SRfanJV

More progress with Bodmin General in preparation for its next outing to the Farnham Model Railway Exhibition on the 8th & 9th October. The installation and wiring up of all the new MTB point motors is now complete. We are now in the process of adjusting them to get the throw right. In the photo below, Gordon, myself and Neil were hard at work wiring up the final few motors. The point motors throw 3mm but there is only about a 1.5mm throw on the point themselves. To overcome the extra 1.5mm we are putting in an omega style 'loop' to give the extra movement in the rod but not the point blades themselves. The videos below show them in operation. Sadly, this has required a number of the point rods to be renewed. Its always a bigger job than it starts out, but we'll get there. Attention will then turn to a sand an repaint of the front presentation boards of the layout. Detailing of the goods shed and road at the rear of the layout will so take place. More to follow soon.

Quite a while since I last posted, I can't deny that the loss of all the photo's from RM web a few months ago did decrease my motivation for my threads. Hopefully, I can get back into it again going forward. The major upgrade that is currently taking place is a change from manual wire and tube point switching to slow action motors. Due space constraints on Bodmin General, we couldn't go for the well known slow action motors such as Cobalt or Tortoise. Luckily one of our new member's Neil, put us on to these MTB motors, which both Keith and I think are fantastic. Keith is currently installing these up to the original wire and tube, whilst myself with assistance from some of our newer members are modifying the wiring and installing all of the LED'S/changeover switches on the panel. This was from last week showing the LED'S now fully operational. There are a few more to do, but we are getting there. Finally, this is the current view of the layout without it's backscenes, the std 3 is a recent addition tp my own collection and not for Bodmin, but I must say, it does look at home on it. We are trying everything we can to 'finish' the layout for its next show at the Farnham show on the 8th/9th October. We hope to see you there.

Hi Graham, Many thanks, I really appreciate your kind comments, especially as one of the original creators of the layout. I hope to do it justice when it finally makes its debut next May. Thanks, Josh.

Yes they are. Truly exceptional trees. I will be getting some more shortly.

Since the last update, a number of changes have taken place, big and small. I have finally sound fitted my Dapol BR green class 22 for use on Ashlands. The Beattie well tank has also had a speaker and is now much louder. Some new standard additions have also taken place for when running the layout to a more 60's theme. Although not for use on Ashlands, I have recently received back from Neville Grove, my original Merchant Navy, the weathering he has done on it is just superb. More loco's will be sent up for treatment in a couple of months. The big job that has occurred as a result of a group of friends being booked to have a play evening on the layout in Mid July was the installation of the wonderful DCC concepts S levers. They are just a wonderful bit of kit and have brought so much more realism to the layout. There is still some work to do here in terms of interlocking, fitting of the lever numbers and painting, but since installation they have been a revelation. They also proved extremely popular during the play evening. Detailing wise, I have recently received some outstanding new trees feom a company in Poland, to me they have upped the game in terms of tree production. The silver birch, pine and beech are just exquisite. Further work will now focus on slightly widening the layout to allow the remote control lorries to pass along the front of the layout. I will also be building the down end new fiddle yard and finish off the new lever frame and control panel area. Finally, the stock level is building on Ashlands, both fiddle yards now boast very appropriate NCR based stock and more will be sound fitted to add to these soon. The overall view of the layout at this stage.

Just a quick note to say thankyou to everyone that attended our exhibition this weekend. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We can't wait to hold the next one on the same weekend next year. In the meantime, please do feel free to post any photos or videos of the events, its always great to see them. Until next time, thankyou.

We're nearly ready to go at the show. We've had a layout pull out at the last minute due to some unfortunate circumstances. St Martins Wharf will no longer be attending. Don't worry, there are lots of other fantastic layouts and exhibits to see.

We are very excited to see everyone back at our show tomorrow after 3 years away. Set up this evening has gone well and a late addition to the show is that Totem signs will be present selling his custom made railway signs to your specification. These really do compliment any layout. Doors open from 10.30, we hope to see you there.

Some post Bank Holiday Goodness for everyone. Please see below our finalised list of exhibitors and traders at this year's Salisbury & South Wilts Railway Society Model Railway Exhibition. We can't wait to hold our exhibition again after 3 years away, we hope you can join us. Society Provision Audi Visual Display Society Sales Stand Refreshments bar Layouts St Martins Wharf O A Really Useful Railway OO Wickhambreux Road OO9 Sandy Shores OO9 Hembourne 4mm/EM Launceston OO9 Cheffley OO Navigation Road 4mm/EM Freshwater 2mm/FS Golding Northgate N Burnham on Sea 2mm/FS Rheinhof HO Tavas Yn Bogh OO/OO9 Woody Lane OO9 Garden Railway Trade Rob Hampton Ron Lines Portsmouth Model Shop For the latest updates, please visit our website at: www.sandswrs.co.uk As you can see there have been some more changes, but we are now very happy with the line up.

Its been a while since I last posted. With RM Web beong down for a while and all of the photo content being lost, I kind of lost my motivation to post a little. In conjunction, sadly Ashlands will no longer be attending the Salisbury Model Railway Exhibition this year. This is due to Locoman Sounds who was going to be using the layout as a testbed for people to try out and potentially purchase some of his sound chips pulling out of the show. Therefore all work has stopped for now until I find some motivation to get going with it again. There has been some progress as shown below: I have made up some of the excellent Severn models brass etches, these include platform trolleys, seats and barrows. I have also made up 2 of their moving point levers for the yard points. Ashlands also has a new sign that was made up for me whilst visiting the Bath and West showground showcasing Heaton Lodge Junction and Bournemouth West. Two incredible layouts, but my favourite had to Bournemouth West by Paul Doust. It just really is Southern Region perfection. One of the fiddle yards has now had its TV screen installed which will show photos of the layout's construction and other items. Finally a shot of all the barrows lined up before hitting the paint shop.

We're just not having much luck at the moment. 🙄 Sadly, Locoman Sounds has pulled out of our show for reasons beyond our control, therefore our 4mm layout of Ashlands is no longer required to perform as a test layout. We are currently trying to source a replacement trader. Once we have found replacements for both, I will let everyone know. Apologies for all of the changes to our show, its very frustrating at the moment.

We are disappointed to announce that due to unforseen circumstances, the N gauge layout 'Penbooney' has had to be withdrawn from our show. A replacement is currently being sought and we will announce this on the thread once confirmed. In the meantime, please check out our new website for all of the latest on our exhibition and more: www.sandswrs.co.uk

In addition to yesterday's announcement, we are pleased to say that we have secured the services of the Model Shop, Portsmouth. They will be selling a range of model rail models and products. Its all coming together well.

We are excited to announce that a replacement layout has been confirmed for our show. This is Navigation Road, an EM gauge layout built by members of the Sarum Finescale group. It's an excellent quality layout and we look forward to it being exhibited at the show.

A few more from the weekend.

We had a great weekend at the show, thanks to the organisers, we hope to comeback again one day.

We had a really good first day at the show with the Salisbury & South Wilts Railway Society's N gauge layout of Bodmin General. On the whole it ran well, although I'll be dealing with the heights of a few wagon couplings tonight. The layout may also change in appearance tomorrow so watch this space. Please do come a long tomorrow and say hello, its a really good show with some excellent layouts and trade.

We've had an excellent first day at the Basingstoke & North Hants Model Railway Exhibition. It's so so good to be back exhibiting at shows again. Why not come and visit us tomorrow. https://www.basingstokemrs.org/exhibition.html A post covering all of the progress over the past few weeks will follow shortly.

We are sorry to announce that both 00 gauge layouts Seven Ash and Kilve have been withdrawn from the show by their owner due to personal circumstances. We can announce that another layout Ashlands will be making its exhibition debut at our show. This layout has a thread on RM web linked below: Another announcement is that Locoman Sounds will be accompanying the layout who specialises in authentic DCC sound chips. Locoman Sounds produce some of the best DCC Sound chips that you cab buy We hope to announce another layout or two in due course.

We are sorry to announce that Railroom Electronics will not be attending this year's show to due circumstances beyond our control. We will be confirming a replacement for this stand in due course.

Layout focus: One of our booked visiting layouts is Cheffley. This is an excellent 00 gauge layout with some stunning detailing.

The Salisbury & South Wilts Railway Society is proud to announce the return of our annual model railway exhibition on the 21st & 22nd May 2022. Our exhibition will take place at the Michael Herbert hall in Wilton (4 miles west of Salisbury) Venue address: Michael Herbert Hall, South Street, Wilton, Wiltshire SP2 0JS OPENING TIMES: SAT 10.30am-4.30pm SUN 10.30am-4.30pm ADMISSION: Adults £5.00 Children £2.00 Our friendly two day show is again in Wilton three miles west of Salisbury. South St leads off Market Square. We have a broad selection of layouts and trade support, Wheelchair access to Main Hall, Toilets and Refreshments area. Access to stage is by a short flight of stairs. Garden Railway will be open (Weather permitting) a short walk from Hall. (This private garden is not suitable for wheel/push chair). Local car parks and street parking free. 1 child free entry with each paying adult. List of Layouts Attending : St Martins Wharf 0 Gauge A Really Useful Railway OO Wickhambreux OO9 Perbeck OO9 Penbooney. N Hembourne. OO/EM Launceston. OO9 Cheffley. OO Tuxedo Junction. N Burnham on Sea N/fs Seven Ash. OO Kilve OO Tavas Yn Bogh. OO/009 Woody Lane. OO9 Garden Railway. List of Other Displays : Audio Visual Display List of Traders Attending: Rob Hampton Ron Lines. New and Secondhand Model Railway Sales.

Big News: Ashlands subject to confirmation will make its exhibition debut at the Salisbury & South Wilts Model Railway Exhibition on the 21st and 22nd May. The layout is being brought in a a replacement for another stand that has had to withdraw from the exhibition. I now have 2 and a half months to bring the layout up to standard so that its show ready. Below are ahows some of the progress that I have been making recently. I have finally managed to finish of the soldering up of this LSWR barrow. This will now progress to the priming and painting stage. ¹ I have also made up a couple of Southwark Bridge LSWR benches from their excellent etches. They are fiddly, but the end result is well worth it. Next up for use by the Provender store, I have made up a couple of scale model scenery work benches. Finally, both fiddle yards are going to have installed a monitor that shows photos and information about the construction of the layout as well as details about the society and our exhibition etc. More to follow shortly, plus some news on why there has been a long gap between posts.

In the run up to the Basingstoke exhibition, we have set to on starting a 3 page list of jobs to 'finish' the layout in the way that I have envisaged. Not all of these will be achieved by the time the show arrives, but the photos below show some of the progress made so far. A troublesome baseboard joint has been rectified, the track bed had sadly lifted away from the subframe. This required Keith and I to scrape the ballast out, glue and screw the trackbed back down and then level out the track. I then laid in new sleepers using microstrip. It is now ready for airbrushing and ballasting. Another big change has seen the old backscene replaced with a new taller one. This is made using 3mm MDF which was cut to shape and then the curvature was created by scoring the area where a bend was required, followed by pouring hot water over it to help bend the MDF round without snapping it. Painting will now commence. Many members have kindly helped out with detailing enhancements and or repairs. Some of these are shown below. A white metal point lever has been installed. Colin has done an excellent job of painting and installing the chains on the GWR yard crane. He has also done the same job on the water tower. David has made an excellent job of repairing and renewing the signal box roof and chimney. However, long term we are looking to rebuild the sigbal box completely. Finally, I have made a start on adding more detail to the allotments as well as creating a row of bushes behind the allotments to break up the coarse line between the scenery and the backscene.

After being stored away for over 2 years since its last outing at the 2019 Taunton Railex show, Bodmin General has re-appeared for 2 months of work to take place. Covid dependant, the layout will be appearing at the Basingstoke Model Railway Exhibition on the 12th & 13th March. We hope to see you there. There is a lot of work to do on the layout to bring it back out of hibernation and to improve the layout even further. Watch this space for further updates over the next 8 weeks.