Last Train to '23

Now departing on platform 1,   Last Train to 2023,  stopping at all stations :)

Wish everyone a happy,  healthy,  peaceful 2023.   Happy modelling !

Dapol 45xx Video

 I just couldn't resist making up a short film of the excellent Dapol 45xx.  A really nice model of a nice locomotive.  So happy I got the chance to see one in the flesh way back 20 years ago.

Merry Christmas

From the staff of the Boxer Bay Railway,  We Wish everyone a Merry Christmas, peace, health & happiness ❤

Parkside GWR Horsebox

So much for a "quick" wagon kit !  A month later, it's completed.  A really enjoyable kit to build,  very straightforward, typical Parkside.  Work just kept getting in the way.  A favorite wagon type of mine.  The model has been painted with Tamiya acrylics.  I was intending to use my airbrush,  but decided to just slap the paint on with a brush.  Here she is with GWR 48xx Autotank being shunted into the goods yard at Windrush Junction.  My next project will be something in brass,  oooooo,  what could it be ?

Boat slipway & new figures

 This project came about by way of an abandoned On30 layout.  Originally a loco shed,  this building sat 3/4 built for years.  No idea what to do with it was forthcoming,  and I almost took it apart to save the material.  Until my eyes rested on an old photo of the Lifeboat station at Burnham-On-Sea,  right next to the S&D station.  Light flickered,  I thought it would make a fair representation of a boat slipway / workshop,  and besides,  why not ?  There was just enough room to add a boat ramp into the dock.   Just like Burnham,  it is rail connected,  to launch a boat on a small carrier wagon (it will be when I've built it !)

Just finished up a couple figures.  One is "Libby Bucket"  (pronounced bouquet),  actively peddling her flowers to anyone passing by the high street.  The other is little "Mable",  posting a letter to her Aunt,  hoping to get to visit her in London someday.

Plucky Peckett

I love large, impressive, powerful locos,  but I also love the little ones, so full of character.  Decided it was time to get the little Minerva Models Peckett out for a run.  Here's a couple photos showing her in action.  I have plans for a few minor modifications, and weathering for the plucky little Peckett !

Music box - Cameo scene

Ladies & Gents,  Lads & Lasses,  sloshed & inebriated,    The Cheeky Seagull now features nightly music entertainment !  With Piano Pete  &  the talented Sonny MacGregor !    With Thanks to  Mr. Oliver Hardy & Mr. Stan Laurel ~ Piano Movers Ltd.

The wagon was a cheap laser wood kit in 1/48,  fun to build & looks okay.  The equine from Duncan models,  and the Piano is again 1/48 and by Petite Properties.  The idea for this odd cameo is lifted from the very funny Laurel & Hardy '32 "Music Box" film,  if you've never seen it,  I highly recommend it !  I'm still searching for 7mm figures of Laurel & Hardy to complete the scene.

A Box for the Horse

I finally had a few hours to get to the workbench.  With spare time limited due to work,  I decided on a "quick" wagon kit, a Parkside - Peco  PS105  GWR Horse Box N13.   

Now mostly built,  just a few final details,  paint,  transfers & weathering to complete.  A fun kit to build,  no surprises.  Quick note of thanks to Peco,  a couple parts sprues were missing,  and they mailed them off asap.  Received in just about a week (in the US !).  Super service.

GWR 4555 arrives

Train spotters at Windrush Junction were delighted to see a new loco arrive on the morning branch goods,  small Prairie #4555, steamed in with a long string of wagons.  A beautiful model by Dapol,  and first class worldwide service by Tower Models.  

I knew that I would have to get one,  as way back in '03 when I visited the WSR steam gala,  I enjoyed a ride behind one. Happy memories,  coming back to life in O gauge !  A few photos, new from box.  She runs as good as she looks !

Summer Hiatus

 Call it a Summer hiatus,  but things have been quiet on the BBR.  Mostly due to a demanding work schedule,  and garden chores that have to be done.  However, little details are always being added,  and even the smallest of detail helps bring the miniature world of Boxer Bay to life.  The latest little project has a special meaning to me, the village "steam clock".  Childhood memories of vacations to BC Canada,  and Vancouver,  I would enjoy watching the Gastown clock "whistle" 2 o'clock,  and it would soon be time to visit Railway World & chat with Arthur.  One very strong influence as to why I developed an interest in British Railways, & railways in general.

Sunday Snaps

A couple close-up photos to round off the week.  One of ex MR 1F BBR #8 "Hilda"  getting ready for the day at the Windrush Junction loco shed.  Second photo shows Peco kit built GWR brake van at the end of the branch goods.

Spot o' Shunting

With a gap of time before the next scheduled GWR passenger,  BBR #1 Manning Wardle "Niki" picks up the brake van in preparation for shunting the shed at Windrush Junction.  Looks like a lot of vans this week, must be for the Strawberries.  It's amazing how much enjoyment there is in just shunting wagons around a couple sidings.

#8 "Hilda" daily goods

ex Midland Railway 1F  #8 "Hilda",   enters the yard at Windrush Junction and makes up the daily goods train for the day.  Leaving GWR metals,  she departs WJct for the coastal village of Boxer Bay, an approx. distance of 17 & 1/2 miles.  All level,  an easy job for the crew.  Traffic has been lighter then usual.  Not a problem for the little light railway that marches on.  

First Signal

Signals are one element I believe to be essential to a model railway.  It's been a long time coming,  but I've finally gotten the first one built & installed at Windrush Junction.   Built from a cheap Ratio / Peco kit purchased at a local train show for only £2 !   This is a lesson in economy,  as one can now purchase nice RTR signals,  albeit very pricey.  The savings will be put back into the purchase of a desired kit.  It was fun to build,  and most satisfying when installed on the railway.  Here's GWR autotrain arriving & departing.  

An Austin + High Street Details

  A recent addition is an IXO  Austin Seven "Dunlop"  van,  making a delivery to Alain's garage.  A few more details added to the High Street of Boxer Bay,  street lamps,  and a Postal Pillar Box.  A selection of "snaps".

Queen's Jubilee !

 In the backwoods of Oregon, there was some difficulty finding a suitable beverage to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. After a few shop visits, I managed to find this beauty from Tadcaster Yorkshire, and very nice too.   Now what did I do with my Corgi Royal coach

Cheers all  !

P.S. There was no drinking & firing on the BBR (unlike the Titfield Thunderbolt). The reports of carriages being shunted to the goods shed & goods wagons sitting on platform 1 are a gross exaggeration !

Pretty Petals + short goods

 Slow going on the BBR.  The only addition this week is the completion of the Pretty Petals flower shop.  Built up from a modified Petite Properties kit, and installed on the High Street of Boxer Bay.  This now clears my workbench for more railway oriented projects which I'm itching to get too.  However Summer time yard work beckons.

A very short goods train heads towards Windrush Junction with ex MR  1F 0-6-0T  "Hilda" in charge.

What the fireman saw #1

Oh dear,  he's at it again !   It appears Ernest fancies the stationmasters daughter.  Who knows what goes on in our little worlds, when we aren't around :)

All I know is sometimes figures mysteriously change locations from day to day,  or go missing altogether.