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Lovely. Super work Jerry. I love how it can be used as an inglenook too. Excellent.

When taking the above photo I realised that Wilbert had been neglected and I had not added his couplings or his detail pack, leaving his face somewhat blank. Ten minutes later all was well and Wilbert's face was looking less blank and far more characterful than before. I am debating trying to get hold of a Hornby 'spare' face from the Thomas range to be able to place on every so often. Maybe, maybe not. A quick simple job, but one that was enjoyable as it was lovely to do a bit of modelling again. The next project is in the background - although it's hard to tell on the above photo - as I've researched a couple of pics of my MFA 391102 and it's interesting to say the least! But back to Wilbert. He was placed on Little Lawley and coupled up to the engineers train currently in the station... although with just the one piece of track, how it got there is anyone's guess!

This is all very lovely. Excellent modelling - and done so quickly too! The backscene does provide wonderful depth.What stock are you going to run on it?

We're just about shipshape in chez Thompson, with the last missing link (Broadband - first world problems or what!?) being installed yesterday. My new office has taken shape nicely and already has the board for Little Lawley up. I wasted little time in placing a few items on it to get a feel for what I'm looking to create. However, modelling is still not something I have lots of time for. That said, as and when time exists I will be able to do things and that's ok with me. During the moving process I think I've decided against an inglenook and will stick with the prototypical fork arrangement. The station does have Rail in place to suggest a run-round loop is planned in the future, modelling this in-between set-up might prove to be fun. I'm also in the midst of making a to-do list that includes buying track etc (a birthday next week will hopefully provide funds) whilst I'm also looking at what stock I can work on. I've had this MFA for a long time and never really done anything with it. I quite fancy weathering it and using it as P-Way train for the heritage line. Using the George Dent weathering book as a guide (and to try a few new tricks out!) I think that it's going to be my next project!

There is a high likelihood that this will be last post for a couple of weeks. With the move taking place this weekend we will have no Broadband (first world problems or what?!) for until early February. Where does this leave modelling? Sadly it's pretty much bottom of the list. And here’s the irony; because I’ve got no time and no resources (everything being packed away) to do it, I’ve got lots of mojo to model. Typical. The book above has arrived and I’ve had a flick through it. Again, it looks good but potentially not in the same league as the George Dent one. There’s less actual modelling in it than I thought as the book leans more towards prototype discussion. That said, I’m looking forward to diving in properly when time allows. I’m also hopeful that the domestic authority will deliver another Crowood book (Narrow Gauge in Small Spaces) for my forthcoming birthday. Not that I’m planning anything Narrow Gauge, I just find Chris Ford’s modelling very inspirational. With modelling time being limited I’ve had to content myself with working out a few little projects to tackle when time allows. If I do decide on the Inglenook – I’m currently leaning back towards the prototypical fork arrangement – for Little Lawley then I’ll need more rolling stock. The Bachmann insulated blue van appeals (no reason why) and I’d want to weather it using some tips from Mr Dent’s book. I also want to revisit the Oxford 7-plank wagon and re-weather it using the same book, whilst I’d like to get hold of an Oxford 4-wheel Toad and see what I can do with them. So, lots I’d like to do. Sadly, at the moment, there really aren’t enough hours in the day.

Me likey! The track plan reminds me very much of Juniper Hill - one of my all time favourite model railways. If this is anything like that, City Goods or your stunning box file entry then we're all in for a treat! Any prototype inspiration?

The TSR (Thompson Steam Railway) at Little Lawley have today taken possession of a rather well-known new steam engine. The 38th book of the Railway Series by Rev W Awdry - and latterly his son Christopher - was about an Austerity locomotive, Wilbert, which was based on the Dean Forest Railway. It was a special request from the Railway after they had named that very loco Wilbert after the Railway Series' creator in 1987. Wilbert has become quite a celebrity and this has led to the Dean Forest Railway commissioning 200 of these locos from DJ Models. Mine arrived today. First impressions are excellent. The box is great with wonderful foam inserts that fit perfectly. The loco is beautifully finished (particularly noteworthy is the crisp printing on the nameplate), with a few extra details to add. Operational staff at the TSR are said to be extremely impressed. Sadly Wilbert is currently unable to steam as the fictional TSR have yet to lay any track in order for him to stretch his wheels but all staff are looking forward to seeing Wilbert in action.

On receiving my subs copy I opened it, saw this article and immediately thought of your layout.

The TSR (Thompson Steam Railway) based at Little Lawley - not to be confused with the TSR (Telford Steam Railway) based at Lawley ;-) - are delighted to announce that negotiations to add a steam loco to their roster from another preserved railway have concluded positively. Hopefully a new loco will arrive at the yet-to-be-laid track at Little Lawley very soon.

Hi Jerry, Sorry to hear about your issues - I find modelling can be a nice relief from life's woes but it can also be infuriating! Hope everything sorts itself out asap for you. You've done a cracking job on the DAS clay, it's come up a treat to my mind. Enjoy the break, and keep looking at photos, magazines, articles, websites etc - I tend to find something just 'clicks' into place when I do that.

Really like the track plan and the way it can be used as an inglenook. Get it built :-)

I really like this, nice and simple. Quite inspiring. Super job on the wagon repaint.

Thank you gentlemen. Apologies for the radio silence but, not content with the house move next week, I also have a university assignment due on Monday. Coupled with a full time job and there is no time for modelling - or barely even for thinking of it - currently. Although I may have bought another Crowood Press book (Modelling Branchlines) as a post uni deadline treat!

Are there any of these little crackers left?

House move a week on Friday meant a weekend trip to Ikea with the domestic authority. Result (amongst other far more expensive non-modelling related things) = one 110 x 26 cm Lack shelf for a base board!

Excellent. The tree that has gone isn't the one in the middle by the bus is it? I like how you might be able to use that in photos to frame pics, shooting around them to create two almost separate settings (if that makes sense).

Excellent - I'd missed this until now. Now I'm glad I've found it. Oozes atmosphere already. How did you bend the backscene?

All the best, Andy. Long time follower of your projects and looking forward to you being able to do bits as and when. Take your time and get yourself fighting fit. Feet up and lots of model magazines and RMWeb visits!

Agree with the comments above; very hard to believe it's in the space you said. Wonderful work!

Wonderful! Excellent work. 0 gauge doesn't half tempt me and seeing work like this makes that itch bigger! How long are the cassettes? (Just wondering about the overall space required).

Jerry - you have my sympathy, modellers block is a terrible thing! I do love layouts in crates, boxes, boxfiles etc and that little crate looks super. However, what if you used it the right way up (bracing the bottom... oooh er!) and then used the inside walls as, well, walls? I think it was Neil Mason who used the walls of a boxfile for something similar with his Pilot Road layout. You could then use an industrial setting as the basis of the layout? All that said, I do like the simplicity of what you've done above. It has a feel of the Gn15 'Simplicity Sidings' about it. Lots of fun from two pointless tracks! Keep up the good work! Chris

Thanks for the info - much appreciated. I do hope you’re going to share these sketches...?

I'd love to get started, however a house move in the next two weeks means that doing so is a no-no for a while. The idea of the two turnouts is to end up with an inglenook. The general sparseness of the landscape is hopefully a barrier to making things look cramped. I'll have a play with turnout plans once I've got the baseboard. Sadly, everything is theoretical at this point.

Good to see the Lilleshall system seems to becoming a more well-known railway now - I shall add a few wagons to my collection along with the Peckett pre-ordered.

Thanks for the feedback, gents. I’m leaning towards the inglenook plan myself but as it’s going to be two weeks at least before I do anything I’m not going to stress too much about it yet.