Clik here to view.
3 link shunting pole
At the start of the Leamington show, I was missing a vital piece of equipment for an O gauge layout - a shunting pole.Unlike every other model railway layout I've built, the couplings are accurate...
View ArticleClik here to view.
BT&HA Toy Fair 2013
Toys are big business. Just how big a business was brought home to me as I gathered up the free magazines and bag at the entrance to the Olympia exhibition venue on Tuesday. It's a long while since...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Berliner TT Bahnen trains
Funny what happens when people know you are a railway modeller. Mostly they find boxes of old trains in the loft and ask if you know anyone who wants to buy them. Normally, it's a pile of old toy train...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wavemaster build
On my Dad's workbench is a Vintage Model Boat company kit for a Wavemaster. The kit is based on an Aerokits model but with laser-cut frames.Despite this, it still needs a building board - the flat base...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Peanuts mystery
Spotted when looking for a Viewmaster viewer on eBay, a set of slides for the cartoon Peanuts.The picture looks like the characters are visiting a British railway station. The sign is right, the porter...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Barclay Diesel refurbishment
Long time readers of this blog will know that I've built several War Department Barclay diesel locomotives. I've done then in 3.4, 4 and 7mm but always from a Mercian Models kit. It's a nice looking...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Paint stripping without paint stripper
Removing the paint from the WD Barlcay should be easy - it's an etched brass kit so I could dunk it in paint stripper and return the model to bare metal. The right stripper choice was imperative as I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Barclay repairs
The WD Barclay body wasn't in deed of much attention. The air cylinder on the front of the cab had come off and most of the bonnet handles were wonky. One cab corner, presumably the first part to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Army Green
One of the requests for the WD Barclay refurb was that the loco should emerge in green. Which green wasn't specified but I assume that Army green. As it happens, I had a couple of the excellent new...
View ArticleClik here to view.
WD Barclay - Now in green
I must admit that the finished WD Barclay looks very pretty in green with it's red buffer beams. On the Mercian Models stand, it will show up better to any potential customers, which hopefully will...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The future of layout levelling
Spotted at Leamington, the N gauge layout "Meacham" being set up with the aid of both an electronic spirit level and a real one. The electronic version is an iPhone app. Lots of similar versions can be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Auxiliary engine
Having decided that the auxiliary engine (used to start the main engine I presume) supplied in the Fowler kit was too small for the LMS version of the shunter, I had to build a replacement.Needless to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Stafford 2013
Like Leamington, Stafford Model Railway exhibition is one where the organisers look at the weeks weather forecasts with great concern. This year they escaped the snow but that's not always the case -...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Salter Street Toys and Models, Satfford
Just off the main drag through Stafford town centre is Salter Street Toys and Modes - in Salter Street as it happens. While a general toy shop, and not a huge one at that, the range is decent enough....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Book Review: The Isle of Man Railway
This book is unashamedly for Isle of Man railway anoraks. Which is why I bought it as soon as I saw a copy.The book contains the photographs of David Odabashian who took them on his holidays to Mona's...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pilot Boat in Model Boats magazine
It's taken a while, too long to be honest, but the Pilot Boat now appears in Model Boats Magazine. It's not entirely my fault, the kit took a while to arrive and there is an issue (fixed by me in the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
(NOT)Getting ready for BRM Doncaster
All being well, as you read this, we'll be getting ready to head up to sunny Doncaster to take part in the British Railway Modelling show.For the first time in ages, we're taking Melbridge Dock our OO...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Build the Black Pearl
Partwork season is upon us and knowing my interest in the subject, Matt Dawson alerted me to the new Hachette "Pirates of the Caribbean" series. A quick squiz in Leamington WH Smiths left me wanting...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Quiting the exhibition circuit
The sharp eyed will have noticed that we aren't at Doncaster show as previously advertised. Last minute transport problems meant we had to let the organisers down. We don't like doing this. It's the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Humbrol Tool Set
If you put yourself in the mindset of a complete beginner to model making, one of the first problems you will face as you look at your freshly unpacked project is where to find suitable tools to work...
View Article