Tony Teague

You learn something everyday! Thanks.

Hi Graham I can't help you with sourcing but I can say that I am happy to recommend the Heljan turntables in use. I have two on my layout and I find them reliable and they look right even if they are slightly over size. Both of mine could do with a bit more weathering / scenic work around them, but on one I have removed the continental style shed and added a fireman holding a steam pipe: The other has yet to be butchered in this way but is beginning to merge into the landscape: In terms of sourcing I wonder if you might be best to look around small, individual model shops - there may well be one that has such in thing in stock and would be happy to shift it? PS - meant to add that they only need re-indexing if you lift the deck out, and or if a tiny bit of ballast gets into the cog that rotates around the outside, as this can cause the deck to jump out of alignment, but it is not a difficult process. Tony

Yes, I have always understood that life is a sexually transmitted terminal condition 😟 - so it must affect everbody!

Thanks Podhunter - so they have. This has been on the cards for a while but one never knows whether or not it will happen in one's lifetime! I shall review and decide how to proceed. Tony

Drat!

Regret that the Official Secrets Act precludes my answering your question - that's even assuming that I knew the answer, of course...😎

Many thanks Mike - I am sure this will help considerably! Tony

Right, lets finish the Annual Review of 2022 which was not the most stunning year for the layout; we can only aim for a better 2023! This post will cover everything that remians, principally scenery & equipment, and it is perhaps the former where there has been most progress. Back in February I was finally able to report that the Control Desk was 'finished' - and largely that is the case, there being only some additional logic to be added behind the scenes as we implement the remaining semaphore signals, and this will complete the 'interlocking': I have just got to learn how to use it better! The control 'suite' also includes the small, remote, side panel and both have provision for a small number of accessories yet to be implemented: Additional LED lighting to the layout was also installed, plus the power supplies were tidied up - but I won't repeat those images which are available above! Turning to scenery, much of the effort has focussed on the large remaining 'unscenic'd' area down the centre of the room, which looked like this at the start of 2022: The unpainted backscenes shown here have since been completed by Mike Gascoigne - a significant achievement - although they are currently uninstalled so as to allow access to the rear of this area which is almost 6' across at the widest point; the narrower strip to the right / front of this area has been ignored for the time being since it is easily accessible from the front and so will be dealt with last. At the near end of the central section, work is now all but complete, including the park gates to the estate of a large country house (which is situated just behind the backscene...); this view in the opposite direction to that above, looks back towards Churminster & the rear of the control desk, but the park lodge has not moved: Beyond this, the landform is all but complete and a first layer of static grass is in place but a significant effort is still needed to complete it (excuse detritus!) At the far end sits the former country halt at Charmy Bottom, now requisitioned and inside the perimiter of the RAF station; this too must be completed before the backscene goes back in: So, considerable progress in this area which is probably 15' long and between 3' and 6' wide, but a further big push will be needed to complete it. Finally & in the last weeks of the year, the low profile factory building for Stowe Magna was completed and installed, leaving the site to be cleaned up in the New Year. So overall there has indeed been progress but not on the scale of previous years, and I am hopeful of re-raising the pace in 2023. Tony

Thx will look into this possibility but I'm not sure it will solve the problem that I have created!

Continuing the Annual Review of 2022, this post will cover Wagons & Freight Stock - where, given my weakness for building wagons, it is perhaps surprising that none were built so far as I can recall! Nevertheless, there were some additions to stock, largely down to some interesting new RTR releases becoming available: Back in February I picked up a couple of Oxford Rail's GER / LNER vans as I especially like variety in my van trains; Graham Muz then described how a number of the NE banana vans were loaned to the SR and re-lettered / numbered in the process - even better! I made the required alterations but the vans now need some weathering to hide the re-varnishing that occured once the new decals were in place. Ultimately these will be interesting companions in a full length banana train, once the newly announced Accurascale SR vans become available (and there are also a couple of ABS white metal SR banana vans in the fleet). As reported back in November I also added a tranche of the new Rapido ex-SECR wagons & vans to the fleet - not just because they are really very good models but also because historically I have far too many private owner wagons in the fleet and far too few SR owned vehicles - so may aim will now be to dispose of some of the PO wagons. The additions include 2, 5, and 7 plank vehicles - all of which look far too shiny! A couple of the 7 planks are fitted with frames for canvas hoods which I hsll have to acquire and add. Detailing on the vans is particularly striking and weathing should draw this out further. The two planks are to be added to my Engineers train. Finally I added a couple of the Rapido Gunpowder vans to work on the short supply trains into to military base at Charmy Bottom: I'll conclude this review in the next day or so by covering scenery and equipment, where thankfully there is a bit more to say beyond "what I bought into stock"! Tony

Happy New year Jim, for your posts and for the stunning images, which given the access you have, are a special treat! Tony

Happy New Year to all followers of this thread! Continuing the Annual Review of 2022, this post will cover Coaching Stock - where similalrly little has happened! Just two new coaches and one NPCS vehicle were added during the year; the two coaches being a pair of Hornby's SR Maunsell 3rd class dining saloons which historically ran coupled to Kitchen / Buffet vehicles of the same origin: These are nicely finished vehicles to the consistently high standard that Hornby have achieved with their other Maunsell coaching stock; my pair need the addition of corridor connections and perhaps some roof & underframe weathering prior to entering service. The single NPCS vehicle acquired is one of Hattons generic 6 wheel coaches - in this case a Full Brake Tool Van to run as part of a future Churminster breakdown train: Whilst the finish is good it is going to need some work to change it's (LMS) running number and to remove the work "Crewe" from the side, plus it is so fiercly black that it doesn't look quite right against the gray of the Bachmann breakdown crane - and there is no way that will get re-painted! I saw this as a relatively quick way to complete the breakdown train since the remaining vehicle has been sat on my workbench for at least two and a half years - after I reached a difficult bit and couldn't work out how to finish it off (I still can't): This is from a Branchline kit and may one day end up as a 'riding / tool' van if I can just work out what to do with the 6 wheel undergubbins! Overall I think the train could look about right, and in terms of livery, the "Southern Style" bible says variously, gray, dark gray, and black - so the right shade is in there somewhere! Tony

Mike Yes, certainly would be if you are happy to share them. Tony

Time to bite the bullet and start the Annual Review for 2022 - it will be short, as witnessed by the whole year being covred in less than 2 pages of RMWeb...... First off, locomotives and the missing list where my aims for the year seemed modest at the time, however, none came close to being achieved. There were just 2 RTR stock additions in the shape of a pair of A12 Jubilee's from OO Works, but having only reported on these very recently I shall not repeat the images, and of course they did not affect the 'missing list'; no, the only saving grace here was Mike Edge's very recent delivery of the diminutive C14 loco - seen here with some other tiny friends (please excuse poor image): The lack of acquisitions from the major RTR manufacturers is as striking as my own lack of progress, however, there were just no new offerings of Southern interest delivered in the period. This must be the smallest increase in loco fleet size in any year since I started railway modelling! I am aware of the completion of two kit builds of very long gestation but postal issues mean that these will now be delivered in 2023, and in any event they do not affect the "Missing List" which now comprises just 8 types and stands as follows: (The number in brackets represents the total number of each class originally built) LB&SCR Billinton E5X (4) - I have no excuses and this is now back on my workbench; it uses a 3D printed body and SEF E5 chassis, each of which that has been in stock for more than three and a half years! (a disgrace!).. LB&SCR Marsh C3 (8) - Arun Sharma's 'kit of parts' for the loco and related B2X tender, are both with the intended builder & awaiting a slot in his work queue. LB&SCR Marsh D3X (1) - the solution proposed is via a 3D printed body, and use of the chassis from a Chivers D3 kit (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) - Mike Edge's offer to build an ancient Jidenco kit has been accepted, although this will have to wait its turn in his workbook. SECR Wainwright B1 (16) - SER Kits have had designs and drawings in hand for a 7mm kit for several years; they have indicated they are prepared to scale down to produce 4mm etches but I am not aware of any recent progress; I was also made aware of a proposal to produce 3D printed models of this (and of the F1) but I have heard nothing further 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. SR Maunsell I1X (18) - Development of a 3D printed body was halted by the pandemic but has since re-started; the intention remains to combine this with Alan Gibson milled chassis frames which are in stock So we are now down to 8, which I classify as follows: 'certain solution / within forseeable future' = 5: E5X, C3, B4X, F1, S11 'some issues remain to be solved' = 2: D3X, I1X 'very vague / need firming up' = 1: B1 The key question is, will I live long enough? Tony

A Happy Christmas to all who follow this thread!🎅 I managed to clear the site for the new low profile factory building but it was necessary to be a bit more brutal with the existing terraced houses than I had hoped; I may have to replace one which was very firmly stuck down to the baseboard, nevertheless the new building is now installed: Next job will be to repair the devastation, move the terraces forwards by about 4mm and repair or replace them as required; I had never regarded this area as finished - you can see, for example, that the centre and left terraces lacked chimney pots - but overall I feel that the new building adds depth. Unfortunately I have managed to come down with a streaming cold, so all Christmas arrangements are on hold and it may be a couple of days before I feel like getting on with this. Tony

It must be Christmas, because I am delighted to confirm the arrival of an exquisite new loco courtesy of @Michael Edge, in the shape of SR / LSWR / Drummond C14 No.3744! This will not come as a surprise to followers of Mike's workbench thread, but I can certainly say that it has been worth the wait; this is from a test etch and I understand that a kit for the loco will be introduced to the Judith Edge range next year. The loco really is tiny, measuring just about 65mm long and the detail is superb; it now just needs crew, coal and some weathering. Here it is posed along side an almost as diminutive P class (by Hattons). The really good news is that this is one from my 'missing list', upon which I have not reported for over 18 months, and bearing in mind we are approaching the year end, I will give an update on this shortly. Tony

Have only just seen this very sad news. I had met Phil many times but can't say that I knew hime well, nevertheless he was a gentleman, knowledgable, and always very helpful. Another small supplier lost to us, although it is to be hoped that the Radley Models range will survive. My condolences to his wife and family. Tony

Finally got this building 'finished'. I may have gone a bit over the top with the green slime on he wall originating from a leaky downpipe but since about 2/3 of the building sits behind rows of terraced houses I think I'll live with it: Next job is to 'plant' it which requires just a little more site clearance because, as mentioned previously, everything in front of it will have to move forward by about 4mm, however, the good news is that once that is done and those buildings in front of it are re-instated, it clears the way for the start of the installation of Steve Hewitt's magnificent semaphore signals which have been sitting in their transport frames for at least a year! Tony

That's not too clear because, if we are looking at the same bridge, then it was a road bridge over EWR whichwould still be needed, however, there appears to be a new one being constructed just behind it. The HS2 website says (about current works in that area): • Construction of the temporary diversion of Gawcott Road is due to commence in early 2023; • Continued closure of Gawcott Road to demolish the existing bridge in early 2023; So it does look like you are correct.

I think you are right but the line is still not scheduled to open until 2024 - which seems a long way off; I suppose there is still a lot to do in terms of signalling etc.

Anyone got an update on EWR? 🥱

We had a brother & sister pair; one cost an enormous amount in vets bills, the other almost nothing. My feeling was that the cost of insuring both would have equalled or exceeded the actual total expenditure - but of course there are peaks & troughs.

Something for RMWeb to consider?

Agree; one I have travelled to see in the past. A great shame if it cannot be found a home.

Quick update - have now pointed every brick individually (not): The problem at this stage is that each layer of paint has to dry thoroughly (24hr min) before one can apply the next, however, I have actually also given the lintels, coping stones and downpipes a first coat (not shown here). Tony