Someone ring the Vet

Quick,  someone ring Dr. Thomas,  Josie is limping !   I've been very fortunate to work in the Veterinarian field for 20 + years,  and after viewing the most enjoyable James Herriot series, I figured it was time that Boxer Bay high street should have a Veterinarian Surgery.  The Doctors listed I feel very privileged and lucky to get to work for everyday.  It's a profession that really is like no other.  Life would be so dull without our four (or 3 !) legged friends,  at least for me.

Christmas Greetings

From the Staff of the BBR, We Wish Everyone a Peaceful Christmas & New Year.

 

Market Day in Boxer Bay

 The village market scene is slowly coming to life in the High Street of Boxer Bay.  A couple more figures painted and added.  Looks as though Constable Jeffries is keeping a close eye on things.  A couple hand carts have been made up from Petite Properties.  One featuring MiniArt 1/35 scale vegetable crates !  Getting to be time to paint and weather the cobblestone street.  All for now.

A lonely Peckett + JJ

 After what seems a long break from the hobby (long for me anyway),  I've stoked up the fire and am ready to get going on the second half of the layout.   Here's a photo of the next loco project,  the excellent Minerva Models Peckett.   I plan on making some modifications to the cab,  add crew,  number and of course weathering.   Full steam ahead.

And just for kicks,  or is that hooves ?   A photo of "JJ",  & coachman "Robby",  a local Boxer Bay delivery merchant.

Sunday Snaps + Village Market

The village market is slowly being developed,  some market stalls,  baskets of apples and potatoes have been made up.  Lots still to do.   Also played around with my photographic equipment & digital dark room. Great fun as always.  Hoping to get a lot more done on the railway this coming Winter season.

Sunday Service

Time has been at a premium of late,  but managed to run a few trains today.  It's Sunday,  so service was limited to just a short goods to Windrush Junction,  the object of which was to bring BBR Manning Wardle #1 Niki back to shed for the night, in preparation for the week ahead.

GWR 45xx in Steam

Just had to give the Dapol Great Western 45xx a run,  a superb model.  Definitely needs some weathering.  Here she is passing Windrush Junction with a train made up of some of my favorite wagons.

Long Time ~ No Train

 It's been a long time since the last update.  Work & life have kept me away from the hobby for the Summer.   I hope to get back "on track"  and "steam ahead" on the railway.   To start off I had a fun little operating session tonight.  Here's BBR "Niki"  departing Windrush Junction for Boxer Bay with a short goods.  Nice to be back.  P.S.  it can be beneficial to take a short break from the hobby to re-stoke the boiler. (I'll stop now)

Peckett Perfect !

 Haven't featured the excellent Minerva Peckett for awhile.  I really need to get around to finishing this model for the BBR,  with lettering,  nameplate, crew, & of course,  weathering !  Still contemplating going crazy and hacking the back cab off & opening up the footplate.  We will see.  In the meantime,  here she is, shunting a single LMS refrigerator wagon into Gordon's Brewery.

What's playing at the Roxy ?

 What's playing at the Roxy ?   I'll tell you what's playing at the Roxy,  Marx Brothers, Mary Astor, Laurel & Hardy.  That's what's playing at the Roxy.  Boxer Bay now has a cinema.  A simple card kit,  but good fun,  and quick too.  Still some finishing touches to do.  The high street is slowly getting there.

GWR 45xx & BBR Wardle

 Not much new,  working on a couple shops for the High Street.  Decided to just play trains this weekend.  Here's a couple photos of GWR 45xx with the branch train to Windrush Junction.  Shortly followed by BBR Manning Wardle hauling a short goods from the docks of Boxer Bay.  All good fun.

Sunday Snap (& Film)

A fun afternoon playing trains.  BBR #8 "Hilda",  An Ex Midland Railway 1F, shunts the goods yard at Windrush Junction.

Bonus B&W film of the afternoon Mixed Branch Train.  #8 has been running great since the worm gear was swapped out.

Easter Special

 The GWR Easter Special service arrives at Windrush Junction.  The sight of so many 6 wheeled coaches raised a few eyebrows.  Not a typical sight for the local train spotters,  so accustomed to the standard auto coach & 48xx.

The village florist Pretty Petals was doing good trade for the Easter holiday.

Ex Caledonian / LMS Bolster Wagons in service

Sunday snaps.  A goods train heads from Windrush Junction to Boxer Bay,  including a couple bolster wagons which were recently finished.  They're headed to the docks to pickup some timber from a coastal ship.  A few photos of the highstreet as well,  including a rival motor coach shelter.

Caledonian/LMS Bolster Wagon(s)

 The sibling CR / LMS bolster wagon has been built.  The pair now awaits painting, lettering, weathering,  and loading !  The white metal kits are perfect for this type of wagon,  giving them good weight.  Nice quick kits from Taff Vale Models,  fun to build.

Caledonian/LMS Bolster Wagon

 When time is very limited,  I tend to reach for a quick,  simple project.  A building,  couple figures to paint,  simple layout scenic project,  or a wagon.  One of the nice things about modelling British O scale,  is the vast array of kits available.  Here's my latest build,  a Caledonian Railway / LMS 12 ton Single Bolster wagon kit from Taff Vale Models.  All white metal,  it was a simple quick build which took 2 evenings.  It awaits a trip to the paint shop for finishing.  The white metal gives it good weight,  very smooth running wagon.

Saturday Snaps - Farm & Wagons

 Just a couple Saturday morning photographs.  The farm buildings have been situated,  but a lot of work remains on the farm to get it looking right.   Down at the Windrush Junction goods shed,  it appears business is booming,  or are they just empty wagons, waiting to be collected ?

The "Thomas Farm"

 A new major structure has been completed,  and ready to be "planted"  onto the railway.  The Thomas Farm,  which consists of the main cottage & stables.  A few ancillary buildings will be added in time.  The basic shell is from Petite Properties, suitably detailed.  These kits make great starters to make up buildings a little quicker then complete scratchbuilding.   I hope to start growing the farm in the next fortnite.  Happy harvesting ;)