Andy R

I haven't posted for a while as I have been diverted into helping a friend restore/upgrade my former GWR layout exhibition he purchased from me recently. It needed some TLC in its new home. I have started on the proposed agricultural feed and grain type warehouse at the end of Hawkinsfield goods yard, to be feed from the end of the second rail siding via large doors into an internal loading bay. The idea is to generate another source of traffic. That's the plan anyway... The photos show the intended site (cleared by taking away some of the hillside along the rear backscene) and the technique of using a suitable photocopy to provide the basis of the building scale and form glued to 2mm picture frame card and cut out as appropriate. Slaters plasticard then glued on which will be painted and weathered after window details applied etc...etc... A retining wall will be built to the right side of the building implying he site was excavated from the original bank behind. It may be that the building size is too large for this back area site, relative to the goods shed, in which case I may need to downsize the building...food for thought once built. Thanks, Andy R

David- I have to endorse the recent comments -your layout is evolving to be a beautiful essay of south Devon. I for one really value your step by step descriptions of how you have created some features- such as the viaduct (earlier posts) and now the river scene. So helpful for those of us yet to start such scene on our own layouts. I look forward to more updates and inspiration. regards, Andy R

Really nice modelling Les. The Monty's crew are a treat, although in doing mine my eyesight is making painting a little challenging. regards, Andy R

Andy P- yes that John Flann is a very experienced modeller so I am always delighted to get comment from John on my meagre efforts. Thanks for your kind comments on Hawkinsfield. regards Andy R

To Les- I seem to be in that way with this layout just now- other things distracting my energy and time. But, as we have observed before the project is a long term game...at least at present that's the philosophy. I will be looking at that factory design at end of goods siding now as I would like to finish this small cameo area off. Anyway, lets keep moving slowly forward and enjoy the creative experience. To John Flann- I have just been flicking through a publication called "Modelling the GWR" by Chris Ellis and in there in the layouts pages is a plan and photo of one Dunnock Edge by John Flann, being described as..." a good example of a fictional branch line with an authentic style and traffic..." That's nice John and I wonder whether that was the first, second or which number layout? Andy R

Hi Les- thanks for your kind feedback. How's your layout progress? I was over in Hamilton last weekend working on our jointly owned Lymbridge Harbour 0 gauge layout- extending the dock scne and installing a rotating storage yard turntable thingy. I don't know whether you have ever seen that layout? Anyway, cannot have been too far away from your home as the place I was staying and working was on the Raglan Road. regards, Andy R

John -appreciate your advice as always. Nothing done on the layout for a week as other things take up time- and retirement is a 'relaxed busyness"!! I have not forgotten the need to tone down weathering on the cattle dock. Andy R

Nice, simple and effective approach, so thanks for sharing the technique and the pictures. Your construction techniques on this superb layout are very educational and helpful. The balloon idea is brilliant - who would have thought... I must try that on my next piece of embankment, meadow etc. regards, Andy R

Last one of the cattle dock series. I have yet to decide about whether to put in concrete washing pad on rail frontage- seems a little small for such a facility? Andy R

Stu -I see what you mean from the picture thanks. I will open up my 'bible' the 3 volumes of GWR modelling by Stephen Williams and relook at the photos that show cattle docks. I find the three pieces invaluable information. regards Andy R

Hi Peter; first thanks for your kind remarks about my meagre efforts. The layout's junction (and main station) is based on the Buckingham Branch by Peter Denny -the first posts outline the concept background. I am unsure whether that accords with the one you refer to. Thanks also for you comments on the kadees- there was interesting feedback discussion on these for older era British layouts- but in the end compromise for good operation may overtake aesthetics. Certainly the couplers are easy to acquire for us downunder than the UK alternatives (look at Hintock thread on the forum) I will have a look at your layout thread now. regards Andy R

thanks John -do you think I should take some of the weathered look away and spruce the railing up to reflect your observation? I didn't show the water trough and tap inside the dock which has been modelled but will not be seen from the layout edge. I should also put in a hose attached to the tap. looped and hanging from the railing. It was you and Les who rightly led me to change the location and I am pleased for that advice. Now to tackle the stone road bridge at the station approach and start the challenge of relocating and relaying the storage yard area opposite the junction. I have decided to move it forward of the future branch terminus and be 'open' for easy reach and maintenance, as well as a scenic feature (as per Nod to Brent). Will report on progress in future. regards, Andy R

Finally got some time in the layout room today and finished off the cattle dock scene in its siding location resulting from the kind feedback from several members to earlier posts. I think it looks suitably shabby as probably befits the country goods yard of Hawkinsfield Junction, but I do notice a slight misalignment of one front corner- the camera never lies! May need to get the scalpel out. A local farmer is still needed for the cattle within the dock. The following photos provide a sample of the localised scene, including the "test' of the site before setting the completed dock into its new site. Unfortunately the time spent trying to improve running of the several kit-built locos did not yield results- left for another time or for someone else. Andy R

Many thanks Andy - I do appreciate this feedback from an experienced modeller. The layout goes in fits and starts according to my time and energy; the up side is that it is a longggggggg term project. Its easy to get side-tracked; (like today spending an hour or two trying to get the balance of a kit built Adams tank right so that it picks up on the four wheels efficiently and runs better- still a work in progress I am afraid). As an aside I have about 25 kit built GWR locos brought from a friends estate that look fantastic but are poor running (he just built and displayed not operated). There are hours of work to get smoother running before any thought of converting to DCC, and I don't have any loco experts nearby to assist. Oh well, thanks for your positive interest and comments Andy R

Les I agree on the weathering. Nice work. I cant bring myself yet to paint/powder my pristine GWR locos at yet. Andy R

My apologies- layout plan on post # 27 thanks, Andy R

Stubby; appreciate your feedback. My original idea for the terminus was indeed, as you say, to place it in front of the storage yard which would be behind and below to maintain the level run of the round circuit (having tried gradients on another layout with poor results). But then the access to such would be very limited due to the terminus blocking off from the front. Note the branch line would be rising up over the top of the main lines and curving into the front area). Then I pondered on the open scenicked storage yard design on Nod to Brent layout in this forum, and felt that I could adapt that idea, as shown on the layout plan in post #69 from memory. That is/was the current idea... Then I thought that with the long wall length on the side opposite the junction (see plan) the best use of that length would be to keep the terminus along that wall length and have the storage either under or in front. You will note the structural wall pillar at one end (near the viaduct scene) that intrudes into the layout room space and cannot be moved...it holds the upstairs up! That's when my query for any feedback comment started, and to which you have replied thank you. So, all your points made are valid and need to be 'tested' I think by playing around with some temporary cardboard, gradients and heights in a mock-up type approach. Watch this space as they say. Andy R

Work has commenced on the site for the cattle dock adjacent to the yard access road that comes down from the overbridge and through the yard gates. I will tuck it between siding and road access where there is currently just grass embankment and fencing and stock access can be direct from the road up the stock ramp. Pictures soon... Thanks to Les and to John for assisting me to get this in a more satisfactory position. regards, Andy R

I have thought some more after the helpful comments above. I think the only real option for the cattle dock location is at the beginning of the first siding between the access road and the road crossing across the yard and before the road crossing (basically in front of the yard access gate). The site is shown well in the second photo on post #69. Any comment would be gratefully received. Andy R

Thanks John -I have to rethink after the helpful comments by you and Les. I will pop into Hintock to look at post 27 and beyond. My yard is very small overall so the location will be a little challenging. regards, Andy R

Alan- very nice modelling again. I really like the way you blend the foreground with the background scenery and buildings, which shows up well in the recent photos. I find the layout really educational. Andy R

Thanks Les- I have used PM to ask you a question. May thanks for other 'likes' Andy R

Thanks for the 'likes'. Still would like to hear any other member observations on the layout of the storage yard and terminus arrangement on other side of the layout if there are any further views on this please? I am simply not sure what to do on this yet. Last image for the day is another of the cattle dock/ general goods area. As I said in post above the new cattle dock yet to be 'bedded in' and the goods yard is not yet finished. I am thinking of adding a built background behind the end of the two sidings; as a low relief warehouse/storage building (taking my cue from the excellent low relief industrial buildings on Hintock of this forum). One at this location behind the yard and along the backscene would I think break up the grass banks in the area and provide another source of goods traffic for operations. I might even extend the cattle dock siding into the warehouse via a gated entry...just thinking aloud here of course. Andy R

I have managed to get a few hours down in the layout room. First tidying up the relocated signal box at the south end of the junction and placing it within its scenery base, and adding suitable vegetation, static grass/carpet felt base and other scenic material as required to 'bed' the building in. Compare to images in post #69 above... Yet to replace the box name, and this will be done using Slaters 4mm alphabet over the repainted, black name base ( I can remove the building) The second set of images are of the new cattle dock, very small, but suitable for the tiny goods yard siding here at Hawkinsfield. The cattle dock has been scratch built from card base, with plasticard stone facia and dock platform base. This was coloured with coloured pencils, as has been described by other members on this forum. The base will be sprayed with acrylic clear to hold colour. I have knocked around some existing Ratio fencing and several gates from the 'bits' box to resemble a rough rail fencing etc. This still needs a rough rust-like paint. I constructed the water trough inside out of card, with PVA water in it. Tap from Mike Models out of the bits box. Just needs representation of a water hose to complete. The dock needs also to be bedded down into the yard with suitable scenic/grass material in its exact location on the second good yard siding. Regards, Andy R

SP1- thanks for your thoughts. Mulling them over I can see that you are right. Wire in tube running from the point should provide directional flexibility if the tube and wire are working together neatly. I will ponder some more but I do think if should not be so worried now about this as I was initially. The advantage of having open but scenic storage yard (as per Nod to Brent) probably outweighs the hiding them underneath the terminus. Is that a fair assessment? regards, Andy R