I was dreaming of a Wight Christmas!

And I wasn't disappointed!

If you have been paying attention, you will have noticed my intention to build an Isle of Wight themed 00 gauge layout.

A couple of books plus  a map or two have been used as research. From the Ordnance Survey map 180 of 1945 a location has been chosen, but more of that anon!

 

 I was very fortunate that Secret Santa (with a few nudges) delivered a fascinating book and the Hornby Isle of Wight loco Number 14-Bembridge.

This has moved the project forward by some measure and, as a result, nameboards have been ordered from Sankey Scenics and, once received, all will be revealed.

So, the wider baseboards will be retrieved from storage and the track swapped over.

 

Cornish China Clay Dries and Loading docks.

Research into structures is a very consuming pastime if you don't possess a specific book on the subject.

So it has been in looking for a suitable idea for how to represent the clay dries. Obviously with a layout of this size only an impression can be shown. This will also have to be low relief in a width of about two inches behind the siding.

However, I have found a couple of images which inspired my model which will be fabricated in artists mounting card and corrugated plastic sheet.

The Abbotsbury Branch.

About the only line in Dorset that I have no published book is the Abbotsbury Branch west of Weymouth.

As usual Wild Swan have published an extremely comprehensive history which includes structure plans as well as track layouts.

Best part? A fiver off a preservation stall at GDSF!

RAF Masirah Railway.

This is the slim tome that started my small 009 layout.
The contents are fascinating as to how this system evolved and indeed survived.
It traces the history and personnel that were involved and the innovative way that replacements and the upkeep that kept it running up until the base was taken over by the Sultan of Oman's air force assumed control.
Worth finding- I wonder how many more books in this series were published?

Southern Nouveau.

There has been a book of this name published some time ago. It was eventually remaindered by various dealers and the now defunct Book Club which provided flyers in most model railway magazines.
It has now been re-introduced in a much larger tome.
It is excellent with so much information on the concrete products produced at Exmouth Junction by the Southern Railway and its successors.
Highly recommended.