GWR Mogul.

This ex-Gem kit is nearly completed. Built by Nigel Cullimore, it is not as originally intended.
Nigel has adapted a Collett goods cab instead of the closed cab that is included with the original kit.
This gives a variation to the norm and is well modelled.Still needing markings and cab plates it is a well observed piece of modelling.

3MM Society LNER 22Ton Lowmac NV.

The sprues with bearings fitted

 I think this is the fastest I have ever built a newly released wagon. Purchased lat weekend at the AGM, I thought I would try to build it at our May Group meeting.
With excellent historical and build notes from Paul Furner, the kit is well thought out and straightforward to build.
Observing the suggestions before commencing, such as removing obvious production necessities and opening out the axleboxes to fit pinpoint bearings proved to be good suggestions. Marking centrelines on the frames and underside proved to be invaluable also.Following the instructions was simplicity itself.

The underside after side frames and main floor assembled.

The sub chassis fitted to the mainframe.

 With the side frames fitted with the sub-chassis and wheels fitted,patience is needed to allow the solvent to cure.
If I have one criticism, it would be the brake blocks- they are ,to me, very fiddly to attach. I am still not sure that they are right, but they are fixed !

                                                                                  Getting out of sync!  

Detail of brake blocks.

 The headstocks almost fall into place, the axleboxes are fitted and then the sloping deck is attached. This is an extremely good fit being flush with the sides and headstock.
The buffers need thinning and the faces need a bit of filler, also the holes need opening out slightly and a snug fit can be achieved.
The final thing is to fit the finely moulded brake levers- the vacuum cylinders, it is acknowledged, may foul couplings so will be fitted later.
This was assembled in a coach at a closed railway station in under four hours- usual chat and banter included.
A recommended afternoons entertainment!

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Brynkits Cross-head and Slidebar.

Yet again anpther reason to visit the 3mm Society AGM.
Brian had been threatening these for some time and they have finally arrived. As follers may know, my favorite past time is not making valve gear. I just seem to have a mental block when cylinders are mentioned.
Hopefully these will be the answer. They come with comprehensive instructions so that should give me a shove in the right direction. All I need now is a 45XX cahssis and build it to replace one of mine.

Worsley Works Etches.

This is somthing I didn't know about.
Searching through Allan envelopes I came across these. I don't know if they are advertised but these are a super pair of etchings.
I have usually used pieces of plasticard to stand in for these roof plates but my next Western coach will sport these!
Cheap too at 75pence- I must ask Allan for some more.

Brynkits Etched Bogie Frames.

Bogie frames have been a source of frustration for some time. OK, we have the excellent compensated offerings from the 3mm Society but that is it really.
Others sold are not always the correct width causing the bogie sides to splay out and look most odd. I have used the old type axles that don't need bearings but find that this makes the coach drag, not what is needed at exhibitions.
So I have a set of these, Brynkits new bogie frames.I will build these fof coaches under construction and report back. Not the cheapest but if the measurements are right then its a small price to pay.

Bournemouth Group Meeting Tomorrow.

Quick reminder that we meet at The Pullman Coach, Avon Causeway Hotel, Hurn, Christchurch BH23 6AS.
We start at 1pm and go on till about 5. No schedule this time but plenty of projects to get on with.

20,000 Views!!!

Thanks to all who regularly look at my ramblings- tonight has seen the 20,000th viewer. I have no way of knowing who you are but I hope to give a little enlightenment to what I,and others, feel is the Premier Scale.

Worsley Works Tender Chassis.

This etch in nickle silver will be the undercarriage for the Tender for a Brittania.
I have slowly been amassing the bits to make a proper job of the Tri-ang body, of which I have two.
This will be a long term project and will use the Society square axle drivers.
I already have Worsleys chassis kit plus motor and gears so really just need the wheels to be able to start.

Brynkits Bedford OB

You may remember the completed model that appeared some time ago.
At the AGM I managed to find a new, unstarted kit on the Secondhand stall.
Hopefully I can build it and show how I did it!
The kit contains a Resin casting of the main body and the chassis with seating attached. Whitemetal parts are supplied for the Grille, wheels and axles.
Glazing is also included with a template to copy onto the supplied clear plastic.
Looking forward to making this one- then I can start a fleet!

2012 3MM Society AGM

This year annual event was attended by about a hundred members in the Methodist Church, Knowle, Bristol.
Sadly it saw the exit of Richard Pope as Secretary after twenty years in the post. However a new incumbant was installed- good luck Steve!
The new wagon this year is the LNER 20 Ton Lowmac NV. A crisp, delicate moulding well up to the usual standards- hopefully I will complete the brass  Lowmac I have before embarking on this one!
Several new items were available from the indpendant traders but I will tell you all about them in the coming days.

3MM Society AGM

This Saturday sees the 47th AGM of our august society. Held this year in Bristol it provides a showcase for those that have taken the effort to build some models for us to admire.
Most of my modelling this year is firmly6 stuck to the baseboards of Teignford.
So- I will have to choose some rolling stock to enter into the competitions as it is too far to carry a baseboard to the venue.
Also will ba able to collect my M7 kit from Worsley Works.

Collett 0-6-0- Baby Castle

At long last the Collett Goods has a layout to run on!
Built by Nigel Cullimore from a Gem kit, the cab and boiler have been reduced in width from the original.
Fitted with a modified Brynkits chassis, power is provided by a Mashima 9/16 open frame motor and the gearbox a 40:1 product from Branchlines, Westbury.
Now fully run in, the loco is a sweet runner and more than capable of pulling ten wagons.
Pictured here on Teignford at the Wilton Exhibition.

Everyone needs support !

There are several ways to support your layout.
From screwing securely to the wall to custom made boards from one of the many layout manufacturers.
I use two types, and I will start with the humble tressle. Basically four equal lengths of, in this case, wood are hinged at the top. Then it has to be decided how wide they must be nd spacers screwed to the two hinged sets of legs. To keep them square I attach some thin MDF or hardboard as can be seen. Believe it or not, these tressles can support my weight and only have one and a half by half inch soft wood legs.
Cheap and cheerful they have many uses when not supporting the layout.

Hennock Sneaks into Railway Modeller.

Just perusing the latest, June, edition of Railway Modeller.
I had a nice surprise. On page 541 was a picture of Hennock. The shot shows Hennocks shapely legs which demonstrates the type of support which can be used for layouts.
Nice surprise!

Churches.

I am not a religious person but the form that chuches and there modifications fascinate me.
I stumbled across the village of Beckington and its village church. this appears to be a mish-mash of styles. How is it that such a structure could be built with the capacity to house a greater number of people than could be accomodated in the locale?
However, this is not relevant to my modelling as only a small part of the Parish can be accomodated, and the church will probably not be modelled in its entirity.
But! I have realised that taking photos such as these stike a chord and make my modelling more pleasurable -how I wish I had a Digital camera at the end of steam!

Finding a Prototype

Recently whilst visiting a friend in Devon, I took the opportunity to take some pictures of the local architecture.
This terrace of houses is built in local red stone- I don't know the scientific name, and stands above the road on a walled embankment.
There has been some renovation at some time as the original doorways can be made out where they have been filled in.
This terrace will be the basis for a model which will grace Teignford at some time, plus I have other interesting locations that I will probably bore you with in the future!

Decision Time!

As the debut of Teignford draws ever nearer, I have decisions to make. One that has already been made is to amalgamate the two blogs. This is one of  expedience as much of what may have been written in the future has already been covered in the endless mutterings of how a layout came to be built.
Teignford has taken much of my spare time and has not allowed me to construct the many kits and projects in the to do drawer. I have several coaches to be started and finished, locos to be built, and wagons described and made.
I have comments about some of the posts subjects that deserve an answer and update, so Dorset 3mm will become the only blog dedicated to all things 3mm.
As preparations for the next show are made the posts may not be as regular, but, hopefully will become more of interest to you.
I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of pages viewed and hope that you will bear with me over the next few weeks. May is a busy month with an exhibition, AGM and Group Meeting over three weekends plus much family work to be done. Keep watching-