Why bother?

I have had to have a replacement computer and the result is that no matter how I try, I am not able to upload any pictures to the blog which makes it all a bit pointless really.

You are missing out on numerous steam related events and pictures of both new 4mm scale Adams Radials recently seen at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

So a big thank you to Microsoft for introducing new systems that I can't work-

Branchlines Lyme Regis stock.

 It's Branchlines sides and chassis, Ratio bogies, Slaters seating and yes a Roxey mouldings roof -
and that is from the builder- told you someone would correct me.
Power of the internet eh!
Cheers for that Colin- drive safely.

Branchlines Lyme Regis stock.

Another kit built coach from Colin- where does he get all this time? A Branchlines kit except for the roof which I can't remember the parentage of- no doubt I will be reminded.

More Kit built 4mm.

Six wheeled Brake van by Colin- sorry will add details when I can remember them!

Swanage-July Group Meeting-2015

Swanage now has its own storage facility!

It has now been decided to use Peco Hom track as there is too much work to do on the original- shame but rebuilding exiting points will take too long and we really want to get this rolling.

New Hornby Class 700 0-6-0

 Yes-Yes, I know this is 4mm but I have one of
these to build so this seems the ideal way to help
 building.
Plus it is a lovely little engine, just right for the 4mm version of East Boldre.
Just three parts to add, the tender brake gear, front vacuum pipe and the front coupling.
Must add crew and headcode plus coal and it's ready.
Impetus to build the 3mm version now.

Bournemouth Steam 2015

Bournemouth-Kings Park Steamfair 2015

1. 
2. A taster of some images taken this July at Kings Park Bournemouth.

Boards completed!

At last the three boards for the 3mm version of East Boldre are complete. Just the choclate blocks to attach to hold the leg stays- must pop out to the shed.
So- Teignford is due to come to our next meeting to have the lighting worked out- have the electrics, just nothing to hang them on.

Something for the weekend?

Have Been meaning to make an end board to transport Teignmouth in the car. As it was the 

layout could get damaged- or driving very carefully or slow.

So- a few minutes work with a saw, hammer and a drill saw a piece of ply cut then holes drilled to accomodate the protruding securing bolts. The hammer? Well you just beat the wood against the ply and that shows where the holes should go- works too!! 

Bodmin General 2015

1. View from the car park- shows how short this platform really was- maybe a layout idea?

Bodmin General 2015

No Numbers i'm afraid but probably available on Preserved Loco sites.

Bodmin General

 Three days- an image of Bodmin General taken in June 2015-each day

Dorset Group June 2015 Meeting.

My thanks must go to Nigel for sending me these
 images of work progressing on Swanage .
I was unable to attend due to my youngest daughters wedding- she was the one responsible for my introduction to 3mm.
By the looks of it this is a Worsley Works 2-6-4t chassis- a stalwart of the branch in later BR days.

Next meeting will see more work plus Teignford needs some lights for it's trip to Warley so a busy next meeting.

Also I need to redo the frame keeping the boards apart in the car.

Hornby said they were considering TT!

http://www.hornby.com/uk-en/news/simonsays/table-service/

I tried to get a consencus of opinion on this subject.

Several who should know better were quite insulting.

Please read this and I would appreciate some apologies- but I doubt they have the guts!

More images from 2015 3mm Society AGM

Please accept my apologies for poor resolution- well it was this or nothing!

Photos from the 50th 3MM Society AGM.

Just a few images from the 50th Anniversary AGM at Swindon-

2015 3MM Society AGM

Next  Saturday marks the 50th Anniversary of the 3mm Society- the AGM is being  held in Swindon- Be there!

An Apology

Due to illness Nigel was unable to show St Levan at the Portsmouth Exhibition today.
Never  a decision that is taken easily, it was too late to provide a substitute layout of the same dimensions.
So if you visited today- please acceept our sincere apologies.

3MM Society Mixed Traffic- April 2015.

Please accept my apologies for the delay in reviewing the latest Mixed Traffic which appeared over two weeks ago.
Edition 199 is a mixture of nostalgia and current thinking. Our editor starts the ball rolling with suggested landmarks in the Society's history . Simply put suggestions are invited for the finest models produced over the last fifty years- with some very worthy examples.
Howard Love looks at his stash of twoits- and recounts the ways in which some were completed after a number of years in varying states of building.Peter Bossum constucts an oil tanker for Hoath Hill whilst Ian Fraser describes the building of one of his articulated Andean Beyer Peacock Meyer locos.
John Carter continues his saga of layout building and John Sutton shows a photo to inspire a street scene worth modelling.
Returning to nostalgia see's two pioneers celebrated and a pair of Eric Brutons photo's of Western Region Halls- there is also a list of Society Officers who have served over the last half century.
Photos include members exhibiting at Southampton Model Railway Exhibition, Bob Browns new layout- Chipping Compton shares the centre pages with Teignford by Steve Fackrell.
Add to this the usual Blastpipe, Bits & Pieces and Tail Lamp and another excellent read has been produced.
There is also some good news about certain wagon kits being offered at half price for a limited time- this will boost the rolling stock-again!!

Dorset Group meeting 1st May 2015

 Well the Dorset Group had its latest meeting at our new exclusive home!
The Dorset 4 are very relaxed at this arrangement and progress is at long last moving forward where Swanage is concerned.
We now have the boards ready to receive track- the first bit was actually laid today.
Thanks are due to our newest 3mm member Colin who has really moved the project- and us forward.
Must post soon about the latest Mixed Traffic- watch this space.

Out and about.

Rarely get the time to visit model shops other than those local to me.
Recently I had reason to visit Bognor Regis with the family. Whilst they went for a swim I decided to walk lunch off.
So I set off along the prom and found Bognor Models. A very welcoming atmosphere and a range of plastic kits as well as a reasonable model railway selection.
There was a fantastic selection of Valejo paint- together with undercoats to suit all genres.
Recommend a visit if just to stock up on paint-I did!!
Hope you all remembered to put the clocks forward- yes an hour less in bed.

Dorset Group.

After more years than I care to remember, we have given up our regular meeting place. I have tried to enlarge our group , but to no avail.
Because of a muck up of dates we have vacated Furzebrook from immediate effect and there will be no more published meetings.
We will continue to meet- the Dorset Four as we will be from henceforth be known- but at a location known only to us and no longer will we accept further members except by invite only.
Sorry it has come to this but we all feel that this is the way forward and no longer puts pressure to recruit new members or having to justify why we have to charge for our meetings- yes some thought that it was free and why should they have to pay!!!

Give us a chance Guv!!

Recently I was asked where to obtain the 1:100 vehicles.
The answer is from Finney and Smith- amended post.
Dave Finney has a new web site and contact details so needs a bit of searching.
The main reason for this post? The question was posted by Anonymous- how do I respond?

Hello John gotta new motor?

 Apologies for borrowing the title of an annoying song from a while ago.
But I have aquired these beauties.
A pair of Morris saloons, a split screen Minor , Minor van and a 4 door 1000. Add to this a mini van and a ZX MG saloon- one of my favourite cars.
Unfortunately the Land Rover and MG are overscale but with careful positioning they will be used.
These are all by Finney and Smith.

Rolling Road.

E-mailed Dave Finney the other day to see if, amongst the stock residue, he had a spare Bachrus roller and saddle.
The result is seen here and I am well chuffed.
Now I can run the deisels and support tenders on locos.

3mm Society Midland Brake Van.

Fencehouses chassis.

 I mentioned this a while ago and have slowly been building it.
Pairing it with a Southern van , with a bit of work this is what it ends up like before painting.
The sole bar and spring and axle box have been separated and superglued to the nickle silver etch.
Is it worth the extra cost and work?
I think so and patiently wait for fine weather to start applying paint.

3mm Exhibition In Kidderminster.

http://www.worsleyworks.co.uk/3mm/3mm_Exhibition.htm

Use this link to see a list of 3mm layouts and dates for a celebration of 3mm scale modelling in Kidderminster on the 17th October 2015.

Fencehouses 10 ft wagon chassis.

Must admit, I have been looking forward to this!
A cracking little etch, from Peter White, in nickel silver. To free from the etch is easy, just the minimum of metal to cut through.
 Peter did give me a hint that it is best to solder the bearings before bending up the frame, which I did using the late lamented Finney and Smith pin point bearings.
Once parted from the main etch, the main section folds up along constant lines to produce a very strong box- soldered in all four corners.
The brake gear, again, easily folds and, with tabs, locates in the main etch.

So far so good, just need to slip the wheels in and spin easily- remove and paint black- then make and fit the body.