BobM

Thank you Phil for your kind comments and lovely images of a very successful and well attended diesel gala. As station volunteers we do always endeavour to keep Arley looking good, the same ethos is thankfully evident across the whole of the SVR departments. Regards Bob

This beauty over flew the station today awesome sight and sound!

Saw this today for the first time...I'm saying nothing!

People Make The World Go Round - The Stylistics (Plenty of words to go round too 🙂)

Have spent much of the past two days weeding the gardens, so haven't seen much of the activity through the station, however the view courtesy of Malcolm from his Anderson Shelter, made me think it was probably close to Tea Time? Regards always Bob

Hi A few of John's original 'Airfix' wagons will form part of what will probably be a scenic (static) display within the sidings of Arley Station? Regards always Bob

Evening all..... Hope all are okay and if you were off work today, your Bank Holiday went well...? Using Sundela board I have completed the back scenic screens, these can be removed as required to allow everything to move on to 'meat' of the repairs to the layout, which is the scenery and buildings. Regards always Bob

When you are stuck for the perfect insult...? Try this....

Evening..... As part of the work at Bridgnorth, there has been a fair bit of rearranging of stock, both loco's and rolling stock being stabled at various points along the line, hence our new 'house guest' likely to be with us until late summer? These are a lot more photogenic than the previous HST's wagons.....thought I'd share the view with you good guys. Stay safe folks..... Regards always Bob

Hi Attempting to establish ‘arboreal’ decoration? Regards always Bob

Evening guys..... Only a slight step forwards this evening as I am taking a break from thinking of two layouts...... However, turning attentions to the 'northern cutting', the field grass have been torn very badly, to the point where it was irreparable, so having removed it back to the 'railway boundary fence' / cutting. I decided that the space created by its removal would best serve as somewhere to house a controller position and where the required switches in the future could be operated from perhaps? A scenic screen has been made to fit the area. Regards always Bob

Not strictly Arley but I do pass this field on my journey back and forth twice a week, each time it is a delight to travel through such lovely countryside, however at this time of year is spectacular! Regards always Bob

Just a few images for you.... Regards always Bob

Just for fun...🙂 Regards always Bob

Good Evening...... Finding a spare sheet of Sundela Board, temporary back screens and a scenic break / screen for the planned southern cassette area have been cut to shape, these strangely believe have enhanced the overall look at least of this section of the layout, making it seemingly solid looking? Regards always Bob

Hi All Before ‘close of service’ for this evening (anyone old enough to appreciate when TV shutdown overnight and played the Nation Anthem, will understand that phrase) have added some height by installing the replacement trees, making the ‘native’ varieties rather than the original mixed trees in John’s scheme ? Regards always Bob

Hi Guys..... Just to say that I haven't ceased work on Cambrian Street, far from it. However I have been somewhat distracted by the donation to Arley Station of a layout, from the family of the the late 'John' Smith.....I have become custodian of it here at home whilst it's future home and destiny are decided. In the interim I am hopefully repairing damaged and faded items whist it is with myself as we currently don't have room at Arley to display or work upon it safely, if you'd like to view 'Arley's' progress the link is here to follow...? Regards always Bob

Evening all...... I am only adding back foliage and scatter bit by bit, each or every other evening to ensure things aren't overcooked...? Hopefully bringing the southern embankment back to life? Regards always Bob

Hi Just a very quick update, some colour is returning to the ‘southern cutting’ with addition of fresh ‘foliage’, the base having been covered in pva glue, which had scattered over it the pulverised remains of the old ‘brown and crumbly’ lichen. The old grass remains as the structure but was cut and peeled back to have pva soaked newspaper pushed underneath to set hard for a hardened structure. Will update further when able. Regards always Bob

Hi Taking advantage of the glorious weather and lovely light have taken the chance not only to get some steps in across the local common land but also whilst the leaves are still off, to photograph various trees for future armature wire modelling! Regards always Bob

Hi Hope all are well? The strengthening batons have been screwed into place along the edge of the boards which where just 'open' chipboard so some anti-warping protection is now available..... Looking at some of the scenic bits, the polystyrene supports have degraded to the point of brittle and disintegrates to the touch! This layout may mean greater attention and work than first envisaged ? Regards always Bob

Evening all...Hope everyone's had a Happy Easter Sunday...? The wood for the reinforcing batons has been sourced and cut to length, if after a tiring days volunteering at Arley today I wasn't so bushed, I would have screwed these into position this evening, but as it is will probably do this tomorrow evening..... Have a Good Bank Holiday Monday. If you're working like myself then equally have a good Monday! Regards always Bob

Thanks Chris, No I wasn't aware of its function and I therefore believe that it will be superfluous to requirements? Regards always and much appreciated, Bob

Evening my friends, and a Very Happy Easter to all, Have started to make a scan of what we have....and potentially to do cosmetically at least....? Starting at the 'northern (Highley) end....... There appears to be water damage to the landscaping with the polystyrene packing beneath breaking up and perishing........ The rail joints across where the boards join are completely shot and the sections of track will have to be replaced, possibly as a removable pieces to insert to allow for future transportation? The station section requires much cosmetic work.....the station house is exceptionally fragile, I have had to repair sections that have become detached and weakened......I wonder whether painting the whole structure painted with pva glue will bond everything together for its benefit? The chimneys are missing on the station house and bedroom extension and the station canopy is not attached to the building....... The platform also requires cosmetic work, and the road bridge is in a sorry state, the bodywork very fragile indeed, the again missing pieces of 'stonework' from the base and top, I have undertaken immediate repair and inserting (available) missing pieces back into place, and using epoxy glue to strengthen the bond where possible? The Bewdley facing section of the roadbridge, was extremely weak indeed. pieces falling away at the slightest touch, the glue bond degraded to be rendered useless? Have rejoined the available pieces to the bridge where possible and practical and used emergency filler to close the gaps. The southern Bewdley Section requires cosmetic work....and beneath I have some electrical connections, terminal blocks and point motors, the viability of which I am uncertain? There's a great deal to assess, think about and consider, so this will undoubtedly take time, much thought on how to go forwards, what we want to do with the layout and where it'll be stored and potentially operated? Regards always.... Bob

Hi Just to say that the intention next is to strengthen the chipboard edges which are not currently supported to prevent future warping.....I think we may have caught the layout just at the right point in its life, as I am discovering discovering just how much some of the glue holding some of the structures together has degraded the sides of the road bridge in particular requiring strengthening.....but that is part of its charm.... Regards always Bob