Saturday Film Club: Talking model railways with Pete Waterman

Recorded during the L&WMRS reopening weekend, an interesting interview with Pete W. He was on good form that day, we'd already enjoyed a bit of banter over a cup of tea, but this is a proper interview.

Driver Phil

 

What should I get someone for their birthday? How about a little model of me. 

Obviously, this is what everyone wants, especially my friend Ken. This isn't ego on my part, but simply when we'd been running on his line, I gave the Rob Bennet make mini Phil I carry around at all times (that's not weird) a trip around the line in his AnDel Models gas-mechanical. 

Little Phil fitted in the cab perfectly, and Ken decided he'd like one as a driver in the diesel. Now, we can't have Editor Phil getting his tweed jacket dirty, what is required is Driver Phil

I had a couple of spare models, and so quickly painted one up with something a bit closer to enginemans overalls, and a suitable wash of dirt. 

As expected, Driver Phil is a perfect fit, and Ken is delighted. The figure is Blu-Tacked into the cab, carefully positioned to allow access to the on/off switch. 

Now, where can I get one of those locos? Ken's is a really lovely performer with its remote control. Time to start watching the second-hand market. At least I know where I can find someone for the cab!

A family affair in October's Garden Rail magazine

 

Grandpa William enjoys a fine-looking garden railway, and so do three generations of his family who are now taking the time to share it with the public to raise money for charity. Our photos transport you back to sunny days as you read how this lovely line was built.

On the workbench this month:

• Building a Boot Lane Works tram kit
• Laser cutting to produce bespoke nameplates
• Building skips wagons
• Free files to produce LNWR water cranes and towers
• Horses for railway trains

We also take a look at the Bachmann G scale loco that changed the world, as well as all the latest news for large-scale model railway enthusiasts.

Warehouse Wednesday: Tenterden Town Signal Box

 

My favourite signal box. I've loved it since I first saw it as a kid in the 1980s, and it's still pretty much perfect as far as I am concerned. 

According to an online history:

On 27th October 1968, the Saxby & Farmer signal box at Chilham, on the Canterbury West to Thanet line, was decommissioned. The timber cabin was subsequently dismantled and moved to Tenterden Town, where it was re-erected upon a new red brick base at the southern end of the layout in 1973, ten yards from the level crossing. The cabin’s 23-lever frame, also an original relic from Chilham, was interlocked to operate a host of recovered Southern Railway-designed upper quadrant semaphore signals.

So, it's older than I am, and has spent nearly my whole life in position on the K&ESR. 

To me, the proportions are spot on, and the size ideal. I don't know why I like it, but I do. How about a kit someone? 

 

Rubbish. I bought rubbish

 

Angry Phil. My old lighters for steam engines had pretty much packed up. So I went to The Range and bought three more. 

Took them to a steaming session in the afternoon. None lasted more than dozen clicks before we were getting no flame out of the top.

Yes, I know I should take them back and not break the tops off in frustration, but somedays I can't help it. 

I now have a blowtorch lighter. We'll see if that lasts longer.