Saturday Film Club: A history of Lego trains
After yesterday's collectables, let's have some more bricks from Denmark. This film is mesmerising if you were a Lego building child. I remember some of the sets shown in the middle of this. Mostly...
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The Virtual Model Railway show
A few weeks ago, I pondered what the model railway world would be like without exhibitions. Well, we are now in that world so we'll see what happens.One event that appeared very quickly was the Virtual...
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Wiring looms
Time to add some wires to Polar Bear. The basic circuit is pretty simple - batteries wired to the motor via a DPDT switch which will handle direction and on/off duties.There is an added complication...
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Hand clamps
Stupid curved locomotive body. Those panels need to be held very firmly in place, even after many hours bathing in water to make them a little flexible.Holding the things is a nightmare. In the end, I...
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Waterbourne Wednesday: AB160
I like this boat because it's so normal. You'll find dozens of similar vessels on any quayside. According to the registry, she was built in 1984 and is called Lillian. Her actual use is a bit of a...
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Cleaning the airbrush
One thing I am rubbish at is keeping my airbrush properly clean. I blast cellulose thinner through followed by airbrush cleaner. I even leave some of the later in the system (some in the cup) when it's...
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Beware geeks bearing gifts
Some time ago, I was on the receiving and of a load of chunky plugs and sockets. I love these things as they are far easier to wire up than micro versions from the IT world, and there is something very...
View ArticleLego Wuppertal
Yes, I know it's another Lego post, but how amazing is this Wuppertal monorail? ]OK, it's a bit slow, but fascinating. Well, I liked it anyway.
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I might as well build the b****y thing then!
I've been trying to thin down my stash of unstarted projects. Like most of us, I've accumulated kits that no longer fit into my future plans. Kits like this Airfix Peugeot 206.I bought it because I had...
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Polar Bear paint planning
How to paint the wooden Polar Bear?I had some ideas, but handily, sides are provided for both locomotives on the line, so I could use the Seal Lion one as a test piece. Painting wood can be...
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Luggage rack
A prominent feature of the real Polar Bear is the set of handrails on the top of the battery boxes. In the instructions, these are described as a "luggage rack", although this seems odd as the railway...
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Waterborne Wednesday: Boxy house boat
OK, this isn't a beauty this week - a houseboat found on the river that runs through Toronto Island. While not an obvious choice for a model, I can see a good reason to have a go. These things are...
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Tenterden shop kit
Another model from the kit stash. This City Streets kit came my way a few years ago, I think from a blog reader whose name I can't find no matter how long I dig through my e-mail. I remember soma happy...
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The railcar that almost got away
I don't have many regrets as far as buying RTR models are concerned, but one that did bug me was the Ixion "Coffee Pot" railcar.The prototype was found on the Picki Ricki railway in Australia. I've...
View ArticleSaturday Film Club: Peel station & a walk around the sheds
This weekend should see the rush hour on the Isle of Man Railways. Sadly, all that sort of thing is now cancelled, but instead, enjoy a look around Peel Station in the company of Sam Knight of the Manx...
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Back to 1993
I've been scanning in a few old photos from my first trip to the Isle of Man. Things have certainly changed in 27 years:Hutchinson in the blue livery I really likeViking in actionNo1 in the...
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Wheel inserts
The camera is cruel. The paintwork on Polar Bear doesn't look that bad in real life.Anyway, the photo is to show the wheel centres. When I look at prototype photos, the 5 holes in the wheels really...
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Figure fitting
Like all the Groudle Glen locomotives, Polar Bear isn't very big. The cab is definitely compact and bijou. Fitting a model driver in was going to be interesting.I bought a couple of Modeltown figures...
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Waterborne Wednesday: River container vessel
Not a great photo this one, and sadly not a shot of a real boat. This model in the Hong Kong Maritime museum shows a river container boat - the tiniest container boat you're likely to find and a...
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Off to the Isle of Man in the latest issue of Garden Rail
Something unusual in the May issue of Garden Rail - a photoshoot by me for the lead layout.While on the IOM last year, I got chatting to Ian Beech, builder of The Lighthouse and Gorsebank Railway. This...
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