Hennock Updates

 Some time since I did any work on Hennock. The new farmhouse has been placed in it's position, it needs to be bedded in yet. Also in this picture, the tractor now has a driver.
The Bedford that was obtained at the same time is ,unfortunately the wrong scale, nearly 4mm in fact so it is unsuitable and therefore may be sold.

 Second shot shows a new low relief building, as yet unnamed, to fill what ,I had always thought, had something missing. I'm not sure of its purpose yet but with the next exhibition looming will have to be sorted.

The replacement for the original Cider Factory has been in place some time but I have never gotten round to photographing it. The replacement differs from the original, which was a Bilteeze kit, by having proper windows. The entrance is large enough to place a detachable trailer from the Scammel Mechanical Horse, not a Scarab! Also in this view is one of the street lamps that has appeared.
The next addition is a fence along the line of trees to the new low relief building. These will be Peco'N' gauge ones-with the centre stay not fitted.

Out with the old-In with the new.

The Wilton Show is fast approaching and it is some time since Hennock recieved any updates.
So, the old farmhouse,on the right, has been rebuilt to something more suitable.See the new one on the left.
The original was a quick build to complete the farm buildings and ,to be honest, went wrong. The windows were too large and making them with paper labels didn't work.
So the old one was removed, measured and the replacement was marked out on mounting card, cut out and covered with the old Builderplus 'N' gauge brickpaper. Windows have been salvaged from an old card kit that happened to be the right size. The porch was fabricated from bits in the odd's box, gutters and down pipes are plastic strip.Chimney pot's, one with a cowl are from the 3mm Society range.
Next is to place in position and secure, most of it will be behind a tree but I know it's there.
Add to this the resoldering of one rail at the baseboard join, replacement fence on the down platform and I think it was a fruitful day. Happy Easter to all.

Mixed Traffic April 2011

Just as I start my holiday the latest edition of the 3mm Society Magazine drops through the letterbox.
This august publication is the lifeline of the society.
Included in this quarters tome are articles by various members including-
Ambleside Junction, a large tailchaser in 13.5mm gauge.
A Shocvan conversion.
Further revelations on Resin Casting.
Adaptation of a Tri-ang footbridge .
Mods to the Mica kit.
Plus pics of award winning locos and rolling stock.

All in all yet another balanced edition and worth the sub's alone.

Wimrail 2011

Last weekend I spent a couple of days helping  a fellow member of our Dorset Group,Nigel Cullimore, exhibit his layout, St Leven, at Wimrail.
This is a well thought out 3mm layout just 5ft long on one board.The pic shows his 2-6-2T Prairie alongside the dairy attached to a couple of 6 wheel milk tankers.
Nigel use's Spratt & Winkle couplings with carefully concealed magnets. However we have found that some small ceramic magnets do the job just as well. These, used in multiples of four operate the couplings through the 9mm baseboard and mean that uncoupling can be carried out anywhere on the layout, not in fixed positions which can catch you out if using longer wheelbase stock.
The weekend was most enjoyable and an excellent exhibition also. The pint of Hopping Hare on the way home in glorious Dorset evening sunshine finished it off just right!

Eyeryone needs people.

Having had some idle time whilst awaiting the arrival of my new Grandson, one doesn't want to get too involved in a project. Hence some new people for the next layout. I have experimented with acrylic paints for a change and am quite surprised by the result. I didn't expect the colours to be so opaque-I have always used enamels previously. Add to this the need to wash the brush in warm,soapy water and it enables me to put the brush down very quickly when needed.

This is a small sample and I hope you, like me am impressed.
By the way, tomorrow see's me at Wimborne Model Railway Exhibition. I am helping Nigel Cullimore exhibit his delightful 3mm layout, St Leven. Please come and say hello.

Finished Tractor

Well the tractor is now finished. Painted in the colour of a Massey Harris-I remember having the Dinky one years ago-pure nostalgia.Sorry the pic is a bit blurred-will get used to this camera. Will sit on the tree lined lane on Hennock on its next outing.
Kit is supplied by QRF Models Ltd,Unit 2, Gibbs Marsh Farm, Stalbridge,Dorset,DT10 2RU.
No other connection than a satisfied customer. Take a look at their catalogue there are some gems.

Not another 'B' Set!

After aquiring another 3mm Society kit, I hope
to have improved on my previous efforts.
These photos show how far I have gotten,
taken a couple of evenings to get this far. I
already have the bogies made,having relieved
Nigel of the set off his. I hope this shows how
easy it is to make the excellent 3mm Society kits.
I find it a lot easier than wrestling with digital
cameras-haven't mastered the new Olympus yet.

Suddenly a good picture pops up then it's back

to normal.
Also, I havent a clue how to organise the posts,
the pictures seem to have a mind of their own so
please excuse the seemingly random layout of the posts.

More 3mm Vehicles

Here is an image of the Bedford and Tractor. I believe that the Bedford is about right for 3mm. Yet to be painted and have wheels fitted a bit of fettling was required, quite a solid piece of metal. Comes in four pieces plus five wheels, including horizontally mounted spare.
I remember ,when an apprentice mechanic that many of the breakdown vehikcles were sourced from ex-army vehicles. The company I worked for had an ex military AEC Militant, a six wheel four wheel drive. Quite a beast but would move anything.
QRF list a thornycroft Wrecker that may be OK for 3mm.

3MM Tractor

Couldn't delay, here is the primed image of my latest addition. A Case Tractor. Many were sold in the UK in the late 40s through to the late 50s so perfect for my needs.
It has been sourced from QRF Models in deepest Dorset. They mainly supply wargaming items, over 3000 of them in fact , but in their lists of 15mm items are a few models of use to us 3Millers. I also have a Bedford which needs a bit more work and be scaled.

3MM Society Mica Kit

Here are a couple of models made from the latest 3mm Society kit. The one on the left is a Dia. X5 as per the kit whilst the other is representative of a Dia. X9. Quite a lot of effort has gone into these including etches for steps and plates attached to the ends and frame.
Coming shortly is a tractor! I have been looking for one in 3mm for some time and have now managed to find a source. At the moment it is still in primer and will soon be painted to represent a Case L42 from which the model is derived. Watch this space.

My latest layout has been revised to be a terminus to fiddleyard in a U Shape.

Hennock is due to appear in 2011 at:-
Wilton-7/8th May
Andover 3/4th September
Weymouth 29/30th October.