A Very Happy Christmas to you all.

Twas the day before Christmas!!

A new Q!

This is for East Boldre 4mm!
I couldn't resist this South Western Finecast kit on a brass chassis.
Picked up from Ray Heard at the Poole Exhibition, most of the one's I have owned previously had Tri-ang/Hornby or Hornby Dublo chassis in them.
This is different .!

Finished at last.

 After an hour or so see's the hut finished ready for painting.
The frames are very fine as are the window frames- finer to my eye than the Ratio kits.
Even more eager for a 3mm version!

More Hut!

This see's the roof and sides pieced together.
I used some Phatic glue- I think, to stick it all together.
This glue leaves little, if any, residue so no cleaning up. A thin spout ensures the glue goes where you want it

Greenwood Model Railway SR Hut.

These are just like a wooden jig-saw puzzle.
Cleanly lazer cut the roof, shown here, just slots together.
I must get in touch with Mike or Nick to make me some 3mm ones!
More next time.

Regular Service..........

The big problem with having something new is finding out how the bl---- thing works.
So it is with my new laptop. The keys are in the same place but after that it is al different. This new operating system baffles me- the old one was so easy.
So, the upshot is that I have not found out how to upload pictures so you will have to wait for a few more days to find out about our December Dorset Group meeting.

Just a trailer!

No really it is just a trailer- not for a film but for a Mechanical Horse.
Again one of those things that you can't ignore for a pound!
These are always useful- it means that one can be permanently stuck in position on one of the layouts- something less to forget!

Etched Brass Windows and Doors.

 It really makes the effort worth while when you find gems such as these lurking ,unwanted around a secondhand stall.
Well these were found there at West Byfleet- lots of etched windows and door's- two are unmarked but one is from Alan at Worsley Works.
These, once cleaned up, will be enough to build the station building for East Boldre with quite a few left over- do I want more- silly question.
More of these make it so much easier to make buildings- more time to play trains!

Build another bridge- I've got an idea!

I am a soft touch when it comes to bargains!
This came from the secondhand stall at West Byfleet and is yet another bus- this time a double decker.
It is, I think, an old Signal Products casting.
I have no instructions but hopefully it will go together in an obvious way- not too taxing for an ageing person!
There are two different radiator castings so it will be down to Mr Google to find which is which.
Hopefully it can represent a vehicle which plied it's trade around Dorset/Hampshire or maybe South Devon.

3mm Fencehouses Chassis Etch.

 Etched chassis for wagons are something I hadn't considered before.
I want (as if I need!) another SR van. Having purchased a kit from the 3mm Society shop, i then went to pick up my loco wheels from Peter White.
Amongst the goodies on his table was this etch. Just right for a SR van said a small voice!
So now I have a chassis which will go under said van and I hope that I will remember to provide a picture build of this one- I hope you will be as interested as me to see the finished van.

Greenwood Model Railway Products.

This is my first wooden jigsaw since I was about three!!
Joking apart, this is really a work of art. Laser cut MDF parts that will-trust me- produce a seriously stunning Southern Railway cast concrete lineside hut.
Although this one is to 4mm scale (00 then!) Mike will produce this in 3mm scale if you ask very nicely.
Indeed, if you provide the artwork or drawing he will produce just about anything that can be laser cut from MDF.
This is a seriously good piece of kit (pun intended)!!
See more  Here

Class 33 from Bruce Smetham.

After what seems an age, I have at last had time for a new post. Don't get too excited though because as usually happens something comes along to disturb the peace and quiet!
The 3mm Society meeting at West Byfleet was most enjoyable. I spent too much as usual and part of the spend was this, a Class 33 in resin by Bruce Smetham. He has promised me a working chassis as well so this one may run sooner than the Hymek.
Crisply cast bogie sides and buffers in white metal complement the resin body- should look good in early BR Green- can copy its big brother Heljan!

Cambridge Custom Transfers.

John Isherwood of Cambridge Custom Transfers has had some problems with his web server and has had to relocate to http://www.cctrans.org.uk/ .
Same product-

Teignford on the road.

Next weekend, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October sees
us at Taunton for the Taunton Rail-Ex.Looking forward to getting
up at the crack of dawn to drive for a couple of hours to set up a
 layout and play trains for the weekend- its a dirty job but
someone- or many- have to do it.
So do drop by and say hello- coffee would go down well!!!

3MM Society Mixed Traffic 197 October 2014.

The latest edition of the in house 3mm Society magazine-Mixed Traffic has hit the doormat!
Something different this time as the cover is adorned with a wonderful picture of Ian Fraser's Conchi Bridge, part of his Chilean metre gauge layout.More details are then recounted and more splendid pictures.
Following a nostalgic editorial, Richard Brice adapts the Tri-ang Utility Van into a Scenery Van or 'Elephant'. Ted Boocock educates us on the correct signalling for junctions whilst Adrian Westbury makes a Roxey Mouldings 3mm scale 3SUB EMU- something I, and many others I suspect, didn't know was available in 3mm scale.Dave Hancock looks at discovering a back issue seller of model railway magazines and reminisces about early layouts in the premier scale. A couple of photos show locos from early layouts of that era plus some of current layouts from various members.
Mike Evans has submitted a couple of inspiationl photos from Somerset, one from the S&D and the other from the preserved West Somerset Railway. Eric Brutons classic photos reaches Album 119 with a GER J15 at Cambridge and Urie S15 30504 at Basingstoke.
The 3mm version of the PECO bufferstop is converted for use in14.2mm gauge by Nigel Brown whilst Bryan Erde describes a poor mans Hold-and-Fold from easily aquired bits and pieces.
Matchbox Vehicles are listed for 3mm Scale- this is something recently discussed on the 3mm e-group- I have my own opinions but will keep them to myself!
Add to this Blast Pipe, an insight into members thoughts on the 50 something challenge and a few reminders of recent items available sees a well balanced edition of which editor John Sutton should be proud.
The Newsletter should also be mentioned, recent products plus details of upcoming events make next year a very busy one.  Local Groups are very active and seem to be swelling in numbers- they really are a way to expand one's knowledge and skills.

Getting Ready.

 At the last group meeting, Nigel had progressed with his next project.
Can't remember the name but it is his entry for the 50 something challenge for next years 50th anniversary of the 3mm Society.
A two level layout which has some interesting possibilities.

Parkstone Goods Shed.

Colins next project involves the Goods Shed at Parkstone on the ex-LSWR main line west of Bournemouth.
This is the almost finished building- a great effort and the result of much research.

Dorset Group Meeting October 2014.

A couple of 'willing' helpers . Keep it up lads!

Dorset Group Meeting October 2014.

 The October meeting was taken up with the visit of Steve Flint of Railway modeller.
He came to our meeting place- Furzebrook Village Hall, to take some shots of Teignford for inclusion in ailway Modeller scheduled for next February.
An interesting few hours were had and a lot learnt about the art of photography and an insight into a Model Railway magazine editors work.
The opportunity was taken to take some shots of Nigels St Piran- hopefully to appear later next year.
A couple more shots next time!!

Barry Island .

 Recently had some time to spare whilst working in Swansea. So took myself along to Barry Island, had an ice cream , saw Nesta's Slots and the Barry Island Railway.
No steam today though just a very tidy site with obvious GWR parentage- did see an Arriva Trains DMU though.
To think that nearly fifty years ago, this place was filling up with the discarded steam engines that Dai Woodham had the foresight to not cut up but envisage them all rising again to not only fulfill a full working life but to entertain several new generations on the workings of our heritage.

Useful box from Block and Quayle.

Recently I have been doing some merchandising work in B&Q's all over the South and West
( European tour-well Wales).
This means that first hand knowledge is remembered for purchase on over sixties day each Wednesday.
This box costs Eight quid- Seven pounds Twenty on a Wednesday!

If you are really-really good!!

Always wanted one of these.

As a reward for giving up smoking- two months now- the family presented me with a Heljan Type 33 'Crompton'. This will eventually run on the new 4mm version of East Boldre which is being built side by side with the 3mm one- watch this space!!!

Diesel Railcar.

Nigels single unit Railcar is coming on nicely- the motor bogie he created being more that sufficient to pull itself along.
Hopefully more info at our next meeting.

3mm Society SR N Class 2-6-0

 Back into stock is this kit which is whitemetal and brass construction with the opportunity to produce several variants.
This will be part of the stock for East Boldre, together with some relevant rolling stock already started.

What have I been up to?

 Appologies for the break in posting, due entirely to having been away at work and holidays.
These pictures were taken at the Hill of Down in Co. Meath, Ireland.
The railway is on one side, the canal on the other with a Pub in the middle.
Peace and quiet occasionally disturbed by waterfowl or a passing DMU .

We had a lovely time in Minehead!!

 Well we did until most of the pubs shut at 11pm on the Friday night. This was the first time in years that we actually heard a time bell at 10.45 and shouts to get out just after 11 !!. Even the escapees from Butlitz were miffed that they had to return early.
Still that aside we enjoyed a terriffic time, the accomodation and breakfast was excellent.
Took the opportunity to walk around Minehead Station early morning so a few uncluttered pics are attached.
The exhibition flew by with much talking and quite a few 3mm Society members took the time and trouble to come and see us.
Would we go again- you bet!!

We are off to Minehead!!

Teignford is on the road again-this time we are off to sunny Minehead (well it had better be!) for Exmoor Rail organised by that very nice man Exmoor Dave!!
Please visit the link below to find out who and what are on show- UK modelshop site has a wealth of info including details of both of my layouts.+

http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/other/events_detail.php?eid=9313

Look forward to this one as we are next to the West Somerset Railway and will be able to see proper trains all day!!
Don't forget to come and say hello and bring us cider or ice cream!!

Pine Road 4.

The final three pictures of this superb layout- must find or do something myself!!