wigancg

Brilliant! Looking very smart, I must say I like the lighting. I keep looking at the GWR ones and thinking my platform would look quite smart with them on.

 

Dare I ask, since the move any space to extend the layout, or are you going to resist doing that?

Thank you very much indeed. I rather like the GWR ones too and I may be tempted into the near future to install them on the platform.

I have no plans to extend the layout at the current moment. I now live in a lovely converted barn in the rural bliss of the Devon countryside to the south of Totnes, going towards Kingsbridge and the "railway room" is large enough to accommodate Berry Pomeroy in its current size which is great. However, I would very much like to see the other side of the road bridge coming into the terminus. This would be ideal for use with shunting I think - allowing the locomotive to run to the bracket signal on the approach to the road bridge.

Ideally, I would like something akin to the bracket signal approaching Ashburton Junction on the South Devon Railway. One for the platform, one for the loop and a smaller arm for the yard.

Chris

Things are looking lovely with the layout, Scott!

Just popped in for a long awaited look and I have spent a lovely 20 mins browsing through and admiring your progress. Excellent!

Chris

Nice photos of 64XXs at Monmouth, but this isn't the FoD system, of course, despite the geographic proximity.

True. But like our railways, there is always time for a jaunt off topic down a rural branch line backwater

Anyway, yes it does appear that the number on the 64xx at Troy is likely to be 6419 when zoomed up close.

Whilst walking in the FoD a couple of weeks ago on a holiday, it was great to come across these two beauties on the former Severn and Wye line. Mierystock Bridge and Tunnel from Serridge Junction to Upper Lydbrook. I recommend going down for the walk and to view these pieces of heritage infrastructure. The northern portal was excavated a few years back in plenty of publicity but now seems to have been forgotten again and it was pretty hard and inaccessible when I tried. At least the southern portal was visible.

Neil Parkhouse's book seemed to feature the tunnel with details so I'm looking forward to reading that section. But for now, I love discovering finds like these... The FoD lines are pretty unique and interesting, even today!

Chris

May 1958:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7527/15992506637_9b350e60b7_b.jpg

 

Undated:

http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/02/59/16/2591621_0c9deaef.jpg

Is that 6419 alongside 1455 at Monmouth Troy?

Incidentally, I have been devouring this book this week:

What an absolute joy. Another of Ben Ashworth's masterpieces. VERY useful for selecting locomotives, frieght consists, backscenes...the list could go on as well as just having time away from the rush of 2017 in the armchair with something warm to drink and a biscuit or three...

Chris

Errmmm Chris. Where do the trucks and coaches go in that fiddle yard?

The fiddle yard in the photos is the one on the end of my Berry Pomeroy layout. The stock lives seperately in compartments and ideal sized shelving within the same room away from non-enthusiast hands...

No coaches will be used on the Bream Yard layout as it is purely a yard for shunting wagons.

Chris

 

That's Derails run by Dan who is a frequent poster on here. The shop always gets favourable reviews for prices and service, both in the shop and mail order.

 

Thread here;

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/92361-derails-glos/

 

.

Quite right!

I know Dan well from visiting the DFR. Having just become a member of the railway, I may continue to do some volunteering there in the near future alongside my roles at the South Devon Railway

Thank you for the thread.

Chris

Hi guys,

Steve, your layout, Marsh Sidings, looks the business! A simple yet effective design in a small space and I can't believe that I haven't come across it before!

Excellent shot of the 22 with the dogfish hoppers behind. Oh, thank you for the tip in terms of static grass amongst the rails...I shall have to grow a beard when applying the grass as my trimmer will have other uses!

Just on a slightly different sideline, when on holiday in the Dean Forest last week I paid a visit to Coleford. If you're in the area, there is a neat little model shop tucked away behind the sandwich baguette shop on the main street. It is signposted but you have to keep your eyes peeled. It is owned and run by a couple of chaps who also volunteer on the DFR and it is well worth going in to see what they have on offer.

As luck would have it, I picked up 6419 for the cheapest price that I have ever seen it anywhere. Even cheaper than box shifter Hattons...! So, as they are a relatively new model shop I had to have it - I mean, you have to treat yourself whilst on holiday, right?

6419 is pre-weathered up well and just need to get round to adding further detailing items alongside the crew and fit the etched plates when they arrive next week as well as lamps. According to a bit of research I did a few days ago, 6419 was the last of the 64xx panniers to be withdrawn and she was based at the time from Yeovil Town. Plus 6415 looks to have been based at Horton Road but was sub-shedded at Lydney? Does this ring any bells with anyone to confirm this? Anyway, it may be worth renumbering this model to 6415 if this is correct to fit in with the area...

Here she is looking lovely on the other layout during a spot of slow shunting after spending some time on the rollers...

I think we've enough panniers (and other tanks) to be getting on with for now between both layouts...

Chris

Another "Panniers and F-o-D Enthusiast" here. Also got 'that' book & thoroughly recommend it. Be sure as well to buy anything featuring the photos of Ben Ashworth - they are also "must have" books!

Slightly Pedant Alert - to me your brick arch retaining walls don't seem very 'Forest of Dean-ish". Of course the A48 has some pretty fierce brick retaining walls just south of Newnham, but to me stone retaining walls would look better, as at Parkend. The low railway viaduct at Blakeney (some bits are still there) was also stone. Just my opinion of course.

 

To really set the layout in the Forest, don't forget to have some Scraggies wandering around, even quite close to the tracks, too!!

 

Edit: you've probably already found it, but just in case, there's a Special Interests Section here on RMweb covering the railways of Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean.

 

And Scraggies is the local nickname for sheep. 

Hi F-UnitMad,

Thank you for the kind words, tips and advice. I have also found the book, 'BR Steam in Dean' with Ben Ashworth's superb photos of panniers in the forest to be of great value and for superb reading!

Thanks for explaining what 'Scraggies' are - I did see plenty last week during a holiday in the forest as they were roaming around Parkend quite freely! I'll have to find a couple of boars too to place in between some trees and bushes!

I am intending on building up the terrain on top of the brick arches and having the yard in a cutting down below. The forest will be seen on top and the damp and misty air will encourage the usual weeds and growth down below amongst the sidings and yard, along with the usual ivy, moss and wet growing and seeping down/up the brick arches.

I did at first think about having a small stream/river/canal scene on top but would rather have the forest. A branch will disect the yard roughly half way on an girder overbridge. I have yet to decide if this line will look still in use or disused with missing rail, just sleepers left or complete track but heavily overgrown and nature reclaiming.

The joy of our hobby is that things can be changed, adapted as the process goes on. It's all in the fun...

Chris

Nice chunky baseboard, but what length is it?

The layout is 6ft x 1.5ft

Chris

Hello everyone,

Here is a further progress update on Bream Yard:

The baseboard was measured, cut and built last month to a strong and strudy design with plenty of bracing. The track plan was cut and pinned down ontop of the usual cork layer and wired up for testing which works well. The layout only has 4 points which will be controlled by rods under the baseboard and handles on the side of the board for pull/push operation.

Work has started on the rear brick arch retaining walls, ontop of which will be the encroaching Dean Forest. A bridge will disect the layout at a skewed angle, over which will be a single track line (non-operational) to give the appearance of one of the many branches/colliery/stone work lines to criss cross each other within the area.

Some light industrial buildings will be at the right hand end of the layout along with the corrugated shed and only a couple of the arches will have internal doors for industrial use. It has been entertaining to experiment with weathering and painting up the archways to give a weatherbeaten effect and a feeling of constant dampness from the forest surroundings.

Once again, thanks for looking and enjoy your own modelling relaxation.

Chris

This new project my eye this morning. The Forest of Dean railways are a great source of inspirationand Neil Parkhouse's book is both first class and a must-have for anyone interested in the area. Simulating weed -nfested track was a chalenge before the advent of static grass. Here are a couple of shots of a weedy siding on my 7mm sale Tonfanau Camp layout. I simply spread the glue on the track and apply the grass with the applicator. When the glue has set I vacuum off the surplus fibres and then scrape the tops of the sleepers. I can then go back and apply longer pieces of grass if desired and provided they don't interfere with the operation of the locomotives.

 

I shall follow this with interests.

Hello 81A Oldoak,

Many thanks for your words of encouragement with this new venture. I have to agree that Neil Parkhouse's volume 2 book has been a wealth of information as well as a visual delight into the lines in the Dean Forest. As a novice with static grass, I am looking forward to developing the skills in this area and seeing what the results bring...

Chris

This will be a good one

There is so much of the historical railway buildings bridges and track bed still very visible in the area. I've spent a lot of time in that area.

Like you bought the book last year and have often thought that is what I should have modelled. May be next time.

 

That pic of the class 22 is great,

Good luck

Dan

Hi Dan,

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement with this. I have just returned from a week's holiday in the Forest of Dean and have explored many, many of the former lines down there. It's surprising what it still there and left behind

Chris

Evening all,

So with work bits and bobs put to one side for the day and a terrible spot of weather today (is it June?), this evening has been devoted to some modelling.

I am in the midst of planning a new smaller shunting layout, something on the scale of 'Drewry Lane'. Smaller than Berry but entertaining to sit alongside Berry on another wall in the spare bedroom. Exciting!

The fireman of 5819 keeps a watchful eye on the platform starter ready for the off with the branch freight down to the junction.

After some running in and detailing parts added, this model, like sister loco 1470 runs lovely and is a joy to shunt around with.

I am considering having the new shunting layout to be more industrial but with a location to suit the GWR and SR. Any ideas gratefully recieved...

Chris

Thanks chris...was on the train from exmouth to exeter and back on wednesday, looking out for brick bridges to give me ideas... some unusual looks from people watchin me pressed up to the window tryin to get a better look....  lol      

You're welcome Dave.

I suppose it does look a bit strange and odd to those who take no interest in our hobby and in railways in general. However, it is no more strange to me than these 'macho' blokes who cry, swear and act in strange ways over their precious football team (as you can tell I certainly am not interested in football). To each his own which is what makes the world go round.

Anyway, a lovely spot of modelling with the bridge. I have the same Wills kit too as a scenic break and have often wondered whether to add some bits of moss and the odd damp/mouldy patch in the nooks and corners. That may be a job for a future spare afternoon.

Chris

Hi Dave,

The bridge looks superb! Great weathering techniques there, particularly the smoke stains.

Chris

Hi Scott,

This looks like a very interesting branch layout shaping up here. I shall certainly follow with interest.

Keep up the super work, mate.

Chris

Hello fellow modellers,

It's been a few months since I last posted on here so here are a few photographic updates from a couple of bits and bobs with detailing etc.

5819 simmers on shed whilst awaiting her next duty. Fireman Jackson relaxes in the cab in the warm sunshine.

Again, a similar shot but this time highlighting the BR crest. I do have a soft spot for these tank engines, especially when they are less common these days in black in preservation.

Finally, with shunter's truck in tow, 1367 busily shunts the yard after the arrival of the afternoon pick up goods from down the branch. Amongst the wagon and van varieties are a load of pit props needing delivery down the branch to a local small colliery.

Incidentally, I do have a soft spot for the 1366 class of tanks too. Last week I was the Travelling Ticket Inspector behind 1369 on the South Devon Railway as part of a new volunteering venture. Not surprisingly, the models of 1367 in BR black early crest had vanished from the shop as 1369 is currently in the same livery before her boiler ticket expires at the end of May 2017. Such a cracking week and if you adore GWR branch line operations, then the SDR is the place to be!

Chris

Hi Les,

Looking good as always! I have 5819 as well and I have to agree with you on all points. A cracking locomotive and does require a generous amount of time running in. I purchased two DJ Models 14xx, the other was 1470. Again, at first it was a bit lumpy running but, rest assured, some weeks later after spending time on the rollers and running in on the layout too each day on passenger duties, it now runs lovely. It looks even better with all the detailing on and crew fitted too!

Keep the updates coming and superb work in progress as always.

All the best,

Chris

Hi Dave,

Looking forward to seeing how the farm track overbridge looks when finished. Lovely progress and always great to see your updates on this lovely layout.

14xx looks superb too!

All the best,

Chris

This is very smart, what font did you use?

If you join the GWR e-list group on Yahoo, the font can be downloaded to Microsoft Word from the Files section. Once downloaded, you can produce what you wish. It is simple to use and took me 5 mins to create once I downloaded it

Nice pics Chris, and some really good new Stock.

Thanks Andy.

They're all lovely runners straight from the box after a little time on the rollers

Chris

Hi David,

As stunning as ever. Every time I visit this thread it reminds me why it is one of my top 5.

Superb and outstanding modelling and everything just fits so well in the correct proportions.

Chris

Hello everyone,

With having a much needed week off work this week, it has given me the opportunity to delve into some modelling and to get the camera out also.

It seems we have some new additions to the fleet here at Berry Pomeroy. Just as well that I didn't go through with my New Year's Resolution of not purchasing anymore locos

First off, we have one of the new 14xx/48xx/58xx tanks from DJ Models. I have purchased two of these, one of which, 5819 slumbers outside the shed before duties commence. These are stunning models and surpass the old Hornby versions. Finally, no rubber traction tyres anymore and we can actually shunt at slow speeds with them!

This one is beautiful just like the other one, 1420. I always do like these locos in black, lined or unlined.

Secondly, we have 1365, one of the cute 1361 class locos of which there were only 5 built. This is a Heljan model and runs like a dream after spending 30 mins on the rollers this afternoon. Here she is undertaking a spot of shunting around the yard.

I also purchased one of the 1369 locos too back in January. The fun part is yet to come with the fitting of crew. The cab opening is rather small!

Chris