Another busy month of work and gardening has left little time for progress on the railway. I have managed to start the base scenic layer of ground ballast at the Boxer Bay Docks. Again drawing inspiration from many photographs of the S&DJR docks at Highbridge. It's slowly coming together. All for now.
I took advantage of a day off from work to make progress on the dock wall of Boxer Bay, which is heavily inspired by the S&DJR dock at Highbridge - see 1930's archive photograph. I really like the combination of a stone & timber wall, makes a nice contrast. The wood was stained & lightly weathered. I'm no artist, so just attempt to make it "look good" at a distance. I'm happy. A ton more to do, not to mention the boats & water.
Another job was improving a scene I wasn't entirely happy with. The stationmasters house at Windrush Junction, I did not like the shrubbery ;), and thought a traditional hedge would be more fitting. Made from simple cheap cleaning sponges & typical foliage. I think it improves the scene overall. Monty Python approved !
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).
