Dorset Group Meeting March 2014.

The groups next meeting is the 1st March, seems that this month has sped  by.
Couldn't resist a new picture of Hennock , some more will be published shortly in a magazine that has approached me to write an article.So I took the chace to indulge myself and take some new shots for that purpose.
Hope to see some of you at the meeting on Saturday.

More of Northampton.

Sometimes I am unable to make this darn computer do what I want.
I wanted the pictures the other way round but the machine had other ideas.
Another offering from Northampton is this well made diorama for which I apologise as I have no idea who made it.
Suffice to say whoever it is should be very proud of a well made piece of modelling.
A static display that belied its simplicity.
Please let me know of its creator so I can update this post to provide the credit.

Northampton 22nd Feb 2014

 This is Petton, a 4ft long layout built by Mark Haynes but now in the ownership of Geoff Tew.
Using PECO 12mm track, it was Marks' first essay into 3mm modelling. Mark was there showing Hemyock Road of which there will be more at a later date.
Mainly kit built stock was running on the layout with a few pieces of modified Tri-ang stock.
Just shows what can be done in a small space and certainly got me thinking!

Northampton Group of the 3mm Society Model Railway Exhibition 2014

 Just a few photos of 3mm layoputs at the Northampton Groups Exhibition.
More to come plus some layout details.
A successful day with plenty of visitors and lots of interest in 3mm.
The cafe next door produced one of the best and largest bacon roll ever- would come back again if only for that.
Oh and very nice cake as well!

Oh Font of all knowledge!

 Sometimes you just can't resist it!
Next to the font in a church is the 3mm Society's information boards!
Not only that but Peter Stratford the 3mm Society's Publicity Guru, pictured below, almost  exudes a holy countenance!
More  on the excellent Northampton Groups Exhibition in the coming days- yes I remembered my camera and took some pictures.

Collett Sub Brake Third Dia D117.

 Picked thwese up from the Society Secondhand staal at West Byfleet,.
I have been a bit impatient in building these as I haven't remembered to cut out the Brake End windows before soldering it all together.
However, I will drill the corners and somehow cut them out.
Still I have another to do plus get hold of a centre carriage to make up the set.

Northampton Exhibition -Tomorrow.

Hennock is on it's travels again- the last booking for the forseeable future at least.
If you are in the area-St James Church, St JamesRoad, Northampton  NN5 5LE- between the hours of 10 and 4 then do pop in and see us.
There promises to be layouts in various scales and gauges plus Refreshments!
We will be setting off before dawn, a long drive and hopefully not too much inclement weather!

Look  forward to maybe seeing a few new faces- Old ones are welcome too!

Swanage Coaling Stage and Water Tower.

 Working from some original photos and plans from Terry Jenkins 4mm model, Colin has come up trumps with  this excellent model.
This is a new build because the original had been destroyed.
It will sit adjacent to the Engine Shed and Turntable.
Still the road bridge, Engine Shed and Turntable to do.

Standard 4 2-6-4T.

Kindly given to me by Paul , this will form part of the motive power for Swanage and also East Boldre.
Sitting in front of the body is the chassis from Worsley Works.
It needs a bit of fettling before it will fit, plus wheels etc- I know I was one step ahead!

Swanage Signal Box

 Colin has done a brilliant job of reconstructing the signal box.
Slightly damaged when lifting from the original board, the steps have been completely re-built.
Looking good.

East Boldre-Station Signs.

 Credit where credit is due! I cxontacted Jeff Duke at Station Signs Late last week, pleading with him to produce a set of signs for East Boldre as he had for me in 4mm scale.
This he did with lightening speed, plus a set of large signs to go on the layouts fascia.
The results are here to be seen- excellent in all respects, the help and attention to detail cannot be faulted.
If you have a layout that needs a name you would be barking not to speak to Jeff FIRST. He is very obliging and many 3mm layouts would benefit from his products. Have a look at the website. Below are the 4mm version next to the 3mm .

East Boldre.

 This is the original East Boldre- in 4mm scale.
Based  on a real village in the New Forest, this layout was shown at several exhibitions until sold to make way for Hennock.
New boards are cut but need bracing. I have hand built pointwork and several lengths of 3mm Society 12mm track.
So- if it will stop raining then I can get on. Another thing stopped by the weather is spraying numerous projects, not worth the risk of the top coat blooming due to the wet atmosphere.

Numbers, Numbers.

Well statistics appear to have raised their ugly head again.
Last month saw the Blog pass the 80,000 view mark, not bad  and I thank all that have taken the time to visit and especially those that comment. January saw the fourth highest views, something that surprised me given the paltry number of posts I made.
It seems a bit pointless without some form of  feedback, am I producing something that visitors want to read or do they just walk quickly past with scarcely a glance?
Recent exhibitions have several visitors commenting on the blog and a few have visited specifically to view Hennock.
Talking of Hennock, later this month sees it's last booked exhibition at Northampton- I want to develop Teignford more- and I am trying to decide its future. We have been showing Hennock for a few years now and new projects mean a lack of space and I don't want it to become damaged or worse. I may just properly store it away or maybe sell. Who knows- unless you want it?

Swanage Air Raid Shelter.

 Bit of a landmark today- this is the 700th post!
The Air Raid Shelter stood at Swanage until the track was removed after closure,
This small building has appeared in numerous photos and I had almost forgotten it until we started renovating Swanage.
Again, Colin has turned a mundane little structure into an excellent rendition of the prototype.
More is still to come I warn you!

Bubble Car for St. Agnes.

 Nigel has produced this single car unit from sides and ends supplied by Worsley Works. The cab roofs and headboards have been fabricated from plastic shhet , the centre section being the standard Worsley extrusion.
The motor bogie is worthy of note, this has been made by Nigel, having a Mashima 9/16 motor driving one of the bogie axles on the bogie etch (must take the top off next time!)
I will show more detail of the undergubbins another time.

Class 47.

A Class 47, or Brush Type 4 in old money, made
 an appearance at our meeting. This has been aquired by Peter and appears to be a rework of the Tri-ang Class 31. It certainly has its motor and extended chassis.
Still some work to do, especially the roof but I think it captures the look of the prototype better than the cast whitemetal kit often seen.

Dorset Group February 2014 Meeting.

 After what seemed the shortest January on record- but certainly the wettest- the February meeting saw a lot of modelling.
Both Colin and Nigel have been busy with Swanage. Colin has refurbished some of the buildings whilst Nigel has been getting to grips with removing trackwork from the old boards.
The buildings will appear but the Goods Shed looks superb, still to have the chimney replaced it really captures its prototype.