devondynosoar118

The bits of foam get everywhere... Looks good so far- nice bridge.

that is a tiny corner of the freezing shed! Layout currently measures about 8'6" by 9' so not actually that big! Will be longer with the fiddle yard. Chris Nevard provided the inspiration for the embankment shot, Thank you for the encouragement, working in isolation makes it hard to see if I'm going in the right direction. The reverse shot of the engine is actually from the backscene side of the model. I plan to get the backscene boards in place shortly, both will curve with the line hopefully.<br>

Nice work so far. I see from the above that publishing these pics just doubled your workload on this project!

As promised I have finally found time to record recent progress, and inspired by Jon Teal a short video of the branch goods. An overview of the two mostly done boards, which now just need scenic fettling and fun stuff. The branch goods running into the station throat. Close up of the new overbridge on the scenic board and hand made trees. Crosssing the underpass seen in my prototype posts. Have a picture to add to fake the tunnel! Seen from the opposite side of the underpass, the prairie rumbles round the embankment. Close up of the trees on the embankment Then I had to actually run a few trains up and down, for testing purposes obviously... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itnQLpfkIpQ Any thoughts or observations on progress would be appreciated. Still lots to do tho.I am hoping to debut at Exeter exhibition in May. I also now have an almost complete set of plans for the station building, thanks Dad for the cad and Kris for the detail!

My apologies to all on the SDR for my absence this month as I have been moving house. Mention must be made of the huge effort put in by all the volunteers to keep the Santa Specials running despite the apalling conditions recently. I would also like to wish Merry Christmas to all my fellow preservationists and enthusiasts! I am returning to duty as soon as my place defrosts a bit. In the meantime I thought I'd put up a picture from the beginning of the season last year, 5526 simmering away after taking on water at Buckfast during the Thomas weekend. If you want to keep up to date and find out train times and events for next year see SDR Online Here More entries to come after Christmas

I would avoid setrack- see numerous posts in the forums for why from people far more knowledgeable than me. Good luck with kits- post some progress pics.

Jewellers piercing saw would be my tool of choice for cutting the breaks. I love that crossing- Beautiful.

Monster! That room would wipe out my whole ground floor...

A book with details of your photographic methods and some really good "how to's" for some of the modern scenic methods like static grass would certainly fill a niche. Perhaps a mix of elements, a bit like a blog, starting with plans (an update of CJF style small layouts?) in the "sketch" style, then construction, track and scenery with a big photography section at the back? I'd buy it- your recent layouts have certainly been an inspiration to me and I always like to see your photos. Many available books seem to be either aimed at total novices (good but soon exhausted) or reprints with a lot of black and white. There are some great single subject titles and I see standing out from the crowd could be difficult.

The level of detail is enough to drive you potty....

Lol! I would use Deluxe glazing fluid for the windows once interior work is complete. Was your filler a "milliput" style 2 part epoxy? If so I would recommend a single pack car body filler, used for covering small blemishes and usually sold in a small tube with a little spatula. Its easier to use and a bit less pongy!

Amazingly fast progress as usual! This is starting to look great at both ends. Just wish mine was going that fast.

It has been a busy final opperating session of the season, with excellent weather. I had the usual maintainance work to do, but was determined to photograph some of the other volunteers opperating the station. During the lunch break I also was allowed to visit Bishops Bridge signal box (thank you gentelmen of the Signalling dept!) and got some nice pics of the interior and the locking room. As volunteers the end of dialy trains last weekend marks the start of the main working season for repairs etc, so all departements have been busy. To see the latest news see SDR online. The interior of Staverton Crossing- The spare levers are a result of switching out to Bishops Bridge of some of the stations signals as a result of adding the passing loop. Alan Johnson opperating the gates and throwing the levers Class 20 20118 on the crossing. Staverton box diagram Next it was Hi-Vis on and carefully up the track to Bishops Bridge box. I was really pleased to be given permission todo this as I have never been inside a working box before and the track circuits were playing up, giving the signalmen some headaches, so their patience with an idiot photographer was much appreciated! The box viewed from the Buckfast end The locking frame The levers Block apparatus Electric token and train staff The tokens given to the driver Box diagram Signal 33 with signal 22 on the bracket, controlling the up main line, seen from the box. Class 20 8110 passing the Staverton Down starter, signal number 13 My thanks again to all at Staverton Preservation Group for continuing to make me feel like part of the team and to all the volunteers of other branches who have allowed me access to their particular kingdoms.Thanks also to all those who have made encouraging comments about this blog.

Coming along quickly! Looks great too.

I will be editing these a bit in photoshop to remove 1 or 2 bits of modern Kingsbridge! Having done a set of contact prints to check up there was a bit of mis-alignment so I have done 2 further sets today. I used a good tripod and the "stitch assist" function on the camera to create the long panoramas, each single shot above is made up of 3 individual photos, joined in the camera. It overlays the edge of the previous shot over the next to help you. Some cameras allow for full 360 degree views. I found a good fixed position about 1/4 mile away from the old station so a bood zoom lens was needed too.. Sadly I now need another high point to do the next bit but the available spots are mostly in buildings! For a complete view of this technique see The pics will be toned down a bit as suggested as well. Layout is autumn set so the leaf colors are perfect for the next 2 weeks, meaning I will be busy! The total length of the pictures above is about 4 ft long each, allowing for the curving corners. Tieing the pictures together can be done by a number of computer programmes. Most descent print companies can adjust and edit things, but this often incurs a hefty bill for the time. I want to see how the new 3D camera and print technologly could be applied to layouts, imagine the depth of field you could get with 3D bsckscenes. I also thought about the possibilities available from OLED flatscreens, showing carefully looped widescreen HD video. Image a backscene that moved too! It would give great opportunity for "reverse" views, e.g. Dawlish seafront viewed from the town, with real waves and sun movement. Combined with a relatively simple lighting rig you could do great simulated days with a good timetable.

As the weather has been sunny this week I have finally got the backscenes done for the first few boards. They will be sent to a printing co. for finishing to the right size, 18" high, 2 curved fixed and 1 straight removable piece of hardboard to form the structure.

Looking great! Its all the primary features of the branch in one compact layout- well done! Kris you are right about the branch speed limit, its printed in most of the books as 35mph but I suspect the actual running speeds were lower most of the time.

Looking good. Put up some pics of the whole section again so we can see the bridge fits in to the rest?

I take no responsibility at all for the quality of work having had no part in its construction! Glad you liked it, the lads will be pleased.

Another busy week for me on the SDR! As you can see the weather was glorious and painting was in full swing. I have decided to only put the stuff I’ve been doing on the blog and the pictures of day to day operations will go on the preservation forum. The weather boards are taking a lot longer than I thought and so far I have repaired this; And finally got topcoat on this; The lads have taken full advantage of a dry week and primer was going on the finished outside planking. The inner layer will be done when they finish the outside. Work on the engine end (front?) is well underway and the next big step will be to get this sound enough to re-make the windows. Rod and the team have done everything to such a high standard and have worked as many days as they can to get the outside done before the rain starts! Had to include a quick shot of 28xx 2-8-0 number 3805 on the service train today as it was so sunny and the engine looked perfect. The Morris sunbathing outside the station.

Ply is easier to get fixings in for point motors etc and absorbs less water, it is also lighter and does not contain formalydahyde.Track plan looks fab!

Yeah its my favorite station on the SDR, pace is spot on and its really pretty. Going back Saturday afternoon to fill and topcoat if its not raining, otherwise its Tuesday again! Next few of the splash boards are crustier so at least 1 might have to come down for repair which could be interesting as I'm not sure they have been down in quite some time, if ever! The toad is going to be great once complete, with a stove to keep the volunteers warm all winter.

I thought it was about time I did some work on the real railway and through friends was directed to the South Devon Railway Association. The website is here:SDRA and the "fan" site is here: SDRonline I am currently working at Staverton Station with the excellent gentlemen of the Staverton Preservation Group and they put me to work on general maintainance duties. There are a huge range of jobs available, including PW and Singnalling as well as engine and stock maintainance, all through the Association. The Toad that will become the new staffroom, showing its newly fitted planking and steelwork. Collet goods 0-6-0 3205 with a down train The first crusty bit of paintwork for me! The up train, from the top of my ladder Todays hard work on the Toad's other side saw the planking caulked and fitted. The storage sidings after the PW crews shunting on Monday Thank you to all the regular Staverton volunteers for making me feel so welcome and I hope to bring you all more as I continue. Look out for the Diesel gala on November 6th and if you want to enjoy the SDR for less there is a special half price weekend on 30th and 31st October. Train Timetable SDR

You can also access it on the Kingsbridge side from Coombe fishery if you ask nicely. The foam Kris has used is a standard building trade foam, produced under a variety of trade names in both 50mm and 100mm thickness, The only disadvantage about using it is the dust is horrible, so wear a dust mask for cutting and sanding it. It also joins better with no nails type glue than ordinary PVA. Its big plus is you can sand it so for Devons' rolling hills itsbetter than expanded polystyrene. Also availavble free from building site skips, particularly new builds as off cuts.