Modern Image Models Brickpaper.

 Whilst at Bournemouth Exhibition, I had a look at Modern Image Models products. They were conveniently situated next to Hennock and had a range of modern structures ready made. They also had some rather nice wire armature trees at a very reasonable price!
The sheets of brickpaper that they supply are printed on good quality paper to A4 size without margins. A pack of 5 sheets won't break the bank at £3! I am no expert so you will have to make your own mind up as to what bond the brickwork is.
The bricks measure 2mm long although a little narrower than 1mm in depth. However, they will be just right for our needs and the owner has agreed to attend one of Dorset Group's meetings to show his assembly methods. No web site but can be contacted at jeff283@btinternet.com .

Group Meeting April 2012.

 Tom Rayer-The Weatherman kindly gave us an afternoons instruction on his methods of weathering our models. Ten members and interested modellers turned up for the meeting, Robert came from Birmingham for the day and has assured me that the effort was well worth it.
Having purchased four pots of  Wargaming paint, we set to our own models as the instructions and demonstrations were given.
The shots show the insides of our new meeting place and some members hard at work.

Dorset Group.

This is our new meeting place!
A Mark 1 Pullman Car at the former Hurn Railway Station. This location was once on the main Bournemouth line from Ringwood. Closed in the 30's due to lack of custom, the original building has survived as well as much of the track bed.
There has been some aditional building work to enlarge the accomodation.
Wadworth Brewery now own the building and a bonus is that we don't have to go far for an after meeting pint. Quite a range with five real ales on handpump plus the usual  Cider and Lagers-
The next two meetings have been booked- see Dorset Group link. So come down and do some modelling with us!

Mixed Traffic April 2012.

I consider that it is worth showing the front and back pages of the latest Mixed Traffic- the 3mm Society Quarterly journal. The excellence achieved in 3mm is adequately illustrated by the 3 photos.
In another packed issue the salient features are:-
Geoff Halliwells' Wantage Tramway No 5 Part 2.
A nostalgic building of New Beckenham Signal box by Andrew Barnes.
Outside Cylinder Building by John Sutton.
Howard Loves' Cowshed Layout.
Worsley 02 Diesel built by Chris Ketley.
Add to the above an interesting Q &A, Whats New? Blastpipe and Bits and Pieces and yet another credit to those contributing to this edition.
As usual a forthright editorial by John Sutton and some new research and typesetting staff all of interest.

GWR Platform Seats

 Useful little etchif you follow the Great Western. Used virtually up to the present day, this type of seat could be seen all over the Great Western and Western Region of BR.
Etched in brass it is a simple job to detach the parts and glue together. Superglue is suggested but I think that these will be soldered together. This means that the coating will have to be removed before assembly.
It is pointed out on the instructions that the brass is coated so a primer is not needed and painting suggestions are also mentioned.

Dorset Group Meeting.

Just a quick reminder that our next meeting is at 1pm on Saturday 21st April- Tomorrow.
I am hoping for some fresh faces and some new ideas to move us forward in our new home.
We can only succeed with interest from local modellers- so nows your chance!

Bournemouth Model Railway Exhibition 2012.

 Excellent couple of days at the East Dorset N Gauge Groups two day exhibition.
Hennock ran well and most of the stock was given a chance to stretch their legs.
Much interest was shown in the proposed group meeting at The Avon Causeway and hopefully we have encouraged a few more to attend our inaugural meeting this weekend.
Amongst the layouts on show was Hemlock by the Shepton and District MRS. Whilst based on the station at Hemyock in deepest GWR territory the Pub- The Greyhound- is instantly recognisable as that of the same name at Corfe Castle. I have spent many hours there, even staying with a friend almost next door with a superb view of the Castle to greet me when I woke up. Does look better with a GWR Bus parked outside though!

Oil Drums.

These Oil Drums are produced by 3SMR and come in a couple of sizes although I believe one size is at the moment out of stock. (I'm sure I will be corrected).
Again a quick project for a few minutes spare time just clean up the castings- there was minimal flash-and paint in the colours selected.
The actual time taken researching this subject is far greater than completing the models!

Chocolate Machines.

I am old enough to remember these!
They always seemed to be present on major stations and dispensed Frys Chocolate after shoving a sixpence in the slot.
These 3mm Society castings capture that image and would benefit from better signwrighting than I am capable of.
A quick way of adding to the station furniture, just a matter of cleaning up the casting and painting in your favourite chocolate manufacturers corporate colours.
Second day at Bournemouth Model railway exhibition. New group meeting place has recieved a lot of interest especially from local  modellers.

Sheep

These castings by the 3mm Society were purchased in bulk from an exhibition trader.
They had been painted in a light beige and didn't resemble any kind of sheep I have seen-even dirty ones.
So, they were de-coloured (stripped), undercoated and re-painted.
Two different poses are offered as shown at the top of the picture plus every flock has to have a black one!
The most time consuming thing about these castings is removing the base- filing off takes an age.

Bournemouth Model Railway Exhibition.

Hennock, together with 15 other layouts in various scales will be appearing at Dorset 'N' Gauge Society's show next weekend.Plus full trade support.
Full details are:-Saturday/Sunday 14/15th April 2012
At:- Oakmead College of Technology,
Duck Lane,
West Howe,
Bournemouth,
BH11 9JJ.
Opening Times:- Saturday 10am-4.30pm.
                          Sunday  10am- 4pm.
Admission:- Adults £4, Children under 14 free if accompanied, Concessions £2.

We will have full details of the proposed new Railway Modellers Society and will be pleased to discuss any aspects of the formation of this new group.

Real Railways.

 A few minutes to spare saw me at Starcross . Not the best location but one where you are right next to the railway line.
As always happens I saw a HST and Voyager unit passing a few minutes before I pulled into the car park
So this humble unit was the only one to pass by in the time I had.
I am no expert on modern multiple units but maybe it will be of interest or use to someone?
The ballast was heaped quite considerably both beside and between the tracks making the trackbed appear strange- there is a prototype for everything!

Second Reason!

Yes Hennock has been to Hennock.
My weekend in Devon gave me the opportunity to take some pictures of buildings. This will give me some ideas for modelling the village to adorn Teignford.
Idling around Bovey Tracey we saw the signpost for Hennock so it had to be done, the layout has now been to both it's namesake and the subject of its station, Staverton. Incidentally, I have a piece of Staverton in my garden in the shape of a GWR rail chair removed from the track- legitimately I assure you, a donation was made.

DEVERTON

Because of one of our senior members having to move, his 3mm Layout-Deverton- has to be disposed of.
This excellent layout has appeared several times in Mixed Traffic in the 2010 editions.
The layout consists of three boards, 6mm ply on softwood framing, totalling 3500 mm x 600mm. The layout is fully wired with connectors between the boards and control panel. The track is Gem flexi (12mm Gauge) with fibre based points laid on cork and fully ballasted.
There is a built in transformer wired to a removable control panel with power and point motor (H&M) switches mounted in a track diagram. There are no hidden sidings - they are needed for both ends.
The layout will need to be removed from its shelving brackets plus fluorescent light fittings on a valance.
Several buildings will accompany the layout if required plus a stock of trees for yet to be developed areas.
The layout has to be removed by mid May from North Kent so some urgency if Delverton is to be saved.
A great opportunity to aquire a quality non completed layout.
Layout now sold.

Hennock has been on it's travels again!

Yes, Hennock has been to Devon for a couple of reasons. Firstly to PECO at Beer to have phots taken for future inclusion in Railway Modeller. A very interesting morning was spent in the photo studio with Steve Flint and Jolyon Sergeant. I don't know how many pictures were taken but a lot of the stock was changed round for different pictures.
This was pleasing because it will show the vast array of products available from the 3mm Society and supporting trade. It did seem strange setting the layout up and then not operating it- still I suppose there is a first for everything.
I was allowed to handle PECO's Jubilee wagon which has a first class finish but unfortunately in 'N' gauge.
Still- thank you to Steve and Jolyon for a very pleasant morning- look next time for the other reason.

Find the Camel!

This is a well travelled camel. It is one family tradition that started at my eldests wedding where the camel appeared in many photos.
Since then it has accompanied me all over the place and has appeared in some quite unexpected places-Don't ask!
So from time to time he will appear subtly is some posts- don't forget- Find the Camel!
His name? You will just have to guess.