Noswaith dda, everyone. Probably the last blog for March, and it looks like there is a glimmer of hope that the pandemic has peaked - at least, in the UK. Hopefully we can have a Chufferduffers meeting next Month.

Some good news - the Cardigan layout has now found a home at Cardigan Castle. Last weekend Emyr and Pat transferred the layout from Emyr's garage to the Castle house and set it up. All that is needed now is to put up the skirting curtain and check the layout for connectivity.

We also believe that our Boncath layout has now found a new home. Not sure of the location, but I believe it may be somewhere in Hermon. Next weekend should see it's move from Login.

 

The castle featured in the last blog was Carew, built in the Norman period around 11 - 1200, on the site of an iron age fort. It was extended during the 16th Century to afford more luxurious accommodation. 

 

We will stay in Pembrokeshire for this blogs offering:

 

 

This is a harder one, as it is not normally open to the public.

Moving on to more pertinent stuff - after all, this is supposed to be about the Chuffers and their activities.

Here in Pentrecagal, I have done a little bit of work for the long neglected 7mm narrow gauge layout, currently stored away next to Pats MG in a lock-up in Cilgerran. A corner of the track is planned to run under a hillside, so I have constructed a built-up area that will have houses on it. So far just the retaining wall and roadway, with street lights and a small Georgian terrace:

Pete has sent some more picture of the scenics on his Lynton and Barnstaple layout, illustrating how well the modelling merges with the photographic background.

Even before static grass is applied, the weathering is looking good.

 Further back on the layout the traction engine and caravan are effectively blocking the field entrance until the farmer can get there to put up a gateway:

Viewed from a distance of just four foot, it is once again apparent how well the scenery merges in.

Just goes to show that less is more. So many layouts are spoilt by people trying to put too much into the background. Peter really seems to be getting this spot on. It is just a pity that its a fixed layout, and can't be taken to exhibitions!

On the other side of the coin, one which might well take to the road is Pats Heritage railway and Classic car show layout which now has a name!

Welcome to 'Bayview' !!

The signboard comes courtesy of Pat's son Daniel and his 3D printer.

(Note the naughty boys climbing on the wall behind...)

 

Hand-painted signage has also now been erected by volunteer members of the heritage railway society at the entrance to the rail yard:

 

 

 

and also by the hotel entrance, welcoming punters to the classic car exhibition - 

We'll finish this rather short blog with an overall view of Bayview, and then a quick video clip of the preserved train running through the station:

That's all for this one folks - Cheerio,

Shaun.

 Good evening (insert your current time of day) everyone -  welcome to the first blog of March. Just a few days shy of a year since the Corona Virus first hit the headlines. Who could have envisaged the outcome.

Have we seen an easing of the pandemic? who can tell. Anyway, the blog continues - I'm writing this wearing latex gloves and a face mask on, so you can read it with impunity...

The castle featured in the last posting was Haverfordwest. Not an easy one to spot from that viewpoint, so this one is a bit easier. Still in pembrokeshire:

A bit of good news on the Cardi-Bach front - the cardigan Council have offered to take the Cardigan Station layout under their wing, and it will be occupying a place in the Castle House, in the grounds of Cardigan Castle They have also pledge a donation of £100 to the Society.

All that remains now is to find a home for the Boncath Layout, and the way will be clear for work to start in earnest on the new N gauge representation.

 

Moving on, the Chuffers have not let grass grow under their feet - well, except in the case of Pete over in Login. His Lynton and Barnstaple layout is steadily sprouting greenstuff, as can be seen in this picture of Woody bay station. The photographic backscene blending in really well with Pete's static grass and embankment. I believe there was quite a lot of trees behind the station area, so Pete's got his work cut out!

Here is a closer view of the station, with one of the Manning Wardle engines and train just pulling into the station.

 

 

 

All those farm buildings that we showed you in the last blog have now been 'plonked' around the farmyard to get some idea of what it will eventually look like. They are not stuck down or blended in yet until final positioning is decided on.

A small church or chapel has also made an appearance:

We leave the peaceful idyll of the Devon countryside, and pay another visit to Patricks Classic car show at his heritage railway station and hotel

The barbeque area is beginning to fill up with hungry patrons, whilst two of the local teenage girls have been roped in to welcome participants, and add a bit of glamour -

Adding a sobering touch, the local doom merchant is warning the populace of impending armageddon:

Another cameo our eagle-eyed photographer spotted was a rather dubious scene up on the bridge. A coach outing from the local abbey had stopped to allow some of the brethren to anoint the verge?

Or perhaps just admire the view, and take in all that was going on down below, at the hotel and station.

Also taking it all in was a cameraman from the regional TV station, faithfully recording the activity for the evening news slot:

 

 

 

To complete this edition of the blog, a quick look at what Colin has been up to on his N gauge layout, which one day we will get him to finally give it a public showing.

The height gauge that he made a few weeks ago is now in position:

And here is a better view of the engine hoist and winch housing, with the turntable off to the right. The building with the tall smokestack is (I think) the sand drying facility - for the uninitiated sand is used to improve grip between the engine wheels and rail, helping traction on difficult sections of track.

Thats about it for this posting - 

Stay well everyone.

Cheerio,

Shaun.