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Seen at Warley
OK, it's late and I'm tired, but here's a selection of goodies spotted at Warley on Saturday.Thank Cross Country Trains and a broken railway system for allowing me to post these rather than using my...
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Lost pliers. Found.
Over 20 years ago, I bought this set of pliers when replacing my tools after a theft. Since then, they have been my constant companion at the modelling board. I know the pivot is a little sloppy and...
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Softening PVA glue joints
My dad's Bismark project continues with the odd instruction to sand 2mm from the side of each aircraft hanger. These were assembled some time ago, so I assume this modification is an error in the...
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Warehouse Wednesday: High Wycome Part 2, Fire Escapes
While at High Wycome, I took the opportunity to take photos of the fire escapes decorating the outside of the warehouses. These are essential details for models, but are frequently missed off, partly...
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Making a stand part 1 - Cutting MDF
Part of the Warley display was to be the series of models I built for the "Wagon in every scale" series in BRM.Showing these off could just mean plonking them on a table, but I wanted to do something...
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Making a stand part 2 - Painting and finishing.
Speed being of the essence with this project, I decided to spray paint the MDF. A quick coat of Halfords grey primer was followed by a trip out to buy a couple of cans of the same companies satin...
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Warley 2016
Warley this year was as ever, very busy and of course, I didn't really get the chance to have a look around much during the weekend, despite having two layouts that could largely look after themselves...
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When you are tired of Warley, are you are tired of life?
I've taken to playing a little game when I visit exhibitions. I like to imagine that my novel has taken off in a massive way, and that I am as rich as Rowling.Then I make a list of stuff I'd have...
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Death of a cutting mat
The time has come for a new cutting mat. Mine is covered in lumps and bumps - I'm working around the leftover blobs of glue and that isn't a good thing. I can't remember how old this mat is but...
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Lorry spotting
Dana from Frozen Ottawa asks:I'm primarily a modeller of things with wings and a modelling friend in the Canary Islands wants to build a diorama of the vehicles in the image attached. Its from an...
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Warehouse Wednesday: The NEC
One of the features I look for in this part of my blog is usefulness to modellers. One thing that is helpful, is to have a building so large,it forms a backdrop to a layout, saving the modeller from a...
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A big station, barns and little lorries in BRM
It's time for a new major project for me in the latest issue of BRM. A few months ago, I was introduced to a 4mm scale model of Stamford East station which had arrived in the magazine stores after...
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Sanding sticks
John asks:Just a small question, if I may? Having read your article on BRM article "Horse Power" I see that you used a interesting abrasive stick (sanding stick) and I wonder where you may have...
View ArticlePeterborough show seen by normal people
Most videos of model railway shows are shot by enthusiasts. Because of this, they tend to be heavy on the trains and don't really capture the essence of the event. This promo film by Warner's video...
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Slot car swapmeet
Back in the 1960s, my dad was a car racer. Specifically a slot car racer at the Luton slot car club. At the time, he helped them build a 120ft long 6 lane track and then enjoyed racing converted Airfix...
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Slot car "shelfie"?
I always like to have a "Layout I'd like to build" winner at every model railway show, well this is the one from the Slot Car Swapmeet described yesterday. A time trial rather than racing circuit, I...
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Hornby trackmat based layout
A few weeks ago, a guy appeared at the railway club wanting help with building a layout for a present. He'd picked up a Hornby trackmat and needed advice on baseboards etc. The track mat is an...
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Warehouse Wednesday: Veron Building
Despite it's outward appearance, the Vernon Building in High Wycome isn't a 1960s office block, it's a series of industrial units. A quick check on-line shows a number available for rent along with a...
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You can't solder to Hornby track, so how do you get the electricity in?
Phil from in front of a layout he is trying to wire says:Arghhh!!! I'm trying to solder wires to some old Hornby track and the stuff won't stick. Even with flux, the solder just smears on the surface...
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What's that on the trackmat?
One reason to use a trackmat (I refuse to call it trakmat) is that it give the appearance of scenery, even just in printed form. There are suggestions for accessories to be placed around the train set...
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