boxerbayrailway

I can just imagine a 43xx headed train passing by. I really like the scenery on the corner section, a pleasant location to have a picnic & watch the trains. Nice to see another roundy layout in O.

Thanks John for the kind words. I was tempted to do a more traditional fiddle yard to terminus station, but in the end I just had to have the option of continuous running for those days after work and I just want to sit & watch the trains go round, plus it's great for running in new locos ! With a 4' radius I can run most locos that I'm ever likely to own, and will even take the Dapol GWR Autocoach with no issues. I'll have a look at your layout. Cheers, Felix

Hi Shaun, Yes the Rogue Valley show, sadly I could never attend because of the nature of my job, which required me to work each year during that weekend & thinking about it, I remember my Dad mentioning one year that he saw a nice British layout, which always makes an impression as we're both enthusiasts. My Dad is more into the industrial side of railways, I just like everything pre 1970s. I originally got interested in British Steam due to Ivo Peter's excellent films. Otherwise I'd probably be building an N scale layout of 1990s CP Rail / CN in the Thompson Canyon of BC. Yes I'll probably come up with a uncoupling mechanism for inside the shed. I use the Bachmann OO tension lock couplings so it should be doable. It'd be great to come round for a visit, I travel to Grants Pass as often as I can, before the bad weather that is. Probably coming down next week or therabouts. I'll send a PM. Cheers, Felix

Hi Shaun, Wow, first time on any railway forum I've come across a "neighbor". I'm in Coos Bay, have been here since '92. My Dad is in Grants Pass & I visit him often. Whereabouts are you ? I've just been browsing some of your superb layouts. I have fond memories of Dunster from my '03 visit to the WSR. A friend of mine in San Diego has built a nice model of Minehead in O. Thanks for the kind words. I really should post updates more often on here. I've completed the goods shed, a few photos below. Not a 100% accurate copy of Ashburtons but I'm very happy with how it looks and fits into my fictional station. On your next trip to the coast you welcome to stop by for a visit. Cheers, Felix

Full capacity at Windrush Junction ! BBR local mixed arrives just in the nick of time for passengers to make connection with the GWR Autocoach. Billy & Anthony taking down numbers & negotiating for a footplate ride.

The inaugural race between the BBR and the CCC (Cyclops Coach Company) has gone in favour of the railway

Manning Wardle shunting the afternoon goods.

A long day comes to a close. Just a few wagons to shunt & off to the shed to drop the fire, at last. It got dark early Fred, look at that Moon !

A quiet day, nothing much "on" at Windrush Junction. Just the Peckett, shunting some wagons at the brewery. Time passes slowly on a warm summer evening in Somerset.

After researching some kits on the market for Goods sheds, which were either too expensive or not what I was looking for. I decided to just make it from scratch. I jumped in and started from a scale plan from the excellent Great Western Branch Line Termini by Paul Karau. It's basic dimensions are based on the shed at Ashburton, but it will not be an exact replica. Foam core & Slaters stone sheets are the basic materials, which work great and cost very little. Who says O gauge is expensive ? Here is the basic shape & how it will look at Windrush Junction.

Slowly working away at a few layout projects. Latest rolling stock addition is an S&D Peat Wagon. Built from the Furness Railway resin kit, overall very happy with it. You can never have too many wagons

Coal delivery for Windrush Jct shed. Great Western Pannier tank #7711 shunts a lone wagon next to the coaling stage, who wants to unload it ? Surely someone will come along ? What else is there to do on a sunny summer day in the country ? Isn't shoveling coal rewarding jolly fun ? Perhaps Arthur the stationmaster will lend a hand ? Nope, his back is playing up again. Funny, anytime there's physical labour to be done he starts moaning & hides in the office. Well guess I'd better get my back into it.

Local lads Anthony & Billy watching BBR #1 Manning Wardle shunt the goods yard on a quiet summer day. Bill is asking across the way to signalman Frank Peacock if he can visit the box & pull a lever ? or perhaps a footplate ride

Boxer Bay Railway Manning Wardle #1 & Terrier #3 at the loco shed, Colonel Stephens having a chat with the fireman Ernest. After shunting & making up the afternoon goods, she departs for the docks on my fictitious light railway set in 1930s Somerset, where it's always Summer

A Manning Wardle shunts wagons into the goods yard at Windrush Junction, in deepest, quietest, remotest, least spoiled Somerset.

It's been quite a while since I've posted an update on here. Some scenic work has taken place along with the village at Boxer Bay. A couple photos & a recent brief film.

It's been awhile since I've posted anything on here. Scenic progress has been happening at Windrush Junction , so it's starting to resemble something like a station The brewery is also developing, with much work still to do. Also had a bit of time to do a short film, featuring the lovely Dapol 48xx which I couldn't resist. Hope everyone is well and keeping the trains rolling in these strange times. Felix

Looks like a fun session. I especially like the shot featuring those vintage signals. Seeing these photos almost makes me wish I hadn't gone fine scale as I have a weakness for Dinky Toys. Cheers, Felix

Wow what a cover, great shot. Over the years I've been slowly building up my collection of classic MRNs. The older magazines have more prototype info, scale plans and building articles etc... as there was less RTR stuff and a lot less advertisements. Also more people around that still had first hand knowledge of what we're modelling. Great stuff.

Hi Colin, It's looking very good. I'm following this with interest as I'm considering the same kit for my light railway. I converted from OO a few years ago and started with a little RTR but I'm itching to build my own models now. Felix

It's Christmas eve, and snow is beginning to fall. Under the watchful eye of Colonel Stephens himself, BBR # 3 "Josie" shunts the last few wagons into the goods sidings before retiring off to the shed at Windrush Junction. I wonder if that's Ivo's Bentley ? ;) From all the staff of the Boxer Bay Railway, wishing everyone following this story of my fictional model railway a Merry Christmas. May you spend quality time with the family, eat lots of good food, and maybe get a chance to run the occasional train Cheers ! Felix

There's been a little progress with some details. I realized I needed to add a catch point to protect the goods yard, along with a ground signal. I've also cobbled together an end loading platform, in typical Col. Stephens fashion, salvaging some railings from a Peco HO turntable kit that was being tossed in the bin at one of our local swap meets. The area around Windrush Junction is now starting to take shape, more developments coming soon.

Okay everyone, here's a really good one. I promise this is the last one - resistance is weakening Just need that winning Lotto ticket (Dear Father Christmas...........)

Yea, too bad the quality of the filming didn't match the quality of the trains ! Although I'm building a "scale" railway I've often been tempted by the coarse scale offerings from ETS / ACE / WJ + etc.. + vintage pieces. I keep saying to myself maybe just 1 wagon, or 1 train, but I know what will follow Felix

I just ran across this & thought some might enjoy. Is this not what every kid would dream of for a Christmas train set ? Wow. I like the track level view around 4:35. Love those old Marklin coaches, Impressive collection. Felix