The Signal Mans Dog.

Faithfully waiting for his master to finish his shift, Woody stands guard at the bottom of the Signal Box steps.
These scenes were seen all over the railway system in days gone by.
Today, with H&S it would not be seen- or would it?

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?

Off to Warley!

Hennock is being loaded to day and the journey to Birmingham started about lunch time.
Hopefully we will arrive about tea time to set up and make sure that it works. If you are visiting please come and see us, Hennock is stand F46- there is also a demonstration of 3mm at this years show plus Andy Shillito's Wantage Tramway.

Hennock at Warley.

Pleasantly surprised that Hennock is mentioned on the Warley Facebook site in the last few days-looking forward to the exhibition.

Posts will be every couple of days or so for the next few weeks due to an excess of work-a horrible condition- so please be patient. Hopefully flights will be on time to fulfill exhibition commitments- contingency plans have been made!

Lighting Rig.

This mess of wire is what lights up 'Hennock'
The two yellow cylinders are transformers that convert 240volts down to 12.The lamps themselves are reclaimed by my electician friend Nigel.
This keeps potentially dangerous voltage away from us whilst we play trains.
The four lamps are held in an old curtain vallance made redundant due to the out break of blinds in this house. This is kept aloft by a couple of white skinned metal  tubes which slot into holders on the back of the baseboards.
'Hennock's' name is attached by Velcro to the front which also is adorned with exhibitions we have attended.

Hennock at Warley.

Hennock has been invited to Warley next year 2013.
Two 3mm scale layouts have been invited as well as The 3MM Society having been given space for demonstrations.
Thanks must go to our Publicity Officer, Peter Stratford, who has been instrumental in the invite and works tirelessly to further the success of the Premier Scale.

Preparation for the Exhibition Season.

Hennock will be running at Railex Taunton on the 27th/28th October 2012. For directions and the rest of the line up see-www.somersetrmc.org.net

We have reached the time of year when the exhibition season really kicks in. Over the last couple of shows several things have been experienced which really needed something doing.

There are a few areas of grass that need a bit of touching up, so PVA was brushed on to the affected areas and Woodland Scenics rough grass was carefully applied. After letting dry, the overspill was removed with a soft brush.

The fiddle yard was next to be repaired. There had been a few episodes where current wasn't being transfered through the Bulldog connection. This turned out to be a build up of aluminium oxide which prevented conductivity being transferred from the rail to the clip. The answer to this was to remove the offending screws, clean all surfaces with a fibreglass brush and reassemble using a shakeproof washer which bites into the aluminium surface. Fresh solder and an ohm meter confirmed that power was where it should be. I also took some time in checking all the soldered joints where the track crossed baseboard joins, this was just as well as I found one in the goods yard. This showed up because the Mogul was being tested and the tender occasionally derailed on this join.

The connecting posts and soldered joints have been repaired.

All locos have been test run and serviced, then checked that they would traverse all running  tracks and work with the uncouplers. It is not just the exhibition itself but there is a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure that as little goes wrong as possible.After all the viewers don't pay to watch your lack of preparation!

Hennock nearly devoid of stock and cleaned ready for it's next outing. More about the Mogul at the platform another time.

Hennock in Railway Modeller.

Septembers edition of Railway Modeller includes a six page spread of Hennock, my 3mm scale layout.
I am particularly pleased with the quality of the photography which was the work of Jolyon Sergeant.

Several copies of the as seen posters were included with a complimentary copy of RM and a set of pictures taken at PECO. That's another ambition fulfilled-must think up a new one!

Hennock Sneaks into Railway Modeller.

Just perusing the latest, June, edition of Railway Modeller.
I had a nice surprise. On page 541 was a picture of Hennock. The shot shows Hennocks shapely legs which demonstrates the type of support which can be used for layouts.
Nice surprise!

Second Reason!

Yes Hennock has been to Hennock.
My weekend in Devon gave me the opportunity to take some pictures of buildings. This will give me some ideas for modelling the village to adorn Teignford.
Idling around Bovey Tracey we saw the signpost for Hennock so it had to be done, the layout has now been to both it's namesake and the subject of its station, Staverton. Incidentally, I have a piece of Staverton in my garden in the shape of a GWR rail chair removed from the track- legitimately I assure you, a donation was made.

Hennock has been on it's travels again!

Yes, Hennock has been to Devon for a couple of reasons. Firstly to PECO at Beer to have phots taken for future inclusion in Railway Modeller. A very interesting morning was spent in the photo studio with Steve Flint and Jolyon Sergeant. I don't know how many pictures were taken but a lot of the stock was changed round for different pictures.
This was pleasing because it will show the vast array of products available from the 3mm Society and supporting trade. It did seem strange setting the layout up and then not operating it- still I suppose there is a first for everything.
I was allowed to handle PECO's Jubilee wagon which has a first class finish but unfortunately in 'N' gauge.
Still- thank you to Steve and Jolyon for a very pleasant morning- look next time for the other reason.

Hennock

 Browsing through an SD card the other day I came across these pictures which I think haven't been shown before, the variation in rolling stock may be of interest.
From top to bottom:-
Busy goods yard- note different size milk tanks.

Pannier with freshly painted BR Brake van.It is correct that some lettering on these Brakes did have Black backing.

60ft Collett cascaded from main line duties to branch line use.

Motor vehicles on station forecourt-available from Finney and Smith

Southampton Model Railway Exhibition.

 A good couple of days were spent at SMRC 2012 exhibition. The venue was warm and spacious, just as well because the Saturday was very busy.
Some 50 odd stands were present including twenty two layouts.
My operating colleague Nigel, patiently assisted-he's still smiling in this photo anyway.
Saturday was a little fraught because Hennock had spent the night previous in the back of the car and took a little time to warm up-bit like us really!
The only other problem was the left hand fiddle yard deciding not to play on the Sunday. This Nigel identified as a dry joint and it was quickly fixed.


 This shows a busy time with the branch goods being shunted- I am very pleased with the Mica's, an excellent model.

 Nigel's 45XX at the water tank, this makes a good cameo photo I think.

Lane Rage!
Someone has to back down and it looks from the Tractor drivers folded arms that it won't be him!

New coaches get a run.

 The first opportunity to run the completed Collet coaches was at last Saturday and Sunday's Weymouth Model Railway Exhibition.
They ran well with no wobble or crabbing.
The effort seems worthwhile and some positive comments were recieved.
I couldn't resist a few new pictures of 'Hennock' and one is below.
Several new exhibition bookings were made and now 2012 is fully booked- just have to send off the forms.

Hennock in Model Rail!

It must be all modellers ambition to have their creation published. Chris Nevard spent an educational time photographing Hennock some time ago. The latest issue of 'Model Rail' includes several pictures and an article on how and why Hennock came into being. The photos are superb-thank you Chris.
Also a mention on MRE Mag the online model railway magazine.

Westfest in 8 days.

As a result the group have suggested that the layout should be at Westfest on the 17th September-I am happy to oblige so another layout in the line up.

Pagoda Hut

This view is one that cannot be seen from the front of the layout.
This Pagoda Hut started life as a 4mm scale model. I am not sure of it's origin as I think the Ratio version has windows fitted-any suggestions welcome.
The sides, front and back were cutdown to a scale 3mm size. The roof, which is a one piece moulding was sliced to size with a razor saw, a piece of black plasticard attached to it's base. the walls were painted GWR light stone ,the doors dark stone and the roof matt black.
Sunk into the rise in landscape, I think it captures the look of the prototype and with George waiting outside a bit of life is introduced.

Don't forget to see 'Hennock' at Andover this weekend 3/4 September.

Updates to Hennock

 Two weeks till Westfest 2011.

Whilst preparing 'Hennock' for Andover Exhibition I took the opportunity to updat e couple of things.
The Haematite works has had a collection of weeds planted along the front of the building, there is also some around the trees to the left. I will see what the reaction is to this and then perhaps let the weeds encroach a little more.
The meadow in front of the farmhouse has always been devoid of any use, so a flock of sheep have been introduced to add a bit of interest.
These are whitemetal castings from the 3mm Society and have been painted with Acrylic paint. Some have black faces but there my knowledge of all things sheep ends!
The base covering was scraped back to allow the
bases to be firmly attached with PVA. The flock seem happy in their new home-must have become very tedious languishing in the sectioned box labelled-Animals.
 Andover Exhibition Today.

Station Building

 Finally getting the hang of the Olympus has enabled me to post a picture that previously I have been unable to take.
This shows Mum,Dad and little Jasmine waiting for the next train. The Running In Board is at last portrayed in a picture.
The main building is the large pic today and I hope doesn't loose something in the enlargement.

The Degree Inn

 The opportunity arises sometimes to take pictures of the layout that otherwise would not be. As 'Hennock' is being prepared for the Andover Show, the layout is devoid of stock. So these photos were taken when that normally would not be seen.
Over the next few days I will post those updates which otherwise will not get seen.
These two show the front of the 'Degree Inn'. A chap and his date have just enjoyed some excellent hospitality within. He, a good pint of 'Nurses Ale' and she a Babysham.
The large shot shows Constable 'Badge' Bailey  chewing the fat with a local.

 

Hennock is at the Andover show this weekend 3/4th September.

Following several observations, I have repositioned the Water Tower and signal on the downside platform. Sorry about the poor photo.