Two Sister's Farm Saga

[docnjoj]

Simply wonderful. My wife grew up on a farm and worked for the Holstein-Freisan Co for years. Absolutely captures the large farm realism ans adds some wonderful rail trucks. Certainly an inspiration.
David (Doc)

[Broadoak]

Hi David, many thanks for your kind remarks. They have got 2015 off to a very good start for me.

I have enjoyed exhibiting the layout over the years, and although very small it has provided much
fun and enjoyment.

Regards Peter M

[Broadoak]

Some bales of hay which will be delivered to the extensive pig sties by the Davenport, on the Nocton estate a two foot gauge track ran down the centre of the pig sties.
This modified Bachmann On30 loco although it only has four wheels runs superbly over the dead frog points.



A birds eye view of the yard showing the very simple track layout.



A view taken standing under the bridge as a Simplex rumbles towards the camera as it sets off for another day in the fields.

[Nevadablue]

Thanks Peter, for the first little train pictures of the new year!

[Broadoak]

Many thanks Ken.

Happy New Year

Regards Peter M

[Broadoak]

A few more pictures I have found, taken when I first got the new camera and was testing it out.

[Nevadablue]

I hope that my layout is as much fun as yours. I'm getting close to having some workable track at least. Keep posting pics!

[Broadoak]

I was given a Concor switcher to use as power for one of my special shunters down on the farm. I decided to cheat with the wheel arrangement and call it a 2-4-2. I fancied something built in the farm workshop so thought a wooden body would make a believable alternative to metal.
I have made it up as I've gone along and now it is finished I'm quite pleased with its rustic look. The doors actually open using vertical hinges in the door and frame. The holes in the frame at the bottom of the door were done using a hot pin heated in a blow torch. It was not possible to get my pin vise drill close enough to do the job. All a bit of a bodge but it worked.
Here is a selection of pictures of the device in the yard at Two Sisters.













Peter M

[Broadoak]

Peter M

[docnjoj]

I'm in love with that rail tractor with the full roof and the cloth sidecurtains. Any chance of posting a few more pics of it.
David (Doc)

[Nevadablue]

Nice work on the loco design Peter! I'm always amazed at your little layout and how much joy I get from watching it evolve. Thanks again for sharing it with us.

[Broadoak]

Thank you David and Ken for your interest. I must admit I have run out of ideas for any new forms of motive power.
You never know I may get inspiration from somewhere.

Doc, I will have a look in the archives to see if I have any unseen pictures of the re-bodied Simplex you like.

Regards to you both Peter M

[Broadoak]

I assume this is the device you are interested in David.
It is supposed to be a Simplex with a home built wooden body to give the driver a little protection from the elements.
It is very loosely based on an actual Simplex locomotive that was owned by the Fleet Light Railway and used on their farm. The real loco had a higher body so the driver could stand up when driving.
On the model the body is lower to allow the loco to get under the bridge into the fiddle yard, As in the pictures. On the model my driver has to remain seated not that there is a driver because the vertical motor is where ho would sit.
The model is scratch built on a Model Power chassis but is a creature of moods in that it runs better some days than others.





Peter M

[Broadoak]

David as requested a few close ups of the wooden bodied Simplex, these only serve to show up its faults really.
So I used the opportunity to clean the track and wheels of the locos and stock and generally test the layout ready for its next outing in April.

















I also thought it about time the driver, an ex commando had a change of shirt. He has worn the other red one for at least five years so I have re-painted it a sort of off white colour.

Peter M

[docnjoj]

Thanks Peter for those closeups. I am planning something like the full roof for one of my engines, and those really help.
David (Doc)

[Broadoak]

I had a wander round down the farm this morning and took a couple of pictures of the new shunter's crew. There are two of them the driver and his young son.
I can't run the loco with the doors fully open as there is not enough clearance with the bride supporting wall. I can run with them slightly open though giving the onlooker a glimpse, it is the sort of thing children like to look at while at shows.





Peter M

[Broadoak]

A few pictures taken at Beacon-Rail 2015 exhibition on 11th April, an enjoyable small show where we were sadly the only narrow gauge exhibit.















While exhibiting at Tring we gained another sister.

Peter M

[Simon]

Love the guy lying on the bogie flatbed - bet that that model really entertained the 'non-serious' punters!

[Broadoak]

Thank you Simon, yes he did cause a little interest with the punters.

The annoying thing is I have no idea who made him, I was given a brown paper bag of various bits of military models in different scales, mainly mixed figures. They were poorly painted and glued together, but are fine having re-assembled them.
He was one of those of 1/35 scale that I re painted and pressed into service. I was also able to make up another couple of driver figures to replace some Siku drivers which I think are a bit too large.

Regards Peter M

[rue_d_etropal]

Peter, I suspect the figure originated from the Ukraine. Many similar figures from Masterbox, Miniart and ICM.

[Broadoak]

Simon, it is rather odd because the model is a single moulding, it is not made of lots of parts.
All my other figures are an assortment of parts but not the recumbent figure. He certainly got noticed at Tring.

[Nevadablue]

Peter, I heard one of the little people grumbling about a loud grinding noise in one of the tractor transmissions...

I found a paper model tractor that is very detailed. I think I'll build the drive train and leave it in pieces for one of the shop projects in my garage.

[rue_d_etropal]

Peter, if the figure is a single piece, hard plastic, then I think it may be one of the 1/32 scale slot car racing figures. MRRC have a very similar figure, one difference is position of left arm, but MRRC(Airfix?) have been around for a long time. As you know the older pit crew figures were not dressed up in safety gear as they are now.

[Broadoak]

A couple of pictures taken at a small layout show last weekend.

Peter M

[docnjoj]

That is some big loco! Where does the driver sit?
David (Doc)