wigancg

Well, I'm currently enjoying learning and playing around with static grass, an area of modelling which I haven't fully explored using myself until now. The results are pleasing anyway. So far I've been weathering around some of the yard on the ground to make it less light grey and beginning to add grass and shaggy areas around the buffer stops and corrugated shed - this also has had some modifications and will have more over time including some climbing weeds and more of a run down appearance. 'Linda', one of 3 resident Hunslet Austerity girls posing as usual. I've been experimenting with different grass lengths to try and get the desired effect. Ideally the mid to late summer look with some lighter tones to show damp and growth with scorched and dead strands from the heat. Pannier 9608 pottering around. Additionally, I've been adding smaller tufts here and there in the 4 foot and cess areas around the yard. I have a pack of these little gems from years ago that I recently happened to stumble on in the modelling boxes, again, to give that woebegone look. These will increase around the yard for sure as we progress. Chris :)

Well, nearly 6 years have passed since the start and last post of this thread! The idea of Bream Yard in the FoD has been changed to Bank Top Colliery. This fictitious location is still intended to be a shunting layout but will be based somewhere within the boundaries of the Western Area of the NCB between the mid to late 1960s and early to mid 1970s. Over the last 6 years I have moved to live in a different part of the UK and now work on the railway itself, which is most satisfying. My skills as a modeller have developed over time and I remain an avid fan of small shunting layouts. So where has this layout been hiding and why is it being resurrected now? The layout was wisely kept safe when I moved house and safely stored pending eventual use. A little dusty but not forgotten, the layout works well in terms of the electrics and is in fine fettle. Recently I have had some ill health with setbacks and hospital stays since December 2022. Having recovery time from surgery has enabled me to focus on other things in life as well as getting back to good health. As a result, Bank Top Yard was unearthed and work started to construct this layout in a different guise, mainly to practice my modelling skills and to run small industrial tank locomotives. Huge inspiration has been found in the excellent modelling of Bleat Wharf by Rob from South Wales. His expert modelling skills have given me much encouragement to get this layout progressing. The track layout is remaining the same and I am intending to have as few buildings as possible to give the layout a spacious, forgotten yard feel at the end of a colliery branch. Some NCB supplies will be catered for by a corrugated shed along with a water tank and a few buildings of industrial use as well as the usual ground detailing. I have spent the last few weeks testing the layout thoroughly with the locomotives I intend to use to ensure smooth operation and have been slowly ballasting each section at a time whilst continuing to play test. Kerr Stuart Victory Class (Planet Industrials) Hunslet Austerities (DJ Models & EFE Rail) Hunslet 16 inch saddle tank (Rapido) Pannier tanks (Bachmann) W4 Peckett (Hornby) 08 shunters (Bachmann & Hornby) (All locomotives and stock appropriately weathered) I painted the sides of the rails with Humbrol Enamel which works well for me amongst the ballasting. I'm after the yard being an overgrown and forgotten end used mainly for shunting and storing wagons from an off scene colliery. As such, I have been excited to learn and use the technique of static grass among the rails and the rough ground of the yard. So far this seems to be working well around the buffer stops and I am continuing to do this more widely as I go. I am weathering the 'tarmac' ground by hand with a mixture of powders and brushing/rubbing/wiping around. There will be minimal road transport on the layout, just a worn out van and a Mini Clubman of the period. Eventually the layout will sit on stands around 5ft 7/8 inches high to allow me to operate with a frame and adequate lighting, perfect for slow shunting to while away an hour or three. All this is helping the recovery anyway from the surgery. :)

Just a few more updated images of recent happenings at West Horrington... Weathered and renumbered Jinty substituting for the usual pannier on passenger duties. Fireman, Sam Kingley, takes a breather between duties. Last minute check overs Until next time, Chris

Rob, Superb to finally meet and chat with you earlier today at Taunton Rail-ex. Bleat Wharf was looking wonderful and kept drawing me back. You've certainly given me some inspiration! All the best and I hope you got back home safely and avoided any M5 hell? Chris

Good evening fellow modellers, Gosh! What a long gap again between posts! Apologies! So, what's new on the layout? Well, it has had a name change and a 'relocation'. Welcome to West Horrington and is now based around Wells area here in Somerset. I grew tired of the name Berry Pomeroy and decided to choose a location that seemed equally as fitting but also somewhere without a rail connection. Anyway, the new running in board spells out the details appropriately... I am also now part of a local model club which is superb and I can sharpen my skills in a few areas. Finally, it seems most if not all of the previous photos on this thread have disappeared since RM Web's "crash" in the not so distant past. Perhaps a new 'West Horrington' thread is due...? Chris :)

Thank you very much and I think you may be right! I can almost feel that warm sunshine on Colin's shoulders as he leans over the cabside...

Hello fellow modellers, As we're in the midst of yet another lockdown, there's plenty of time in between work shifts for a spot of modelling and associated updates. Recently I purchased another 3F Jinty. Not totally fitting to the layout's location but I do rather like a Jinty and I am considering renaming the location to something which can represent a place suited to mainly GW locomotives on a GW branch but with the odd occasional ex-LMS loco thrown in, such as a Jinty. Perhaps somewhere on the Welsh borders or the S&D region... Fireman Ted leans out of the cab to watch the guard's signal during shunting with the morning's branch pick up freight. He looks to have cycled to work today and kept his bike on the running plate. (I once saw a photo of a bicycle hung on the smokebox door of a Jinty or similar). Later in the morning, 9654 rests in the headshunt prior to running round to form the 12.04 down to the junction. Fireman Colin Ward has a little daydream whilst waiting for the dummy to move. Here is the same scene. A bit of platform activity going on too. 9654 suitably grubby on top. Later in the week, the branch pick up freight is brought in and shunted by a well groomed 1470. Always a favourite with the local crews and local spotters. Chris

Hello everyone, So, my secondment at work has come to an end and working from home is now but a memory, however, my main role as a guard has resumed onboard the trains which is something I have missed, but not so much the late finishes and very early starts with the shifts! However, the modelling makes up for it and keeps me occupied during days off and in between shifts as well as the new house. Recently has seen the release of Bachmann's class 121 bubble car and what a beauty it is! Now, I'm not a diesel fan really but I do like the older first generation DMUs, especially the bubbles and their distinctive 'rasp'. The branch was crying out for one and, having sold one of the older Hornby ones a few years ago, I opted to buy one and help out a local model shop. Extremely light, amazingly detailed and runs like a dream straight from the box. Gorgeous item! Pearl and Eric look on in fascination as the 121 throbs away in the platform waiting to form the 12.58 to the junction as the driver nips out to grab a quick top up of his flask from the station kitchen, and he must remember to alter that destination blind when he gets back! Just before departure and gleaming in the afternoon sun. The bubble goes unnoticed by the p-way workers enjoying a natter in the yard, as usual. Later in the afternoon, Pannier 9794 shunts the yard with the pick up goods with guard Gerry in the van. Chris

Totally amazing detail here, love it! Wonderful scenes and everything just oozes atmosphere. Those bracket signals are just beautiful too! Well done!

Hi Will, Superb progress here so far and the control panel looks neat! Chris

Good afternoon everyone, Given the current circumstances with the worldwide virus, I've been working from home and, as such, this gives me plenty of time in between work duties to catch up with bits and pieces of modelling and also to take snaps as and when. So to while away the time on a summer's afternoon on the layout, here are a few photographs and no doubt more will be posted as the days and weeks progress: Fireman, Harry Strapley, keeps a close eye on the ground signal waiting for the road out of the yard and back down the branch with the afternoon freight. A weathered looking Dukedog, 9022, simmers in the yard after bringing in a small freight. The two PW chaps are still gassing over their tea. Will they ever get any work done? All the best and keep safe, Chris

Hi Les, Just had a catch up with your layout and photos. Wonderful! Keep up the superb work and your enjoyment. Chris :)

Amazing! I was exactly the same. I haven't looked back since and have heaps of spare time on my hands now outside of work. Plenty of time for modelling!

Thanks Scott. Making the move has been ideal. At the moment I am on secondment at Swindon doing training. I may even bump into you at Paddington sometime for a catch up when I'm back as a guard?!

Afternoon everyone, Not much has gone on in terms of change here at BP over the last few months since the house purchase and move. A couple of locomotives surplus to requirements have been sold to slim down the stockpile slightly. I'm working on putting together and painting the remaining point rodding for the yard though. Here we see 9794 simmering at the platform waiting to head back down the branch with a couple of empty cattle wagons: I'm looking to also make a few additions to the allotments as well and see what else can be grown...watch this space! So long for now and looking forward to those long hazy summer days... Chris

This looks a super compact layout here, Will. I’ll be following with interest. Keep up the good work, mate Chris

Thanks William. It's great to be back and reconnect with everyone. All the best, Chris

A lovely looking mink van there, Jules. Please post a photo when it's all finished and looking spick and span! All the best, Chris

Thanks John. It's good to be back

Afternoon everyone, It's nice to be back on here and thank you to Nick and St Enodoc for their kind comments. Here's a quick shot of 1470 simmering in the loop as the fireman keeps an eye out on the ground signal. Signalman Alf must be taking his time in pulling those levers. Chris

Hello everyone, Well, it's been such a long time since this thread was added to and so much has happened since January 2018! Where to begin? Well, firstly, I no longer live in Devon. I took the decision to move down from Wigan to Totnes in late 2017 and found that, although South Devon is lovely, it wasn't feeding my overall happiness. Yes, I had the lovely scenery and pretty towns, villages and beaches etc nearby but it wasn't doing anything for me. So, after some more exciting news which will follow in the next paragraph, I viewed a new house in Taunton, made an offer and it was accepted! I moved in at the beginning of this month and my happiness levels have increased tenfold. In other news, when I moved down from Wigan I had just left my teaching job in primary education (another stressed and worn out teacher, with particular thanks to the government). I sought out a new job after moving down to Totnes and within no time I had secured a job on the railway. So, with my transferable skills in teaching being ideally suited, I am now a fully qualified Guard with Great Western Railway and based at Exeter St. David's. Perfect! With the new house I have managed to get the layout up and running again after a considerable gap having to dismantle it temporarily. Branch services have now been resumed at Berry Pomeroy and long may they continue in the spare bedroom. A bit of restoration work was needed along with a good clean but nothing too taxing. Here is an overall view once again as well as a view across the yard towards the station. Thanks for looking and reading again, folks and I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things in the modelling community. All the best, Chris

Ah well, give me a shout if you're ever down in the area and if you pop down to the South Devon Railway, Andy Chris

Hi Andy, Thank you for the kind words. Oh, I see. It's certainly a small world. I regularly visit Buckfastleigh town centre and, before moving permanently down to Totnes, I used to stay in the Globe Inn when down for a week's holiday working/volunteering on the South Devon Railway. I shall certainly look out for your previous shop when I next pop into the town centre. I often walk around the grounds of Buckfast Abbey during lovely evenings during the summer and I visit the barber's in Buckfast next to the Post Office! It's always delightful to walk down to the abbey grounds after a hearty meal at The Abbey Inn on a summer's evening. Do you still live in or around Buckfast, Totnes, Buckfastleigh? Best wishes, Chris

Hello, We have a fairly new a recent addition to the branch line life here at Berry Pomeroy. I've had an eye on one of Oxford Rail's lovely Dean Goods locomotives for some time now and, during a lunch break whilst on rostered duties on the South Devon Railway, I happened to purchase one... She does run beautifully and is incredibly well detailed. I have since added lamps, coal in the tender and she is awaiting crew from the Dart Castings range as we speak. She will be used on branch pick up freights in between the usual prairie and pannier tanks (when they require a visit back to Newton Abbot shed, of course) I'm sure she will become "a very useful engine" and will fit in just nicely into Devon branch line life. Chris

Thank you very much for the kind words Oh yes, Uncle Joe's are well stocked in the cupboard for running session purposes, as are the different variety of pies for munching on after a hard day at work or after a thoroughly good modelling session! Hurrah! You can take the boy out of Wigan but... Chris