Crane Modelling Project ...

Finally finished the crane. This was made up from
- A toy tank transporter trailer reworked fitted with spare set of bogies.
- The jib is from a large toy road crane, with the jacks added to the side.
- The cab is from an old scrapped bachmann 0-4-0 loco.
(the two men inspecting the crane are from a road work toy set).

Also I've built a mess and tool van. This was made from a Caboose and a Bachmann wagon. The tool store boxes being scratch built from plastikard.

Both items need a visit to the paint shop for finishing off.

Sunshine and Trains ...

At last some dry weather and some sunshine, a quick clean of the track and out come the trains ..

Work on the goods yard ...

Between showers I sorted out the goods yard, adding the ballast to the two sidings. It looks much better than having black anti-weed fabric showing through. I've used a couple of slightly duff wagons (poor runners) as window dressing in the goods yard. I also modified the track layout so I can have a road crossing by the station - some work to do for this yet - I have to make some road sections to fit.

Down by the Farm ...

A view of the farm through the pasture. The pasture is a large green grass effect doormat I bought in a sale at a local DIY store, animals are from the Scleich range.

Down by the stables ...

In order to improve the look of the stables area of the farm I've added some Scleich figures (from the zoo and horsies ranges).

The pink poodle is a bit silly but I think it looks fine, a bit of fun and something for my partners's neice and nephew to spot next time they visit.

In the PipeLine ...

After the first couple of running sessions, it's time to take stock of what needs doing and also any rolling stock additions that are needed.

I've an outstanding list of things to do to outside:
1) buildings maintenance - painting and repairs
2) control panel and associated wiring loom
3) ballasting - another 'finishing' layer of approriate gravel/chippings.

On the rolling stock front I've bought a couple of cheap second hand items recently, and I've one modelling project in progress - a crane and tool van.

A Castle ?

To fill in a hole in the garden border I decided on a castle, a cheap plastic one from car boot was obtained, and duly put in place. Its sits nicely on the other side of the tracks from the miltatry base.

Again it was a lovely sunny day so out with the trains for a running session, the top part of the railway is starting to look rather nice ...