Catcott Burtle. Tech: Nikon FM, Nikkor 28-70 f2.8 IFED, 4 sec @ f22. Ilford XP2 b&w film scanned to digital via and Epson 4870 @ 3200 dpi (resized for web here).

Catcott Burtle. Tech: Nikon FM, Nikkor 18-35 IFED, 4 sec @ f22. Ilford XP2 b&w film scanned to digital via and Epson 4870 @ 3200 dpi (resized for web here).

Catcott Burtle. Tech: Nikon FM, Nikkor 18-35 IFED, 4 sec @ f22. Ilford XP2 b&w film scanned to digital via and Epson 4870 @ 3200 dpi (resized for web here). The set up for this shot can be seen to the right.

Catcott Burtle. Tech: Nikon FM, Nikkor 18-35 IFED, 4 sec @ f22. Ilford XP2 b&w film scanned to digital via and Epson 4870 @ 3200 dpi (resized for web here).

Catcott Burtle. Tech: Nikon FM, Nikkor 18-35 IFED, 4 sec @ f22. Ilford XP2 b&w film scanned to digital via and Epson 4870 @ 3200 dpi (resized for web here).

Olde Worlde home processing look?

Catcott Burtle. Tech: Nikon FM, Nikkor 18-35 IFED, 4 sec @ f22. Ilford XP2 b&w film scanned to digital via and Epson 4870 @ 3200 dpi (resized for web here).

Catcott Burtle. Tech: Nikon FM, 55mm Micro Nikkor, 1 sec @ f11. Ilford XP2 b&w film scanned to digital via and Epson 4870 @ 3200 dpi (resized for web here).

The set up for the shot to the left.....

A stinking hot day for the crew of Ivatt Tank No. 41248 as they pick up a 16 ton wagon from Catcott on a return pick up goods to Highbridge in August 1964.

Highbridge's 58086 hauling my two most recent creations through Catcott. THis shot is unmanipulated.

Highbridge's 58086 hauling my two most recent creations through Catcott.

41247 passes the crossing leeper's vegetable patch at Catcott.

Rosebay Willow Herb lines the drain at Catcott.

Mouse tank No. 41248 trundles through Catcott with an empty perishables train from Templecombe to Bason Bridge.

For MRJ readers, hence in black and white to go with that 'vintage' Bush 22 inch 405 line set bought the other day: Mickey Mouse tank No. 41248 trundles through Catcott with an empty perishables train from Templecombe to Bason Bridge.

Mickey Mouse tank No. 41248 trundles through Catcott with an empty perishables train from Templecombe to Bason Bridge.

For MRJ readers, hence in black and white to go with that 'vintage' Bush 22 inch 405 line set bought the other day: Mickey Mouse tank No. 41248 trundles through Catcott with an empty perishables train from Templecombe to Bason Bridge.

The shot above taken on a Canon G9, was combined from two shots (one focussed on the foreground and one one the engine) with the camera resting on a bean bag, which in turn was resting on some stock boxes. Previous attempts with Combine ZM created some odd misregistration results on the left hand side, however, using CS3 as above worked perfectly, the stack creation twisting one of the images slightly to solve the previous problem. The whole fiddling about from RAW file selection, through grading and selective deleting of out of focus bits right through to resizing for web took around 10 minutes.

'Digitalis purpurea'

Catcott Burtle Crossing under proper studio lighting. This image is totally unmanipulated, the view being exactly what the eye sees from about 6 foot high.

A motley departmental train trundles through Catcott Burtle hauled by Radstock's 'Jinty' No. 47276. Something tells me this train is not quite legal with unfitted stock between the carriage and engine!

And now for that MRJ look in B&W!

Close up of the reeds created from asparagus tops (from my sister's allotment) on the drain at Catcott

A view of Catcott not normally seen. This is what you get if you place a camera near the fiddle yard entrance on the Shapwick end.

In early 1970's mode, D1015 dwarfs Catcott as it trundles past with coal supplies for the nearby Clark's factory at Glastonbury. Look just how spanking Mrs Riddock's Moggie Minor convertible looks!

Prize at Beaconsfield MRS expo at the weekend.

Catcott Burtle - the punter's view!

Anyway, here we are in a state ready for the first show. There's still lots to do for future shows in the form of decent signalling, fences and other details including remote control level crossing gates, people etc.

Here are a couple of shots with the drape just added..............Total length 11 foot, scenic bit a mere 5 foot.... operation from the rear or front - all depending on how friendly or roudy the audience is!

A view showing one of the 360 degree rotating fiddle yards. Whilst it would be maybe nice to blank the view from the public, this would mean a very wide baseboard and then it cannot be operated from the front. General concensus is that people like to see what's going on behind the scenes even if it isn't so to speak - so this way it will remain.

The crossing keeper chaps to old Ned from nearby Burtle.

Spotter?

New coal yard.

How it was done; Sweet peas/beans supports were bits of wire soldered up and painted. Onions (or leeks) are dyed hemp stuck into holes (as used for the reeds on the nearby drain). Strawberries (or such) simply Heiki foliage. Woodland Scenics would be just as good. Dab of paint here and there. Same used for the beans/peas. Slug eaten cabbages are little squares of printer paper (1x1cm) soaked in greeny brown acrylic (cheap set from Tesco) squeezed and rolled into balls whilst wet. Mucky job. Loose earth is Treemendous 'real earth' courtesy of some geezer called Marriott.

I blame the general wonkyness of things on the soft fluid base which makes up much of the Somerset Levels.

Catcott 4 Sept 08, image combined from two photographs focussed on key points to increase the apparent depth of field.

Catcott 4 Sept 08: a quiet late summer moment.

Catcott 4 Sept 08: a quiet late summer moment.

Catcott 4 Sept 08: very quiet indeed - maybe the line's shut?

Catcott 4 Sept 08: next to the small goods shed at the Edington Burtle end.

Catcott 4 Sept 08: the beginings of the vegetable patch.

New trestles for Catcott. The car behind is my 1978 MGBGT.

New trestles for Catcott. The car behind is my 1978 MGBGT.

Here are a couple of Bachmann 16 tonners picked up the other day. 'Before' and after about 90 mins work with 'sleeper grime' and some matt emulsion washes. I didn't renumber - basically because that's not something I care about or notice in real life and more importantly couldn't be ar@@d

The first of the 2 whirlygig 360 degree fiddle yard trays (to allow turning of a complete train) now have some track down. The sides have now been laminated with ply. The individual tracks will be lined up to the layout with brass tube and L shaped pins in the time honoured manner, these will also provide electical continuity - simple. Once that has been done and the plywood sides added to the baseboards, the whole lot will be sprayed black to match the rest of the layout. To stop stock falling onto the floor, foam covered plywood safety plates (not seen here) engage between the little keepers seen on either end.

OK, about 2 hours work today got the whirlygig fiddleyard baseboards together. Here they are in all their glory in approximate position without 360 deg sector plates - seen here held together with masking tape and various bits from around the house whilst the glue sets. The sides will be finished off with 3mm ply as with the layout baseboard. I might surface the boards with something soft like felt. The layout is minus lighting pelmet and crossing keepers cottage here. The boards will take a 4-6-0 loco and 2 Mk1's length wise - quite long enough for a small layout like this (5 foot). They're basically A1 in length - the size of the foamboard!

The beginnings of the two 360 deg 4 road whirlygig fiddleyards..............

Errm, the masking tape is not permanent, it's just there to hold things in place whilst the glue sets (PVA)..............

Lots of work yet which will include 2mm ply veneers on areas which will get a bashing (5mm foamboard)...............

As an alternative to plummer's hemp after a visit to my sister's allotment, I came across some asparagus plant tops. Reeds -bingo! OK, a bit of colour correction needed, no problem. They dried easily and are pretty flexible, though a splash of PVA in the yet to be airbrushed on colour adjustment won't do any harm. The rhyne bed will be repainted and recoated in PVA in due course though the paint splashes do look a little like stuff you seen in stagment canals etc.

Here's a quick snap showing a temporarily placed SR rail built signal to protect the crossing (been knocking in the spares box about with no home for some time now). The ladder I think will be better in black, though I have seen pics of both black and white laddering. I have some MSE LSWR lattice stuff destined for this area in due course - when I pluck up courage!

GWR B sets started to appear on the S&D branch from the late 1950's. 58086 was withdrwan in 1959, so it's quite possible this former Midland engine could have been seen with a B set (repainted a flush glazed Hornby/Airfix).

A shot of Catcott crossing keeper's cottage showing the revised sash windows and fence. The foreground will be home to an allotment (bamboo runner bean supports have been soldered up and are awaiting some paint and bean plants). And yes, that guttering does need some adjustment again........

Saturday afternoon was spent sorting out some picket fencing next to the ground frame and in front of the cottage (Ratio). Here's a quick grab in daylight, the layout being seen 'as is' including the backdrop.

Taken a only a couple of years before closure, and as increasingly usual nobody to be seen. The latch on the gate has come loose again by the look of it too.

OK, this one might appeal to the cheapskates like me, who needs to go to Tandy or one of those electonicfile stores for some bespoke control panel box, when most of us no doubt have a cupboard with old dried up polish? Splash of paint (Halfords), few holes and some white lable (sealed under a layer of clear lacquer).....

The base can be screwed to the layout, the top removeable to allow maintenence etc - simple!

So few buttons? Only two points and switches to isolate the siding or mainline should I be feeling creative. There's almost zero chance that there'll be more than one thing in steam anyway. The 360 deg sector plate fiddle yards on either end will have their own isolating switches in the form of a bathroom latch type of thing for each siding.....

Has the crossing keeper gone for a mid afternoon snooze?

A 'dirty rat' speeds over Catcott Crossing with the 12.05 Burrowbridge to Bicester MOD working. Note the class 1 headcode - are they 'avin a larf'?

The class 1 headcode is a joke by the crew for the picture. They still haven't replaced that window frame which has been off for a week - so slack!

D2298 performed many of the Highbridge to Glastonbury goods workings serving the Clarks shoe factory at nearby Street after the end of steam, here we see D2298, now preserved at Quainton Road clanking through with one of these trains in the late summer of 1968.

D2298 performed many of the Highbridge to Glastonbury goods workings serving the Clarks shoe factory at nearby Street after the end of steam, here we see D2298, now preserved at Quainton Road clanking through with one of these trains in the late summer of 1968. Note the lack of brakevan!

D2298 on a Glastonbury trip working passes what looks like quite a pristine ground frame. By 1968, the train crew used to have to open and close the gates.

Two exposures with different focus points (foreground and background), combined with 'Combine ZM' freeware,

I was messing about with the Combine ZM freeware for bogding an apparent increased depth of field. It sort of works OK, but is rather prone to artifacts, so gave up and simply manually stacked the 3 different files (same image, focussed on three different key areas, ie, car, loco, shed), adjusting the images so thay match up (as you focus in closer you get a slight zoom, effect) size wise. I then deleted the out of focus bits as I built up the layers starting from the rear.

I was messing about with the Combine ZM freeware for bogding an apparent increased depth of field. It sort of works OK, but is rather prone to artifacts, so gave up and simply manually stacked the 3 different files (same image, focussed on three different key areas, ie, car, loco, shed), adjusting the images so thay match up (as you focus in closer you get a slight zoom, effect) size wise. I then deleted the out of focus bits as I built up the layers starting from the rear.

Two exposures with different focus points (foreground and background), combined with 'Combine ZM' freeware,

Whilst messing about last night with this 'bodging the focus' marlarky, here's a more conventional angle, which won't be disimilar to what punters will see at a show. This is about 4'6

The 1.35pm Bason Bridge to Templecombe milkie.

Due to lack of siding space at nearby Bason Bridge, a couple of spare milk tanks are stored in the siding at Catcott for a couple of days. Radstock's 'Jinty' No. 47276, does the honours with this local shunt. Loco shortages on the 'mainline' meant that this unusual helper was drafted in place of the more usual Midland 3F, Collett or Ivatt tank.

At Catcott Burtle, whilst waiting for the 1.35pm Bason Bridge to Templecombe milkie, Ivan Locksmith and his partner in crime Erik Cross, were discussing a conversation they recently had down their local railway club where one of the slightly outspoken members had discussed that back in the early 1800's there were plans to adopt an odd 4ft 8 1/2 gauge.

As the train rumbled into view, unusually hauled by one of Radstock's banking engines, Ivan, with his new f3.5 Tessar lensed Rolleiflex toting a fast wind on crank, was able to take two shots as the train rumbled through,

After posting last night, had a go repositioning the telegraph poles in the station area, routing them behind the platform (the elastic allowing that) from their previous position between the rhyne and the yard. More for practical and artistic reasons, I could see me colliding with the wires all the time (which I did several times), also when viewing the layout from it's normal frontal viewing angle they appeared rather too prominent giving almost a French or US feel! A couple of snaps grabbed of 41248 first thing this morning. Unlike yesterday's shots which were taken with window light, these are under the layout's own lighting pelmet with 'energy savers''. The window on the platform is the result of me knocking it of the side of shelter when making the hole for the post - tempted to leave it there?

After posting last night, had a go repositioning the telegraph poles in the station area, routing them behind the platform (the elastic allowing that) from their previous position between the rhyne and the yard. More for practical and artistic reasons, I could see me colliding with the wires all the time (which I did several times), also when viewing the layout from it's normal frontal viewing angle they appeared rather too prominent giving almost a French or US feel! A couple of snaps grabbed of 41248 first thing this morning. Unlike yesterday's shots which were taken with window light, these are under the layout's own lighting pelmet with 'energy savers''. The window on the platform is the result of me knocking it of the side of shelter when making the hole for the post - tempted to leave it there?

Messed about today with the telegraph wires using 'Slik Worm Invisible Elastic Thread' as recommended by Graham Muz! Highly elastic, hopefully enough to survive 'spawn of chaw' and elderley women who have to finger everything when on the road. Will it survive me when I get a shunting pole hooked up? We shall see, it's vvvvveeeeerrrrryyyy elastic - boiinngg!

There is quite a bit more to do on the 'orse as already mentioned. This is it after a wash of pale earth coloured matt emusion. The sacks are now brown to replicate hessian.

Also, another viewing angle (taken last night in window light), showing the entire layout from one end - it's really very small!

Also, some MSE point rodding and bases went down to. The colour is a little heavy (Sleeper Grime), making them appear a tad too prominent, that will be sorted in due course with a lighter wash.

The little frame based on the one at Ashcott and Meare. Note the new point rodding.

There is quite a bit more to do on the 'orse as already mentioned. This is it after a wash of pale earth coloured matt emusion. The sacks are now brown to replicate hessian.

Messed about today with the telegraph wires using 'Slik Worm Invisible Elastic Thread' as recommended by Graham Muz! Highly elastic, hopefully enough to survive 'spawn of chaw' and elderley women who have to finger everything when on the road. Will it survive me when I get a shunting pole hooked up? We shall see, it's vvvvveeeeerrrrryyyy elastic - boiinngg!

Sitting in the display case for a couple of years has been this Leido Pickfords liveried Scammell Scarab. Yesterday morning it was given a couple of coat of paint in an attempt to turn it into something that would look less poncy ferrying bagged peat around Catcott. Of course the wheel hubs need to be another colour, the whole thing will then get a dose of dusty weathering and some writing somewhere saying 'Eclipse Peat Company Catcott'.

Back in the summer of '62, well known Bath based photographer Ivan Locksmith captured this unusual view of Templecombe's ex GWR 0-6-0 No. 3206, paused at Catcott Crossing picking up an empty milk churn. Few crossing keepers' cottages on 'the branch' had running water, so the churns were used to carry vital water supplies, these being delivered by the crews of passing trains.

Back in the summer of '62, well known Bath based photographer Ivan Locksmith captured this unusual view of Templecombe's ex GWR 0-6-0 No. 3206, paused at Catcott Crossing picking up an empty milk churn. Few crossing keepers' cottages on 'the branch' had running water, so the churns were used to carry vital water supplies, these being delivered by the crews of passing trains.

Back in the summer of '62, well known Bath based photographer Ivan Locksmith captured this unusual view of Templecombe's ex GWR 0-6-0 No. 3206, paused at Catcott Crossing picking up an empty milk churn. Few crossing keepers' cottages on 'the branch' had running water, so the churns were used to carry vital water supplies, these being delivered by the crews of passing trains.

GWR 'Collett' 0-6-0 No. 3206 slows for Catcott with an afternoon service from Highbridge to Evercreech Junction on the 3rd September 1964.

Riddles 9F 2-10-0 No. 92224 clanks through the crossing at Catcott Burtle with Cement train from Westbury to Portishead (via Frome & Radstock) on 5 September 1964. That's the fiction, in reality, the 9F started life as a Hornby 'Evening Star' which has been converted to loco drive and extensively detailed. The 'Presflo' wagons are from ancient Airfix kits.

Riddles 9F 2-10-0 No. 92224 clanks through the crossing at Catcott Burtle with Cement train from Westbury to Portishead (via Frome & Radstock) on 5 September 1964. That's the fiction, in reality, the 9F started life as a Hornby 'Evening Star' which has been converted to loco drive and extensively detailed. The 'Presflo' wagons are from ancient Airfix kits.

Western Class diesel hydraulic No. D1010 'Western Campaigner', speeds past the empty sidings at Catcott Burtle with an empty Portishead to Westbury cement train on 25 August 1972. The reality is that the loco is a renamed and weathered Heljan locomotive, pulling a short rake of ancient Airfix Preslo kits and Bachmann GWR fitted vans. The layout shown here which is still under contruction will shortly feature in a forthcoming issue of Hornby Magazine.

Sulzer Type 2 No. D5298 rushes through Catcott Burtle with a diverted Portishead to Westbury cement train on 19 September 1968. The reality is that the loco is a renumbered and weathered Bachmann locomotive, pulling a short rake of ancient Airfix Preslo kits. The layout shown here which is still under contruction will shortly feature in a forthcoming issue of Hornby Magazine.

Sulzer Type 2 No. D5298 rushes through Catcott Burtle with a diverted Westbury to Portishead cement train on 19 September 1968. The reality is that the loco is a renumbered and weathered Bachmann locomotive, pulling a short rake of ancient Airfix Preslo kits. The layout shown here which is still under contruction will shortly feature in a forthcoming issue of Hornby Magazine.

The 9F, a standard issue tender driven Hornby 'Evening Star', was inherited in 2001 after the death of a good friend. As a sort of tribute to him (he used to rebuild old cars to concourse condition, so would have appoved of the upgrade). Rather than use the mint Evening Star body, at a local show I picked up a tatty 9F body and tender for a few pennies. On this one, I stripped the body and tender right back, replacing all the moulded gubbins with wire and new brass bits like handrails and brackets etc. The missing front steps were formed up from the brass sheet. The outcome looked great, but of course, being tender drive worked like a dog and jammed going thouh my bullhead pointwork on Combwich due to the Tupperware wheels on the tender drive.At the time (2002), which is before Bachmann bought out their gem, there is/was a business which performed loco drive conversions called 'Model...sumitorother' (cannot recall name) to new locos. I contacted them to see if they'd do me a conversion to an existing loco instead. A week or two later, a fully functioning chassis came through the post. That's about it! Of course, with this progressive upgrade, in the end, none of the original loco was touched!

Riddles 9F 2-10-0 No. 92224 clanks through the crossing at Catcott Burtle with Cement train from Westbury to Portishead on 5 September 1962. That's the fiction, in reality, the 9F started life as a Hornby 'Evening Star' which has been converted to loco drive and extensively detailed. The 'Presflo' wagons are from ancient Airfix kits. The layout shown here which is still under contruction will shortly feature in a forthcoming issue of Hornby Magazine.

A look through the garage and a pack of Ratio telegraph poles were located to accompany a Wills/Ratio SR style concrete loading gauge kit put together in front of the TV last night. Looking at old pics of real railways, it's amazing just how many telegraph, electricity and telephone poles there were/are all over the place. In real life engineers spend enormous amounts of time placing these things to ensure they'll mess up that master shot, I have a little more control in my world! Oh yes, the little grotty sheds next to the water tank are 'Wills Grotty Sheds', also made up in front of the TV last night.

Oh yes, the little grotty sheds next to the water tank are 'Wills Grotty Sheds', also made up in front of the TV last night.

A look through the garage and a pack of Ratio telegraph poles were located to accompany a Wills/Ratio SR style concrete loading gauge kit put together in front of the TV last night. Looking at old pics of real railways, it's amazing just how many telegraph, electricity and telephone poles there were/are all over the place. In real life engineers spend enormous amounts of time placing these things to ensure they'll mess up that master shot, I have a little more control in my world! Oh yes, the little grotty sheds next to the water tank are 'Wills Grotty Sheds', also made up in front of the TV last night.

A look through the garage and a pack of Ratio telegraph poles were located to accompany a Wills/Ratio SR style concrete loading gauge kit put together in front of the TV last night. Looking at old pics of real railways, it's amazing just how many telegraph, electricity and telephone poles there were/are all over the place. In real life engineers spend enormous amounts of time placing these things to ensure they'll mess up that master shot, I have a little more control in my world! Oh yes, the little grotty sheds next to the water tank are 'Wills Grotty Sheds', also made up in front of the TV last night.

A look through the garage and a pack of Ratio telegraph poles were located to accompany a Wills/Ratio SR style concrete loading gauge kit put together in front of the TV last night. Looking at old pics of real railways, it's amazing just how many telegraph, electricity and telephone poles there were/are all over the place. In real life engineers spend enormous amounts of time placing these things to ensure they'll mess up that master shot, I have a little more control in my world! Oh yes, the little grotty sheds next to the water tank are 'Wills Grotty Sheds', also made up in front of the TV last night.

A zoomed in higher than normal viewing angle view.

A higher than normal viewing angle view.

Earlier today are little work adding to the undergrowth along the rhyne mainly in the form of colourized horse hair topped off with scatter coated sea foam. I'm building on this slowly, rather than rushing in, it's a little like weathering.

A view showing the whole 5 foot of the layout, photoshop masking to give the effect I aim to get once the presentation is sorted. The lighting is the layout's own, with the curved backdrop working quite well I think (?) - no corners!

Earlier today are little work adding to the undergrowth along the rhyne mainly in the form of colourized horse hair topped off with scatter coated sea foam. I'm building on this slowly, rather than rushing in, it's a little like weathering.

Earlier today are little work adding to the undergrowth along the rhyne mainly in the form of colourized horse hair topped off with scatter coated sea foam. I'm building on this slowly, rather than rushing in, it's a little like weathering.

Earlier today are little work adding to the undergrowth along the rhyne mainly in the form of colourized horse hair topped off with scatter coated sea foam. I'm building on this slowly, rather than rushing in, it's a little like weathering.

Earlier today are little work adding to the undergrowth along the rhyne mainly in the form of colourized horse hair topped off with scatter coated sea foam. I'm building on this slowly, rather than rushing in, it's a little like weathering.