Tom F

One more photo for the evening. No. 6 propelling stock (for the layout this would depict one of the last workings in 1958, before the Quarry closed and became a permanent RNAD ammo depot).

Productive day! Client's models were weathered, before turning my attention to the four 'Skarloey' wagons. Three '2 bar' slate wagons, and one incline wagon. I knew I wanted to depict the incline wagon as fairly well rusted with paint peeling. Really pleased with how it has come out. The four layers of foam baseboards are currently gluing together, ironically weighted down with several heavy 'Talyllyn Railway' books!

Built, painted and branded. Ready to join the others once weathered.

Last night I made my first 009 rolling stock in nearly a year. Three '2 bar' Talyllyn slate wagons and an 'incline' wagon, which I hope to get painted over the next few days. I have also made some amendments to the track plan, primarily shortening the layout down to '2ft-7in'. There is always a temptation to go 'big', but the long term plan is that 'Scaca Fell Forestry Crossing' as a modular layout, fits to a bigger board which would be 'Skarloey Station'.

Couple of Cambrian based locos I've just finished. These are both for Alan of Modelu and his lovely diorama of Porthmadog MPD.

Last one for today of the little photoshoot. This week's modelling time will be dedicated to wagon building! Next weekend.......track laying just might begin!

No. 3 has now had 'his' worksplates added (Falcon Works). This week I'm going to be focusing on getting some rolling stock put together (primarily focusing on slate wagons followed by timber bolsters).

Although finished last year, I finally got around to adding No. 3s.....No. 3! Plan to add the 'Falcon' works plates tomorrow. Loco driver is from Modelu and painted superbly by Claudia Everett. The stance seems incredibly appropriate for dealing with 'Sir Handel'!

After a pretty tough year, I think I'm finally able to face my own modelling projects again. As disposable income is fairly limited, I've had to think outside of the box with this project. Those who have followed my work, will know I'm a keen researcher of the fictional world created by the Revered Wilbert Vere Awdry. Sodor is an island situated between the Furness peninsular and the Isle of Man. Special thanks to my good friend Ben @BritishGypsum4who together we have explored the Reverend's writings. Many of which are unpublished and I'm very grateful to have been given access to this material in my research. What follows is in principle what the Reverend Awdry created, but in places myself and Ben have gone into further detail and have filled in our own gaps (which I feel the Reverend would have approved of). The Skarloey Railway (S.R) runs from the town of Crovan's Gate (where there is a joint station with the standard gauge 'North Western Railway's' Main Line). The line traverses the picturesque Hawin Dooiey valley before reaching the terminus station of 'Skarloey'. From here there is a quarry extension for 2 miles which climbs high above the Ben Glas valley before reaching the 'Ward Fell Slate Quarry'. Scaca Fell Forestry Crossing is my interpretation of the approach to the Ward Fell Quarry. The area is surrounded by forestry which to my mind comes under the authority of the 'Sodor Forestry Commission' a subsidiary of the British Forestry Commission. Trees are felled by 'Taylforth Timber Haulage' of Glennock, dragged in their trusty Douglas Timber Tractor and loaded into S.R bolster wagons to head down the valley. In 1942, an agreement was reached with the Ward Fell Quarry and the Wartime Government, for the RNAD (Royal Naval Armaments Department) to use some of the older, disused slate workings as an 'Ammunition Dump'. The S.R locomotive fleet consisted of two locomotives at this time, No. 1 'Skarloey' and No. 2 'Rheneas'. Both engines were in poor mechanical condition and were already struggling to maintain the railways passenger and goods service. The Government loaned the railway two diesel locomotives which were utilised throughout the remainder of the war. By the late 1940s the diesels had gone and the railway was operated primarily by one locomotive ,'No. 2' (with 'No.1' to be used in dire emergencies only!) In 1952 the railway was able to purchase two additional locomotives from the 'Sodor Aluminium Company' at Peel Godred. These were ex Mid Sodor 'No.3' and 'No. 4' which were subsequently renamed 'Sir Handel' and 'Peter Sam'. By 1953 the Ward Fell Quarry had closed which was to be a heavy blow to the railway. However, the Ministry of Defence were to be the railways saviour. Keen to continue to use the Quarry as an 'Ammunition Dump', they approached Sir Handel Brown II (the new owner) offering to purchase the site. A sale was agreed, the quarry reopened for a limited time, clearing out the remaining slate over the next 5 years. By late 1958 the Quarry was cleared and under the control of the RNAD. S.R locomotives would work the RNAD empty and loaded trains as far as the start of the quarry extension, where the vans were handed over to a RNAD locomotive. The S.R had also acquired two more locomotives in this period, No. 5 'Rusty' a Ruston and Hornsby 0-4-0 diesel and No. 6 'Duncan' an Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 well tank. It is my intention to depict the traffic as referenced above, with an operating period of '1942-1958'. Awdry states that ScacaLoey ('Scaca' meaning Wooded Hillside and 'Loey' Lake) was the original name for the area, but a scribes error created the more common name of 'Skarloey'. It was my idea that the hillside above the area could be called Scaca Fell (using the mix of Sudrian and Norse heritage). With such forestry in abundance, and Awdry stating the railway had carried timber, I was drawn to depicting this traffic. In modelling terms, it will be heavily influenced by Forestry Crossing on the Talyllyn Railway. The three lines branching out represents the start of the slate quarry transfer sidings. I am fortunate enough to have been given access to a sketch by Awdry of the Ward Fell Quarry, heavily influenced it would seem by the Nant Gwernol sidings on the Talyllyn. The aqueduct and water tower as seen in Book 14 'Little Old Engine' will act as the scenic break to the layout. To help keep my costs down, I'm building the baseboards using various layers of 10mm foam board. This should form a sturdy yet light layout, ideal for outdoor photography, and exhibiting.

Some more recent commissions I've finished, for a client's British Rail Corporate Blue era layout.

I recently finished weathering this J17 for Tony. I found a nice reference photograph online, which Tony was happy for me to work from.

Thanks Dylan! A couple more ex-LMS locomotives.

Here is one of several locos I'm currently working on for a client. All locos are based around those working in the Camden area in the 1960s. There is something about a Duchess that just says power!

Thank you Keith! The Grange had been weathered to a less than satisfactory standard before hand, so I'm glad I was able to turn it around. Today I finished this Hornby A2/2, not the best for quality control I'd say. It captures the prototype well though. I certainly have a soft spot for Thompson's ugly ducklings!

I've just finished weathering this Hornby Thompson A2/2 for a client, and contributor of this thread! I have to say, there were a few quality control issues with the model. Missing cab handrail, dodgy snifting valve and the reversing lever dropped of while handling. Should the loco have an AWS bang plate during this period with early crest and higher front numberplate? I think the green has improved with weathering.

A Hornby B1 renumbered and named plus a Class 24. Both locos were weathered to reference photographs supplied by the client. Tomorrow.... a Thompson A2/2!

Finally got around to photographing the latest commissions on the workbench. Hattons 4mm LMS Garratt Hornby 4mm GWR Grange Hornby 4mm GWR 28XX

Thanks David, although I can't really take any real credit. Tony filmed all the footage, I just stitched it together.

Tony kindly asked if I’d edit some more Little Bytham footage he had taken, including some work in progress kit builds. The video failed to upload overnight, but thankfully did this morning! Enjoy!

Evening all! Tony kindly suggested I post this in his thread, after I showed it him in an email. Recently finished this Hornby B1 for a client. Renumbered (and now named) as Doncaster's 61003 'Gazelle'. Depicted in its last years of work (working form a photo of her sister 61016 'Inyala'.) Did my own motivation and confidence a lot of good.

Merry Christmas to Mo and yourself. Thank you for your incredible support, and inspiration. Best wishes Tom & Lass (woof)

Going to do some painting work on the 3 plank (primarily the black iron work). Merry Christmas from the North Western Region of British Railways, December 1959.

Yes, I'll stick to red! The Rev cut and shut an existing peco wagon transfer I believe (B Q C becoming F Q C). Granaphast was cut to become 'Anopha' the name of the quarry.

This a plan I drew up from about a year ago.

Popped into the shed earlier, first time I've been in there in ages. Now I have decided to not depict the quarry, and instead use it as an off scene fiddle yard, I am able to extend the scenic section. This will hopefully allow me to represent the level crossing/road that runs in front of the station masters house. My intention is to go beyond the station masters house, which will then represent the Alresburgh-Ulfstead Road level crossing. This was un-gated and allowed access to the lane, a short section of duel road and tramway. This will work as the layout scenic break.