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 !

New Year, New Project

 A new year has begun,  and with it,  a new focus on the railway.  My attention has been mostly on Windrush Junction,  and the surrounding area.  For 2022,  my main area of activity will be developing the other side of the railway, Boxer Bay,  and it's dock.  I am most looking forward to it,  being interested in maritime activity as well as railways.  Here are a few photos showing how things stand now,  with bare track & a start on the dock wall.  Incidentally the isolated & elevated track will be for the moving dock crane,  based on the S&D crane at Highbridge (see photos below).  

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

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

Spence's Bridge

Even with the construction of the BBR,  the inhabitants of  Boxer Bay were unhappy.  In particular, the accessibility of the station, requiring a long walk down the precipitous hillside which made for unpleasant discussion in the village.   Local pub owner Mr. Spence decided to put up the necessary funds to erect a footbridge.  Leading directly to the village High street for the benefit of all,  not least his loyal customers who now have an undeviating route to the pub from the station 😉   Spence's Bridge has also become a favorite spot for the local children to watch the comings & goings of the railway.

Boxer Bay High Street

 Well the Boxer Bay High Street has just seen a new establishment open for business.  

Come on Doris, lets go down to the "Butterball Bakery" 

If you'll pardon the pun, the structure was a piece of cake....(ouch !) to build, thanks to the wonderful Petite Properties base kit,  finished off with brick paper,  some roof tiles from Lcut Creative, spare guttering, and a nice interior detail casting from Langley models,  which I've had for just about 20 years waiting to be utilized,  finally that $10 has been put to good use.   I must admit I was starting to hear my stomach while painting some of the goodies.    Anyone guess where the "num nums"  phrase comes from ?  Hint hint...  a classic comedy :)

Platform Shelter

 Inspired by Chris Klein's Cwm Bach  GWR platform shelter,  and flipping through one of those classic Model Railway News magazines, I decided to construct one similar for Windrush Junction.

This is not an exact copy,  but is loosely based on the plan,  similar dimensions etc...  It is not as decorative,  but that is in keeping with a Colonel Stephens light railway.  Construction is just basic wood, with some styrene plastic where needed.  The swan neck gas lamp casting is from S&D Models.  The time table was made up on the computer and is correct (although faintly visible) for my railway.   I took the opportunity to install Slaters wood fencing along the back of the platform,  which finishes it off nicely.

End Loading Ramp

 Not too much to report on the BBR,  slow going due to lack of time.  I did manage to equip Windrush Junction goods yard with an end loading ramp.  Perfect for unloading equipment for the local farmers.  Very quick and like most of my modelling efforts,  basic and cheap.   Waste Not,  Want Not.   I'm always trying to reuse items that might easily be tossed in the bin.  The handrails were saved from an old Peco HO turntable kit.  The hobby can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.

Catch Point & Constable Jeffries

One evening while operating the railway I realized I omitted something in my track design at Windrush Junction.  The exit from the goods yard onto the main wasn't protected from loose wagons by means of a catch point.  In our ever condensed O scale world I doubt that it is really accurate but I think it adds rather then detracts from the scene.  I've added a "Detail Matters" ground signal, non operating.  Someday I'll get around to point rodding & signal cables.  I'm sure I've broken dozens of "rules of the prototype",  but for me it's all about creating an impression, not total accuracy.

Oh,  and speaking of WJ,  the village of Windrush now has a Constable to deal with law breakers and keep the peace.  Constable Jeffries is now on the job.

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 )

Cheap Buffer Stops

 I really enjoy looking for ways to save money on my hobby,  and couldn't pass up a cheap project for my dockside,  Lima buffer stops.   I could shell out $25 / $30 plus for a nice kit,  prototypical accurate etc..  but being on a limited budget in O scale,  I need to cut corners.  Your hobby can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.  Overall these are nice pieces from Lima of Italy,  of long long ago.   I modified the modernish European buffers by removing them,  sanding and fitting a solid wood beam.  Also a repaint with acrylics,  and some weathering with washes / powders made an improvement.  Final touch was a new top layer of ballast.  Overall very happy with them and the total cost,  for 2 buffer stops,  including shipping  was  $6 USD !   Who said O is expensive !

Summer Update - Trackwork

Hello everyone,
Where have I been ?   It's  been a little while since the last update on the BBR.  Well nicer weather,  busy with work, garden etc... have left limited time for the railway.   However I've managed to get a couple things done lately,  including painting the rails / track.   This was done with a spray can,  I know I took the easy way out !   But I will go back and brush paint in some effects in certain areas like the loco shed to add a bit of variety in rail colours,  and I'll weather the sleepers in due course.    What a difference it makes once you paint the rails,  night and day !

I've also managed to install my first buffer stop,  not exactly as exciting as a new loco,  but in O scale even a buffer stop looks impressive,  at least to me !   This one is built and modified from the Peco rail type,  I used a wood beam instead of the supplied rail one,  and installed a lantern taken from the original Peco beam.    

The next step will be continuing with weathering the track,  and then comes the fantastic,  joyful task of ballasting.   The Colonel is busy recruiting inmates at the local prison,  and looking for volunteers to get this stage of development moving forward  😊

Control Panels !

 Hello everyone !
Been a very busy few months,  haven't had much time to work on the railway, but I managed to find a little in the last few weeks to do up my control panels.   Very simple,  DC block control,  just have the basic track diagram,  and section switches with the lines colour coordinated for each block.  I'm no artist so it's very basic,  but easy and simple to use,  which I like very much !   Made from 1/4" ply,  cut to shape, with drilled holes for the toggle switches,  and the track diagram drawn on white card laid on top.  In time I'll add the signals into the diagram,  and a timetable with operating instructions located at the bottom.

And this is one major reason for the lack of time,  the newest employee of the BBR !   " Niki "

 

2016 Summary ~ Trackwork Complete

  End of the year already !  Can't be,  can it ?   It's been a very busy couple of months,  but our track gangers have worked miracles and all the track has now been laid !  Of course there is a lot of cosmetic work to be done,  additional sleepers,  touch ups,  rail / sleeper painting & weathering,  and then the fun task of ballasting !   Very happy with the progress so far,  it has gone quicker then originally feared !   Also looking forward to wiring,  and getting to some scenery.    Those will be the goals for 2017,  ballasting,  wiring,  some basic scenery,  & a couple structures.   Happy New Year !