Branded Southern Vectis this will be an excuse for another era on Watershoot Bay which, incidentally has received it's first exhibition invite.
The thing that really attracted me was the advertising for Mew Langton Ales.
A very long time I remember sitting on the quayside at Lymington watching the Mew Langton open boat from the Isle of Wight being unloaded of it's barrels.
https://www.sdrt.org/product-category/limited-edition-oo-gauge-wagons/
This one is limited to 133 examples and I have been told they are selling fast!
The 0 gauge model is limited to 40 examples.
https://www.sdrt.org/product-category/limited-edition-o-gauge-wagons/
No visit to Shillingstone would be complete without viewing the progress on the Mechanical Horse.
This is the 3 ton vehicle- there was a five tonner with a larger engine.
At present the doors are being made and fitted- this is an excellent restoration and a credit to all those involved.
This is my replica from an Oxford Diecast 1/76 the model.
Does need a numberplate to finish.
I have repainted a similar model into Southern Railway livery for use on my Isle of Wight layout 'Watershoot Bay'.
The site is very tidy- a credit to the volunteers who carry outthe work.
Since my last visit a lot has changed- the work to re-align the foot trail has been realised before the bird nesting season prevents further tree work.
Movement of the Hudswell Diesel is evidence that driver training is well advanced.
As usual the cafe was serving excellent snacks and cake.
The CCT has seen better days but is in use constantly.
There are several wagons around the site all restored - a couple are from the S&D trust at Washford.
One of the pair of Polish built USA Tanks- the other has been dismantled and slowly being restored.
The cab and tanks have been painted and await fitment but that may be a while yet.
A view of the down line towards Blandford.
The signal box has been restored for some time and is ready for use.
A final picture looking north towards Sturminster Newton.
Stur is the goal for the railway which is progressing towards the viduct, spoil being used beyond to restore alignment.
A couple more Atlas Editions offerings which will negotiate Cody Streets sharp curves- one other I have is just too long.
The green one is powered by a Kato 33-105 bogie whilst the red one has a 33-103 fitted.
The bogie tram is slightly longer which needs the extra throw whilst the red trams 4 wheel unit copes well with the lesser length.
I had a bunker conversion from Golden Arrow which is basically a resin casting that slides on to the existing body after removal of some plastic.
It fits really well needing the minimum of filling. This one will, hopefully be in Red which was one of the islands railway liveries before the grouping.
The ballast, cream this time, was gently eased into place avoiding the immediate area around the points.
The sticks were added to keep the blades away from other rails- last thing you need is these stuck together.
Once satisfied with the loose ballast, I give the whole area a gentle mist- from an atomiser (remove smell of fragrance first) which contains water and a spot of washing up liquid. This
I use a cheap polythene pippette to apply the mix to the ballast- others use an eye dropper.
Once the whole area has been saturated with the glue mix it is time to wait for it all to dry thoroughly- don't try and cut corners now or it will all end in tears!
Once dry the missed areas and the points can carefully be ballasted. Small amounts at a time and lots of patience.
There are instructions that the roof plasticard supplied appears undersized but, in fact, the roof didn't overlap the sides and ends as is usual. Apparently rain channels were atop the sides and ends. There is supposed to be a groove in the end castings for the roof to sit in but it is somewhat inconspicuous!
However, a reasonable fist was made of fitting the roof but doesn't stand up to close scrutiny.
Once the paint has fully cured it will be time for transfers and then a coat of matt varnish.
