The Farmyard Gate.

Having made a fence to plug the gap between the two sheds, there was nothing preventing animal escape from the gateway.
Whilst searching for something I came across this moulding- from where I know not.
It is something like the galvanised metal gates whch replaced the wooden type so often seen- and which I was not looking forward to making.
So, a gate post glued to one side and its ready to fit.
Quick modelling or what?

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2013.

Once a year- the week after August Bank Holiday sees me and many of the family attending what we consider to be the best day out for all of us. I will post a lot more pictures in the pages- see A collection of Steam Engines in the pages section.
This magnificent Burrell 7np Showmans is a sample of what can be seen.

Your Model Railway Village.

 Yes I know this isn't 3MM!
However- bear with me. I happened to visit Smiffs and ASDA (Other retail outlets are available) yesterday and this seemed to be lurking everywhere. It is of course another partwork- very similar to one last year.
At the moment as well as the 3mm stuff- I am building a layout for No 1 grandson for Christmas. I have track, trucks and a couple of engines but no carriages-Result!
So for £3.99 a throw it seemed churlish not to relieve said shops of three of these. Then late last night I found some more in our local convenience store-One Stop.
Whilst not as good as some recent offerings they look good ,have metal wheels that are round and up to date couplings PLUS a length of straight track! The track seems to be a non standard length reminiscent of some ROCO offerings.
It really is worth seeking out these although does anyone want the blurb that goes with them?

The parentage of this coach isn't easy to ascertain-it seems a bit of a hotchpotch although it could be argued that existing drawings were used. It certainly doesn't match current offerings. One could be churlish and complain that the underframe isn't opened out but for starters it ain't bad- Grandson will be pleased Christmas Day!

No running numbers are affixed making it easy to brand for your chosen region.Self coloured plastic is reasonable but the roof could do with a darker colour.

I really must clear this up!

 The trouble with producing the detailing is that it creates a lot of mess.
It seems that as you go along you need this then that and before you know it the whole modelling board is full!
I am not the most tidy of people anyway but when it comes to adding those small pieces of detail it completely gets out of hand.
So before I go much further all the wasteage is to be removed so a fresh start can be made. There are bits of wood, ballast, styrene and tools which need to be disposed of or put away- maybe I will be able to find the thing I am looking for then.

Last piece of the jigsaw!

 After what seems like ages completeing the last couple of buildings- they are finally stuck firmly in place.
Thank god I hear you say- maybe he will get onto something more exciting- Maybe I will.
As soon as the glue had dried I realised that I had not allowed for the slight gradient these two stand on! Hence the tree which disguises it a bit. Still many buildings I have seen have been to the pub too long so that is the way it is going to stay.
Still it is satisfying to have gotten this far.
More shots on Teignford today- click on link.

Departing from Teignford.

A view from the departing train from Teignford.
This photo marks a milestone in Teignfords life- it is substantially complete where the structures are concerned.
However, there is still lots to do in the way of adding all those little details- one is making numerous 3mm scale straw bales!
So out with the hemp (plumbers that is) and numerous pieces of card and we will see where that goes!

Swanage Engine Shed.

Swanage Engine Shed seen here in August 2013.
This shows the shed as it was 'modified' ,in the late fifties I think, bu an overshooting loco whilst using the turntable.
The example that will be used on the groups layout will be as built.

Swanage details.

With the refurbishing of Swanage about to take place, the opportunity to take some shots to aid this was taken on a recent trip with the Grandchildren.
Fortuitously there is a picnic area opposite the engine shed where lots of pictures were taken, and lunch eaten, with the added bonus of steam working that day.
So over the next many days there will be many of the pictures which I hope will be of interest to someone.
First up is an open wagon used to coal the engines- I will try and find more info about this in due course.

Coming together nicely!

The front is now firmly attached as is the roof.
Still some work to do but the basics are there.
The forecourt needs finishing- may do that when the buildings are stuck in place on the layout. Will use some more ballast dust for that to match the road surface.
Interesting discussion on the 3mm group about surfaces, talc on a painted base seems an interesting one plus it was revealed that another member created his when getting down and personal with the road outside his house! Wouldn't in our road- most likely get run over!

Rough Edges.

The use of taking photos as you build has a couple of uses.
One- it provides your scribe with a supply of stuff with which to hopefully entertain you the reader.Two-it highlights areas that need some serious remedial work- in this case the awful painting and the iffy joins cleaning up-Ho Hum!

Signs.

Looking at the two new buildings, they need some signage.
So into MS works- or something like that and after a few minutes hey presto- the signs for the buildings is before me.
Unfortunately I am too much of a ludite to know how to colour the background of these so they will have to remain white.
I may try a gentle rub with a pastel stick to see wether I can infuse some colour or someone is bound to tell me how to do it- or even better- do it for me.
Any Offers?

Shop update!

The lower part of the bays have been fitted. Made of strawboard and internally braced, these will eventually have the glazed portion added.
Must look out the Canopy Glue to do this. It sticks most things together on buildings such as this and has the advantage that it dries clear.
Whilst waiting for this to set thoughts turned to the roof.. A piece of card was cut to size and slated with some graph paper from an exercise book obtained in Majorca some time ago. OK- the squares are 4mm but once applied don't look too bad. At least they are easy to cut and fit, no marking out for a
change plus once painted the difference won't notice too much.
Recieved more details of Teignfords next show at Blandford- take a look at the list to the left.

Wedge it in!

 The last piece of the jigsaw is the wedge shaped area to the right of the Store.
I had intended to concoct some sort of corrugated iron buildings here. Instead the bvillage hall will fill the space.
As can be seen, this is a very low relief structure. It is a triangle shaped building about an inch at its widest reducing to a point some four inches away.
However, this was made whilst waiting for the glue to dry on the Store so no wasted time here!
The roof is individual tiles, painted and then gived a wash of Badab Black- a bit shiny but it can be toned down later.

Village Store Takes Shape.

Slowly but surely the Village Store is taking shape.
The lintels have been added to the window and door openings ready for the bays to be fitted.
These are a separate sub structure, the top half being made of plasticard and clear glazing.
It looks somewhat bare in this state but hopefully it will improve as the pieces are added.
The window sub assembly is shown below- the lower photo- sorry it's out of focus- has been stuck to the base which will slot into the available space.

Mogul and Mk1 Coaches.

 After completing the Mk1 rake, it is only natural that there should be some indulgant pictures of them!
Set on Teignford, I hope that these shots illustrate how far the layout has come since the initial postings.
Am I pleased with the results? Only time will tell and the reaction to the viewing public which has always been my benchmark. It doesn't matterwhat I think, it is the comments of the viewing public that counts.
Head on the block time approaches as Teignford debuts in it's, hopefully, completed form.
Comments are gratefully recieved so here's your chance!

It's a Family Affair!

 I am a victim of my own making! It all started with the pub sign of my eldest shown on Hennock.
This started a chain of events which meant that the rest of the clan wanted their own cameo.
So, and please excuse the indulgence, Teignford has to apease the rest- especially my granddaughter Jasmine.
Shown here are the mention of my grandson , granddaughter and the latest addition, my daughters dog!
Say what you like but it means involvement and interest to them all- still have to concoct my other two daughters though- and I want to avoid some terrible cliches often found!

The Hollyhocks are particularly magnificent this year!

Kitmaster CK Completed.

 W15539 is now officially ready for service!
I had thought of providing a detailed interior but didn't have the time- poor excuse I know but this time it is true.
The photos show- in cruel enlargement- how they have turned out.
I think the Replica Railways lining looks fine(no pun intended). The painting of the carriage compartment vents I am not so happy with but until I get a shake free hand that is the way it has to be!
Just some couplings to add and the rake of three coaches is complete.

Shopfront covered.

My supply of Builder Plus Brick Paper is running dangerously low!
However, I have enough to complete the rest of the buildings needed for Teignford.
I must get a move on as I have just recieved the details for the Blandford Forum Museum (Railway Club) exhibition on the 21st/22nd September- link here.
The bay windows will be made as a separate structure and added when complete.
I am looking forward to this one as I know it will be a good weekend if previous exhibitions are anything to go by!

Aspects differ.

Today see's the 600th Post!
 It is funny how taking a photo can highlight any shortcomings!
The ground cover looks fine in the picture to the left.
On looking at the larger shot below, the base-in this case white card- can clearly be seen-ho hum!
Some more earth needs to be applied before the wall between the buildings is built.
It may well be that the abandoned lorry to poke its nose out from the larger shed will hide some of this- or maybe I shouldn't be so lazy and build a trailer to park- decisions,decisions.

Farm Yard Buildings.

 The two buildings have been bedded in.
Difficult to get a decent shot of the lean to without dismantling the layout.
Much bedding in to do plus a wall needs to be built between the two.
One mistake I did make was when applying the ground cover- the masking sheet slipped as the spray glue button was pressed so there is a bit of earth up a few walls. Still this will hopefully disappear when some tall grass is planted!
The sky paper needs applying behind the trees otherwise it is just detailing the scene now.

Goods Yard Crane.

The crane has had the chain fitted and secured onto the baseboaed with nothing more technical than a countersunk half inch screw.
Sets off a nice scene ready to be detailed- another one!
I do like the way this is shaping up-proves that taking your time pays dividends.

Straw.

This is the start of detailing Teignford.
Taking a hank of Plumbers Hemp and chopping it into short lengths produced what you see here.
I did not go too mad with the amount at first- if it went wrong then there would only be a small amount of cleaning up.
However, it seems to look OK- secured with some watered down PVA- not shiny as I had feared.
So-chop some more hemp and fit the water troughs and this scene will be virtually comple.

Swanage-an update.

 After checking that the electrics were sound, our attention was drawn to the lining up of the two boards.
Here we were stopped in our tracks! the track at baseboard edge was showing signs of a switchback ride so further checks were made.
The edge of the level didnt touch all the way along the track- the Sundela has sagged.
Lengthy discussion ensued about what to do. Checking the possibility of removing the buildings intact made us decide that we have no option but to replace the baseboards. We had previously decided that maybe the frame needed some work but this has caused a major re-think. There is nothing worse that uneven track especially on an exhibition layout. So reluctantly we have drawn up some plans to remove the track and relay on a fresh base.
This will not be a quick job-or one we really wanted- but realism must be the deciding factor and a switchback ride is not one we want- This will take time but we are in no hurry!

More pictures, taken by John O'Dell are today published on Teignfords site . Click on link to the left.

One more hole to fill.

 The last area to be 'filled' on Teignford is the space behind the Post Office.
This is a tapering footplate so the buildings will have to be low relief-or half a house.
As is usual, card is my prefered modelling medium and the majority of structures are made of this medium.
First job is to markout the front of the building- in this case it will be a shop with bay windows and a small forecourt. Well that's the plan anyway.
Once marked out then the windows and doors are cut out. The corners have a 45degree chamfer to hopefully let the corners be square!

The back is a simple job of measuring and cutting- only the chimneys to remember.
Then stick the back together- the front will be easier to work on 'flat'.
The bays will be assembled separately and then added to the shop front when completed.
The other decision is what finish? Brick or rendered?
I think I have enough 'Builder Plus' brickpaper to complete the row so assuming that these buildings were erected at the same time as the row of cottages they should blend in.

Leaning to!

 Another quick build, again for the farmyard scene.
Five pieces of card and a split lolly stick are all that makes up the main parts of this one.
More corrugated iron as well.
Weathered the same as the previous post but no green this time as no tree!
Bedding in will be on a surface of earth- then the fun bit for both buildings begins.
Some bits of fencing to keep the livestock in (or out) maybe? Probable piles of junk or a long forgotten piece of machinery or vehicle perhaps?
Whats in the bits box-