wigancg

Hello everyone, This week has seen some wagon activity at Berry Pomeroy with the completion of a couple of lovely wagon loads: a cable drum on a 1 plank and also a few detailing bits and bobs to a couple of container wagons too. I really do like Bachmann wagons as they allow for endless opportunities for extra added detail and weathering. In particular, I have a fondness for adding extra detailing bits such as chains to secure the containers to their wagons just as was done back in the day. It's extra little things like this that I tend to notice at exhibitions on other layouts and also that people comment on when my wagons are out on show at exhibitions too. Anyway, here are a few recent images to detour on a couple of different subjects: Someone recently asked me about signage for station buildings. Apart from the lovely poster boards which are widely available I wanted some GWR style cast iron ones to fit underneath the canopy. Not the greatest of photos as the camera angle is rather tricky, but these do look nice, even if I only get to appreciate them during an operating session. Now, I don't normally model animals as such but I thought that a little touch of nature would add to the enjoyment of spotting things on the layout. I do like little cameo type scenes. These badgers were such a joy to paint and they do look lovely tucked away in a little dip in one of the fields. Finally, I like long shots such as this one. Not perfect by any means, but it just highlights the scene on a warm summer's day waiting for the next arrival from down the branch. Happy modelling, Chris

Plenty of cracking progress going on here, Rob. It was a delight to catch up with your thread this evening. Keep up the wonderful work! Chris

Evening everyone, Well it's slowly coming warmer now that spring has arrived which does tend to always cheer everyone's spirits. Life continues sedately here at Berry Pomeroy with the odd development here and there every so often. Lately I acquired some fresh models and small detailing kits from the Dart Castings and Monty's Models range as they are so wonderfully detailed and are such a joy to paint on a lazy, quiet afternoon. Perfect for when someone has switched the rain on and the sun off and outdoor persuits are a no-go for the day. Here we have one example: Alf Springton sets to tending his gorgeous cauliflowers in the allotment on a warm and sunny afternoon. They'll soon be ready for pulling up and taking back to Mrs Springton for use in the kitchen. Personally, I am no expert gardener but having a garden/allotment next to the railway can only be a good thing, right? Not sure how much gardening gets done by Alf on a daily or weekly basis if he pauses to watch a spot of shunting going on? Perhaps a couple of those cauliflowers may go to the station buffet? Now there's a thought... Enjoy your relaxing time, everyone. Chris

Hi William, It was excellent to see Bishopdale grace page 38 of BRM this month! Well done and keep up the superb work. I continue to follow with interest. Kind regards, Chris

Hi Jules, Happy Easter to you too and many thanks for your kind comments. I do often enjoy painting figures and small detailing items, especially ones as well detailed and fascinating to look at as these. I've just finished painting up and detailing a cable drum attached to a 1 plank wagon which should make an appearance in the near future no doubt. York model show beckons this weekend and, oh look, Dart Castings have a trade stand... *purchase, purchase, purchase* Enjoy the bank holiday and some relaxing modelling if you get chance, Chris

Hi Steve, Many thanks for your kind words. Yes, they do look very realistic and the mouldings are superb. The luggage barrow sat on the platform next to the stationmaster and porter is also part of the fabulous Dart Castings range. Simple and quick to paint up using just acrylics. I really like how some of the models have querky features such as sleeves rolled up and hands in pockets. I always tend to see figures on layouts at exhibitions just standing around looking as though they aren't doing anything. In reality, people tend to either stand in groups or if they are on their own it is usually for a particular reason, such as the porter here. The Dart figures are superb to give the impression that a conversation is underway if they are placed just right. Kind regards, Chris

Good morning everyone, Easter is almost here which means (hopefully) increasingly brighter and sunnier days as well as the changing of the clocks, hurrah! As it has been fairly decent weather of late I haven't tinkered about quite as much. However, today is rather drab, so perfect weather for keeping dry and doing some modelling bits and bobs. I thought the platform here at Berry Pomeroy needed a few more figures to add to the population. The Monty's Models range from Dart Castings is ideal and highly detailed so here we have a painted and assembled selection of station staff. Unfortunately, the photos didn't come out as sharp as I'd have liked but they're acceptable for now. The spring steam gala at the SVR last weekend was wonderful, especially with so many gorgeous GW tank locos in steam, 4566 and 1450 being very photogenic. I always have a soft spot for these two beauties. I may post some pics from the event in due course should anyone be interested to see. In between trains can be a quiet and relaxing time, especially in summer. So relaxing, in fact, that Ted the porter has found time to doze off at the far end of the platform away from the watchful eye of the stationmaster! As yet, John, the stationmaster, doesn't seem to have noticed with him being in conversation with Sam, the other porter on duty. Now what could the conversation topic consist of? Football results from Saturday? The wife? Or perhaps some chap called Beeching? Who knows, but we're too far away off the beaten track for anyone to bother with us... Chris

Thanks Bob for your kind words. Yes, I agree about Bert. Perhaps at the same time he is wondering when the chap who has been cleaning/repainting his box will shift his ladder? Apparantly, he disappeared for a quick tea break...2 hours ago! Chris

Many thanks for the kind comments from John and Andy plus the 'likes' from the other kind folks too. I really enjoy photographing the layout in the evening lighting conditions just as much as modelling and running trains too. A decent camera makes a difference and, even though I am by no means an expert photographer, I rather like how layouts contain 1000 stories by focusing on small areas, scenes, people, animals or just objects. It's rather like having many small dioramas knitted together. Many thanks, once again guys, Chris

Hello everyone, Well, the weather has warmed up outside at least and the days are starting to get longer. Hurrah! I do love Spring time and listening to the bird song beginning to chorus again. I took a couple of nice shots last week during an afternoon of modelling and running services. On a lazy summer's afternoon in between trains, the quiet, serene atmosphere around the yard allows a mischievous magpie the chance to perch on Mr Dobson's scarecrow in his nearby allotment. The weather must be grand given the state of his broccoli and sunflowers! July, 1956. Enjoy your modelling and moving, progressively, into Spring, Chris

Hi Kavan, No indeed! From the stories I have been told by my grandparents, King St and the surrounding areas used to be quite a cracking place to be with plenty of cinemas and theatres, such as the Hipperdrome, to visit (or to climb over the toilet block wall as my grandmother used to do and get in for free) and plenty of temperance bars serving hot vimto which is where she met my grandad and the rest is history. It was nice to see today in town that the old hotel (I think it was formally a pub until recently) next to Wallgate station has been restored and I am told will be turned into living accommodation and apartments. A fine, grand old Victorian style building. Thanks for now, Chris

Hi Steve, Just to update you...I telephoned the guy at CooperCraft yesterday and asked for a refund on the non-existant GWR luggage trolleys and workman's tools that I ordered way back in June 2015. I must have chosen the correct time to telephone (during my dinner hour at work after teaching all morning and dealing with some pupils who had been little rascals all morning) as I didn't allow him much opportunity for excuses and fobbing me off. Success! I achieved a refund. Job done! Incidentally, I've since purchased some GWR luggage trolleys from Dart Castings and I believe that they are of better quality as they are white metal as opposed to plastic. Once again, thanks for the advice earlier this week. Kind regards, Chris

Hello Kev, These are superb photos posted up by Apollo. I recall stories from my uncle of times gone by when he would stand on the lattice bridge and become enveloped in the smoke from passing locomotives underneath. Such a shame that this bridge no longer links King Street with North Western station. I do agree with Apollo, this part (and in particular, King St) is a disgraceful part of town. Anyway, it looks like the layout is coming along nicely, Kev. Keep us updated! Kind regards, Chris

Hi Andy, Thank you. I agree on both accounts here; the signalman does look spot on now and finishes off the scene very well and I also have to agree about how beautiful the South Hams region of Devon is. I love holidaying down there! I think in many years to come, retirement beckons in such a location. Kind regards, Chris

Hi Andy, Oops, silly me. The pill box looks great! Perfectly isolated but still keeping watch. I do like stumbling across them in everyday life. There is one up here near home on the canal side with the railway up above. I often look and think..."Hmmm, mental note for future modelling ideas". Keep going with your allotment though. Chris

Hello everyone, As mentioned in an earlier posting, we have our signalman here at last at Berry Pomeroy. Thanks to some kind advice from Nick (the kind, skilful gentleman who owns Much Murkle), I managed to source an excellent model who looks the part here on the 'box and finishes the scene off nicely. For now at least... So, here he is! Being such a warm and sunny afternoon, Albert 'Bert' Draper has taken a breather from a flurry of activity in the yard and stepped outside to rest on the balcony of his 'box. I rather like this photo as the lighting effect is nice to give some June 'sunshine' and also highlights the detailing inside of the box too. It always makes me smile when I glimpse the levers inside the box during a running session as I really do like the detailing such as this. Finally, the lighting works well here too to give the effect of strong summer sunshine making shadows on the bridge of the signal arms. Chris

Hi Andy, This is a good suggestion here for the use of the land between the stream and railway. I had a similar scenario here at Berry Pomeroy, with a vacant space at the front of the layout and unsure what to do with it. In the end, I chose to build the land up gradually and place an old, abandoned WWII pill box overlooking the yard and station area. I believe many were constructed next to railway yards/lines, particularly those close to potential invasion areas. Perhaps this could be an idea for future use for you? You certainly do keep yourself busy! Kind regards, Chris

Hi Steve, Just caught up and am now "following" your blog. Lots of super detail here. Well done! Is that a Collett Goods I see resting alongside 6412? Kind regards, Chris

Hello again, Steve, Thank you for the additional info. I seem to remember having to call him as he does not respond to emails. In all honesty, my partner and I have our own online model shop and we considered Cooper Craft as a possible supplier, however, the answer to this is definitely "no". I'm not sure what the guy actually does all day as, apparently, he is only in the office from 2-4pm. Bizarre! Anyway, I shall let you know what happens next week and I'll have a search to find your blog. Thanks again and kind regards, Chris

Hi Steve, Thanks for the info about Cooper Craft. I understand your predicament fully and I am so glad that I have finally found someone else who knows the problem I am on about. Even at exhibitions as an exhibitor and as a punter nobody seemed to know what I was on about when the subject did arise. I'm glad you have managed to obtain your refund and this is definitely on my hit list for next week after the arrival of some new platform trolleys and barrows from the excellent Dart Castings. I have contacted the guy at Cooper Craft before a few weeks back and he wasn't particularly helpful, nor did he sound as if the broken machine is going to get fixed anytime soon. I did mention that the website does need to be altered to refrain from taking payment for orders that are never really going to be fulfilled if he is clearly moving at a glacial pace. I'm not sure how that business is surviving in all honesty. By the way, I cannot believe that I haven't managed to catch your blog thread on here up until now. Very lovely indeed! Do you have a thread within the 'layout topics' area that I can follow? Kind regards, Chris

Your little puzzle looks like it's coming on great here, Rob. I do like a good shunting puzzle layout. Plenty of entertainment and opportunities for untangling yourself from knotty situations. I often think that shunting puzzles are an excellent idea for developing logical thinking, forward planning and keeping those little grey cells on their toes. It may even be just as useful as solving mathematical puzzles, such as sudoku to keep your brain active. Superb though. I continue to watch with interest! Chris

Afternoon all, The last time I posted on here it was bitterly cold and even more so today. Groundhog day indeed! Hurrah! The new signalman has been appointed (since last update on here) and will soon be found on or around the signalbox in situ in due course. I am looking forward to getting round to including this important chap on the layout here. Also, an order has arrived with some new luggage trolleys and barrows to sit on the platform to add extra detail. Unfortunately, I ordered some directly from Cooper Craft way back in JUNE last year (Yes, I gasped as well when I searched for the email order confirmation date) and they still haven't arrived. There does seem to be issues with production of certain items after speaking to the owner so I managed to find some alternatives. Just beware if you do or have ordered anything from Cooper Craft, there may be leaves on the line...until further notice. However, I do hope it gets sorted soon as they do make some excellent products indeed and I have missed seeing them in stock at the local model shops around the area. However, to keep things ticking over, we have a shot here of 4666 engaged in a spot of light shunting around the yard with some containers. I do love pannier tanks, particularly the later variants with the remodelled and enlarged cabs and this fine model is one of my favourites. Lovely and smooth for shunting and nicely detailed externally. A perfect pannier indeed! Chris

Hi Russ, This looks an interesting thread developing here. I will certainly follow with interest. The station building looks great so far. Chris

Evening everyone, I have to say how cold it has been over the last few days. Perfect weather for brisk walks in the glorious low winter sunshine and for keeping warm with a spot of modelling indoors. The scene here at Berry Pomeroy couldn't be more different with warm summer sunshine hazing through the sky to keep everything warm. Building on my previous post, I had a dabble last week at an era change over and reverted the layout to more of a late GWR style to appearances and running. Other than changing the stock and vehicles around, not much needed changing over. The colour schemes were the same and the grubbiness could still be kept on from weathering. I mean, despite many rose tinted ideas and what we sometimes read in books about the wonderful GWR of old, stations, locos and stock must have accumulated a fair amount of "road dirt" and "muck" as anything does. However, no rusty engines with missing cabside number plates and steam leaking all over the place in these days. So, I changed over the station poster boards with GW ones from the excellent trackside signs range (I actually prefer these designs over the Western Region ones). And the change of era did allow me the perfect excuse to run this gorgeous loco. It has been suitably weathered with some "road dirt" but not overdone. The 'B set' has also gathered an amount of dirt and needs a wash down in the yard pretty soon but adds nicely to the 'off the beaten track' branch line scene. All in all, I did enjoy the era change. All frieght wagons were suitably weathered as well and frieghts were handled by 6757 pannier tank in the same GWR livery. The layout has now entered this week back in the 1950's with everything changed over just as easily. Success! A nice change of scenery...sort of for a week! Enjoy your modelling out from the cold, Chris

Hi Andy, I much prefer your new style towards the buffer stops on the end of the layout. May I ask, what are you planning on placing ontop of the tiled area in the headshunt? Watering facilities perhaps in the shape of a conical tower or a water crane? A conical tower may look better as does not necessarily require a separate water tower if I am right in saying so, whereas the sole use of a water crane usually does. Correct me if I am wrong with that. Great updates in such short time. Chris