queensquare

It had the same impact on me. Of all Iain’s many creations over the years Tregarick and the North Cornwall Minerals remains my firm favourite. Hercules and her sisters, along with lots of other survivors of th NCMR will be at Larkrail on the 15th. Jerry

Its Highbury in Somerset though my Dad was a Gooner! 😊 Jerry

I think that combination would be the best approach at the moment John. I don’t think the RT etch was available when I did mine otherwise I would have used it. Im a fan of grubby industrials with chevrons - it’s the only working steam I remember from the early 70s. One day I’ll do a little cameo for them to play on - it’s on the list! Jerry

Agreed, a new generation austerity would be nice. Mine is a hybrid of white metal (Marsh?) and a brass footplate on an Association chassis. Bit crude but looks the part - I really must put a bit of paint over those wires! Jerry

Now parking has been arranged and with less than two weeks to go I suppose we should let you all know what will be coming to our little shin dig! Layouts Newton Heath Works - Martin Finney Arun Quay - Gordon Gravett Sheep Dip - Rob Gunstone Wantage - Robin Gay Lochty - Andy Cundick Arcadia - Richard Barton Maple River - Paul Marshall-Potter Upwatch Quary - Richard Phipp Hepton Wharf - South Hants MRC York Road - Tim Watson and the MRC Hunslet Works - Andy Ross Demonstrators Bob Brown - 3mm modelling Giles Favell - Radio control and stuff Andrew Vines, Dave Easto and Steve Cook - various largescale treats from live steam to Hydraulics Dennis Lepper - figure painting and a few of his late father's wonderful locos Trade Branch Lines Youchoos Titfield Thunderbolt/Wild Swan Kims Kitchen, with cake Looks like a pretty good line up to me! Jerry

It’s been painted some while - though it’s still waiting for glazing! I also need to get a red engined painted for the northern leg - mind you the Midland isn’t laid much beyond Bath junction yet so no rush! Thanks, will look even better when the scenics are properly worked up. Jerry

With the single line section to Midford clear No 45 sweeps out of Combe Down tunnel with the down Diner. Following on the heals of the Diner is an all stations local to Templecombe seen here crossing the lower Bristol Road in the hands of small 4-4-0, No 17 built by the late Denys Brownlee. Jerry

There might be cake …… Jerry

Hi Tim, yes, Mr branchlines will be there so bring plenty of wonga. As for your other questions, I'll ask the catering manager when she gets back from band practice! Jerry

The late Iain Rice was a great supporter of, and regular exhibitor at Larkrail so it is fitting that Hepton Wharf, arguably the original Cameo layout, will be returning to the exhibition scene at this years event. The layout is now in the very capable hands of the South Hants MRC who are steadily bringing it back to something approaching its former glory after many years in storage. Alongside the Wharf will be a display of some of Iain's other models and artifacts which are now in the care of a group of friends. This will include some original artwork, trackplans, photo albums and some of the stock from the ground breaking Tregarick and the North Cornwall Minerals layouts of the 1970s and early 80s. Jerry

Card has been cut, bluetac deployed and plans finalised - even Minsky the cat thought it looks to be a great show. A full list of what will be there will be posted in the next few days for those who like that kind of thing, cheers Jerry

Large boilered 7F 88 plods north toward Combe Down tunnel. She still has about a mile of climbing to go before the final descent into Bath. Jerry

Simon is absolutely right although locals tended to refer to it as the Midland station or the 'Dorset station. Green Park is much closer to the station than Queen Square in Bath but the latter was a much smarter address! Bradshaw's always refered to the station as Queen Square (see July 1922 extract) and Ive always done the same partly because I'm an awkward cuss but mainly to highlight the fact that my model is pre-group - well pre-1930 which is when the S&D lost its blue livery. There was of course another station in Bath, only about a mile from the terminus. Sadly, I dont have room to squeeze Weston in! 😀 Jerry

I think about 18" of the Great Western is enough for anybody.......🙂 Jerry

I’ve been messing around mocking up scenes for photos this evening and tried out the mirror I intend using on the Great Western mainline. The position of the track bed support is a bit unfortunate but as Bellots Road bridge is directly in front of the S&D bridge the arch will be all but impossible to see. Oveeall, I think it will work. Jerry

We’ll enjoy it but not that much hair to let down these days! Jerry

Test Match Special has occupied much of my time today although time was found for a high level telecommunications conference of the Larkrail steering committee. We both decided that we should meet up next Monday after I return from my little camping trip for a planning session. In the meantime, my co-conspirator tells me that further details of upcoming attractions will be released in the next few days. Watch this space. Jerry, from a field in Somerset!

A final snap taken this morning before we head back down to site for a few days glamping! The camp site won’t look like this in 48hrs when the public arrive! Jerry

Great stuff Nick. Dont worry, those 'despised modellers' who collect "special" wagons isnt a very exclusive club - I'm certainly a paid up member! As Kevin said, I have one of these etches which arrived along with numerous other etched delights from Oz. With Stothert and Pitt being rail served at Bath I can justify quite a number of "special" wagons though whether one of these ever made it down there I dont know - wont stop me building it regardless! What sort of load are these likely to have carried. Spare time in the shed at the moment is focussed on tracklaying whilst there is something for Tucking Mill on my little front room bench but I will return to wagons again before too long - probably horseboxes! Jerry

Slowly creeping towards the station. Everything beyond the three way is still loose including the double slip in front of the signal box which may still be replaced with one of the new Finetracks kits. Through running by Christmas??!!🤞 Jerry

Im intrigued now!! Jerry

Thats a really neat solution, many thanks for posting. If Im not happy with the new plastic based slip I may well try something similar, Jerry

It wouldnt be Larkrail without some 2mm. This year the prof himself, Tim Watson, is coming down with the Goods shed and Potatoe market area of Copenhagen Fields - including Londons finest fruit and veg outlet!! This is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with a lump of CF and one of its creators. Tim will be ably supported by Paula Martin with the 2mm Roadshow and the leg-end that is John, 'Im not building any more engines', Greenwood with a selection of his current projects.

Many thanks for your thoughts gents, I would be very interested to see how you have arranged the equalising lever as two tie bars is a possibility. Please feel free to post them on here if you find them. You are absolutely correct Frank in that having all four rails fixed makes them quite stiff - even with code 40 rail. The problem is that we dont tend to use fishplates in 2mm and Im not sure I could fit them in and keep all the rails correctly alligned anyway - its very crowded with various rails and there's very little space in there - its one of the areas where I think 2mm is genuinely tricky. Why was the Midland so keen on slips, thankfully there are only two doubles at Bath! As I said above, Ive got one of the new Association double slip kits which has a plastic base and a neat little moulded tie bar. I shall build it over the weekend. Im hoping that because the rails are able to move in the chairs it will reduce the stresses and make the movement of the tie bar easier - fingers crossed! Jerry

Thanks Nick. Ive seen the tie bars that come with the new Finetracks points and they look very neat, they are not dissimilar in design to the home made ones I use for pointwork. Its double slips Im having problems with - single slips are essentially the same as points and not a problem. Luckily, there are only two on Bath and I have one of the new kits to try out so may end up using them. Jerry