Trackwork adjustment

Something a little different on the railway this weekend,  some track adjustment / installation.  One of the annoying aspects I discovered while operating the railway ( playing trains ),  is the kickback siding / entrance to the loco shed at Windrush Junction was just short of being capable of stabling the branch passenger train consisting of two short coaches.  Thus blocking a loco entering and exiting the shed.   

Coming up with a solution proved easy,  as I found floating in the spares box a remaining piece of Peco track just long enough to extend the siding to the necessary length.  Problem solved.  The extra length could come in handy for a work train or breakdown crane to be parked.   Not often these days that the railway trackage grows,  if only by 5 inches !

Moving a Box Part 2

 Listening to some advice from fellow Gauge O Guild members,  I decided it would look appropriate to have a wood ramp at the end of the platform where the Windrush Junction signal box has been moved to.  If you model in O scale / 7mm scale / O gauge,  you should really consider joining the Guild.  Lots of help and nice people that will assist you with any queries.  Take a look at https://www.gaugeoguild.com/

While perusing old copies of the excellent Railway Bylines publication,  I came across this neat photo of the GWR Radstock box.  Fortunately it was far easier to move my 1/43 model :)

Moving a Box

Just enough time for the last update of the year,  or if you're on the other side of the pond,  the first update of '25 !   I've been thinking of making this change for awhile now.  The signal box at Windrush Junction has been located on the other side of a small road / level crossing since the beginning, but I've become more convinced it would look better being on the platform.  So there we are,  a few cuts and it has since been moved.  I think it's an improvement.  A future lamp hut will be planted between the box and the road.  Now,  what to do with the sudden empty space that's opened up ?  Ideas, thoughts are welcomed.  Perhaps a small hotel,  for travelers to rest up for the 3 mile jaunt to the village the station purports to serve ?  (perhaps managed by a Mr. Basil Fawlty :)  All the best for a peaceful, healthy new year.

Make Mine Mink !

 Make Mine Mink !   Who remembers that old classic film with Mr. Terry Thomas ?  A quick project and a fun one,  weathering one of Minerva Models excellent Great Western Railway Mink Van.   I'm no expert at weathering,  just some simple acrylic washes and chalk powder application.  Certainly tones it down and brings some of the detail to life.   All for now.

Typical GWR !

Just the quintessential Great Western branchline train today.  A 77xx Pannier,  Autocoach,  and a milk tank to complete the scene.  The Minerva model runs so smooth and quiet, glides along.  I need to pick up one of their nice looking parcel vans.

Lively times

 For a country branch line station,  it's certainly lively times at Windrush Junction.  A Peckett shunting some wagons, Manning Wardle "Niki"  making up the morning passenger to Boxer Bay.  All the while, the motor coach competition is attempting to pry away as many patrons as they can.