Vintage Thursday

For this look back into the past,  we find a very nice collection of hand built locomotives by a Mr. Frank G. Roomes,  location Cyprus !    Published in  Model Railway News  October 1964.  

These models look superbly built with fine detail and scale fidelity.  I wonder if they are still around and if so,  where are they ?  The  Kirtley / Johnson 0-6-0 is my favorite of the group.  It must've taken a resourceful and talented modeller to build these fine models back in this era of scarce supplies and limited tools.

A Proper Workbench

After spending several years working on a nice homemade but rather small workbench,  I decided it was time for an upgrade.  Thankfully I didn't have to buy anything, as my Mom saved a real quality desk,  and I mean quality.  It comes from an era when they knew how to build a proper piece of furniture !   An estimated guess puts it in the 1940s, but could be even older.  It features a HUGE tabletop compared to the previous bench,  perfect for working in O scale.  Plenty of drawer space, and pull out shelves for extra work area,  always a plus. Only change to it was painting it a light colour, which makes it perfect for finding those small details that fly away from the tweezers.  It was a tight fit getting it through the doorway I'll tell you :)    You can't beat real solid wood.

June Update

 Long Time No See !    It has been a long time with no postings.  Work, life getting in the way and a trip to the O scale show in California has delayed any postings,  but progress is being made.   Hopefully normal service has been resumed :)

 Not easy to show progress as most of it is little stuff that barely merits a photo.  Ballasting through Windrush Junction is progressing foot by foot,  or is that inch by inch.   The Goods sidings have been extended a good amount,  which I think really helps spread things out a bit and not seem too compressed.  Also the road level crossing has been paved and painted a basic color.  One of the best things about this hobby is you're never finished,  always something to do or improve upon.  During the last 6 months the BBR has taken delivery of one of those nice Manning Wardle locos from Minerva.     All for now

 ( Freshly paved road )

( The extended Goods Sidings @ Windrush Junction )