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Chuffing up Fawley Hill
A couple of weeks ago, thanks to a contact from Garden Rail, I managed to get myself into Fawley Hill, the late Sir William McAlpine's estate. The place is amazing. Most railway enthusiasts managed to...
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Raised panel detail
All the raised panel details are supplied as laser-cut card frets which need to be carefully removed and stuck into place. The instructions suggest using spraymount, but that pongs, and I've only got...
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Power sanding in the odd corners
The trouble with sanding sealing wood, is that it raises the grain, which then has to be sanded back for a smooth finish. No complaints, that's how the stuff is supposed to work, but sometimes it's a...
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Warehouse Wednesday: Menier Chocolate Factory
A recent trip to London has furnished me with a few "Warehouse Wednesdays" that actually meet the definition. The first is the Menier Chocolate Factory, now a performing arts venue, but owes it's...
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Paint and green lines
Stuffed with newspaper and masking tape, the coach body was treated to a couple of coats of Halfords white primer, followed by some satin clear laquer from the same source. This went well, and showed...
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Catalina spotting at Wellesbourne
I'm not really an aircraft nerd, but I do find them interesting. My dad is much more of a fan and a particular favourite of his is the PBY-Catalina seaplane. Not a common 'plane at the best of times,...
View ArticleSaturday Film Club: RH&DR 95th Anniversary Steam and Diesel Gala - the team!
Time to look at the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, but instead of focusing on the trains, although there are plenty of these, look at the people who run the line.Without the people, there are no...
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Random thoughts about new TT
The news that Peco are going to re-introduce a TT range came as a complete surprise to me. There have been rumours that Hornby has looked at doing this, and even that one of the newer manufacturers has...
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Striking lucky with transfers
Here's a bit of luck, or perhaps my penchant for not throwing things away finally paid off. The coach needs Garden Rail logos. In the past, I've printed them on one of the special sheets that can go...
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Wheels on
With the bodywork nearing completion, it's time to add the wheels. Solebars are made up of two plywood laminations to produce a nice chunky piece of wood. Onto these, the whitemetal axleboxes are...
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Warehouse Wednesday: Central London
So there I am heading towards Borough Market, and passing through an arch, I spot the most magnificent warehouse. If it wasn't for the museum sign, and all the people, this could pass as a photo from...
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Safety first in Garden Rail
As we spend more time in this hobby, our interests can change, and so it was that Richard Barwick transformed his line from its typical LGB-based German theme, to something that reminded him of...
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Warehouses, telephone boxes, dirty buses and lots of photos in BRM
It's a busy month for me in BRM July 2022. Starting on the workbench, we have part two of the layout in a box refurbishment. This time I'm working on the buildings and developed a technique to turn...
View ArticleSaturday Film Club: Original X-Wing Model from Star Wars
Star Wars was an important film for me. Aged 7 when it first hit the screens, it was like nothing I'd ever seen before, but I was captivated. Looking closely at the props from the days when they...
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Le H&M Duette
I spent a three days in Brussels last week, and am currently paying for it in trying to catch up with my work. I promise I will bore you with photos later. Anyway, I stopped off at the flemarket that...
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Wiggly tin roof
IP Engineering supply a nice laser-etched roof for the coach kit, but I'm not sure which way up it should be fitted. Etched lines up, and it will need covering with tissue, but would represent the...
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The new Garden Rail sales stand is open for business
And with that, the job was done and our sales stand is open for business. The posters, shrunk GR covers, bring the front to life a bit more. I should be able to peel them off for replacement in the...
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Grand Palance Models - Brussels
Of course I typed "Brussels Model Shops" into Google when I planned to visit. Sadly, the only one within striking distance in the time available was Grand Palace Models, but I couldn't resist a visit....
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Cooper Craft 16mm station bench seat
Considering how much I (generally) love Cooper Craft kits, and that I'm moderatly interested in garden railways (!), it's taken a long while for Kit 3021 - Station Seat, to land on my workbench. I...
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Getting ready for the NGRS
Today, I should be heading toward the East of England showground for The National Garden Railway Show. As usual, the plan is to build a garden railway in the afternoon, which will run for the duration...
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