GWR cattle creep

In not the best of circumstances myself and Mrs. F. snuck off to Cornwall for a few days with we me as the uncomfortable non-driver. Deliberately non railway after the Ffest-fest of a few weeks back, this was a kick back and walk along the beach type of break. Something magnetic happens though as on waking (having arrived in the dark) it became apparent that we were billeted in spitting distance from the GWR's Helston branch and faced this little beauty of a cattle creep under the old trackbed. Even when I don't do any research, the railway lines find me.

009 wagon

It's been a finish off day: something boaty, and this, a scratch-built effort in 009 based upon an Oakley Quarry wagon on a chopped Peco N gauge chassis

Invicta

Ply,card lipstick tube = character.

BR period MINK

A minor health issue took centre stage this week, though things are returning to some sort of normal - whatever that is. I made myself build something; something finishable in a day, and the RM giveaway Ratio grounded van body sprue landed on the mat at the right time. A scrabble about in various boxes turned up some transfers, wheels, buffers etc. and after more searching, a close to suitable chassis in the form of a Parkside BR 10' fitted version. Painted and weathered it's ideal for the foetal Dury's Gap which is now slowly at the track laying stage.

Plastic wagon

Getting there - just the end strapping/hinges to do. It's a bit tippy-toes due to the commercial chassis, but will have to do.

Oakley Quarry wagon

You want small? I'll give you small.
The wagon scratch build section for new tome is an Oakley wagon. Two sources of info: one from the real example in the TR museum and the drawing in the 7mmNGA's FR drawings book. They differ slightly so I'm cutting the middle ground. At just over an inch long it's a bit of a fiddle, but quite fun. Once again a chopped PECO 9' chassis and lots of strip and 30thou sheet.

Heroes

Like most people I have modelling heroes. Several of who I've had the chance to meet and brains to pick.
I'd wandered off for a spot of lunch while the 009 Society used Orne as a photo backdrop for various items. On my return my friend (and modelling influence) Dutch modeller Ted Polet had appeared behind the layout.
For a view of Ted's work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROSFO2Pxq6I

ExpoNG test

Off to ExpoNG on Saturday with Orne so a quick plug in for power lights and run some trains to make sure it's all working.

Wills sheet walling mod

One of those small but important experiments. The ongoing Welsh project requires walling similar to the above for some buildings. My preference these days is for Wills sheet (or similar; and more on that later) but the nearest item is the stone which is a little bit on the Cotswold side and definitely not as flat -faced as I wanted, with some blocks projecting out by quite a bit giving a heavy feel. Enter the trusty sanding board - usually used for shaping the mitre joints. A bit of scrap and a few minutes removes (along with some of the fingertips) about 10 thou of thickness. In other words the projecting areas and a lot of the 'cutting' marks. Much better.

Talyllyn Railway layout

On the return trip from Porthmadog a detour was made to take in a little Tal-y-llyn. Notwithstanding the obvious attractions, a quick look around the shop threw up the usual keyrings and books. A look upward to the top of the shelves gives you not only Gordon Gravett's Abergynolwyn in 7mm in its box, but the original roundy roundy 009 layout. This was built for the TRPS to take to events to promote the railway. and was featured in an early BRM. One train circled round through the scene powered by a motor bogie in the brake van. As can be seen it split into two for transport in a way that I can't help but feel would not be acceptable now. Nevertheless, it has spawned at least one copy cat from yours truly and featured in the pages above.