Volks Electric Railway - Car 2

 

Fate sometimes pushes projects your way. Wandering around Bournville show, I found a trader who was new to me - DoubleM Models. 

Most of the range is 3D printed narrow-gauge models. There are also some T gauge trains, which is what caught my eye. At three quid a go, I picked up a couple, and was about to pay, when I spotted in the boxes at the end of the stand, Volks Railway Tramcars 1 and 2 in 4mm scale. 

The VER was one of my Dad's favourite lines. He had travelled on it as a child, and many times since. That included the centenary day, which we arrived at by accident. 

So, what choice do I have, but to buy the kit? I'm sure if he'd been with me, we'd have been leaving with at least one - over the years, we'd discussed, and investigated ways to make a model of the line.  

The kit runs on a Kato 11-109 chassis, and they sell those too. The Kato unit is well known and respected, so a working model is guaranteed. I walked away from the stand with a ligher wallet, but all the bits for a model. 

This one's for you Dad.  

 

Dad update

Thanks very much to everyone who sent me tributes to my Dad when he passed away.

Both here, by email, and over on Facebook and Instagram, the kind comments flooded in. I've made sure that these have been shared with my Mum and sister, who appreciate every single one. 

Dad didn't want a funeral, he hated them, and all the fuss around the day. Instead, we plan to have a small commemoration at the L&WMRS clubrooms, at the end of May, or start of June. All welcome. It won't be a sombre affair; in fact, there will be minimal fuss, just as he would have wanted. You might get some rhubarb crumble if you are lucky, his favourite food!

I'm hoping to have one of his boats on the water, and the 16mm scale coaches he built circling the steam track. The main clubroom idea, is still work in progress. Dad was terrifically proud of the railway club, and all the members have achieved. 

We also hope to arrange for a bench at the boat club, in the spot where he would sit when we went down, ate a chip butty, sailed, and watched the swifts flying around, plucking flies from the air over the boating pool.  

One happy find, is the 3D scan taken of him by ModelU a few years ago.  I have a few figures, and after checking with Alan, expect a few in larger scales to be heading my way soon. All three of us will have a little Dad. It's something to consider if you see the team scanning at a show - this is a lovely record of your favourite people. I look forward to putting mini-Dad's on some models in the future. 

Thanks again for all the tributes and kind words. They really are appreciated. 

Bournville 2026

Last Saturday, I needed a day out. A day out by train. Handily, I promised Andy Christie some time ago, that I'd pay a visit to his show in Bournville. 

The event, as I understand it, is to raise funds to cosmetically restore a Cadbury locomotive, so we were in a church, in the shadow of the famous chocolate works.  

And a very enjoyable show it was too. There were several layouts on my photo list (past, present and future) plus others I just enjoyed. 

Smallwood from the Reditch club is grimy blue diesel territory. There's some nice modelling, especially this shopping centre, complete with nostalgic brands. I have a feeling this might be a future shoot. Lots of angles for a variety of pictures. 

I can't find the name of this layout, but it's French narrow gauge, so by rights, I shouldn't have liked it as much as I do. Some nice atmospheric modelling on show. Apparently it's been around a long while, but this is the first time I've spotted it. 

Todmorden is known to me, and still looks great. I wish the depth of field my phone offers could do justice to this shot. 

 

I've talked to the owner of the Barrel before, and it was originally to be an Andy shoot. Obviously, I'm going to get the chance to have a go in the future with a bit of luck, and I think it will be an interesting challenge. 

How about this? A 1:12 scale carriage, complete with scenery passing by the windows. This is the work of Esha Bijutkar, an incredibly talented young artist. Check her out on Instagram. 

Finally, there was a temporary G gauge railway, with live steam locos running. The church has great faith in the loco owners, as the line was laid directly on the parquet floor!

And cake, of course. 

Victoria sponge or tiny scone? I think both...

All this, plus plenty of good chats, including a couple with people who knew him, about my Dad. 

Best of all, there was a train ride, and a stroll through Bournville, which is fascinating. Just the day out I needed.  

Saturday Film Club: Shock Closure! The UK Model Shop Directory Closes its Doors

Last week, the model railway world was shocked to discover UK Modelshops website had closed down. In this interview, Adrian Hall explains what has happened. 

There is a valuable lesson here. So many hobby websites rely on a single person to operate them. Often, it's a thankless job as disgruntled users will let you know how unhappy they are, without once contributing to keeping the service going. Even Facebook groups suffer this way, with people unable to understand that the moderators aren't offering a 24/7/365 service, for no money. 

Adrian devoted huge chunks of his life to keeping the very useful (I'll certainly miss it) service going. I got to know him while running MREmag, another unpaid (for most of the time) occupation. 

This is relevant, because I, and before me, Andy, find myself defending RMweb becoming a commercial entity. Truth is, Andy sold the forum to Warners because otherwise it would also have disappeared. Costs were rising dramatically, and the work to keep the doors open was more than a spare-time person could handle. 

So, if you use any hobby website maintained by volunteers,  be nice to them. If they say they need donations to keep it running, donate. And please don't give them grief. They are giving up their hobby time to entertain you. 

Off to Doncaster

 
I'm off to sunny Donny today, for The Festival of British Railway Modelling. 

I'll be loitering on the World of Railways stand most of the time, with a few old projects on a table to talk about. 

Please drop in for a chat. If you want to say something nice about my Dad, then that's lovely, but not too much. While I'm not china, and handling it very well (I think), I'm there to talk about model railways and making things. 

And that is what I like to do. 

Looking forward to seeing you at the show!