An Industrial Narrow Gauge Adventure - Progress

Regular followers of this Blog will know that I have been working on an industrial narrow gauge railway layout built to 1:27.7 scale or 11mm = 1 foot. The choice of such an unusual scale has meant that much if not all items needed for the layout have had to be heavily modified and/or converted from existing models, completely 'scratch built' or sculpted by me.

In these latest posts I will update the Blog with 'work-in-progress' images and text showing how the initial project is developing. For more information look out for the Narrow Gauge Labels to the right.

As you can see I have added even more items of 'clutter' to the layout. I have tried to build small cameos or vignettes along the length of the display with scrap metal to the left, the oil depot in the centre and used boxes or crates on the right with smaller bits and pieces filling in. I still need to paint the canal wall and the basin but this should be the next project/projects.

The image below shows the Kerr Stuart Geared Steam Locomotive that was built as an entry for the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association competition earlier this year. It is also the main reason that the design of the layout was changed as it was too big to run along the front of the warehouse! I have contacted a number of model railway magazines to see if they are interested in running an article on this engine - but with little success. I would therefore expect to have a series of step-by-step posts on the Blog later this year showing how the Hornby mechanism was modified and the body modelled and painted.

Tony

PS.
I should add. If you 'click' on the images you can see them in a larger format showing a little more detail (this goes for most if not all of the images on the Blog).

Wargames Terrain & Buildings - North Africa and The Middle East

I can now show images of the new Pen & Sword book; Wargames Terrain & Buildings - North Africa and The Middle East written by me and due for release in 2020. Further details can be seen via this link and I will update the Blog once I have more information.

Wargames Terrain & Building - North Africa and The Middle East
Written by Tony Harwood
Published by Pen & Sword
160 pages
Over 350 full colour images
ISBN - 9 781 526716439

I have already seen a pre-production printed version and a finalised electronic copy and can confirm that the content will follow the earlier Wargames Terrain & Buildings - The Napoleonic Wars format. See below and this link for details of how to order you own copy of this book from Pen & Sword.

I should also add that I still have some copies of Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No. 3 - Models For Wargamers available and details of how to order a copy can be found here.

Tony

Kennel Lane, Broadway - first update

Long before any construction work commenced, I produced these rough sketches based upon my on-site notes and the modified image below. At the time of my initial visit to Broadway - I did not have a tape measure (which is rare for me) so I measured out the dimensions by pacing around the building and using my own height to judge critical dimensions. I'm not sure what the people around thought of a grown man sitting on a wall and producing sketches of such a building - and then pacing around the said building and making notes!

The on-site drawings and notes have been published below.

Given the details above, I will try to produce the model as accurately as possible, but will say at the outset that the model is 'based on' the Kennel Lane building and NOT a precise copy.

More to come and soon.

Tony

Kennel Lane, Broadway - a 1:43.5 scale building

This particular building was photographed earlier this month when Sue and I visited Broadway, Worcestershire. I thought it would make a great model to scratch-build and I have chosen 1:43.5 or O gauge scale to model it.

The building is situated at the top of Kennel Lane, just off High Street.

Over the next couple of weeks my plan is to post regular updates on progress.

Tony

The Provoked Wife - Swan Theatre, RSC

On Wednesday, Sue and I went to Stratford-upon-Avon to see The Provoked Wife which was playing at The Swan Theatre. We booked it as a last-minute booking as my daughter Holly was going to to be attending the afternoon rehearsals and performance. It is an unusual and rare play, but was great fun with both humour and some very thoughtful themes. We once again stayed behind for the question and answer session. If you have the opportunity to take part in these sessions I would recommend it as they are very informative.

We made a day of it and had lunch in Stratford before meeting up with Holly and walking to the theatre which is next door to the RSC. I even managed a quick doze on the grass lawn in front of the theatre - It was very hot!

For full details of this performance see this link.

Next month we are off to Oxford to see A Midsummer Nights Dream at the 'pop up' Shakespear Rose Theatre which is at Blenheim Palace. For details see this link.

Tony

An Industrial Narrow Gauge Adventure - Even more clutter

Regular followers of this Blog will know that I have been working on an industrial narrow gauge railway layout built to 1:27.7 scale or 11mm = 1 foot. The choice of such an unusual scale has meant that much if not all items needed for the layout have had to be heavily modified and/or converted from existing models, completely 'scratch built' or sculpted by me.

In these latest posts I will update the Blog with 'work-in-progress' images and text showing how the initial project is developing. For more information look out for the Narrow Gauge Labels to the right.

Even more 'clutter' has been added.....

I once read that you shouldn't add too much clutter to your layout. I believe that you can never add too much!

Tony

An Industrial Narrow Gauge Adventure - More clutter

Regular followers of this Blog will know that I have been working on an industrial narrow gauge railway layout built to 1:27.7 scale or 11mm = 1 foot. The choice of such an unusual scale has meant that much if not all items needed for the layout have had to be heavily modified and/or converted from existing models, completely 'scratch built' or sculpted by me.

In these latest posts I will update the Blog with 'work-in-progress' images and text showing how the initial project is developing. For more information look out for the Narrow Gauge Labels to the right.

I've had great fun this weekend adding scratch-built clutter to the layout. I spent ages placing individual pieces and moving them around before gluing them down with superglue and producing these vignettes. As you can see I have used lots of items and crammed the areas with detail.

For details of how these items were modified or made and painted see the earlier posts.

I still have loads of bits and pieces to add but am enjoying the fun of building these small displays.

I like to add brightly coloured items or 'spot colour' to the vignettes. This can be seen around the rusted oil drum and the use of the blue and white oil drum and red 'flimsy' in the upper image. I also use weathering powders to the joins between items and groundwork, to 'bed' the items into the ground and disguise unsightly black shadows under the pieces.

Tony

The Forgotten Arts & Crafts by John Seymour

This hardback book was picked up from a charity book store in Tewkesbury earlier this week. It is absolutely crammed packed with black and white illustrations and at just £2.00 will be inspiration for lots of forthcoming models.

The Forgotten Arts & Crafts by John Seymour
Published by Dorling Kingsley in 1984
My copy was published in association with The National Trust in 2001
384 pages and hundreds of illustrations
ISBN 0 7513 2782 4

Tony

Scratch Building a Star Trek Shuttle - Miniature Wargames August 2019

Issue 436 of Miniature Wargames (August 2019) has a five page 'how-to' article on scratch-building this Star Trek Shuttle for 28mm gaming. The full tutorial, written by me shows how I re-drew scale plans, built the shuttle and painted it as well as sourcing some suitable hull decorations. The magazine is available from Warners, your local gaming store or W H Smiths in the UK.

Shuttle Diplomacy

The model was built on a foamboard core with plastic card cladding and bits from the spares box. It was painted with 'rattle-can' spray paints and acrylics and finished with home-made and scrounged decals and labels.

In addition to the Star Trek Shuttle, there are another two 'how-to' articles and a number of early Tolkien First Age scenarios. The magazine also includes the usual reviews and eye candy.

Tony

An Industrial Narrow Gauge Adventure - Wooden Fence part two

Regular followers of this Blog will know that I have been working on an industrial narrow gauge railway layout built to 1:27.7 scale or 11mm = 1 foot. The choice of such an unusual scale has meant that much if not all items needed for the layout have had to be heavily modified and/or converted from existing models, completely 'scratch built' or sculpted by me.

In these latest posts I will update the Blog with 'work-in-progress' images and text showing how the initial project is developing. For more information look out for the Narrow Gauge Labels to the right.

The wooden fence was glued in place with superglue and I started placing bits and pieces of 'clutter'. At first I was just testing where I wanted the items to go, but then I started to glue them in place and add some weathering powders to the join between items and ground cover.

The process took some time, but was great fun and as you can see I have used lots of items of clutter to fill this side of the layout.

Most of these items were scratch-built or highly modified. You can see more images by following the Narrow Gauge or 1:27.7 links to the right.

Tony

Chateau Impney Hill Climb 2019 - part two

Part Two - and cars that were in the car park!

Tony

Chateau Impney Hill Climb 2019

Practice day at the 2019 Chateau Impney Hill Climb and here are some of the cars I saw either competing or on display.

Tony