Captain Kernow

Just prior to Christmas I started work on the signalbox for Callow Lane. I had been planning to build the Modelex (ex-Churchward Models) etched brass kit, but was put off by the effect of the brass slates, so had already decided to do my own roof. I then remembered that Ratio do a standard 4-window M.R. signalbox, and after a bit of agonising re the size the box should be (in order to justify not having to undertake either a major kit-bash or a complete scratchbuild), I opted to go for a standard 4-window pattern box. I'm comfortable working in brass and/or plastic, but somehow just a little more comfortable with plastic for buildings... The lever frame will have 16 levers, so on the face of it, the box is a little bit big for the frame, but then again, there is also the gate wheel and associated levers, which will take up a bit more space inside, so I finally felt comfortable with the 4-window choice. Clearly, if modelling an actual location, I'd have had that decision made for me, but such is the joy of making up railway history for yourself! To improve the appearance of the Ratio kit, I've used some (seperately sold) Modelex etched brass M.R. windows, and have also got an etched brass set of signalbox steps to assemble in due course. I've had to change the kit in other was as well, in that the way it is configured, the steps would have been on the left hand side of the box, when looking at it from the front, whereas I wanted them at the other end. This is the end wall at the opposite end from the steps and entrance. The kit features two windows on the ground floor, whereas I wanted a plain wall, so some Slaters embossed plasticard was substituted for the kit planked inlay. The Modelex windows are shown temporarily in situ (waiting painting and glazing): Note the two holes in the base of the front of the box, for point rodding runs to emerge: The modified steps end, which required the door aperture to be moved over by one panel's worth and the removed red Ratio plastic replaced with Evergreen strip: The larger windows were a very good fit for the Ratio window apertures, but the smaller window next to the door needed a bit of fettling on each side to make it fit:

Further to 'what modelling am I likely to get done over Christmas' - I hadn't anticipated spending best part of two hours reading and responding to the Hornby 2011 thread - but all very interesting, nonetheless!

I've decided that 5-BELs did run over the S&DJR - on a regular basis - can I borrow one of your sets sometime, please??!! If nothing else, you could eventually run a 15-BEL round TT2 - bring it on!!

I like the idea of all the various projects, Mickey, but especially that of the 'unashamedly proprietory based' BLT - I was just thinking about something similar for myself just now - it's all very well buying this new release or that, but with both my layouts normally packed away, I've no where that I can just give them a quick run or watch the trains going round!

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Noble Realm of SWAG to all in RMWeb Land! Some specific Christmas wishes: - May we all contain ourselves successfully until one minute past Midnight tonight! - May we all eat and drink as much as we need and perhaps even want over the Festive Season! - May the weather front coming in on Sunday night bring rain, not more snow!!! And as the flag of Swagonia bravely flutters on the top of Mount Snyeg outside Kernow Towers... ...my thoughts turn to what modelling I may get done over the holidays... Well, there's just a little bit more work to do, to finish the lineside 'view-blocker' half-relief factory building (the more simple one, not the one with the awning), then there's the Midland Railway pattern signalbox, also for Callow Lane. I doubt very much that 53806 will get weathered and put into service just yet, but I may put part of 'Engine Wood' up over the holidays, in order to measure up for a fiddle yard adaptor board that needs to be put on, before Railex in Aylesbury next May. Of course, that may give me the chance for a bit of photography with a certain 7F! Have a great Christmas, everyone!

Who will be first to post a photo of a pair of these double-heading?!

Sadly 'Nanny' won't let me see your photos until I'm at home, but I'm sure it's looking superb on whatever background you have chosen! I have now pretty much reached 'tipping point', where various folk I know have got one, and I haven't done anything about getting mine yet.. Today, however, that may be rectified!!

Nick, In one way, I really don't think it matters, because the reverse sides of buildings will still have lots of interest. In another way, it can be an advantage, because you will be seeing the approach to the station buildings as if you were walking up the approach road, so there will be interesting glimpses of trains between buildings etc... - so, 'go for it', is my advice!

Ultrascale do a spoked S.R. tender wheelset, which is the right diameter and number of spokes for one of these, and I ordered a set in P4 for my Silver Fox version. They also do them for OO and EM.

CTMK is a budding writer and blogger, and has composed this piece in connection with a weekly blogging competition, the theme of which was 'Pasttimes, passions, hobbies and entertainment'. I'm not much of a poet myself, but I thought this one of hers was rather good (with a doffing of the cap to WH Auden... )

Yes, it's a very old and dignified organisation, is Taffson, Evans & Jenkins!....

The level crossing is essentially Model Signal Engineering components (gates, gate posts, targets), but with some additional detail added, notably the bracing rods and the mesh. The gates then had brass rod glued into the base of the gate ends - this rotates in matching brass tube set in the baseboard, enabling the gates to open and close (when I fit the operating mechanism...).

Looks like it just belongs there, Robin! I suspect that not a few will be interested to see how the conversion to P4 eventually goes....

Er, bit of both, you could say - Scalescenes brickpaper, that has been additionally weathered, plus plasticard etc.

She would, too! I'll sort some more photos soon, folks - I was just thinking earlier today of putting all the completed buildings on the layout and taking some more photos...

The small rail-served factory unit for Callow Lane is now more or less complete: The building is a branch premises of the small engineering firm Taffson Evans, which had a long history of occasional locomotive building back into the 19th century, although the Callow Lane premises was only ever responsible for the production of smaller, individual components. When it was first founded, the firm was known as Taffson, Evans & Jenkins and they were responsible for the small fleet of 15" gauge 0-4-0STs for the Vowchurch Slate Tramway in Herefordshire: More information on these diminutive locomotives and the narrow gauge railway that they served can be found in the book 'The Slate Railway to Churchwater' by Brian Clarke and published by Merlin Locomotive Works in 1977. Subsequent locomotive construction was not well recorded, but the company dropped the 'Jenkins' part of their name in the early 1950s and began to develop a standard small industrial diesel, which they hoped to sell to industry and the MoD, an example of which is depicted here: Not many were constructed in the event, and the company's trading position began to look increasingly precarious as the 1960s wore on. A management buy-out in 1970 saw the name change again to Taffson Engineering, with the company diversifying into components for domestic appliances and industrial switching gear. It was at this time that the Callow Lane factory was closed and production concentrated in the Rhondda Valley. Finally it was saved from the brink of receivership in the late 1990s by another takeover, this time by a Japanese company, who moved the company to an industrial estate near Peterborough and are now manufacturing cardboard office removals 'storage solutions' and trading as 'Pretentia'.... With apologies to those who may have read this rhubarb on the previous version of the forum... The next structure is a more basic 'view blocker', to partially hide where the two running lines disappear into the fiddle yard. This is also meant to be some kind of anonymous industrial premises and is the structure behind the 08 (the photo was taken from the operators side):

Does this new layout have a name, Chris - and will it be finished before the colliery layout?

Vindication! A colleague at work has informed me that he saw D5396 at Bristol TM in December 1968 on a Christmas parcels train!

The lighting and mood of this photo makes it one of the most realistic I've ever seen - really excellent stuff!

Thanks for posting that again, Ben - a timely reminder of how to make a really convincing job of it!

Well, the deal's been done - an over-enthusiastic order of these locos by The Model Shop in Exeter resulted in him selling his stock off at a reasonable price, so that was my consolation prize for him not having any 7Fs in stock yet....