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!

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?

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.

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.

Dorset Group Meeting October 2014.

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

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 .

100,000 visits!!!

Whilst my back was turned the hit rate exceeded one hundred thousand!!

Thanks to all who viewed-it is appreciated. 

Please let me know if there are any bits that you particularly enjoyed .

A long, long time ago......

 Some lyrics from Bye, Bye Miss American Pie starts us off today but don't worry I won't sing!
I sold this fledgling layout to Russ some time ago- it was to be a 4mm East Boldre 2 but for me was too big and couldn't get it out of the loft.
A chance meeting with Russ encouraged him to bring it along to our meeting.
After assembling it all and cleaning the track, plugging in the controller and wiring his transformer correctly it all ran perfectly. I had forgotten how I had wired it but it must have been right.
At 18 ft long it is a big layout (for me anyway) so hopefully we will see it again and help Russ to complete.

Langley extend 3mm.

http://www.langley-models.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_TT_scale__3mm__Kits_NEW_Kits_57.html

No pictures today, just a quick link to the extended range of offerings in 3mm scale by Langley Models.
Click the link above.
Pleasing to see the extension of the 3mm range, they must have had some encouraging sales to add more- well done the chaps at Langley!

New beginnings.

After over eight years, and with MS withdrawing assistance to Windows XP, it is time to bravely march into a nearly modern era with a new computer.
This time, after a lot of persuasion from the family, a laptop plus a wireless printer ( although I can't find radio 5!).
Add to this an external gizmo to store all the photos on and it may make it easier to post things whilst I am doing them rather than having to drag the whole lot away from the railway room.
So, if things get a little strange, please bear with me, new computer, new operating system is a recipe for disaster. Bear with me!

From the archive.

Something different today. A picture taken on 12th August 1987 by Mac Hawkins and given to my father by his late friend Bob Goodfellow.

News.

No pictures today- just a round up of recent news.
Firstly, Hattons are stocking TT-here Continental 1:120 to be accurate- Tillig Train Sets to be precise but it is a start. Whilst to continental outline there may be a use for some of the stock or, if we are really lucky, someone might spot it and produce 3mm scale!
Secondly, I was disappointed to see that Simon Kohler is to leave Hornby. I met Simon several times and he was always up for a chat and was the perfect ambassador for Hornb. It must have been a hard task to answer for circumstances that were beyond your control and probably his remit. Still, I understand he is to continue in a consulting role for a time- after that I wish him well and am sure he will excell in his future career.

More Cullibo!

Mouthwatering eh! Remember 1st April orders!

Smallbrook Studios Brake Van.

 We seem to be getting off the 3mm theme!
However, Nigel couldn't resist a bargain and picked this kit up at the recent Northampton show for a fiver, all he needed to add was a set of wheels.
Cast in resin , it was made up as per the instryuctions and has turned into a lovely model of the prototype.

Cement Silo.

 Colin has scratch built this superb Cement Silo.
As a Dorset Modeller, Pine Road is his current layout, he models to 4mm.
I won't hold that against him though because it really is a nifty bit of scratchbuilding using, I believe a simple funnel for the lower part of the hopper.

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 .

3MM Society Newsletter.January 2014.

This quarter the Newsletter seems a little incomplete- thats because I forgot the publishing deadline which is the reason no Dorset Group news was included.
However, all is not lost, Group dates and activities are contained in the Dorset Goup page- see left- which are regularly updated.
The main reason for this ramble is a piece by the chairman, encouraging all members to suggest and submit ideas for layouts, in 3mm scale of course, which would fit into modern living spaces.
Ideas and plans could be used to build a library to share with visitors to the Society website.
A good idea to encourage use of 3mm Scale themed to fit with the domestic environment.

Storage.

I have been looking for a better way of storing the rolling stock I have amassed over trhese last few years.
It is always a chore to sort out stock for whichever layout we are going to exhibit.
I think I have found the solution- a visit to The Range, I think there are stores nationwide, if not they do Interweb sales, saw me discover these.
 Two sets of A4 size drawers set me back the princly sum of £15, a bargain .(Buy one get the other half price).
These should store all the coaches and stock and enable me to mix and match, plus they aren't as heavy as the canteen of cutlery boxes that are currently used, should cut down on the space needed at exhibitions as well.
So get yourself down to The Range, no connection other than a satisfied customer.

An old tin workshop.

 This little gem I got from Tom Rayer- The Weatherman.
I know not of it's origin but would think it is American. It is slightly too big for 3MM Scale but somehow I will get it onto a layout.
Made entirely of white metal it is fairly heavy- but the detail has not been done justice to by my photography.
The floor is wood- nicely planked- which lifts it from just a casting into somthing that has been made with a great deal of patience-

New Year-New Challenges!

 Another year passes and a new one begins- I hope all of the Blog followers had a good Christmas and have a healthy and rewarding New Year.
For me it hasn't been a good year which I won't bore you with, suffice to say this New Year can't be any worse.
So - new year resolutions-
1)  I hope to continue the blog on a much more regular basis although with some 40,000 odd hits this last 12 months would seem that I am doing something right!
2) The flat packs that I have described deserve to be built, I have most of the components for them so there is really no excuse- just the need to find some time.
3) I really need to sort out my assortment of cuttings and drawings accumulated from the modelling press over the last few years, this means separating the Western from the Southern as will become clear later.
4) The Dorset Group needs more input and there are many visits that have been promised but I haven't arranged a coherent agenda for this year- although the dates and hall are all booked.
5)  The couplings on all the stock taken to exhibitions needs checking before the show, something which is very time consuming and I have been a bit lazy about- sorry Nigel and Colin!
Talking about couplings reminds me that I need to perfect a new idea which will mean that uncoupling can take place anywhere on the layout without need for wires or ramps which make adjustment neccessary.
6) Finally- you must wonder what the photos are? Well this is the embryonic East Boldre in 3mm. You may remember me banging on about a previous layout of the same name but in 4mm. I have two four foot boards which are to have 3mm Society track together with some turnouts which have been made by Hugh. I have spent a bit of time threading rail onto the sleepers as can be seen in the photos.
This is a new departure for me and hopefully will improve the look of trackwork on this new layout. Hence the reason for sorting the mags- I need drawings of the Southern , station building, signal box, goods shed et al to portray a part of the New Forest which is dear to me.
I remember the comment about the previous layout of the same name- a lady took some time viewing and then said she knew there was never a station at East Boldre, where she lived, but the trees and landscape were perfect- hopefully I can do this again but in the Premier Scale!