You should have read the instructions

 

A few days ago, I mentioned a spacer that is fitted behind the bufferbeam to set the solebars in place, but the instructions specifically say not to glue in place. I didn't spot this, so by this stage, the offending part is very firmly fixed. 

The reason it shouldn't be there is that the bolt on the back of the coupling isn't long enought to reach through it, and allow a nut to be put on the end. In fact, the end of said bolt is flush with the face of the spacer. And the hole isn't big enough to get the nut in. 

I had a quick poke to see if I could persaude the glue to let go and release the spacer, but nothing doing. I had to make the hole bigger. 

The solution was a screwdriver fitted with a chuck, and 6.5mm diameter drill bit. This was just long enough to let me butcher out the hole so a nut could be fitted in, and the coupling screwed up tight. It's not idea, but it works, and that's all that matters. 

 

Bodgery, but satisfying bodgery. 

 

 

One door opens...

 

 

Some nifty design allows builders to enjoy opening side doors on the Brandbright wagon. The straps on the side are moulded around a brass wire, which you cut so about 2mm sticks out of the side of each. This then sits in whitmetal hinge bottoms. With a bit of tweaking, it all works OK. 

 

So, why have I, someone who loves a working gimmick, glued it all solid? 

 

Well, the idea is sound, but I'm not convinced the hinge bottoms will stay stuck under the floor for a start. Using superglue on them, it all seems a bit fragile. Mayne if they could be screwed in place, I'd be happer. 

 

Being practical though, the wagon is, as the instructions suggest, just more robust with the door firmly fixed with some PVA. I want a wagon that I can use without treating it like fine china. And having the ability to say "hey look, the door can open" isn't a compesation. 

 

So, it's firmly fixed in place, and I don't feel the slightest bit guilty.

Bargain hunting at a small show

I started writing these "haul posts" as a bit of fun, and easy content for the blog. This one though, shows why small shows can be just as entertatining as larger events, perhaps more so if you are searching for bargains. 

Here's the pile from the Stratford Upon Avon Model Railway Show second-hand stall. 

First, a couple of sealed plastic kits. 

Kits from the Hornby "Town & Country" range are always in my sights. Most of the range is stashed away for future builds, probably for the Hornby Collectors Club, but they are good enough for more general use. Many have made it into the Gaugemaster Fordhampton range, and even if they haven't, they are often available second-hand. This was one of three identical kits in the pile. 

The Mini was also one of three, and to be honest, I bought it as a fun to stick together model. At least the finished car won't be huge!

Something very Phil, is this Dutch barge. 

I think it's a modified Artitec Rhine river boat. I thought, there should be a mast up front, but looking at the website, it's a tall bollard. Not bad for a quid. 

Moving on to "collectable" model railway wagons, we start with R137 operating cement wagon. 

In really nice condition with all ladders and printing present. From a box of 50p wagons. The same box R131 wagon with wheel load. I've writen about this in the past, and always liked it. The wheel load is a mix of plain and spoked wheels. Is this original? 

Very handily, there was a R342 car transporter. 

OK, the box is mashed, but I was after the cars. In the future, I have a project that could do with some nice Tri-ang vehicles for the final photo. There are some in my collection, but I have to go and dig them out. For a whole pound, I'll save myself the bother. As an added bonus, I don't have the car transporter in my collection. 

The real gem from the same box is this: 

R561 in really nice condition. The Tri-ang Toys and Pedigree Prams paper sticker is perfect, in fact the whole thing is lovely and clean. There isn't one of these in the collection, and it's always been one I fancy because of the own-brand livery. No box, but for the price I can hardly complain!

A couple of points - I arrived at the show when it opened, but was chatting for 20 minutes before getting to the stall. Also, I did this in two bites, and both times rounded up my bill to both save messing with change, and add a bit more to the club coffers. Considering the bargains I bagged, this is only fair, I'd have paid more over-the-odds but I ran out of cash!

It was nice to see plenty of kits picking up ready-made buildings for peanuts. These will be poridly added to their train sets very quickly, I know that's how I'd have worked!

Back to the main point, there is no way I'd have snagged this lot at a big show. Dealers there can afford to take stock how with them, knowing it will be out again the following weekend. A club stand has to price to sell as once the who closes, so does the opportunity to offload stock. So, if you are being sniffy about a local event, perhaps this might change your mind? 

Stratford Upon Avon Model Railway Show 2025

 

My plans for a toy-train free weekend were thwarted by UK Modelshops newsletter dropping into my In-Box, and alerting me to the Stratford Upon Avon Model Railway Show on a previously free Sunday. 

I've always been of the opinion, often expressed, that if there is a toy train show locally, you should support it. Partly to keep the event viable for the organisers, but also because you never know what you will find. Local shows are where new layouts appear for a first trip out, and with my proffesional head on, sometimes I can bag a shoot, and even an exhibtion booking, before the layout becomes better known. 

Stratford promised 11 layouts, and in truth, apart from the ex-Chris Nevard Combwich West, none were magazine fodder, but they were still interesting. To be fair, nearly all were personal projects, and most still under construction. They worked, but lacked finesse. On the other hand, it was a great chance to chat to the builders and pick up ideas. 

 The "Layout Phil would like to build" award goes to HolyWell Town. A facinating little prototype that even in 4mm scale, fits into eight feet, plus a fiddle yard. There's a lot of operting potential too, thanks to a tiny headshunt, which is slightly longer than the real one!

Llantwy was also rather nice - basically a simple OO, with a 009 extension, that was a mass of nicely modelled cameo scenes that provided plenty for the audience to spot. 

And of course, smaller shows involve home-brewed catering. 

As I came in the door, I spotted some delicious looking chocolate cake, and an hour or so later, having been warned it was running out by one of the members, I sat down for a cuppa to try it out. Declicious - not too sweet and sickly, just how I like it.

So, nice cake, some interesting layouts, a good second-hand stall (more on that tomorrow) and loads of chat. Being a local show, I knew quite a few people and enjoyed being able to catch up with a few friends. A lovely morning.

Saturday Film Club: Warwickshire Lines (Stratford-upon-Avon - Leamington Spa - Coventry - Nuneaton) - DRIVER'S EYE VIEW

While I'm away, you can enjoy some views of trains much nearer home for me. I've travelled on these lines, but have to look out the side window, at lease I do since the removal of those classic DMU's where you could sit behind the driver!