Sunday, November 03, 2024

Great British Model Railway Show 2024

 

Phil Parker

Did I mention I've been on holiday? Well, due to my incompetance with a calendar, on the Saturday of the GBMRS, I was on an epic trip from the middle of Switzerland to home. 

Plan B had been to recruit a couple of people to stand in for me on the first day, but those I had in mind weren't available. So an embarassing email was sent to the organiser, promising that I'd be there on the Sunday only. 

This is despite not arriving at the local station until 11:25pm. Fortunatly, a mate gave me a lift back home, in return for some chocolate, but this still meant an early start on the Sunday. Thank goodness the clocks went back. 

I had prepared most of my display before leaving, and wrote a list of stuff I'd forgotten, while away. So I was waiting for the doors to open at the show, and quickly, with the aid of the building manager who found me a table, set up ready for some chat. 

And chat I did. Like any good demo, hardly any modelling was achieved - two bits of a Metcalfe building were glued together. 

Thanks to everyone who dropped by for a chat. Sorry if I wasn't at my absolute best, but the previous days trip was catching up with me by the end of the day. 

I didn't have time to take photos of the layouts either, so here's a land speed record motorbike that was by the door we walking an out of for loading. 

Vroom!

Saturday, November 02, 2024

Saturday Film Club: The Story Of The Real FAB 1!

The story of the real, iconic, pink Rolls-Royce, used to promote the Thunderbirds films. This film covers bit the original, proper one, and the more modern version. Some nice behind-the-scenes photos and films too.

Friday, November 01, 2024

That's not a model shop!

 


You're going to be hearing a lot about my recent Swiss holiday on the blog - partly because I enjoyed it, but mostly because prepering to be, and being, on holiday, hasn't left much modelling time. 

Anyway, here's the first post.

Arriving on Lucerne station, what do I see, but a Bachmann shop.

Is it full of model trains? 

Nope. 

Sadly, this is the boys from Barwell branching out. Pity really, as I was looking forward to some rather tasty review items from them...

As it is, I can say the vanilla donut was delicious, but it took ages to clean all the icing sugar off my clothes afterwards!

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Hedges, backscenes and track in December's BRM

Some good, basic, railway modelling from me in the latest issue of British Railway Modelling magazine. 

Starting with track, we all have to lay it, so I'm using the NG7 layout (I must come up with a name) build to demonstraite a few techniques. Doubtless, some with feel that is all a bit simple, but if you are a beginner, then hopefully, I'm helping. And as ever, I try to drop something in for the more advanced modeller too. 

Next, we have a walk-through of the options for layout backscenes, including why it's a good idea to have one!


Finally, some budget hedge making, so show that this hobby doesn't need to cost a lot of money. 

I've been out with the camera again, this time shooting our lead layout, Sharnbrook Summit. 

As a bonus, I also took a load of video, which forms one of the features for BRM TV, as seen by subscribers. There's a lot of action!

BRM is available from all good newsagents, or our online store: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/Store/Latest-Issue/british-railway-modelling


Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Warehouse Wednesday: TEA wagon

TEA Wagon

Spotted at the Great Central Railway, and destined for preservation I hope, A TEA wagon. Sadly, not a wagon full of tea, but one introduced in 2001 to carry fuel. 

Because I am a bit thick, I don't know what TEA stands for, and digging around online hasn't helped much. There are lots of models, and it seems the prototypes vary a bit, but explain the acronym? No chance. 

Anyway, wagons like this are a vital part of the rail network, but preserving a block train would be a big ask. However, as the GCR seem to be able to run the Windcutter 16ton mineral set, and some oil tankers, maybe this will one day be thindering along the line behind a preserved Class 60?