SDJR7F88

Any idea what type of car it was? Could make it a feature!

Many thanks indeed! Yes, I've seen a couple of pictures of those in service on the line in later years. All the more tempting to try and extend the fiddle yard and shuttle to allow for such locos to run on the layout

Very nice indeed! Dare I ask how much?

Many thanks indeed Jeff! Really means a lot. Been working on a few little projects of late, but have gotten so carried away I've not really filmed them. One I've been working on today, will hopefully feature in a future update. Here's a sneak peak!

Welcome to the sixth installment on Fry's Somerdale, my latest 00 Gauge Micro Layout project. Over the past few days I've been focusing on improving the look and strength of the layout. The ScaleModelScenery baseboards have been reinforced with the addition of two L Shaped Batten to the undersides of the boards, this has made the layout a lot easier and safer move. In addition to the baseboard improvements the layout has officially gain it's identity, with the application of some custom vinyls. During a recent outing to Keynsham Station, I also took the opportunity to visit site of the real crossing. This gave for an excellent opportunity to compare the model to the real location, with some impressive results! Finally I've been working on a number of articles for Railway Modeller, which will take a closer look at both the layout and the history of the Somerdale site, as well as some of the modelling techniques I've used during construction. Hope you enjoy!

Sadly like many shows up and down the country, tomorrow's show beens cancelled, however, as a tribute, I've put together a Highlights video from previous years. Hope it's of interest! Saturday 1st August 2020 would of seen the annual Exmoor Rail - Model Railway Exhibition, held at Minehead Eye, next to Minehead Station on the West Somerset Railway. However, like many Model Railway Exhibition around this year, the event had to sadly be cancelled. So to mark the occasion, I've picked some of my favorite layouts from previous years to create this special Exmoor Rail - Model Railway Exhibition Highlights video, showcasing a wide selection of amazing model railways, in a variety of scales and gauges. All being well, the show hopes to return bigger and better than ever next year! Hope you enjoy!

Many thanks indeed! Glad you've enjoyed the build! Got another little update coming soon

Many thanks indeed! Honestly can't believe how well it all turned out. Knew it would be a challenge to try and blend those areas in such a small space, but so glad it's paid off. Indeed! Was hoping to find some suitable images of the real scene to show what once was, these should bit perfectly on the layout whilst on display.

Following yesterdays post on comparing Fry's Somerdale to real location at Keynsham, I decided to overlaying a couple of the images and here's the result! I honestly can't believe how well the model and real scene lined-up, with the road and tree line, being a near perfect match! Hopefully it give a real sense of where the line once ran. I've also attach the two original images of the then (the model) and now (the real scene), to give an idea of the before and after. Let me know what you think!

Many thanks indeed Jeff!

Really is a massive shame they took it down.

Really is indeed. Hope to do a few more shots like this, hopefully improving on these

Agreed, I think the reasoning being it is it give more view to drivers for people walking out into the road or something like that. Elf and Safety. Really is a shame

Whilst at Keynsham Station earlier I took the opportunity take a few pictures of the old Fry's Somerdale crossing to compare to my layout. It's a bit hard to get some of the angles, due to the landscape on the station side being built up and the Somerdale side being flattened and widened.

Many thanks! Now that would be something. I recently got a book on WW2 locomotives, certainly some amazing and interesting locomotives sent to Egypt in there!

Looks great! Did you just cut down the tender top?

A short running session featuring my recently completed Hardy's Hobbies Bagnall 14in 0-4-0ST, "Jasper" in dazzling Wasp Stripe livery, edited with real sound. Sounds are provided by a number of similar class members from my sound collection, captured at various Gala and Preserved Railways over the past few years. This lasted 3D Printed Body Kit from Hardy's Hobbies fits directly onto a Hornby W4 Peckett 0-4-0st chassis, with slight modification. Here we see "Jasper" in action, shunting a selection of wagon around the Quayside Warehouses on Compton Quay, my 00 Gauge Dockside Micro Layout. Hope you enjoy!

A running session feature the all new British Rail Class 121 'Bubble Car' DMU from Bachmann, in smart Network Southeast livery, edited with Real Sound. Sounds are provided by a number of fellow class members from my sound collection, captured at various Gala and Preserved Railways over the past few years. Hope you enjoy!

A short running session featuring the highly anticipated Hornby Stephenson's Rocket Train Pack, edited with real sound. As you can imagine I had to get creative with sounds for this edit, using a number of small industrial locomotives from my sound collection, captured at various Gala and Preserved Railways over the past few years to bring the model to life. Here we see "Rocket" in action hauling her immaculate rake of Liverpool & Manchester Railway coaches. Hope you enjoy!

A short running session featuring my recently completed Hardy's Hobbies Bagnall 0-6-0ST, No. 3061 "Empress", edited with real sound. Sounds are provided by a number of similar class members from my sound collection, captured at various Gala and Preserved Railways over the past few years. This lasted 3D Printed Body Kit from Hardy's Hobbies fits directly onto a Hornby B2 Peckett 0-6-0st chassis, with no modification needed. Here we see "Empress" in being put though her paces, whilst on various Colliery duties. Hope you enjoy!

Managed to have a little look at the BR variet of the model. Nice model, thankfully none of the issues mentioned above. I just had to put together one of my real sound edit videos to bring it to life. Sounds are provided by a number of similar class members from my sound collection, captured at various Gala and Preserved Railways over the past few years. Here we see No. 32655 finished in smart BR late lined black livery in action, shunting a selection of wagon around the Quayside Warehouses on Compton Quay, my 00 Gauge Dockside Micro Layout. Hope you enjoy!

Fry's Sentinel leads a short rake of vans across the road to await pick-up at Keynsham Station - 1949

A short running session on 00 Micro Layout - Fry's Somerdale featuring my kit build Hardy's Hobbies Fry's Sentinel. The model is based on the same design of Sentinel locomotive that was used at the Fry's Somerdale Chocolate Factory in Keynsham, which was recently restored to full working order on the Avon Valley Railway, near Bristol in 2019, turned out in Fry's Royal Blue with Gold Leaf insignia. Constructed from the new 3D Printed Body Kit from Hardy's Hobbies, the model fits directly onto a Hornby Ruston chassis, with no modification necessary. In this video we see the Sentinel shunting deliveries into the Somerdale site, before returning with load vans of produce. Hope you enjoy!

A short running session on 00 Micro Layout - Fry's Somerdale featuring Bachmann British Rail Class 08, which has been renumbered to regular visit 08935 and weathered using Humbrol Weathering Powders. Here we see 08935 shunting deliveries into the Somerdale site, before returning with load vans of produce. Hope you enjoy!

Let us know how you get one with fitting this. Would certainly like to know how it goes.