Todays post is a short piece about one of the lost classes of steam engine – the Standard 3MT tank. The class were designed to last for forty years, but thanks to Beeching’s axe; the longest survivor was 82019 that didn’t even reach it’s 15th Birthday. A model of this locomotive is part of my…
A quick post tonight and the second taken away from the yard of one of my static models. The below picture is the top shelf of my display cabinet. The cabinet is where I show off my non-locoyard resident models. Some of the non-residents visit the yard occasionally, but this is another that is not…
As is often the way, today was a fairly typical bank holiday with most of it being spoilt somewhat by very wet weather conditions (or as the Water Companies say; “drought conditions”!) Not letting the rain dampen my spirits; I made the most of this much appreciated day off by visiting Ropley on the Watercress Line. Two…
Over the next few days I shall be moving away from the yard to show some of the locomotives/scenes on display. Today we shall start with my Corgi Diecast model of the Rocket. It is almost the right 1:76 scale, but unfortunately can not sit on 00 scale track. It does look good however and…
A previous post showing my progress with building a SER class 01 from a Jinty Chassis and a Golden Arrow resin kit created some interest, so today’s blog show’s a completed project – the project being the creation of a super-detail Hornby Pug. Hornby’s model of a Caledonian Pug (class 264) has been around for…
One of the Bluebell Railway‘s treasures took one step closer to returning to service yesterday, with a successful steam testing. The H Class 0-4-4 tank engine is the only surviving member of a class that once numbered 66 prototypes. Once again, it will be returned to full SECR lined green livery, recreating more scenes like…
Introducing my new friend, my Dremel! Gone are the days of
A very appropriate structure has been purchased for locoyard – a Hornby coaling tower. Unfortunately there is not enough space on the layout for now so has been set up on top of the display cabinet whilst I consider what to do with it! 56xx 6619 has been posed delivering coal trucks, whilst rebuilt West…
As promised previously, here is the DCC fitting guide for non-DCC Ready Bachmann Austerity. Note that planned future releases of this model will be fitted with a 21 pin socket for easier conversion. However, the model has been available for some time without a DCC socket and previous releases include limited editions such as my…
A trip to see family allowed for a quick whistle-stop visit at the Kent and East Sussex Railway. I grew up with this railway on my doorstep and it was great to go back and see how the line is doing. Self-branded as “England’s finest rural light railway”, the K&ESR is a delightful railway running…
Loco Yard 