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Hornby R9060 radio control unit
With my love of Hornby operating accessories, the R9060 radio control unit has long been on my list for the collection.Introduced in 2001 (I think), the set comprises an American style cabin into which...
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Saturday Wireless Club: Experimental Podcast
Something different this week - audio.A few weeks ago, I went to an interesting session on podcasting (downloadable audio presentations, sort of like radio) and came away enthused about the...
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Doncaster 2019 - The photos
Last week, I brought you my Vlog from Doncaster but didn't have time to edit the still photos to go with it. These are now available on Flickr for you. Sadly, not my best selection as I was a bit tight...
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Layout wagons Part 1
Needing a couple of wagons for filming a few weeks ago, I dug in the back of the cupboard and pulled out some Parkside kits - a 25.5ton coal wagon and plywood sided van.After a pleasant evening...
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Layout wagons Part 2 - Lettering
(Photo: Andy York)Sometimes my model making has had to be done on the cheap and while buying wagon kits wasn't too much of a problem, at least for the little layouts I build, sheets of transfers have...
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Warehouse Wednesday: Hawkes Farm
This week a series of photos showing Hawkes Farm - especially the "modern" barns that look very modelable. Now sitting in the middle of a housing estate, the site will soon disappear under more...
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3D printing, Billy Bookcases and 2 layout shoots in BRM
A real find in BRM this month - Steve Bell's amazing layout "Waltham Wharf". Spotted at Llanfair show last year, although it turns out I had seen it a couple of years earlier. This is the sort of large...
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Off to Leamington this weekend
A nice short trip this weekend - into town to display at my club's show. I'm taking some micro layouts and small dioramas which will be on show inside the foyer. I'll be there both days all being well...
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Saturday Film Club: The Never Stop Railway
An interesting little film that appeared on social media earlier this week - The never stop "railway" demonstration at Southend-on-Sea in 1923.According to the NRM, who own the footage, this is from...
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A sunny day at Butterley
Garden Rail hat on, I spent last Sunday at the Butterley Garden Railway as I'd been asked to give a talk at their AGM. Arriving early, I enjoyed watching a fine variety of locos running on the two...
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Fitting Sprat & Winkle couplings
I thought I'd fit some S&W couplings to the layout wagons - they are what I use on layout after all!First, you need a setting up track. This is mine, and it must be well over 25 years old. At one...
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Real or chopped?
Last week, I found myself wandering around the canals in central Birmingham. There, I spotted this boat. And I found myself wondering if it is a real, very short vessel, or a cut'n'shut to decorate a...
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Warehouse Wednesday: Henley in-Arden delivery office
It's a long way from Henley-in-Arden's most beautiful building, but tucked in a back street, this entrance to the sorting office is very modellable and reeks of the early post-war period. Take away the...
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Weathering fit for a layout wagon
To finish off the coal wagon, a bit of weathering. I could have got out the airbrush and spent hours with Maskol making rust patches, but I think that is overkill most of the time. Don't get me wrong,...
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German kit
Perhaps this isn't a surprise to many modellers, but I'd never seen a German version of the classic Airfix platform fittings kit before the weekend, and couldn't resist snapping a photo. I could resist...
View ArticleSaturday Film Club: A trip to the Hornby visitor centre
Did you watch James May's Big Trouble in Model Britain? Well, you'll have seen a little of the Hornby visitor centre and be gagging for a proper look around in the company of two well-respected model...
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L&WMRS show 2019
A busy weekend for me at Leamington. With my club member rather than writer hat on, I'd been asked for a display of small layouts and dioramas.Setting up in the special area that's an odd shape for...
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The return of the Handyman Hall Railway
For the Leamington Show, I dug The Handyman Hall railway out of storage. Despite not having seen the light of day for at least 5 years, it is looking pretty good. One loose figure and some discoloured...
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Minitrains Marvel
Take a bow, Minitrains Plymouth Diesel. Two days solid running - well over 14 hours - without a murmur. OK, I did give it a dose of light oil, but then it hadn't turned a wheel for several years. After...
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Warehouse Wednesday: Door protection
Some interesting details spotted in Birmingham last weekend - protective lumps for the corner of warehouse doors. Presumably to stop drivers whacking them as they come in and out. Cast iron lumps being...
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