wigancg

Evening everyone, Life at Berry Pomeroy continues to trot along here into the new year. New lighting has been installed to enable better visibility when running at night. I do like the added darkness to the layout but it can be problematic when shunting and uncoupling. I did toggle with the idea of fixing a piece of wire to a small torch to shine down on the coupling areas but the new spotlights seem to do the trick. They do actually give the layout a nice atmosphere too compared with running during the day. Anyway, on another note, I am tempted to purchase a Smiths kit for remaking the station nameboard. Something on a 'to do' list when I get around to it. I mean, I do like this one and the small flowers and rocks around the edge provide a nice spot of colour but ideally I'd like the lettering to be in traditional GW typeface. Alas, we shall see... It's nice to see that one of the newly constructed GWR benches have managed to be captured within this nice shot too. These were such a joy to build and, in my view, better than the previous ones which were a Metcalfe design (no offence intended - just personal opinion). Finally, developments are occuring around the coal bunkers in the yard. Watch this space. Enjoy your relaxation time, Chris

Hi William, You're most welcome as your photos deserve credit! I like your weathered 4F. I am generally a GWR fan but I do have a soft spot for 4Fs As for the weathering - great stuff! I too use earthy powders and also on a few of the wagons have applied BR posters and then weathered over the top. Gives a good result and nice to see folk actually taking notice of what is "inside" the wagons during exhibitions Keep up the super work and keep the great photos coming too! Cheers, Chris

Hi Les, Good stuff! Yes, I too am awaiting the release of Hattons' new line up of 14xx with a couple on pre-order. Likewise I do have an older Hornby version of the 14xx; not the most detailed of locos nor the best performing but occasional use on autotrain duty finds work for it. Sprucing it up with lamps, crew, coal and fire irons makes it look pretty although the Hornby ones generally don't seem to enjoy slow speed shunting on trip freight workings. Hopefully these new models should cure that?! Cheers, Chris

Hi Les, Great updates here! Also, a super line up of locos and nice weathering applied too! Hopefully in the not too distant future you'll be able to get hold of a lovely, new, detailed (at last) 14xx tank for use with your autocoach and/or for pick up freight duties too? Have you considered the 4575 class or thr 56xx class tanks? Useful locos to use perhaps on your layout? Finally, I really like your use of the old GW Mink van as a yard stores lock up. Recycling indeed! Chris

Hi William, Great updates here and I always like looking at photo updates in particular. The photo of 4447 puffing towards the camera is lovely. A super shot from the rails. Are your wagons weathered too? Best wishes, Chris

Hi Bob, Happy New Year! Just caught up with your new thread. Your plan looks very interesting and I shall follow with interest! Chris

Hello everyone and a Happy New Year! Activity has been rather quiet here at Berry Pomeroy over the festive season but things are now back to normal. With the new year a new service has commenced on the branch line with the use of some new Hawksworth BR Autocoaches which should eventually make appearances on the layout in future photographs. I am also in the future intending Berry Pomeroy to be a dual era type layout as I intend to change eras every so often and revert back to using GWR liveried locos, coaching stock and weathered wagons of the Grouping period to make things entertaining for me. It just means removing certain BR themed objects and items, such as BR lorries in the goods yard and changing platform notice boards and signage to that of the late 1940s. I am currently in the process of detailing and weathering a couple of locos and some stock, so that is something to look forward to! However, for now we have a nice shot of 4545 departing with a stopping branch passenger service. This loco is such a gem to run. Ever so smooth and reliable and a typical Bachmann loco. Plus, a nice afternoon shot of the signalbox at the throat of the yard. I rather like this photo showing the generic yard clutter around the box that typified so many a rural branch backwater. Enjoy your modelling everyone into the New Year. Chris

Hi Kevan, What an excellent start to your new thread and layout. Being a Wiganer myself (and still living here) I shall follow your thread with much interest! I really like your buildings, especially the Uncle Joe's factory. I wonder if your factory has a secret recipe for making those delicious sweets? Anyway, it's looking excellent. Keep the updates flowing! Chris

Hi Jules, Excellent photos here and I like the new weighbridge barrier from left over rail. Superb recycling! I agree about the use of the Wills kits for the coal staithes, they are great as is the real coal from the beach! I usually use tiny lumps of coal I salvaged from Dinmore Manor's tender! Happy New Year too and here's to a great year of modelling in 2016... Chris

Hi Jules, Hello again, Lovely photos here in your updates today. Did you receive some new wagons for Christmas too? Best wishes for the new year, Chris

Hello everyone, It's been a few weeks since the last update here at Berry Pomeroy, however, it has been quiet of late compared to recent months with a points issue to contend with. Hopefully, that is now sorted and it is behaving itself which is always pleasing to see during running sessions. My partner and I have recently established a new online model shop and one of the products we stock are these little beauties (see image below). After assembling some for viewing and photography purposes, these lovely benches are excellent quality and I have replaced the existing ones on the platform at Berry Pomeroy with four of these. The older ones were Metcalfe GWR benches which actually haven't been out that long since they were developed, manufactured and released, however, for me these new ones, which are by a totally different company, certainly look better as they are the correct colour that I am after and match the station building and furniture. They are a doddle to glue and piece together and are laser cut which adds to the ease and to their looks. Very pleasing! Here's wishing you all the best for the festive season and enjoy your modelling, gifts and relaxation over the holidays, Chris

Hello everyone, We've had a few snags here at Berry Pomeroy over the last couple of weeks or so. During running sessions, locos seems to stop dead at certain points in the yard when shunting and, at times, sections on the control panel would clash with each other which would result in a short. "Hmm..." My super handy assistant (who also happens to own 'Shunters MPD' layout in the Boxfiles section of RM Web) solved the problem as the power wasn't connecting across the frog on the point leading in and out of the yard. It's always the point right in the middle of a layout isn't it? Never one in a siding or that you can easily get to or remove! Anyway, problem is now solved (touches wooden head) and shunting is back to normal. If anyone has visited the SVR this weekend for the Manor 50 gala, I'm sure we can all agree that a Manor is most certainly sought after on Bachmann's development list. *Presses the option on the Wishlist page*. Cheerio for now and I leave you with a lovely photo of 'Sid' moving a heavy barrel in the yard as the cat looks on in the foreground on the boxes. Chris

Hi Les, Any GWR layout with a pannier tank on is an instant "like" for me! Super photos and lovely weathering on the loco. Chris

Hello TheCuckoo, Thank you ever so much! Cheers, Chris

Hi Andy, Just stumbled across your excellent layout and I remember reading about it in the mag a while back. Very inspirational talent here for us similar era/location modellers. All the best, Chris

Hi David, Oh wow! Excellent! I've only just caught up with your thread and your superb layout. I must say, how superb! What a lovely use of space and the station and its environs sit so well within the landscape. I shall certainly follow with much interest. Super photos Cheers, Chris

Jules and Sarah, Your water towers are splendid! Seeing the two different types in use in different contexts is great! I actually examined the one at Buckfastleigh station last week and the brazier there is pointing underneath the tank rather than the arm, along with lashings of black soot too. I must pull out the weathering powders to add a bit more to the one here on Berry Pomeroy. Chris

Thanks Jules, Great to hear from you again! I agree with you there. I find the whole SDR such a bliss to be there. It's my favourite of all the preserved lines (that I've managed to get to so far) and just oozes atmosphere and that rural GW branch line charm that is so unique. We had a Routemaster bus ride too from Buckfastleigh to Ashburton and we did manage to view most of the track bed between the two small towns...now we just need the powers that be to stop playing silly beggars and let people get on with rebuilding it...but that's another story Berry Pomeroy is such a quaint little chocolate box type village isn't it? I'm gathering ideas for the next GW layout already... Chris

Evening everyone, Well South Devon was as lovely as ever last week during our annual autumnal break down there, plus we had 6412 to keep us company on the SDR from Buckfastleigh for a couple of days. Bliss! Not to mention 6435 too, bonus! Therefore, Berry Pomeroy has been quiet as of recently. However, we even had time to pass by the 'real' Berry Pomeroy en route to Torbay from Totnes on the top deck of a bus last week. Such a small village but an easily "could have been" in terms of a line and station when viewing the glorious scenery from Totnes along the way and imagining a branch line running in the valley below similar to Ashburton. Anyway, here we see a couple of shots of crews taking a breather in between duties: 2260 shunting in the yard and 4545 waiting for the few passengers to board the early afternoon branch service. Enjoy your modelling, Chris

Hi Les, That's great! I prefer smaller layouts as I can concentrate heavily on more of the detail, especially on branch lines. Plus, having some countryside for the trains to run through before disappearing off scene is a bonus! I shall continue to watch your thread with interest. I like your weathered 43xx mogul too! Chris

Hi Les, I've been following your layout topic for some time now and felt the need to say how lovely it is! Well done on the detail. I very much like your countryside shots and your road over bridge to the fiddle yard has given me plenty of ideas and inspiration in the past. Superb! Chris

Hi Jules, A lovely update here. The water tank looks great as well as the brazier underneath. This is a touch very often missed on layouts with water tanks. Super! Keep up the great work. Chris

Hi Nick, Thank you for your very kind comment and your advice with the signature onto the bottom of my replies. What a good idea! As I've mentioned before, 'Much Murkle' has given me a great deal of inspiration from a superb GWR layout. I love sleepy branch lines, especially those of the GW and they have a charm all of their own. I am currently awaiting the new auto coaches from Bachmann along with those new 14xx and 48xx tanks from Dapol. Exciting times ahead for the layout! Chris

Hello there, Activity here at Berry Pomeroy has been somewhat quiet of late. Weekends have been fairly busy and occupied and weekday evenings are often out of the question with work priorities (unfortunately, however, I'm getting better at making time for modelling with this). However, I've enjoyed dabbling about with some wild heather bushes that often grow around the side of railways and seem so characteristic of branch lines with their rural feel. If anything, it adds a splash of colour. Also, an increasing fleet of nicely weathered wagons adds to the interest and keeps me busy. I often do enjoy walking into "the railway room" and picking up something to do for 10-15 minutes or so whilst I'm waiting for something else, usually a wagon or another tit bit of detail here and there. The joys of this hobby indeed! Anyway, a Devon holiday now beckons for a week...looking forward to walking down by the Dart with the distant whistle of a pannier down the valley amongst the beautiful autumn colours. Pure bliss! Enjoy your modelling, Chris

Hi Nick, I'm glad I eventually stumbled across your layout thread on here after seeing it a while back in BRM mag A stunning layout and one of my favourites! Such wonderful detail. I must say that you did inspire me when I read it way back in February. Wonderful! It's nice to see a fellow GW modeller too. Chris