Calidore

Merry Christmas Adrian, the model is looking fab as always. Looking forward to more next year. Adam

I've not got anything too insightful to add, Al, except to say that I'm very much enjoying watching this (and have been meaning to say as much!) I think you'll end up with some very convincing sight lines across the yard with the buildings looming in the background -- it's already starting to be evident now. Adam

Hi Brian, the weathering at the top of the page is looking lovely. WR stuff isn't so bad sometimes I'm very jealous of your turn on SKP -- must get around to booking one of the public ones myself.

Indeed! It really is a great set of adverts (helped by the Bulleid front and centre...). Plays to that time-honoured technique of creating intrigue and curiosity, I think. Here's the overview requested further up the thread, with facia on now. Next job will be lighting. Adam

That's a very effective technique with the setts, Paul. And the warehouse is looking smart indeed!

The distinctive tones of Drummond's M7 echo across the hillsides... ...and interrupt the day's chatter. Once it's gone it'll be just the birds again for another few hours. Adam

The G16/H16 would make an excellent double bill along the lines of H's 42xx/72xx a few years ago. Charming.

Just catching up Rob -- I'd call this the money shot, fantastic. The different angle really works here (and that crossing, again, my!) Norman must have a big step ladder. Adam

Thank you all for the kind comments and likes -- much more of a reaction than I expected! @noctilux2 and @1722, the layout is a very simple 3'x1'. Just about enough to sensibly run end-to-end with a tank engine +2, or medium tender engine +1+van or with a short goods. I'm definitely thinking bigger for the next few projects which are brewing in my mind, but it's satisfying to see the full board covered in a manageable timeframe with a project of this size. The board is a single piece, cut down from about 4'x18", so my next might be designed to fit that. I'll get a few more photos uploaded over the weekend. Adam

Hi Paul -- this looks excellent. The scene composition looks like it'll be really lovely and the height is definitely helping it. I'd certainly consider myself a Howl03 fan at this point (as you hopefully know!) so will look forward to more progress. Adam

Thought it time to start a little thread on here for the project I've been working on (excuse the rough-round-the-edges, literally, of the baseboard). Prior's Dean is the result of many months dithering over various projects which have festered in the back of my mind for too long. A bit of ex-LSWR bucolic backwater in the vaguely Hampshire / Dorset area had me thinking about the Salisbury & Dorset, the Longparish branch, the Bulford line, and all those very forgotten bits of the SR western section which tended to go goods-only by the early '50s and close not long after. Thoughts turned briefly to the Meon Valley, and a browse at Mitchell & Smith's excellent Branch Lines to Alton one morning in the MHR shop at Alresford sealed the deal. The countryside is beautiful, it's somewhat local, and the line was worked by the terribly tasteful trio of T9, M7, and 700 classes (the T9s, oddly, relegated to goods workings). The inspiration and 'pull factors' of the prototype generated two possible plans simultaneously, but I uncharacteristically opted for the smaller and simpler one first rather than the big complicated one (what?!). The idea is thus based on a rearranged Farringdon Halt from the real line, but moved further in the down direction to the real hamlet of Priors Dean (it pains me that there is no apostrophe in the place name). Facilities are, as at Farringdon, a wooden platform and goods shed and not a lot else. See here for a dodgy on-train photo. Mitchell and Smith note the incongruity of there being more provision of shelter for the wagons than the passengers, and that was rather what attracted me as well. The shed needs guttering but I'm otherwise rather pleased with the build. 30338 of Nine Elms is a bit lost on the branch, but might perhaps be joined by Meon Valley regular 30726 in due course. My M7, Hornby's release of 30031, will retain its identity due to the irregularity of that engine's particular condition by the time of its representation (and also it having been a gift I would like to keep original). Once weathered it will be kept busy with either an ex-48' 2-lav set, or the Kernow Gate Stock which draws my eye on every visit to Guildford. Each is a close-ish but not ideal replacement for the Ironclad push-pull sets which worked the line. More anon, if anyone is interested! Adam

Love the crossing Rob, it looks just so. Could have been there for decades. Adam

Perhaps not the most important thing, but I think the Aventras are really rather ugly-looking (particularly the 701s). Of more relevance to the actual experience of them in service, something about the interior shots makes them look rather narrow to me. Not sure if it's awkward perspective, or perhaps a high roof making them look narrow, but if they are it'll be a nightmare on the huge percentage of peak services which are crammed standing right through the carriage. The 707s are so wonderfully spacious on the inside this will be a serious step backwards if it turns out to be the case. People can complain about the seats, but realistically the space and ride comfort when standing are much more important to a larger number of people who use them daily on the suburban routes. The 707s do very well on both counts I think.

Suppose it’s too much to ask that the Urie familiarity from the N15 and S15 might inspire an H16 tank — a numerically small class, but probably just as ‘interesting’ and versatile for those modelling the SR as the 72xx was for those on the Western. I’m also a bit surprised Hornby have never gone for the streamlined B17. Ticks the glamour box but is also sufficiently run-of-the-mill to satisfy those who want to avoid every engine being a huge pacific. Not my cup of tea but worth a thought!

It’s also incredible, on this point, that public opinion generally still seems fixated on this as a speed project, not a capacity one. I wonder how attitudes might have been if there’d been more clarity about the actual necessity for this, rather than the headline journey time reduction. So many comments still read “£88bn for 15 mins.”

Times Online suggesting this morning that the report is recommending HS2 go ahead (seemingly in full) — favourite comment so far “I’ll be gone by the time this arrives, and I’m 10.”

That’s a wonderful bit of bashing there Owain, it really looks the business Adam

Possibly even better: (https://mikemorant.smugmug.com/Trains-Railways-British-Isles/SR-and-BRS/SECR-tender-engines/i-wQZWMgB/A) Seems quite a few of the class pottered around Clapham at various times with the odd van train and shunting turn. Very convenient.

This is wonderful Owain. I know people have said before, but you've really 'got' the preserved line atmosphere and scene set perfectly. The 'skip rummaging' and 'wagon group hq' photos show off that cramped feeling where everything has been stacked up and left for a decade so perfectly. Maybe it's strange to enjoy seeing such scenes modelled! So long as you stop short of a rotting Bulleid pacific abandoned in a siding somewhere... Best, Adam

Hi Paul, a really great collection of clips in that video. Somehow I’d forgotten the Ikea crate and one of the urban goods pair, despite them both being fantastic little scenes like the rest. The video shows the continuity of your style as well which I really like. Looking forward to more! Adam

The minute weed detail in the trackwork looks incredible there, CK. The colour of the ballast mix and the track painting really looks the part close up as well, very nice. Adam

It certainly looks very at home there Paul, like Hornby made it specially Lovely weathering just like the Fowler as well. Best, Adam

Hi Adrian, fantastically atmospheric and detailed as always. I spend a fair bit of time looking at photos of the Canon Street / Charing Cross lines in the 60s for research, when not on my usual LSWR stuff, and you have the look down to a tee. Thought I’d ask a question which has been occupying my mind, if I may: how was the Grand Vitesse worked (/how is the model worked) without points for locomotive release at the ends? Did the train engine propel back and use the main line points somehow, or was there a pilot? I can’t see how it would have been managed without some awkward propelling moves. Best, Adam

Sounds like you have some exciting plans ahead, Rob -- I must say I was intrigued by the mention of Eweington Junction in the BRM article on Bleat Wharf. Looking forward to seeing it all develop, and as for inspiration well it doesn't get much better than those two radial pics above. Adam

I was afraid this might happen when I read of 6233's valve issue; a month seemed pretty short order to fix something like that. Disappointing but one of those things!