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Another signal pic showing work in progress before the masking tape came off . I used the v in the distant arm as a template to cut the masking tape . Result was ok but needed a little fettling .

Back modelling this evening after a bit of a tidy up. Concentrating on bits and bobs and fiddly bits like painting a distant signal arm aaaaaargh . Good for the soul though. Looks good at a distance but as ever photos are cruel .

Thanks Roland , no unintended finger BBQ this evening I’m pleased to report . I bought a soldering iron stand a while ago and thoroughly recommend its use to all cack handed modellers. Very nice comment and pleased you like MQ .

All done tested and tidied. Essentially I have added on/off switches to the four feeds on the layout to create four sections that can be isolated . That means I can have more than one locomotive or dmu on the layout at once. It goes against the keep the electrics simple idea that was a key element of the layout when I started building it , but after some testing and playing it became clear it would add hugely to the operational and visual potential of this very small set up . So definitely worth it . I keep reminding myself Milton Quay is a learning layout for me and so alterations ,additions and applying lessons learnt along the way are all to the good . I’m not sure I’d use foam-board baseboards on a larger layout but it is brilliant how I can literally chop and change with little mess of disruption. Here I just needed to cut a rectangular hole in the baseboard side with a craft knife and steel rule and stick on a short length of thick balsa strip to attach an extra electric choc block to deal with the extra wiring . All very easy and no mess . So great for the hesitant beginner developing ideas but with few woodwork skills and nowhere comfortable to create sawdust .

Work in progress.

Layout on its side and clamped to avoid toppling damage and associated dreadful language. Didn't stop the platform canopy falling off though, count to 10 and no great damage done.

Inciteful and wise advise as ever Adrian . Progress on mini switch panel so far .

Break out the soldering iron .... I’m upgrading the electrics so I can isolate sections this evening. What could possibly go wrong.

Many thanks for the likes I’m having some fun now. just noticed the typo ....was Pertwee selling belly button bars ,not much market in 1969 I suspect.

50 years ago an early evening in September 1969 Chief Petty Officer Pertwee of HMS Troutbridge waits to catch the branch passenger service to the town station next up the line . Troutbridge is on a courtesy visit to Milton and Pertwee is taking the opportunity to negotiate the sale of some “surplus” navel stores to one of his local business contacts . Looks like he might have been trying to half inch a ground signal too .

Hmmm maybe I should have shaken the bottle more . I’ll post some pics later so judge for yourselves. Finished off the sign this evening and planted it and added a few weeds around the base. Also started to attach the station canopy ,going gently as some fettling will be required to keep everything as straight and true as possible. When the pics are posted you might notice the the odd sailor on the platform . When I was given my first electric train set along long time ago ( Triang Connie and three trucks ) I got stocking filler of the old Merit Navel personnel . Looks like Peco Modelscene is the same set so this was a must have sentimental purchase for Milton Quay

Isn’t this fascinating ( not to all I suspect ) . I identified Vallejo Goblin Green as a good match for Southern green a while ago and purchased a couple of mini bottles . One brushing paint the other for spraying. Turns out only the spray paint is a match , the lighter colour in the pic. Some repainting of the sign to be done.

Close up larger than life photography is cruel. Station board built from plasticard and strip with filled and fettled concrete posts from a Ratio fencing kit . Not perfect but a great little learning project . All drying at the moment . Need to check that shade of green .

Nice stuff and can’t wait to see your buddleia, really want some on Milton Quay

More bits and bobs tonight . I have weathered the signal box with Humbrol smoke powder , nice smutty effect . More detailing bits on the workbench . Tonight's pics are rather September 1967 , steam has ended and early evening shadows lengthen .moody but not blues just yet.

Popped up to the top of the house with a couple of jobs in mind and ended up there for an hour and a half having fun. Lots of little jobs working on the canopy , lampposts and totems , main station running in board (?) , weeds and scrappy bushes . I’ve got wild lupin kit I need to work as well. Oh and playing with weathering powders . Its always been the intention to run Milton Quay with stock from early 50s to early 70s . Last pics were mid 60s so here are a few from early 70s when I suspect the station and line would be on borrowed time.

Adrian well if anyone knows about atmosphere it’s got to be you . Many thanks for that and thanks to the other likes it’s very encouraging .

Quite a bit of progress at Milton Quay . The station canopy is bodged in at the moment but everything else in the pics is done. More to do but getting there .

Brilliant and inspirational . Love this , loads of atmosphere and compact without being cramped . The ability to run varied stock adds to the fun too.

More progress on many fronts and when I get to a suitable stage I’ll take a few pics. Help please any suggestions for the cleanest filler for gaps at the bottom of buildings ? Anyway here’s a taste of what’s going on.

What last January ,no never couldn’t be . Oh heck I knew summer was a no modelling time for me but not 7 months not in the railway room. Oh well at least some fun and progress this evening after a clear up and clean.

More scenic work around the bridge ,all rather satisfying. Working on a Ratio home and distant signal, fiddly but a nice kit and big improvement on the old mainly white metal offering . Also having some January blues with a new arrival. Plan is to complete work around the bridge have a big clear up of the layout ,work on some electrical improvements and lots of test running ( ok playing trains) before moving on to working on the station itself.

Thanks Adrian ,I’m not really into the rural idyl thing but unkempt undergrowth is very satisfying and gets the slightly neglected but not nearly derelict look I’m after.

Back modelling this week having purchased various Woodland Scenics bags of greenish bushes undergrowth and associated stuff . So a merry evening creating some heavy undergrowth around the bridge abutment. Rather enjoyed this actually. Also some general groundwork in the area and baseboard exit.

Grabbed another half hour last night and worked on building up the ground treatment around the bridge ,more to do but so far so good.