Time for another show, but this one's a large scale event.
Garden Rail has a small stand at the Midlands show this weekend. Not big enough for me to build a garden in thank goodness, I'm still recovering from Glasgow, but I'll still be strolling around in my tweed jacket chatting to people.
If you see me at the show, please come over and say hello.
The last job I intended doing on the NG7 layout, was to build a buffer stop for the end of the siding. It was bugging me that stock could roll off the end, and I thought that end of the layout could do with at least one man-made detail.
It seems that there's nothing available in kit form for this scale. Odd, as Peco produce stops for both 009 and G scale.
Scratchbuilding it is then. I looked at the G scale version and tried to copy this with some spare rail. No dice, Filing the base from opposite sides of a couple of bits of rail, and they the gap when they were brought together still wasn't wide enough to slip over the siding rail. I could make this work if I hadn't already laid and ballasted the track, but I have.
So, I kept things simple. File half the base off a piece of rail, and attach it to the siding with a great big dollop of superglue. The the boards are scribed Plastikard scrap, with some random engraving in the face to simulate wood grain.
I didn't get the uprights quite in line, so make a channel in the back of the boards with a file, and another dollop of superglue fixed it in place. Bolts and other details would be nice, but no-one is going to see them on the layout, so I left them off.
A quick coat of dark brown does for the metal bits, and back. Dull signal read, dry-brushed with a lighter shade and then washed with Agrax earth shade completes the job.
All in all, a quick and fun project with adds something to the layout. I wish all projects were so simple and effective!
Last week, I took myself off for an early morning bus ride, and the first stop was in Shipston-on-Stour. Strolling around the town centre, I spotted this fine building in a side street.
According to Jess, The Cotswold blogger:
Sheldon's Wine Cellar in Shipston on Stour has operated as a wine merchant since 1842. Edward Sheldon's supplied fine wines to universities, religious orders and officers' mess rooms across the Empire. They have ledgers going back 100 years and it would seem that back in the day, the vicar of Halford order 6 gallons of gin every 6 weeks! Shipston has a phenomenally high water table and in 2007, Sheldon's ancient wine cellar flooded to waist height. They lost some 14,000 bottles.
OK, I can't see this being of immediate use to most modellers, but it's a nice looking building, and would sit nicely in a model town. The gateway could certainly be copied for your own model.
My first decision with the Jag, was to leave the body alone. It's shiny, but not too shiny. This is 7mm scale, and so a cherished car would enjoy a little shine. No need for my standard spray everything with matt varnish here.
Looking at photos, I worked out which bits of the bumpers should be black, I used matt and should have probably gone satin, if I could find the paint, and "chrome". I didn't use chrome of course, I think I picked up a pot of matt aluminum for embelishments, including the screen surround and wing mirrors. Actually, thse were black, until I found a pretty close match to the model and realised they should be silver. Prototype research is always worthwhile.
Inside, the cream plastic has been painted cream, the dash binnacle is black, and the dash face, a sort of woody colour.
My favourite touch is to wash the wheels with black Citadel ink, which has highlighted the spokes nicely. Strictly speaking, some of these could be gold, but I didn't like that look, so left them silver.
The back end is more of a problem as the rear lights are wrong, but painting the brake ones red, and washing the whole lot with the black ink tones it down a bit.
Finally, the numberplates come from an online generator, and are printed to the right size and glued in place.
OK, this isn't the most amazing model, but with an evenings worth of painting, it sits in the scene very nicely. There, but not too gaudy. Good job I didn't buy a red one!
Spotted years ago in the Manx Electric Railway museum, this poster/map is a little worse for wear, but I don't think I've seen it anywhere else before, so as I don't have anything better for today, here is it. Click on the image for a larger version.
Since I'm in Glasgow, let's head back in time to take a look at the underground railway.
If everything is going to plan, as you read this, I will be in Glasgow for Model Rail Scotland.
The plan will be to take along the now finished NG7 layout, and for me to stand around chatting about trains, while eating empire biscuits. Fingers crossed it all works.
If you are coming to the show, please drop by the new-look World of Railways stand and say hello.
I've left the NG7 layout along this month, as I wanted to build a model spcifically to take to shows. The fantastic Buggleskelly Station N gauge windmill is the subject of my main build in this issue.
The biggest problem with the kit is that it's so good, I need to find more to write about than simply slotting the parts togther - so we have so clever painting, inovative baseboard material and a button to allow the audience to make the sails go around.
We're worried about dirt - so I've converted an O gauge Dapol van into a track cleaning wagon.
And while I'm at it, for BRM TV, I'm also talking about track cleaning methods.
Is this the first issue where I haven't built a model in 4mm scale?
Anyway, the camera has been out with all the layouts in this issue being ones I've shot.
First, we have the N gauge "Horton".
And finally, in what we called O16.5 back then, "Books Bridge".
As ever, BRM is available from all good newsagents, or our online store: www.world-of-railways.co.uk
A useful little photo, especially if you need to build a narrow gauge buffer stop, like me.
This one is found on the Talyllyn Railway, and is possibly a little heavier than normal to stop stock exiting off the end of the raised area beside the standard gauge line. TR stock might not be that heavy, but better safe than sorry. Mind you, there's not a lot in the way of angled metalwork bracing things, so those bits of rail must be well buried.
This reminds me, I could do with a point lever too...
I'm always suprised that people read this blog, but it seems they do.
When I wrote about issues with the wheels on a wagon kit I'd looked at building, Steve from Bole Laser Craft was looking in, and at Doncaster, presented me with these 24mm diameter replacements.
Following this, when I get back to work, Ken from Brandbright made an offer to do the same!
It seems that people out there want to lift me out of my modelling gloom. I can't say how much I appreciate this. We really are part of one big community, looking out for each other. And of course, I'll do my best to pay it forward, and help someone else.
All this is fantastic, but not the most exciting set of wheels from the weekend.
Andy Kundick presented me with a tiny plastic bag, containing a set of 3.5mm diameter wheels - these are the missing pony wheels from the Saltford Models "Polar Bear" kit he passed on to me a year ago that he'd found in another kit box. I've been looking for replacements, to no avail. These are really tiny, and even the N gauge world seems to go no smaller than 6mm!
With all these wheels, I'm running out of excuses to move on with projects. Well, apart from visiting a lot of shows in the next couple of weeks. But after that...
Obviously, I can't help haunting second-hand stalls. The club stand that furnished me with the Hornby German coaling stage, also served up a couple of original 16mm scale Cooper Craft wagon kits on the Sunday afternoon. I spotted them earlier and wasn't that worried, but at seven quid each, they were a bit of a bargain, and I do like building them, so since no one else wanted them, they came home with me.
More useful, was some large (Size 4) brushes from Brushes4You - a company supplying excellent brushes at reasonable prices, who don't have a website. They attend lots of shows however, so supply isn't an issue. I have a lot of small brushes from the company, but recently found myself lacking something capable to covering a reasonable area, this is now sorted.
On a whim, I picked up some lining brushes at the same time, out of curiosity. Sign-writing fascinates me, and I'd just like to have a play with the tools.
These weren't the only goodies from the show though. More of that tomorrow.
Seven days ago, I was half way through a busy weekend in Doncaster. Numbers were up, the trade seemed happy, and our new stand looked magnificent. All the panels light up so it really catches the eye, which might have helped sell more subscriptions than normal. Well, that and the free rucksack on offer.
I am particually pleased with the seven foot square shot of St John's I took last year for a feature. OK, the camera could really do with more pixels for this sort of thing, but viewd from the aisle, it looks cracking.
My little NG7 found a space in the corner, and I spent the weekend chatting about the model, how and why I built it, and generally waffling about the hobby. James Finister commented on his blog that it attracted loads of children, and maybe this is partly the size of the models. I'll admit that kitbashing the station is a project I've really enjoyed, and the result is very pretty.
Being a top celebrity type, it fell to me to be interviewed by The Yorkshire Post - you can see the results here.
I shot four layouts, but didn't have much time for other picture taking, but here's a few.
Tony Wright had a few O gauge bits to sell off for charity.
The Hornby Live Steam club showed an interesting cutaway model.
And the owner of Llanfair Caereinion was away from the layout for a few minutes.
But what about cake? To be honest, I didn't find any at the show. There was probably some in the food court, but I didn't look properly. Not to worry, Saturday night involved a trip to Whitby's Fish and Chip restaurant, organsied by Elaine's Trains for a select gathering.
Dinner started with haddock, chips and Yorkshire guacamole.
Delicious! The only trouble was that the 13 of us used up all thier large ice cream glasses!
Shot in 1971, and turned into a film in 1974, this is the last vestiages of industrial railwyas, and steam in the UK. If nothing else, there is some terrifying health and safety!
Another find for the Hornby Collectors Club series - R191 Coaling stage.
As a kid, I actually built this kit. It probably cost a bit less than I paid for the second-hand, but looking complete, version. I doubt I worried too much about the prototype accuracy, just being glad to build a plastic kit for my train set.
Let's be honest, this looks nothing like a UK coaling stage. The little crane (quite a nice set of mouldings) and timber framed brick base says Tyrolean to me, but then I'm no student of German architecture. The smoke deflectors poking into the side of the photo give the game away a bit too.
Does this matter? Well, for my purposes, no. What I'm doing is transporting readers back to a time when Hornby fobbed customers off with random German kits that didn't have any basis in Blighty. Not that this would have worried young Phil much.
Garden lines have to contend with a lot, but as the name suggests, The Turtle Creek Line has a few unique challenges. Rabbits, horses, giant tortoises, and of course, an Australian Snake-necked turtle, are all part of the scenery for this G scale line.
We take a look at Archangel's first coal fired steamer, 'Jack' and renovate a Locobox 'Isabel' steam loco.
On the workbench, we build an electric Harrods delivery van, and take you step-by-step through designing your first wagon for 3D printing. If you fancy some heavyweight building, our team reviews Model Engineer's Laser kit for a Talyllyn flat wagon.
Finally, we include a FREE showguide for the Midlands Garden Rail show.
All this and more, including all the latest product news, in the March issue of Garden Rail.
Garden Rail is available from all good newsagents, and online: www.world-of-railways.co.uk
A trio of photos from my visit to the famous Scottish station back in 2008. The top view replicates the classic photos that we've all seen with sidings where that big pile of wood is.
The sidings were where I'm standing to take the photo.
In the blue diesel days, this would have been a Class 26 on a couple of coaches.
But, the tank sides both exhibit a weird bubbling under the paint.
Does anyone have any idea why? The rest of the model is fine. If I've followed my normal practise, the resin body will have been primed with Halfords primer, then the the top coat is enamel.
For the moment, I'm going to pretend it's a clever weathering technique.
Anyway, I skip the big fat hardbacks generally. Either I've already got a copy, or can't justify getting rid of something already in the library to free up space. More to the point, you see the big books all the time. Little pamphlets though - they tend to come and go, never to be seen again.
And these were cheap, mostly 50p each. Bargain!
A quick list:
Shire Album 167 - Steamboats. A nice potted history of the steamboat, with some interesting pictures including a few Puffers. Lots of river launches, a type of boat I always think looks so elegant. My dad built one years ago, and in the stash, are bits for at least one more.
The Groudle Glen Railway, Its history and restoration. From 1993 I think, I already have a copy somewhere, and it has been superseeded by the much fuller, hardback history, but a spare copy is always handy.
Amberley Chalk Pits Museum guide and stock list. A first edition from 1987 no less - and it's got a picture of "Polar Bear" on the front cover, so of course I was going to buy it. While the text shows its typewriter origins, the photos inside are nicely reproduced, and cover just my sort of prototypes.
Climax Patent Geared Locomotive reproduction catalogue "L". Interesting stuff with lots of geared loco pictures, including versions with an all-over cab I've not seen before.
Vale of Rheidol Railway guide. I don't know why, but I keep aquiring VoR stuff. Anything with big narrow gauge steam locos in matt BR blue appeals to me. It's many years since I visited, time to go back I think.
On the Trail of the Titfield Thunderbot by Simon Castens. This pamphlet, published in 2000, has long been replaced by the authors superb hardback book on the subject, but there are some interesting pictures, and it's a far more potted history, and very handy. I'm not saying I have a project in my head, but if I did, this would be what I'd take to shows.
The Wainwright P Tanks by Klaus Marx. I've just bought a P Class, and have a couple of kit built versions as well, and this book has some interesting photos. Even if I ignore the locos, the backgrounds are facinating. The only questions, is do I have this already?
Glyn Valley Goods 16mm scale drawings by Vernard Rockett. Another that I might have somewhere, but as it's a superb collection of drawings, I wasn't going to take the risk.
Train Shed Cyclopedia No.9. War and Standard Locomotives and cars (1919). This one isn't for me, I'll be passing it on to my make Chris "Overlord" Mead as he's into this wartime stuff. Probably a bit early for him, but I know he'll enjoy it, or know someone who will. Chock full of plans and photos, so a useful resource.
Transport Age 20. Published in 1962, this is an internal publication from the days when railways looked to the future with optimism. Full of stuff most people don't care about, such as an article on the telephone and teleprinter services the railwasy used, and transit for the Woolworth empire in the UK. Lovely picture on the cover too.
Is this all rubbish? Is it just me who can't resist the leaflet boxes?
I've often said that I love little shows every bit as much as big ones. It's often at the smaller events that you find unusual layouts, interesting trade, and delicious cakes.
Needing a bit of a shopping trip for the NG7 layout, when I spotted that the Trent Vally 7mm NG group were putting on a show just over an hour away, I thought it would be well worth a trip. And I wasn't wrong.
If I'm honest, I spent an awful lot of time chatting. I got in when the doors opened, left when they closed, and still hadn't given each layout the attention they deserved. On the other hand, I'd bought some books from an estate sale, picked up some of the shopping list for the layout, and shot "Wheal Ponder" for a future issue of BRM, so a productive day.
Under construction was this 16mm scale Inglenook project. It ticks a box for a layout I'd like to build. Something a bit scale with scenery in 16mm with 32mm gauge track appeals to me as a future project, and it's nice to see this in a 4ft long space - I could fit that in. One day.
There are a couple of layouts beyond this I didn't get the chance to point a camera at, but as I say, there was much chatting.
And cake. Pre-show advertising promised cake and bacon butties - and the delivered on that.
In my current state of being low on modelling mojo, this event was just what I needed. My willpower kept me away from buying more projects from the second-hand table, but I saw lots to inspire me. Mt Dad has said int he past, and he's right, that were we exhibiting a layout nowadays, it would be something oddball and narrow gauge. Just like the ones in this hall.
Another one of my videos, initially made for BRM TV subscribers - this time ruining a perfectly good ready-to-run wagon. Put it back in the box Parker, you've destroyed its resale value!
In the back of my car should be, if it all fits, the new NG7 layout, looking a bit more complete than it did at the NEC last year.
As ever, please stop by the World of Railways stand for a chat. I'm always pleased to meet blog and magazine readers.
More details of the show here.
(Yes, I know the date on the logo is wrong, but I didn't have time to change it)
A recent discussion in Garden Rail, has prompted me to dig out my old Mamod SL1 locomotive for a couple of photos.
This was the model that got me into garden railways. It arrived on Christmas as a present to my Dad and me from my Mum. As a kit.
As I recall, it was a very long time ago, she thought that if we tranferred some of our railway modelling enthusiasm to the outdoor world, she'd get some help in the garden. I'm not sure that building a timber viaduct down 30 feet of it was quite what she hoped.
We built the loco, and enjoyed it, but like all Mamod SL1's, it's a bit uncontrollable, the later models were much better for this. The lever in the front does back and forward, and speed control, but with "control" in very small letters. I don't think we ever managed to pull a train with it, but when the train is made up of lightweight Cooper Craft wagons, that's no real surprise.
Looking at the model, it's very attractive. Nicely proportioned, and with a reasonable mix of toy and model. Ours is set to 32mm gauge, which I think suits it. I do have the bits for a 45mm conversion, but as part of this involved packing the cylinders out from the chassis with a pile of gaskets, I think I'll leave it alone.
Digging through a packet of old photos, I found this interesting and very modelable building. Part of me wonders if I've shared it before, but I don't have time to check, and anyway, it's a lovely thing.
I have a feeling this is somewhere near Wallingford, judging by the other photos in the packet - but then these tend to get mixed up as in the good old days, you'd have part-exposed films kicking around waiting to be finished off before sending them for developing. For many people, pictures from more than one sunner holiday could be on the same film. Nowadays, with free digital fil, you wouldn't make those 24 shots last so long!
Oh dear.
While they fit in the castings, there's no way those holes will accomodate the 3mm diameter axles. It looks like the previous owner spotted this, and tried to file some of the ends to pinpoints, just like we do in smaller scales.
In this one however, we are left with a rounded off axle end or two, that don't stand a chance of running in the bearing. Worse, there's not enough meat to sit properly in there if I open out the hole.
So, it's back in the box with this kit. A note is written on the outside reminding me I need some new axles, if not wheels. The perils of buying second-hand kits!
I didn't want anything that was too involved - no soldering or spray painting.
On the shelf is this Brandbright kit for an open wagon.
It seems complete, and with 45mm gauge wheels too, a bous as I want to increase my stock in this gauge for use behind steam locos. OK, the box is a bit battered, indicating a second-hand purchase, but that will go in the recycling anyway, so it doesn't matter.
Fingers crossed.
