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Previously I've always made do with a Hornby trainset controller. However I have finally taken the plunge and upgraded. It's the simple Gauge master Combi but it's a huge upgrade. I'd toyed with going DCC but that's probably for another time! In other news there has been no progress due to my inability to settle on a plan or a board size. I've ordered a Tim Horn scenic board (40x25cm) and think this, plus a small fiddle stick, is the way I'll go.

Only just spotted this cracker. Followed!

Rather than doing them individually I tend to cut a strip slightly deeper than I need and then cut up each slab, leaving the extra width at the top untouched so that I can lay one rowin one go. If I want a wonky one I can cut a slab out of the line and add an individual one to the gap. Hope that makes sense?

Morning Jerry, Good to see this progressing. The scratch build shed is coming along a treat... Looking forward to seeing the finished build. Great work.

Purchased a back issue of this for the Oxford Road article. Having never before bought the mag all I can say is wow... And I'm only part way through. I've flip-flopped between MR and RM in the past and am never really quite sure if either - for me - is worth the subscription. Think it might have convinced me to drop my subs and just browse and pick the one that appeals most each month. Great mag.

Impressive. Great work as ever.

Now that's impressive! Great work.

Excellent work, Marc. As a long time follower of your work (Bracty Bridge was a particular fave!) it's great to see your mojo back!

Agreed, particularly as it is a nightmare to cut. Great weathering too.

Thanks for the feedback, gentlemen. Progress is currently limited due to me being undecided as to whether to use a box file, or the the Knagglig box used in the excellent thread by Howl03. I'm leaning towards the Knagglig currently. Stock wise, I have two Barclays however I'd love to model Wimblebury (which lives at Foxfield) so will possibly move on of them on to make way for an Austerity.

Thank you Chris. Much appreciated.

Mods: please move if in the wrong spot. I'm trying to track down back issues of MR that have Fountains Colliery (by Chris Nevarx) in them. I've got the first three parts, which takes me up to issue 237, August 2017. After that issues, which do I need to get? Thanks in advance.

That J70 is quite a piece of work, and delightfully weathered too. I must say, I'd already bought a box file for the layout I am planning, but this special little scene has made me rethink that, particularly as there would be no need to make building that can be taken apart. It' a handy bonus that I'll be near Birmingham Ikea the week after next too! Excellent modelling and, like all of your work, wonderfully inspirational. Perhaps a second instalment that, turned through 180 degrees, could act as a fiddle yard for this scene?

That interior is stunning detailed modelling. For me the highlight is the pumps on the bar. Fantastic work.

Boxfield Colliery A potted history The sinking of the first two shafts at Boxfield Colliery, named after the nearby hamlet on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border, commenced in 1877. There had been some small mining activity on the site previously, but it was only when the Halliwell brothers, Rex and Edwin (local celebrities of some note) commenced their operations that work began in earnest. Although the colliery lay right on the edge of the Boxfield border, locals referred to the site as ‘Halliwell’s Pit.’ Initially a tramway was used, running from the colliery site to the main roads in the village. This meant that horse and carts were able to take the coal from the shaft straight to the Potteries. However, demand soon outstripped supply and a tramway system was installed within the first decade of the collieries’ existence. With the coal industry booming there was to be more change to the site. In the early 1900s a railway was introduced, taking coal from the shaft straight to the main line on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border, near to Pipe Gate station. To work the line two Andrew Barclay 0-4-0s were purchased and named ‘Edwin’ and ‘Rex,’ after the founders. After Nationalisation in 1947 major work was carried out including the installation of new electric winders, Horizon Mining and a new coal plant. Halliwell’s Pit was left to rot due to the sinking of two additional shafts. Further change was to occur in in 1970 when Boxfield was merged with Silverdale Colliery. This venture was short-sighted and, ultimately, unsuccessful as in 1977 - after 100 years of mining on the Boxfield site - Halliwell’s Pit (as it was still known locally) and the additional shafts were closed for the last time as ‘the coal supply had run out.’ This was not the end of the story for Boxfield though as - in 1984 - the Boxfield Light Railway Society was established with the aim of returning steam to the area. An initial 2-mile stretch was purchased and track was relaid, with two temporary stations being set up; Colliery Halt (sited ½ mile away from Halliwell’s Pit) and Aston Road (at the end of the 2-mile run). Over time the line has developed and now continues from Colliery Halt into the former sidings at Halliwell’s Pit. During annual Steam Galas, locomotives can be seen running trains into Halliwell’s Pit, thus returning steam to the original colliery site almost 100 years after they first ran.

To be honest Luke, I'll just bodge a few buildings together to get the feel of things such as a winding engine and a screen, whilst I also want to get the colliery brass band room in there somewhere. New topic, with the history of Boxfield, coming imminently.

Absolutely. Great find.

Just wanted to post a little update. Somewhere is Shropshire is now no more. However, I've been building up some stock kits, including three link couplings. Additionally, I've started to - very loosely - plan a new layout in a box file. I'm looking at a colliery so I can combine my rail and brass band interests! I've come up with a potential name (which tips a wink to the railway I've got the inspiration from and is a dreadful and quite lazy pun) of 'Boxfield Colliery.' Thoughts?

I'd toyed with using the smaller one in the past. Great idea, keep us all posted.

Thank you, another one for the list. Much appreciated.

Hi Luke. It all looks great. I particularly like the paint/weathering job on the walls of the distillery... Very grimy and worn.

Thank you!

Hi all, a plea for help/information if possible. I've got a strong interest in both the Telford Steam Railway and Foxfield Railway preserved lines and their history. I've built up a decent little library about the TSR, but have little with regards to the Foxfield. In fact, the only book I've currently got is the 'Cheadle Collieries and their Railways' by Allan C. Baker. I've not managed to find anything on the Oakwood Press books (unless I've missed anything). Does anyone have some 'must haves' with regards to this cracking little line? Thanks in advance, Chris

As a Crewe lad (and an Alex fan to boot) Gresty Bridge has always appealed to me. Lots of cracking traction to be modelled and a great mix of buildings. You could even get the Mornflake factory in in low relief on the backscene. Followed.

Can only echo the three posts above, this is coming along nicely and is a great start. What length is the board please?