Open day haul

 

There was a second-hand stall at our club's open day, so, of course, I was relieved of some cash. Amazingly, not for rubbish, but for tools that I've actually used in the last week!

First up, a roll, and I can't resist tool rolls, of BA sockets on long extensions, plus their handle. There's no makers name, but they run from 0BA to 4BA. Since many nuts and bolts on larger scale models, such as the retaining nut for boat props, are BA, this is much better than messing around with pliers! The nuts on the back of 16mm scale couplings are BA too, which is where Iver used this set. 

The other tool is the smallest engineer's square I've ever seen. 5cm tall on the longest edge, it's so cute!

Useful too. Ideal to get into the smallest spaces on models. Whowever JW was, I hope they are happy that I'm giving this tool a good home. 

 All for a fiver - not bad! 

L&WMRS open day 2025

 

Of course, there was cake. Mountains of it. Plenty for the weekend, and several Thursday evenings as well. However, I spent most of the day on the outdoor track. 

My Peckett enjoyed many circuits hauling the new good stock.  

Despite not running for months, it steamed really well and trundled around perfectly happily. 

There was plenty more action on the track too. 

 

Indoors, all the layouts that could operate, were working, and enjoyed by a lot of visitors. 

There was even something new - a micro layout by Jeremy, with some very fiddly hops. 

 

If you'd like to know more, visit the Leamington & Warwick MRS website. 

Saturday Film Club: Painting old Houses - Process Explained by Francis

Lovely, atmospheric paintings, using some interesting pens. I wish I could doddle that well!

Track and trains in August BRM

 

One of my roles at BRM, is to take on some of the less common projects, and nowadays, making track fits into that category. I've provided a little taste in a four-step project, using C&L parts. Obviously, there is a lot more that can be writen on the subject, at least two books for a start, but maybe this tempts a few to have a go, out of curiosity. 

The camera has been out again. At Glasgow, I shot Dingymere Works. 

This EM layout finally appeared after years of procrastination, and mikey taking from the builders' friends. The result is modest, but really well made. 

Then in the middle of summer, we find the wintry Hounslow Sidings. 

Another micro, but one that is deceptive, thanks to the clever use of mirrors at each end. 

On BRM TV, I'm unboxing some Accurascale wagons. 

 I do what I believe is called "subverting the genre", or maybe, not taking the whole unboxing thing quite as seriously as others online...

 BRM is available from all good newsagents, supermarkets and our online store. 

Garden Rail August 2025

 

What do you bring back from your summer holiday? Andy Christie came back with the inspiration for his garden line – The Olive Branch Tramway. The 45m gauge railway now basks in his Midlands garden, looking stunning, and appreciated by his friends.

With summer upon us, we also take a trip to Bekonscot to enjoy their huge Gauge 1 railway, which runs among the amazing miniature buildings. Just the place for a day out with the family.

In the rest of the magazine:

• We look at the history of Roundhouse's Pooter locomotive
• Build the FR's horse transport, and some coal wagons
• Make 7/8^th scale figures
• Start the construction of an electric steam railmotor
• Create remarkable buildings

There's also a tiny, but very satisfying layout from the USA, and all the latest Product News.

Garden Rail is available from all good newsagents, or the World of Railways store.