Mechanical Horse by Scammell- Full Size!

 

 

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'.

A visit to Shillingstone S&DJR.

Periodically I meet a friend at the preserved station at Shillingstone in Dorset. There always appears to be progress although the Covid pandemic has quietened things down a little. The long awaited permission to extend the line is with the Council and unfortunately has to wait in the queue as has everything else. No planning or lease agreements means that the work can't proceed which is a shame as a lot could have been done safely in the present climate.

A real Mechanical Horse and trailer are also being restored and judging by the work so far will be an absolute cracker. Much of the cab has had to be rebuilt and the engine needed some work also. Still the work so far is a credit to those participating.

Wagons have been received from the S&DJR Trust at Washford- these include the crane which is on the flat wagon. The covered wagons frame had to be removed for transport as it would be overheight for bridges en-route.

 

Lesney Road signs and Meccano Belisha Beacons.

 These arrived as part of a lot I acquired. Didn't really give them much notice till sorting through and realised what they were. The Lesney signs are roughly 00 scale whilst the Belisha Beacons, being Meccano (Dinky Toys), are probably nearer 1/43 or 0 Gauge. No use to me, unfortunately so will have to be put up for sale.

Something completely different in 1:1 scale.

During the recent hot spell, my wife and I visited Abbotsbury Swannery and Sub-tropical garden. Both were very well laid out for social distancing and the cafes supplied good tea and sandwiches.

On almost reaching the exit from the Swannery I nearly missed the recovered half scale prototype of Barnes-Wallis' bouncing bomb. This was recovered from the Fleet in 1989 by Sea King.

First time I had heard of the recovery since learning of the testing in the Fleet whist at school.

 

Right now we're going to go Back! Vintage 00 Gauge.

I met a pal a few days ago and he  had had a clear out and gave me some elderly Tri-ang locos and Multiple Units which were non runners. Most were in various states of dis-assembly.

So, always up for a challenge, they were all stripped down, the felt pads lubricated and reassembled roughly just to see if any worked.

And would you believe it they all work! Not bad for 60 odd years old. I wonder if my modern Bachmann, Heljan, Dapol and Hornby locos will still work in 2060? Well I won't be around to find out but I may be advised posthumously! The other thing is that they don't run well, if at all on code 75 track!