August Dorset Group Meeting.

Quick note today- our next meeting is this coming Saturday-3rd August 2013.
An opportunity to discuss the information we now have on Swanage. The future extensions needed and the likely expense.
Hennock will attend as layout operation needs to be explained for it's appearance at Warley- my assistant there had better know how it works!
Also , had a call from another member who will visit us weather permitting.
Oh- the Swanage Railway is working until late this month.

Usual place- Furzebrook Village Hall, Wareham. Start at 1pm through to about 6pm.

Track layout-Name sought.

 A few minutes were found to try and work out the track diagram for the new layout.
The available track and points were rescued from their boxes and it was found that I had enough for what was needed.
I have decided on a maximum of five turnouts as that is the number of long pin point motors that I have.
This layout is to have motorised points- something which both previous ones have not. Hennock and Teignford both are wire in tube operation.
I have decided that I will produce this layout from what I have- not a lengthy wants list this time- time will tell!
Now, all I need is a name!

It's getting crowded in here!

Having cleared out the modelling room, I now find that things are getting rather crowded.
Hennock is stacked ready for it's next show whilst Teignford needs some more work before it's next outing to Blandford.
The new, as yet unnamed layout sits waiting for work to start in earnest. It is surprising how an unordered state becomes one of chaos!
Still, there is plenty to do but finding the time is another matter.

Local Model Shops.

Where I live isn't particularly blessed with real model shops. The railway stockists haven't many bits that I can use.
So a little ingenuity is needed. There is a Dolls House shop nearby and so I decided to take a look. To my surprise they have a selection of modelling materials as well as their core stock of Dolls House kits and components.
I have been looking for something to use for flashing around chimneys etc.
This is what I discovered- real lead- and it is thin! Actually it is 0.13mm thick.
Not cheap but there again it will save me a lot of time, this being able to be cut with a sharp craft knife. Have a look around- you never know what you will find.

Kitmaster Bogie fitting.

Not a lot of time lately so just bits and pieces at the moment-please bear with me.
The bogies need to be fitted and rather than use the Kitmaster pegs, I decided to screw fit them.
The holes are just the right size to screw a BA threaded shaft into the pivot. This will make fitting, and, if needed, removal of the bogie much easier.
So after creating a thread it is easy to screw the bogies on.
One warning-if you are using the steel weight supplied- don't screw too far in!

Lining and Lettering complete.

 A bit longer than I had hoped but the lining and lettering have all been added.
The whole coach has been coated with Humbrol Matt Varnish. This was done one one of our hottest days so the spray was nice and even.
It is always annoying when you find some blemishes in the paintwork and that the lining, when cruelly enlarged, is not 100% straight!
Still, it's on there now and I dont intend to re-do. The blemished side will not be the side normally seen anyway!

Kitmasters-Again!

 Back to the old subject of Kitmaster Coaches again!
This CK- Corridor Composite is to join the two BSK-Brake Second corridor- coaches previously described.
It has now come to adding the lining and numbering so this shows before and after the lining being added.
The transfers are shown applied to one side- left long purposely to aid application. These will be trimmed once thoroughly dry.
The next thing after the other side has been lined is to find the numbering sheet so that the first class numeral can be placed on the relevant doors and the coach number fixed.
Being used to BR Southern Region (in 4mm ) there are no set numbers just the C1 markings on the coach ends.
It is really surprising the amount you learn when researching information.

Replica Railways Waterslide Transfers.

 I have mentioned this manufacturer previously but thought I would expand a little.
Having run out of HMRS Pressfix lining, the product seen to the left was purchased some time ago after discussions with Godfrey on the Railwayana stand- at Romsey I think.
Finely printed, I think they are OK for 3mm scale. One thing I did find is that it is best to cut through the backing completely not, as I found out, try and peel the transfer off after partly scoring the backing. Also use a sharp knife!
The backing was soaked with a Reeves Number 8 Nylon Hair brush (for those who like technical details). The transfer released evenly from the backing and then it is just (did I say just?) a matter of teasing the lining into place.
How I wish I still had a steady hand!
Still-off to finish what I have started so more anon!
Note-I have no connection with Replica Railways other than a very pleased customer.

We have a new Prince!

Congratulations to William and Catherine on their new addition to the family.
Speculation is rife throughout the press- frothing at their own importance and speculation regarding the new arrivals name.
May I give the first tongue in cheek suggestion?
Prince Dave-AKA Prince Rodney the Plonker!( Trigger quote)
As Kenny Everett used to say it is all done in the best possible taste!
Other suggestions eagerly awaited!

New layout Board Completed.

Due to the good weather i have completed the basboard for the shunting layout.
Measuring 4ft 10inces by 15inches this will be totally self contained.
The legs detach for transporting and attach by means of bolts and wing nuts.
This will be a challenge- now to see how I can create a trackplan!
It is also solid and means that PECO point motors with extended will be used due to the board being 18mm thick.
Safely erected in the loft it means a lot of juggling before the trackplan is finalised.

Layout Legs.

Again, something found whilst tidying the shed!
The baseboard was made from the side slats from a bunk bed. These are more of the same.
Cutting two of these gave me four pieces three feet long- ideal height for a layout.
They are pine so not too heavy and they are straight and true- something not always avilable at the DIY Sheds!
When the filler is drying on the being refurbished window sills this will provide a few minutes occupation.
Just a few more bits to attach andthe layout board will be ready.
Then the exciting bit. Will what I want to do fit? Do I have enough points and track to complete the trackwork?
Watch this space!

3MM Society 50 Something Challenge.

 I mentioned in a recent post that the Chairman of the 3MM Society had kicked off his entry for the 50th Anniversary challenge.
So- I cleared out the shed the other day and I don't know why but the 50 something challenge crossed my mind.
I have had an idea for a while now so, with a few bits of wood that were going to be thrown away, I have made the baseboard!
Glued and precision steel dowels (nails) were used throughout giving a sturdy base on which to work.
The 50 Something? It scales out at 50ft sq in 3MM.

This got me thinking further- should I attempt to finish this in 50 minutes? I may give it a go timing how long the thing takes to complete- must draw up a plan though.

Swanage-an update.

As a result of showing the groups newly aquired layout on the blog, I have had some more information.
I was contacted by Geoff Gay who told me that the layout had been built by  Gerry Nicklin.
I then recieved a call from Gerry who is pleased that the layout is to be refurbished. He recalled the reason that the layout was donated to the Swanage Railway together with appropriate stock.
It is very satisfying to have recieved this information and now we can give the credit to the originator.
I hope that the group can refurbish to the excellent standards of the original.

New board means new layout?

 Some time ago I was given a sheet of 18mm ply.
Whilst attempting to find something in the shed, this was rediscovered. Also found were the old retaining bars from my daughters long gone bunk beds.
These are straight and true and have formed the frame for the board. It is a little heavy though.
Still it is only going to be one board so this shouldn't present too much of a problem.
Now to find the pictures under the Stolen with Permission post and you may be able to work out the type of track diagram to be used.

Back in Time.

A prototypical scene from days gone by. A LSWR T9 4-4-0 with a single carriage waits for the off at Swanage.

We have a problem!

The track is all hand built with copper clad sleepers.
Somehow parts of the track have expanded and distorted. Luckily most of this has occured where track joiners (fishplates) are used.
It may be that the rails can be desoldered, straigtened with gauges and re set.
We shall see but I hope you agree that the project is worthwhile and an interesting one to continue with.
Comments are welcome.
There are more pictures of Swanage on the Teignford site- click on link .

Mixed Traffic July 2013.

This quarters Mixed Traffic arrived a couple of days ago.
This issue, Number 192, is up to its usual high standards starting with an editorial, by John Sutton, discussing the 75th Anniversary of Mallard setting the world speed record for steam locomotives and the GEM model released a srprisingly long time ago.
With details of the 2013 AGM and the chairman, Wim Harthoon getting the ball rolling for the 50th Anniversary challenge the rest of the content is similarly inspiring.
Stephen Moor continues with the BR Class 5 build whilst Howard Love builds the Worsley Works GWR footbridge. David Schiebaan relates the creation of a new chassis building jig and Dennis Smith describes his layout move to France. Another Smith, this time Alan, relates his building of a Crane Runner Wagon.
Add to this some excellent photography of competition entries and more evocative shots by Eric Bruton.
There is little room left for the usual Blastpipe and Q&A's but an absorbing read as usual.
The day before MT arrived, the sad news was recieved of the passing of Peter Gentle. I was priviledged to have met Peter on many occasions and  considered him to be one of lifes Gentlemen. Nothing was too much trouble,  encouragement and advice being freely given. He was responsible for several buildings at Pendon and many memorable layouts many of which were published in the Model Railway Press.

More about Swanage.

 Some more shots of our adopted layout.
The overall canopy is placed in position as it needs some work due to some distortion to deal with.
The track layout is not as wide as it should be but this compromise means we will be able to transport and exhibit without having to resort to van hire.
The ravages of time have taken it's toll but it is early days yet so a full assesment will be made at our next meeting.
The opportunity will be taken to check out the wiring and attached transformers. One is a cased Gaugemaster so that should be OK.

The Forge.

Following on from the recent post about Colin's cottage, this is another building that fits this corner well.
Also a DAS covered shell, this depicts the village forge. It is intended to detail this scene with a horse being reshod- a sort of rural Quik-Fit I suppose.
I think the building has been well finished with individual roof slates as well.
You wouldn't know that the railway passes behind this scene would you?
But it does.

Rolling Road.

I have extolled the virtues of the Bachrus rolling Road available from Finney and Smith- click on link on th left. The one shown here with one of Phils locos going through its paces, will accomodate locos from 'N' gauge through to 'O' gauge. This is particularly usefulif you dabble in other scales without the need to buy a road for each.
The advantageis that you can leave the chassis working away whilst getting on with other things and you can keep an eye on it.

Modelling in any scale.

 Colin brought in the corner section of his layout at our last meeting.
The cottage has been seen before but it is now bedded in with some of his excellent trees adorning the surroundings.
The cottage is covered in DAS clay and the thatch covered with static grass material.
Excellent modelling and this shows that the group has no scruples as all this is to 4mm scale.
However, Colin is enthusiastic in joing in with the refurbishment of Swanage- we may have a convert soon!

Southern Railway Coach.

One of old friends, Phil Phillips visited us at our meeting and he brought with him some Southern stock he had aquired from the late Brian Tonbridge.
A T9 loco was also displayed- you will see it later on the blog.
This coincidence enabled some authentic stock to be shown on our Swanage layout.
You may be interested to know that a model of Launceston Station, by Brian Tonbridge, to 3mm scale, is resident at Launceston Museum and well worth the time to view.

Dorset Group Meeting July 2013.

Something surprising happened at our July meeting.
The picture alongside may provide a clue. It is ,of course , unmistakeable -Swanage Signal Box.
The group has taken custody of a layout I have been trying to adopt for some time. It sat, unloved, in a display cabinet in the booking hall of Swanage Station for several years. Layers of leaflets hid what is a remarkable 3mm scale layout of Swanage Station.
Unfortunately I don't know the name of the builder but the layout was given to the railway as we have aquired it.
Originally the Engine Shed section was attached but skipped due to lack of space. More Anon!

Coach Bogies.

 Sorry but the photos today are not as focused as I would like-my apologies!
You may remember a couple of posts ago my mention of the old 'bullet ended ' axles.
Well, to save some money the CK has Kitmaster bogies with these wheels inserted. I found the wheels, unless insulated on the outer face of the wheel, shorted on brass etched frames. So this is where some recycling came in and used ,probably, 50 year old plastic mouldings instead.
Do they roll well? Ok for my needs.

Back to the Kitmaster Coaches.

I hate doing these!
However, it is an evil that must be endured when making Kitmasters.
The windows are separately fitted giving a good impression of flush glazing.
Luckily I have enough on sprues for this coach but subsequent ones will be from separated pieces.
My hand is no longer steady as it was. this means a lot of cleaning up once the paint has dried. I should really put a couple of coats on but the result will probably be worse than this!
Still-transfers next before fitting these.

Best month ever for blog.

June saw the highest hit rate ever, although by only 3! 2819 views were achieved taking the total to well over 50,000
My thanks to all who took the time to visit- hope more posts will provide enough interest so you all come back.
Todays picture shows an aged 3mm Society product, a coach wheel axle without pin-point ends.
I aquired a few of these a long time ago and have found them to be useful for a current project-more anon.

Dorset Group-July 2013 Meeting.

Our next meeting is this coming Saturday, 6th July 2013. Usual place- Furzebrook Village Hall, Wareham, Dorset. Start about 1pm until about 6pm.