I want to ride my bicycle!

These little beauties took about a couple of hours to make.
They are an etch that is available from Branchlines and are of two types.
There is four gent's cycles on one etch and the other contains two for ladies.
One of the ladies cycles has a child seat which really tried my patience and even now isn't right. Try getting heated on Blue-tac off something folded up and a couple of millimeters square- that took longer than making the bike!
Still have to clean them up and paint them.

Javis Stone Walls- OK for 3mm?

 Came across these a few days ago.
Made by Javis, they are cleanly cast in resin and have a grey painted finish.
Measuring 11mm high- scales at 3ft 8inches-these come in lengths of 75mm about 35ft in 3mm.
The base needs flattening with a file or abrasive material and to butt join them needs a small amount of fettling. Weathering would bring out more detail.
At about 60pence a length these could be a quick and economic way to provide a boundary.
They will appear on Teignford- I'm just not sure where yet!

Lets consider Fencing.

No not that sort- it hurts.
I mean the type that attempts to keep the riff-raff off the railway.
I know you have seen this picture before but it also illustrates the point of this post
.The fencing is PECO N Gauge with the pips for the uprights in the centre carved off. And I have used yards of it! The only thing with it is that when painted first the paint seems to crack and peel when fitted especially when undulating ground is encountered.   I have tried different sorts of paints and nothing seems to stick when moved. So it will be in the raw until I get time for a lot of dry brushing!

Finney and Smith 3mm Scale Lister Stationary Engine.

It is exactly what it says on the label!
F&S have introduced a new range of mouldings of which the Lister is one.
Cleanly cast in clearish plastic it is- as one who has interest in this type of machinery-an excellent representation of the prototype.
It is attached to a thin walled cage to aid handling whilst painting which I think is a really good idea.
Various others are available, tractor, 3 wheel Morgan etc.
Hopefully Dave will have them on his website before long.
http://finneyandsmith.co.uk/finneyandsmith/

Coaling Stage.

Heres a quickie for just an evenings work.
A small coal facility for the engine shed.
Just made from a few bits of card and cut down coffee stirrer.
The base is a box with some brick paper, the planking is scribed on randomly.
A few pieces of wood for support and the planks painted matt black.
A few pieces of crushed coal and a left over set of steps and it's finished. Bed in with crushed coal and some weeds and plonk on-simples.
Just the thing for a few spare minutes

Take a Piece of Card!

With the fiddle yard sorted out it is time to decide upon the scenery that will be portrayed.
Using my tested method-I see no reason to change after all these years! The storage box with the card from the local artshop is retrieved and a new blade in the snap-off knife fitted. It is also of benefit to use a cutting mat, this will prolong the life of the blade- cardboard causes a blunt edge fairly quickly so don't use scalpals- too expensive.
The formers are cut and put in place with bracing where necessary. Thin card is then cut into strips and glued as shown in the lower picture- the reasons for this will become clearer at a later date.
I will try something different this time however. I have cut the bases for buildings and left cutouts for them to fit. This means that the whole building can be made away from the train room. If it's good enough for Bob Brown then who am I to suggest otherwise?

Grounded Van Body.

Lack of time has precluded me from furthering this piece of scenery.
Weathered with the materials used at our Weathering tuition by Tom Rayer, the area needs a lot more clutter.
Because of impending exhibitions it has only been possible to locate the van body, this is mounted on coffee shop stirring sticks suitably narrowed to look a little more believable.
Sorry about the poor enlargement- done in haste before storing Hennock.
Work on Teignford is continuing with the possibility of using the N gauge signals introduced by Dapol recently. I have purchased one and am looking at the siting at the platform end- and no I don't thing Hennock will be having one of these, too much remedial work would be needed.

Grounded Van Body.

I have been thinking about the vacant expanse of land around the trees. It is a void that should really have some purpose.
Having a clean up I discovered this van kit . I think it has its origins with George Mitcheson being just two sides and ends.
Some stirring sticks from Costabucks (like that one!) were roughly cut and superglued under the floor. A piece of plastic venetian blind fitted as a roof and a quick coat of primer see's this result.
A blank canvass to experiment on and hopefully add a bit of character to it's intended position.

Token Exchange

Looking through my files I came across this gem. Taken at the South Devon Railway during 2009,it shows the token exchange apparatus. This is sited opposite the signal box which itself is positioned adjacent to the footbridge. I am not knowledgeable enough to say what the various items are but will have to carry out some research to see wether this type of equipment would be suitable for Hennock or Teignford. It would seem a fairly straightforward modelling excercise using plastic offcuts plus some fine mesh.