has recently produced a test build for what is likely to become a Judith Edge kit during 2022 and I am hoping to be near the front of Mike's build queue

SR Maunsell I1X            (18) - Development of a 3D printed body has re-started; the intention remains to combine this with Alan Gibson milled chassis frames which are in stock

 

So it seems to me that the aim for 2022 should probably be to target a further reduction of 3 although, with the exception of the E5X, I am very much in the hands and subject to the goodwill of the builders concerned.

Increasing the proportion of the loco fleet that is weathered is much more within my control, so I will re-instate the aim of a 10% increase to 35% of the fleet and see what may happen!

 

I will deal with Rolling Stock and other progress in a subsequent update.

 

Tony
 

Edited November 24, 2022 by Tony Teague

[thegreenhowards]

A good summary Tony. Seems like reasonable progress for a ‘low mojo’ year! Are the parts for the S11 available for me to work on?

 

Merry Christmas,

 

Andy

 

 

[Tony Teague]

Hi Andy

I think the answer is yes!

I'm delighted that you are still willing to take it on.

There is a box out there marked "S11" which is promising - I'll check the contents and report back, so that if there is anything missing I can source it.

Will get back to you and then work out how I can get things to you.

Best wishes & have a great Christmas!

Tony

 

[Jack P]

Fantastic update Tony, lots done and lots more in the works.

 

I'm very keen to get my hands on one of those kits of C3 parts!

Were you aware that PDK are working on an S11 kit? Probably less likely to be around before the one Andy's offered to work on though!

 

Happy holidays to you, I hope all is well on your side of the world!

[Tony Teague]

1 hour ago, Jack P said:

Fantastic update Tony, lots done and lots more in the works.

 

I'm very keen to get my hands on one of those kits of C3 parts!

Were you aware that PDK are working on an S11 kit? Probably less likely to be around before the one Andy's offered to work on though!

 

Happy holidays to you, I hope all is well on your side of the world!

Hi Jack

Thanks, and no I wasn't but I shall keep an eye out.

Are you aware of an L12 kit from Terry Page? See in the link below:

https://timhalesblog.blogspot.com/2021/10/return-of-l12.html

I am well so far......have a great Christmas!

Tony

 

[Tony Teague]

I'm not normally precise about numbers - usually I represent 3 or more as "several", but before continuing the review of 2021, I thought I'd just throw in a few interesting stats - well they're interesting to me!

 

I will get to the C &SM control panels in due course but following a quick count up, they utilise (approximately):

     140 toggle switches

     190 push button switches

     225 LED's

 

Helping to control the layout are (approximately):

     120 IR detectors

       60 Relays

       24 DCC Concepts lever switches

       13 Gaugemaster controllers

 

I have not been able to get an accurate number for points and point motors, whilst estimating the total length or wire used is completely beyond me - but it is all done on the "2 wire" basis - 2 wires to everything!

 

I must need therapy!

 

Tony

[Tony Teague]

OK moving on with the Review of 2021 to Rolling Stock; being frank, I havent achieved too much! My aims for 2021 were:

 

1. Get some further whole trains weathered; currently I estimate that there are only 8 complete trains weathered, and so a long way to go here. A target to double this would not seem unachieveable but each one will be a lot of work.

2. Re-introduce a couple of trains that are currently in storage, so as to get closer to filling the available Fiddle Yard space; as an example I have a complete Maunsell Ocean Liner set which is part weathered but out of service because it has unreliable kadee couplings; likewise a complete rake of ex-LSWR Ironclads, stored for the same reason (but also requiring weathering over Larry Goddard's exquisite paintwork!).

3. I'd really like to start delivering some Continental Ferry wagons so that I can retire & dispose of some of the HO vans currently running.

 

I'll tackle these in reverse order and admit immediately that I haven't touched item 3., for which I started a separate thread on this topic back in 2020 and have materials to hand for a number of wagons; however, it remains an important priority and so I shall just have to carry it forward to 2022.

 

 

I did somewhat better on aim no.2, in that the Ocean Liner set did indeed return to service after weathering, and is complete with carriage roof boards:

 

 

A very short train added to the roster was the LMS parcels train mentioned in my previous post, which had been photographed visiting East Croydon hauled mysteriously by an LMS, ex-LNWR coal tank:

 

 

This one has extended the weathering queue!

 

 

 

Continuiung the non-Southern theme, the 'Sunny South Express' set was also completed, and after some considerable problems were overcome it now has a working ex-LB&SCR I3 loco to haul it - however this rake too is yet to be weathered.

 

To close off the Rolling Stock topic I have to admit failure on what was my first priority - to increase the number of whole train sets that are weathered. Shortly before I wrote last year's review, my good friend the late Mick Bonwick had completed the weathering of my Golden Arrow set, and it did not disappoint:

 

 

In April, Mick again came up trumps, having weathered my complete City Limited set, again to his usual stunning standard:

 

 

As everyone knows, Mick sadly passed away in July and it is appropriate to pay tribute here to his work and the significant influence he had on the hobby in general, and my own ability to weather stock in particular. Mick was a keen follower of this thread and it's second most prolific poster - after me! - and so it is no coincidence that since his passing, the number of posts here has reduced considerably. I shall certainly treasure the wide range of locomotives and rolling stock within my collection that he weathered for me.

 

 

Were it not for Mick's efforts I would have rather less to report under this topic; I did manage to weather 8 locos as per my previous post, plus the Ocean Liner set as above, and I also constructed & painted 5 new wagon kits, and wethered them plus two more - so I was not completely idle!

 

Finally, under Rolling Stock, there were a few further additions to stock - 2 of Rails 3D printed SECR vans, 2 of Hornby's excellent GBL vans, and 2 Kernow ex-LSWR Road Brake vans.

 

I'll save the Equipment & Infrastructure progress for my next posting, but in the meantime a very Happy Christmas to one and all!

 

Tony

Edited May 14, 2022 by Tony Teague

[St Enodoc]

11 hours ago, Tony Teague said:

it is all done on the "2 wire" basis - 2 wires to everything!

Absolutely! Lots of multiples of two wires.

[Sandhole]

Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year, Tony.
It has been a pleasure reading your posts this year.
Regards,
Chris.

[Tony Teague]

2 hours ago, Sandhole said:

Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year, Tony.
It has been a pleasure reading your posts this year.
Regards,
Chris.

 

Chris

Thanks, very kind of you.

Happy Christmas to you and yours.

Tony

[Tony Teague]

To conclude this Review of 2021 let's look at Scenery, Infrastructure and Equipment, where I don't feel I have done too badly! I had set the priorities as being:

 

    1. The highest priority, when it is allowable, must be the installation of Steve Hewitt's semaphore signals to the Churminster area, together with the related interlocking. Completing this  

     will also allow a start to be made on building the signals for the last unsignalled area around Stowe Magna.

    2. Having completed the main Control Panel, there is a small subsidiary panel to be fitted further along the room which will enable separate control of two lines that are currently operated

     by electronic shuttle modules (which can be switched out); the narrow gauge quarry line is one of these which has only recently become operational. 80% of the wiring for this panel is

     already in place and the panel itself is on order.

    3. The "scenery refresh" in the Stowe Magna area must be progressed and in particular it would be good to finally get the station completed!

 

 

The continuing pandemic meant that Steve's visit to install the Churminster signals that he had built was delayed - however, this meant that he was able to continue building, and as a result he managed to complete all of the remaining signals for the layout.

 

Steve and I were finally able to get together in July, when he arrived with boxes full of his beautiful, completed signals and we set to work, completing the first five installations around Churminster over a couple of days.

 

 

Later, Giles Walburn and I completed the electronic interlocking of these signals to the control panel and all now work beautifully - thanks again @Steve Hewitt !

Installation of the remaining signals is currently on hold, pending competion of scenic work around Stowe Magna as I am concerned that if the signals go in first, they might easily get damaged during completion of the scenery, however, this is definately an early 2022 objective.

 

 

Turning to the two Control Panels - whilst I had reported the main panel as 'completed' in 2020, there turned out to be a few small jobs remaining, and these have since been finished - excepting that 6 LED's are missing as I managed to run out!  This small job is likely to be cleared during January.

 

 

The installation of  a small, subsidiary side panel was also started and completed during the year as planned; this enables manual control of the RAF branch, and of the small narrow gauge system, which are otherwise automatically operated via two separate Heathcote shuttle systems. Also showing on the panel are four LED's that highlight the position of road vehicles within the storage loop of the Faller Road system.

 

 

The control wire that directs the Faller vehicles was installed a very long time ago and runs right around the Market Square in Churminster, it was however, more or less inoperable until now; the system as installed has a capacity of four vehicles whose irregular despatch, and subsequent shuffling up the storage system queue is controlled by an Arduino. This project is now complete and operational, although I suspect that it will be sometime before the vehicles involved have each been 'butchered' to better suit the time period of the layout!
 

 

Installation of CCTV was another task completed during the year, and this makes it possible to see those areas of the layout that would otherwise be hidden from the operator's view through 8 fixed cameras; one of these monitors the Faller road system storage loop.

 

 

A key concern with the CCTV project was the need to prevent the infra-red lights, which are built into the cameras for night vision, from switching in, because of the danger of their interfering with the numersous IR detectors around the layout. This was achieved ny installing small LED strips to illuninate the areas in front of each camera to ensure that they are always working in daylight mode.

 

Finally - I did less well with the third priority related to scenery; as with Steve Hewitt, the pandemic prevented Mike Gascoigne who has painted the various backscenes for me from visiting until quite late in the year. Nevertheless the remaining panels for Stowe Magna are now complete and it only remains for me to install them.

 

 

Elsewhere, I more or less completed the installation of the 3rd rail along the 'electrified' main lines, and made good initial progress towards constructing the steep side of the cutting beneath Charmy Bottom airfield:

 

 

Finally, I completed the canopy for platforms 2 & 3 at Stowe Magna Station and have started building that for platforms 4 & 5:

 

 

Well that's about it for the 2021 round-up!

 

In my next post I'll try to lay out my priorities for 2022 - although as we have seen, these don't always bear much resemblance to what then happens; nevertheless, it feels good to have a plan!

 

Tony

 

 

 

Edited November 24, 2022 by Tony Teague

[Dragonboy]

There’s always room for a plan B Tony

 

Brian

[Tony Teague]

7 hours ago, Dragonboy said:

There’s always room for a plan B Tony

 

Brian

 

Thanks Brian - excellent thought, for when I need it (which seems likely!).

Tony

[Allegheny1600]

Hi Tony,

Seasons greetings to you and yours.

Steve Hewitt has done a marvellous job on those signals - you lucky man!

The whole layout and stock is wonderful to see coming together so well. I’ve much enjoyed following along this past year and look forward to seeing what happens in the future.

Cheers,

 John 

 

[Tony Teague]

Needed to spend last evening sitting in a hotel room, so what better way to spend my time than considering my railway modelling priorities for 2022!

 

Here they are - no pictures as I haven't done them yet! As suggested,I reserve the right to move to "Plan B" at any time:

 

Loco Fleet:

1. Further reduce the "Missing List" from 9 to 6, plus confirm a solution for all of those that then remain. It seems likely that those that might get crossed off in 2022 will come from the C3, the C14, the E5X, or the S11.

2. Whilst I have built loco kits myself, this not my forte, nor my preferred activity, and since my long-term preferred builder & painter Chris Phillips has retired whilst I still have a number of un-built kits in stock (none of which will have any impact on the "Missing List"), I need to identify a reliable loco builder / painter to take his place - all suggestions and recommendations received with thanks - perhaps DM me?

3. I missed my own 2021 weathering target, and so dealing with a significant number of locos has to be a priority; the 35% of fleet target set and missed last year does not seem unreasonable.

 

Rolling Stock:

1. As with locos, the weathering of stock - and particularly complete trains - just has to be a priority; these can take a consideable time and so perhaps 1 train every 2 months - 6 in all - would be a reasonable target. On the other hand, and bearing in mind that there are storage roads for 85 trains on the layout, this could mean that it will take more than 10 years to finish the job!

2. I am getting fussier about accuracy within my passenger rakes - probably excessively influenced by Andy Sparkes and Tony Wright in particular - and I am aware of one or two issues that need resolving, so a second priority will be to work through the various trains that are rostered, and as a minimum, to plan aout what needs to be added, subtracted, or changed.

3. I still want to spend time developing my continental, ferry van train - untouched in 2021.

 

Other stuff:

1. Top priority must be to install and interlock at least the majority of Steve Hewitt's wonderful signals - but I'll need to finish some scenic work first!

2. The remaining backscenes for Stowe Magna must be installed and then the scenic work in front of those must be completed. The second scenic area requiring attention is the deep cutting beneath Charmy Bottom airfield.

3. The layout requires better lighting to facilitate better picture taking; I am especially impressed by what @KNP has done at Little Muddle and so I shall need to study his efforts in more detail.

 

That should be plenty - in fact way to much!

 

Tony

 

 

 

 

[Arun Sharma]

Regarding the C3, I am still working on the design of the 7mm version but I have completed the 7mm version of its associated B2X tender - less the Luftwaffe's bullet holes of course.

[westerhamstation]

Hi Tony, all the best for the New year and your never ending list of jobs to accomplish. All the best Adrian. 

[Tony Teague]

1 hour ago, westerhamstation said:

Hi Tony, all the best for the New year and your never ending list of jobs to accomplish. All the best Adrian. 

 

Thanks Adrian

And the same to you!

Very best wishes

Tony