My grandfather, Thomas Arthur Muspratt, known as Arthur, was born this day 125 years ago in 1899. As I have stated before on this blog he was a ganger for the Southern Railway based at Salisbury, for most of the period that I model, before he gained promotion to Sub Inspector (permanent way) at Andover … Continue reading #onthisday 125th Birthday of my Granddad Arthur Muspratt
Category: A view from the line
Happy Spring Equinox
By way of a distraction from the current COVID-19 situation, today is the Spring Equinox so I thought I would celebrate the start of spring and the cheery splash of colour that daffodils bring at this time of year! In the meantime stay safe, keep in contact (not physical) and if possible assist with any … Continue reading Happy Spring Equinox
A view from the line #18 Inset track on Canute Road Quay
This latest "A view from the line" post takes for the first time a closer look at Canute Road Quay and more specifically the track work inset within concrete along the quayside. There are a number of methods of re-creating inset track and this post describes the method I have used on Canute Road Quay and hopefully … Continue reading A view from the line #18 Inset track on Canute Road Quay
A view from the line #17 the wild flora or green fingered modelling
I am about as far from a horticulturalist as one can get, my own green space outside my home is more of a nature reserve and home to local wildlife than a garden! The nearest I get to green fingers is when the Woodland Scenics scatter material has stuck to my fingers. This post is an … Continue reading A view from the line #17 the wild flora or green fingered modelling
A view from the line #16 The turners role and facilities
As with many sheds the turntable was a vital part of the set up, engines would usually come on shed be turned, coaled and watered before moving to their allocated shed road prior to their next duty. Depending on the size of shed sometimes physically operating the turntable would have been the responsibility of the … Continue reading A view from the line #16 The turners role and facilities
A view from the line #15 another brick in the wall…
This I suppose only just counts as 'A view from the line' type post as in reality it is a guide to my method of painting brickwork that I have used on all the brick buildings seen on Fisherton Sarum. I tend to construct most of my buildings using embossed plastic, mainly Wills material packs, which have more pronounced … Continue reading A view from the line #15 another brick in the wall…
A view from the line #14 the cleaner rung of the ladder
Fisherton Sarum is set in the time when many boys, if asked about a career, wanted to be an "Engine Driver". The dream of becoming a Driver in charge of crack express such as the 'ACE' or 'Devon Belle' whilst understandable, was not in those days a quick or easy process. For nearly all such drivers the … Continue reading A view from the line #14 the cleaner rung of the ladder
A view from the line #13 creating the impression of depth – effective backscenes
A particular pet hate of mine is viewing layouts that have no backscene, even simple a plain blue or grey painted back board is better that nothing. The last thing I want to see is the clutter behind the layout and the midriffs (being kind) of the operators. A good backscene helps create impression of … Continue reading A view from the line #13 creating the impression of depth – effective backscenes
A view from the line #12 the pressure of signalling the line
The London South Western Railway (LSWR) first started using pneumatic control, rather than traditional wire and point rodding, at Grateley in 1901, utilising the system from the British Pneumatic Railway Signal Company that used low pressure air at 15psi to operate the signals and points. Following this successful trial Salisbury station, that was in the process … Continue reading A view from the line #12 the pressure of signalling the line
A view from the line #11 getting close to the wire..the telegraph wire
One of the characteristic views from the coach window when travelling on our railways , until the late 1970's was the continual dipping and rising of the telegraph wires. Telegraph, telephone and signalling block instrument communications were all carried alongside the line suspended from the iconic multi-arm telegraph poles. Whilst the poles themselves are often … Continue reading A view from the line #11 getting close to the wire..the telegraph wire