Happy New Year

 Last goods train of the year,  and it has everything required for a great New Years eve in Windrush.  First wagon is a wonderful GWR Loriot,  built & sent all the way from Highbridge by my friend, "Mr. Tinsnips",  transporting our 1914 Fiat "Fix It Again Tony" for some joyriding !  We also have a GWR Gunpowder iron mink for those fireworks,  LMS refrigerator van for fresh food,  and a couple wagons loaded with some liquid refreshment, medicinal of course.  Wish everyone a Happy,  Healthy,  Normal 2022.    Cheers :)

Decisions decisions !

 Which way should we go dear ?    Highbridge for some Fish n Chips,  or Windrush to visit Arthur ?

Merry Christmas

It's snowing, the staff of the BBR are doing their best to keep the services continuing for the holiday travelers,  what few there are.  Best wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas,  and a Healthy, Normal 2022.

Picnic

The wind is frosty,  the temperature is below 2 degrees,  it's dark & the rain is close to turning to snow.  But in my miniature world,  where it's always Summer,  Peter & Fenella have stopped off to have a picnic.  Another fine set of metal figures from S&D models.

  

Strange Visitor

 Something rather unusual turned up at the Windrush Junction goods yard,  a Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway van.  This model was scratchbuilt out of wood,  way back in 1972.  Another model by the Via Rail conductor whom I never met,  but benefit from inheriting his modest in size, but impressive collection.  The only modification I made was the installation of Peco metal wheels.  As my railway is set in Somerset,  the L&Y wagon will be a rare visitor,  but always nice to see when it makes an appearance.  Just look at the brake details he took the time to add,  a very nice model.

Sunday service

 Service,  on a Sunday ?  It can't be,  can it ?  Well it be,  on the BBR.  #3 "Josie"  arrives at Windrush Junction  with the afternoon service from Boxer Bay.  She passes by the level crossing with care,  as the squire's Jaguar is a little close.  Frank,  the signalman gives the all clear.

More Characters

 Continuing on from the last update.  More little details,  in the form of figures.  Or as I like to call them,  characters.  For me they bring so much life to a layout,  especially in this scale.

Are you going to take this letter or not ?  No,  it needs another stamp !

Bert reading the "Uplifting News",   in this always cheerful happy miniature world.

The Little Things

One of the aspects I love about modelling in a larger scale, the little things.  One detail added today just helps to make a scene come to life.  The Edwardian (?) signpost.  I added a couple printed names of fictional villages,  & Highbridge to help place the railway in Somerset.

BBR #8 ~ 1F 0-6-0T "Hilda"

 The BBR has acquired another loco.  I've had this model for awhile,  but it was lettered for the LMS.  Purchased secondhand, for the pricey sum of $125 USD.  It took a little re-working,  a set of new gears kindly supplied by Mr. Tinsnips,  and now she's ready for service.  

 The name "Hilda" comes from another of our Boxer canine family members.  This was a loco I felt a small independent railway would have for it's own, ancient, used, and most importantly, reasonably affordable !  She runs great and will be a welcome addition by the staff I'm sure.  The local lads already approve !

Sunday Snaps

 Another fine day on the railway.  There's nothing wrong in the miniature world,  that's for sure.  The sun is shinning, grass is green, and  BBR Manning Wardle  "Niki"  is headed to the docks with a train of Somerset coal from the Kramdenite Colliery.  I did get 'round to installing the first bit of line side fencing,  finally !

Sunday in the country

 Just a bit of photographic fun.  BBR #3 "Josie"  passing by with the local passenger from Boxer Bay.  Photo repeated in b&w,  which I think suits this scene nicely.

Improvements

 A model railway is never complete,  and I would add, in my case,  always improvable.  My attention now turns to the dockside at Boxer Bay.  I was not entirely satisfied with the sidings at the dock,  as it was done with haste,  using leftover track pieces of another manufacturer.  I decided this needed addressing,  and after a lucky break on ebay,  some used Peco track purchased.  A new siding was added to the dockside,  and the track has a  more free-flowing look to it.

BEFORE

AFTER

Thirsty ?

 Should one become parched,  and looking for a watering hole,  you can now set sail for The "Cheeky Seagull",  a newly opened pub in the high street of Boxer Bay.  You can find many fine ales from the local breweries in Somerset.  Built up utilizing one of the excellent building aides from Petite Properties,  it adds the most essential piece of the village !  Just watch out for Dorris 😉

Sunday Snap

BBR Peckett heading through the splendid countryside on a fine day.

Kramdenite Colliery Extension

 ~ Important Notice ~

An extension has been opened to serve the brand new Kramdenite Colliery.

A few weeks ago while "overseeing" the operation of the railway (playing trains), I discovered a bag of coal under the baseboard, and the idea was born.  Construction began immediately.  It required a re-work of the hidden sidings for the GWR, bit of a tight curve, and there we are, an additional 7' to play with. It will add some additional fun to the railway.

Apologies for the humour (?) it keeps me sane in this world !  Or has it ?

Happy Halloween  ☺

                                                                Before

Loading Dock

Business at Windrush Junction is booming.  Must be all those bakery items from the Butterball Bakery !   In fact,  with business so good, we've had to expand the loading dock to outside the shed !

I don't fancy Ernest Granger's task of loading the crates onto the lorry.

Goods Shed Part 4

 Finally,  the Goods Shed for Windrush Junction is complete & on the railway !  Final touches and some basic interior complete,  including a Duncan models crane.  So a full size structure in O scale,  built for not much more then $10 worth of raw materials.  Who says O is expensive ?  Here's a few photos showing the scene.  Now onto the rest of the goods yard.

Village life - Petrol Pump

A new* addition to the village of Boxer Bay,  a petrol pump (*Dinky Toys !)  outside de Cadenet's garage.  Along with a Corgi Ford tanker, with wheels repainted to tone down the gaudy gold.  The nurse Georgina  is having a look at the temptations in the Butterball Bakery window.  Must be an interesting aroma,  motor spirit & fresh bread.

Goods Shed Part 3

 This shed has had more time spent on it then most full size ones !  Finally getting it to a completed state.  The roof still needs attention,  along with the eaves trough & down drain pipes.  I couldn't resist seeing how it looks on the railway.  It sure adds a massive presence.  Here is BBR #3 Terrier "Josie"  shunting some wagons,  just as the sun goes down !  It's getting darker earlier 🌙

Goods Shed Part 2

 It's taking a bit longer then anticipated,  mainly due to limited time available after work,  but the goods shed for Windrush Junction is getting close to completion.  Just the roof,  and a few exterior / interior details and it can be installed on the railway.

The basic structure is based on the GWR shed at Ashburton ,  but it is not an exact copy.  It is very satisfying scratchbuilding a structure that doesn't exceed roughly $15 USD rather then purchasing a kit that exceeds £100.  O gauge doesn't have to be expensive,  in fact it can be the cheapest option of the different scales.

Peckett Presence

   A quiet day,  nothing much on at Windrush Junction.  Just the Peckett,  shunting some wagons at the brewery.  Time passes slowly on a warm summer evening.

Goods Shed Part 1

 After researching some kits on the market for Goods sheds,  which were either too expensive or not what I was looking for.  I decided to save a bunch of ££$$  and just make it from scratch.  I jumped in and started from a scale plan from the excellent Great Western Branch Line Termini  by Paul Karau.  It's basic dimensions are based on the shed at Ashburton, but it will not be an exact replica.  Foam core & Slaters stone sheets are the basic materials,  which work great and cost very little.  Who says O gauge has to be expensive ?  Here is the basic shape & how it will look at Windrush Junction.