Sophia NSE

I had a new arrival this week that I won't be modifying in any way, other than having the DCC chip removed. Dapol B4 named after the best Channel Island for a future shelf layout. I do have the other island on order too

I'm making locos out of what I already have. I've got a lot of pre orders coming in 2023 😝😝

While I have a layout build in the pre grouping section, Chart Sutton, I wanted to build a shelf layout depicting a never built railway on my favourite holiday destination, the island of Guernsey. The original loco behind this idea, a modified Hornby Terrier. Unfortunately it sits too high, so I have a Dapol on on the way. I'm reliably informed by an expert that these do sit at the right height. An R1 (no surprise with me!) with an extended bunker and scratchbuilt pony truck. The final loco for this Channel Island branch line is this creation of Frankenstein (it's pronounced Fronkenshteen!) A GBL C class loco and tender body sitting on a slightly modified Comet 4F chassis for the old Airfix loco and the tender from the Airfix 4F. Pickups are on the way and it will probably be completed when I'm back at work next week. Coaching stock will be made of these old Hornby 4 wheelers cut and shut into 6 wheelers, with a saloon coach in the process of being built. The duckets on the brake coach come from a Ratio LNWR coach kit. Hopefully some actual layout building will start soon and I can have something semi permanent to play trains on!

Containers-uh and their drivers-uh!

These pics are from before I wasn't happy with the cab not being right and deciding to (hopefully) learn how to CAD! Here is the current state of play with version 2

I'm currently attempting to turn a J72 into an LCDR T class

Wait, this isn't an R1 and it's not grey. Instead it's the first loco of my new shelf layout, set on the Channel Island of Guernsey. Definitely a Terrier, although there's been a few changes. Most notably the safety valves, clack valves, and cab handrails. A smokebox dart is on order to complete the front end, which also has a replacement smokebox door with wings by Killian Keane to backdate it to an A1. The clack valves came from a warped M7 body and the cab handrails are from the J72 that donated it's safety valves. Finally the loco colour, which is actually SECR coach crimson. I think it quite suits the Terrier. Eventually it will be lined in a straw colour with the Guernsey crest on its tanks. It will be named after one of the Island's parishes.

The E1s I have on order are the Train Times exclusives with never before seen in RTR livery of Brighton goods black. Limited pre orders so definitely worth checking them out 😁

I didn't mean to go silent for 3 months, but it's been very busy at work since last time I posted, so thanks Artless Bodger for giving me a wake up kick! When it comes to foamboard baseboards, plenty of bracing is the key as it warps very easily. The upside of this is it doesn't take much to get it back into shape. Chart Sutton is still very much under construction. Just after my last post I had all the points wired up and working and then had the idea to buy a further extension board to make both sections the same length. This meant all track other than the loop release point ended up being ripped up. Now the platform and loop are much longer and all track and point motors have been reinstated. As for locos, I now own an N class which is now grey and a Terrier, a dock authority diesel, and a Lima DMU which are for another project. I have a Dapol B4 and a pair of Rapido E1s on order...🤪🤪

I'm a Maidstone United fan, so any layout named Priestfield would thoroughly disgust me! 😂😂

Something Brighton this way comes.... Please ignore the stunt driving in the background, the drivers have been severely reprimanded 🤪

The newest arrival doesn't have a pre grouping livery, but there are hopeful plans for it

Some persuasion with a hammer had it out in no time. I used Araldite to fix the gear onto the axle

No, it's a single shaft feeding through the final gear. I removed the actual shaft and replaced with a 3mm axle

It's an N20 motor

Things have progressed rather! https://youtu.be/TeYq0K2mzKU

Here's what I did at work today! DCC chipping a Hornby pocket rocket. Photo taken by the boss 😁 Also a little something for a new project

Had the layout out for a play and the H is an absolutely fabulous loco, running very well on my track. The C ran pretty well too. I'd best get around to a fiddle yard soon!

Chart Sutton's loco line up And a close up of the H class in its new (old) livery

Oh look, another loco to repaint and renumber! This will become No. 5 with exposed splasher brass as seen in the Russell book on Southern locos

Forgot to mention last Friday's purchase Wrong livery and some terrible weathering but some T-Cut and a couple of coats of paint have fixed that

Time for a little brake The duckets have been liberated from a Ratio LNWR coach kit that didn't require them

The station master's garden now has a wall

The station master's house and garden are ready to be glued in as No 12 brings an afternoon service into Chart Sutton

Comedy gold!