Down the club

Regular readers will know I'm a big fan of model railway clubs. Yes, you have to work a bit to fit in, and there are some "characters" who might be a little offputting, but there are also many really good aspects. 

Here's a selection of things spotted at the Leamington & Warwick MRS last Thursday. 

A group were running a production line building Airfix cement wagons. They are being improved with brass bearings and metal wheels. The aim is an attractive train for the OO layout. 

A group were watching a figure painting demo using military modelling techniques, lead by one of our newer members. 

This is a Gauge 1 Drewery Shunter, 3D printed in one piece, and based on a file for a TT scale model. We think a fully running locomotive should cost around £150, including a chassis from Model Engineers Laser. 

In addition, several layouts were being worked on, and people were chatting over tea. 

Not a bad way to spend an evening. 

Warehouse Wednesday: Lisbon warehouses

 

Spotted near the Lisbon waterfront - don't these just look like something Faller would produce as plastic kits? 

Since we were hunting food at the time, I only had the chance for a single quick phone shot, but you can have a better look on Google Streetview.

Little Lisbon trams

Did I go all the way to Lisbon to see trams, and not bring back some souveniers? Don't be daft!

Ryanair luggauge limits, obviously reduce the amount of tat I can put in my suitcase. Useful, as there is a LOT of tat for sale in the city. 

However, I wasn't going to come away entirely empty-handed. So, in the middle, we have an Atlas originals tram bought before the holiday in an Oxford Diescast sale. I like the Atlas trams, it was cheap, and meant I didn't have to find space on the plane. Handy, as there wasn't one for sale in the city itself. Oh no. Nothing nearly as accurate...

At the front, a fridge magnet, to join my collection including the train from Switzerland. 

Behind that, a little model, complete with a bit of overhead, for my mate Tim. He's passed on a couple of little Australian trams from trips, so I return the favour. 

And at the back, a drawing (print) bought in the market, from the artist. I took a photo of him, and will stick it on the back. There's quite a bit of art featuring trams, and some of it is quite fun. I liked this as it's small (A5) and different from anything in the tat shops. 

I did manage to avoid the horrors such as models with bogies though! Maybe next time.