Tony Teague

Here's one in olive green; it is all wrong for my layout - it would have been rebuilt by then - but it looks very chunky and powerful so I haven't got the will to dispose of it! It runs but I can't tell you much about the construction as I bought it 2nd hand a long time ago. There is another big chap behind - an LB&SCR J2 from an Ace Products kit. Tony

I took one of the same loco, same location a while back, but it was not so wet, and the train was shifting! Tunnel vision by Tony Teague, on Flickr

In my last post I mentioned the amount of time that had been diverted to the construction of Churminster Goods Shed. This is now nearing completion, although the roof and supporting timbers remain to be constructed, lighting to be installed, and there is more weathering to be done on the exterior before I will regard it as finished. So, subject to those caveats, here are the first pictures: From above: The small Goods Office sits at one end, whilst there is a small exterior platform at the other; I am thinking of mounting a yard crane on the platform, for unloading of the larger stuff. The building is not of a particular prototype, however, I researched a lot of goods shed, especially Southern, and then came up with a pastiche design which suits the available space and I hope, looks Southern Railway in character! The shell of the building was made from foam board, the exterior clad in Slaters brick plasticard, and the interior in Scalescenes white brick paper; the windows are by L-CUT Creative. It perhaps looks a bit too tidy inside! I'll post some further pics once it is a bit nearer to completed and 'planted' in its proper place. Tony

Have been making slow progress over recent weeks, in so far as I have been constructing a Goods Shed for Churminster. The site is dictated by the trackplan which has already been laid, within the goods yard and between Churminster Station and "Wadley's Brewery" - of which more in due course. Although I decided to scratch build the goods shed, the quality of Geoff Taylors' adjacent station building has filled me with some trepidation - which is why it is taking some time - however there will be some pictures very shortly. In the meantime... a while back I was asked to show some pictures of coaching stock - and I started but then got distracted! So to continue that theme, here now are some shots of sundry catering and non-passenger carrying stock: This is No.7850, a 57' ex-LSWR Ironclad Dining Saloon; built by Ian Willetts and beautifully painted & lined by Larry Goddard. Next up is No.7869, a 57' Maunsell Southern Railway Kitchen / Dining 1st, not built particularly well by me, from a Kirk kit; looks like the table lamps need straightening up! Then we have No.7848, an ex-LSWR 56' Dining Saloon by Northstar (Adrian Rowlands) Last in the dining vehicle sequence is a further 57' Ironclad Dining Saloon, this time in malachite, No.7854, from a Phoenix kit by Marc Models. Moving on, we have ex-LSWR 44' Full Brake No.227, built by Ian Willetts from a Roxey Mouldings kit And finally for this batch, Southern Railway 53' Scenery / Elephant van No.4601 built by Chris White from a kit by CRT Kits. Still more evidence that I have an awful lot of weathering to do! Tony

I can only say that I admire your skills and tenacity! Tony

So if it has a new chassis, new cab front, sides & splashers, what exactly is left of the "kit"??? Tony

Hi Tony Where did you source the plastic roof tank mouldings please? Incidentally, I believe that Marc Models has a moulding for the large central air cylinders that you have been discussing. (call Mike Radford 0208 440 5918, 9-5). Tony

Or try Marc Models since he makes 4mm models of most early SR EMU's. (Ring 0208 440 5918 between 9 & 5pm) Tony

Tony You have not mentioned Geoff Taylor's Penmaenpool / Barmouth Junction layout, which I feel displays two great backscene characteristics; first, it is minimalistic in so far as the scenery does more of the job than the backscene: (I added the sky, but the hills / mountains are on the backscene) Secondly, it complements the scene in front of it in that it is understated and there is nothing in the backscene that pulls your eye away from the model: (no sky this time!) Tony

Great discussion on backscenes Tony; convinces me of what I already know, that one part of mine - the first area that was painted - is way too bright and must be toned down. Like Andy / thegreenhowards, my favourites were Annan Road and Totnes, plus Pendon, although having photographed the latter myself, I found the ceiling panels a massive distraction that really have to be taken out to do justice to the excellence of the layout. Taking these 'favourites' into account, I consider that your point, that "the eye is not sure exactly where the 3D work ends and the backscene begins" is critical, plus a palette that matches the 3-D part of the layout is very important. Overall I feel that backscenes are of great benefit; if well done they can add huge depth to the 3D layout. Tony PS. Well done on your sudden health kick; I am feeling guilty and inadequate!

Sounds like something by E.S. Posthumus (or similar) but I can't identify the track (E.g. see: )

Many congratulations! You're going to find yourself busy now!! (Speaking as an already retired person). Tony

What an interesting thread Andy, and such an eclectic mix of other hobbies! Mine seem relatively tame by comparison with some, but I have been researching my family history for many years - its not the basic logic and data of the tree, but the stories that go with it that fascinate me; I am back to around 1630 on many of my lines and in touch with many distant 'rellies' in far flung parts - including those descended from one ancestor who was sent to Australia compulsorily and on a one way ticket! At present genealogy is probably in third place to photography in 2nd - I have some lineside passes and do a lot of steam charters: as well as landscapes [more on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/97159430@N05/ Since retirement, the model railway is probably at No.1. Tony

I think Phoenix Precision now have the ex-Kirk Maunsell's; they are selling sides and other parts separately as well as full kits. Tony

I may have missed this, but what did you use for water, and how did you make it look cloudy? Tony

I was intrigued to see that you had built a 6-car Bulleid Bournemouth Dining Set, as I was not aware that Comet had produced the longer sides that came down to cover parts of the solebar; do they in fact do these, or did you find a way to extend the sides? In any event, I'd certainly be interested in your sriting up the Bulleid 2-car build as I have one waiting in a drawer! Tony

There is a pretty full listing of these Engine Working numbers in "Southern Region Engine Workings" by C.J. Gammell (OPC) ISBN 0-86093-510-8; it is long out of print but good copies are easily obtainable. In addition many of the appropriate EW numbers and duties are listed within various volumes of the Irwell Press Main Line to the West series. (However, neither of these has served to ensure that my locos carry the correct numbers - or any numbers for the most part ! - A job for the roundtuit list). Tony

Over breakfast, the other half mentioned that she would really like to be doing some gardening, but since it was freezing and there was snow on the ground, that was not possible. Seizing the opportunity, and knowing that I had the materials to hand, I cunningly mentioned that the Station Master at Churminster needed his garden laying out, and that this could be done in the warmth of the kitchen - or indeed the railway room. So after about 4 or 5 hours work, I was presented this afternoon with the completed garden with which I am certain the Station Master (as yet, he has no name!) will be very happy! It looks pretty good to me, especially for a very first attempt at any 4mm modelling. The garden occupies a very odd shaped plot alongside the station, and is completely enclosed between a substantial retaining wall, the forecourt car park, and the rear of platform 2: I will post some further pictures just as soon as it installed in its proper location. Tony

Taken during coal-burning trials of the '80's... (seemed to fit here!) Tony

I don't disagree with anything you say, but there are always compromises; as you suggest, I install the uncouplers in all the predictable places, and beyond that, I just have quite a number of them (12 so far with 10 more waiting to go in) - but that does not give total flexibility. That's my rationale for installing the couplers - furthermore, a slightly shaky hand on the "uncoupling stick" can cause unintended derailments as well as uncoupling! Tony

I think you mean Heathcote Electronics. After much research and trying everything from 3-link to Kadees I have standardised on small tension locks and Heathcote uncouplers (of which I have 12 fitted so far). They are totally reliable, whereas I found Kadees tended to come apart on changes in gradient, of which I have several. I also feel that kadees look plain wrong when fitted to wagons (except perhaps the most modern image). Of course, you only need to standardise those rakes that you intend to shunt; where you run fixed formations, anything that works is fine! Tony

Just to maintain the focus on rolling stock, here is the up Dorchester TPO having just passed through Stowe Magna: It seems to be headed today by an alien LMS sorting van, probably added somewhere in the West Country to cope with the Christmas rush: I am unsure of the provenance of this vehicle as I picked it up 2nd hand, however, I believe it was painted by Dave Studley. Behind it sit two Bulleid storage vans, with a single sorting van between them: These are by Marc Models; bringing up the rear are some CCT's and a bogie luggage van. Whilst we are on Royal Mail vans, and just for completeness, the fleet also includes ex-SECR P.O. Stowage Van No.4954 (d.1207) by Marc Models, which is currently "in works": Tony

Happy Christmas to all who follow this thread! "HO, HO, HO!" "OO, OO, OO!" [Edited as Father Christmas was out of gauge!] Tony

Excellent work Dave, I would not have known where to begin! Tony

I would think that spraying paint with either an air-brush or rattle cans without a filtered spray booth was potentially quite dangerous to health. I have used a spray booth with filters and an extractor to the outside for several years but I could only put it in a place that was cold and potentially damp, so not good for spraying paint. Recently I have acquired a better booth with twin filters that can be used indoors and without an external air pipe, so I can use it comfortably indoors. https://www.benchvent.com/art-graphics/bv300s-a3-glue-booth These things are not cheap, but then one's health is somewhat important! Tony