Clik here to view.
Lots of 3D prints and some recycling in the Spring BRM
Progress continues on my wagonworks project - this time I put together the buildings and scenery. Those two make up the lions share of any model railway, so I've found a few shortcuts to try to ensure...
View ArticleClik here to view.
I got my APT!
I wasn't sure that I'd be adding Hornby's latest version of the Advanced Passenger Train to my collection, so standing outside my local model shop holding the box pleased me enormosly. Nearly enough...
View ArticleSaturday Film Club: Why do you build a garden railway?
Garden Rail regular, Rik Bennet, explains why he built the Peckforton Light Railway. Lovely line, and with some really good invented history. This isn't just about running trains in circles.
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pilot Boat at "speed"
The camera never lies? It does in this case. You'd think my Pilot Boat was racing along, blasting everything out of the way with it's wake. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's slower than...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Brownhills West Station model shop
On a chilly, but bright, February morning, I was visiting the Chasewater Railway's Brownhills West station, and was surprised to see that the model shop found at the end of the platform was open. It...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mazda K360 - Part1: What's in the box?
OK, I promise, this is the last weird Japanese 3-wheeler, but if I can built it, I've completed all the models from the Plaza Japan order that arrived earlier this year. Nothing has found its way into...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mazda K360 - Part 2: Fleshing out the paint.
The Mazda K360 box art shows and attractive two-colour paint job, and as a change from the last two models which came out mucky, I thought I'd have a go at something pretty. First challenge, chose your...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mazda K360 - Part 3: All finished
Here we go - the finished K360. It's not a bad model, but there are some niggles. The clear bits are best described as "interesting". Windcreen fit isn't wonderful, but Ok. The front lights though -...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mystery PO underground train model
Digging in a drawer for an old wagon for use in a magazine article, I found something I'd forgotten I owned. Hardly surpriseing, as it's tiny - but there's no surprises that when I spotted it, I bought...
View ArticleSaturday Film Club: Hythe Pier Railway
I'm told by the maker, that this videois 40 years old. It looks like it was filmed on a tape camcorrder, and so presents a little slice of history showing this fascinating line. Another one to go on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ulfstead Road part 2 in NGW
Part 2 of the article by Richard Awdry (with my photoso) on his grandfathers' 009 "Rabbit Warren" layout - home to many of the narrow gauge engines from the Railway series, appears in the Mar-Apr...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Testing the ultrasonic cleaner
Back in April 2020, I was battling to keep my airbrush clean and tried out an ultrasonic cleaner bought years earlier. It made no difference. MikeB commented: Reading through old posts and saw this....
View ArticleClik here to view.
A suitable tea-stirrer
I like tea. And I like my tea properly stirred, not shaken. Browsing eBay randomly the other day, I couldn't resist a proper railway teaspoon. Branded LMS, I assume it's from a dining car or station...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Warehouse Wednesday: Crew coach
With a few minutes to kill at Princes Risborough station recently, I took a couple of photos of this old coach, now converted to crew accomodation on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Manx magnificence in April's Garden Rail
Sometimes, to find your prototype, you just need to look out of the window. That's what David Mart did when replacing his O gauge garden railway. Taking the Isle of Man, which he can see from his...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tri-ang 12" Racing Yacht re-rig
I like model boats, I collect Tri-ang trains, so it's no great surprise that I own a few boats from the same firm. However, I don't own a yacht, mainly because I'm not into wind-powered craft. But them...
View ArticleSaturday Film Club: Let's talk about coal
A really interesting chat between steam railway managers about coal - the lifeblood of our preserved railways. If you don't understand the costs of getting a chuff-chuff out of the shed, then pay...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Reconfiguring a Wilko inspection pen light
I need to make a coupling pole for 3-link couplings, and as any fule kno, these must be attached to a small torch so you can see what you are doing. Furkling around in the gloom trying to fish for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Precision glue application
You can't have just one 3-link coupling hook, a spare is essential for when you lose or break the first at a show. Hence, I'm converting a smaller torch than yesterday's to do the job. For both, a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Timpdon Models Rolling Stock Putter-Onner
Another bag off the kit pile - this time a useful device to make putting 45mm gauge rolling stock on the track a bit easier. Supplied as a mix of laser-cut MDF and basswood (I think) parts, everything...
View Article