Military manoeuvres (take 2)…
Nearly six years ago I had a scheme to build an updated ‘Creech Bottom’ in 009 set in the 80s where the tramway and clay pits had been taken over by the MOD as a firing range and training ground - and extension to Povington, which backed onto the area…
A spur from the Swanage branch stub extended from the clay siding at Furzebrook, west to a RNAD style interchange with a narrow gauge railway. It got as far as the sketch book and some stock being assembled - both in standard and narrow gauge. The standard gauge was just a Parkside VEA (Bachmann’s model didn’t exist) and a modified Parkside 12t pipe wagon on a Red-Panda chassis parts to model the ODA. The plan faltered, the stock sold on…
Now, they’re back in N! A Sonic models VEA is paired with my modified Peco (ex Parkside) 12t pipe converted into an ODA with scratchbuilt chassis details! Before anyone asks, I’m not doing the Povington stock on 6.5mm gauge!
These cruel close ups show the modifications to the chassis - modified brake lever, scratch built FAT32 hangers on the original suspension. Air brake details and repositioned brakes. I have also added brass door bangers from brass etch fret scraps and added the extra brakeshoes in styrene.
I’m most surprised by the colour match - the red is from Precision but the grey is just Humbrol 125. Decals are a mix of Fox and Modelmaster. Weathering my usual wash - and she is waiting for some DG to be fitted before she can go into service.
Obviously, in reality I should probably have at least one more, but that isn’t how Paxton Road works - it’s a collection of one offs, of interesting wagons I recreate in miniature. It is without the expectations of large layouts, continuous runs and long trains. It is a sanctuary of my making, a theatre of my own dreams. I love it. Until next time, more soon…
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Morning James. It's genuinely impossible to see what scale those wagons are! Particularly the ODA which is superb. I've just been reading your article about Paxton Road from the February 2025 RM, it's amazing what you achieve with such a simple layout. It's such a chameleon, changing location and era to keep things fresh. It's interesting to see how it's evolved too, your interest in modelling 08's in the last year shows a real change from the early shots of blue 25's or the rail freight general 50. I'm just enjoying my morning coffee and a read through the Small Layout Design Handbook, a great way to start my day off after a run of tough shifts at work. Take care.
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