Squeezing the seats in

 

3D printing is a marvellous thing, but it can throw up some issues. 

In an effort to provide as complete a lump as possible, the designer can cause the builder a few problems. For example, painting around the seats on the end would have been a whole lot easier if they were separate parts that were then glued together -  a kit, in other words. This isn't the only model I've found this problem with, and I wonder who much it's the designer focusing on the finished model, and how much the customer needing (wanting?) to avoid having to assemble anything. 

An extra problem here is that the seats drop inside the sides, pretty much perfectly. You can do that in CAD, but when the modeller sticks glazing material inside those sides, the space for the seats, is less than the length. Not much, just over 1mm, but enough to stop them fitting. 

I ended up breaking off the seat support at one end, sticking this in place, then shortening the seat itself, before fitting it. Not a big problem, although you do need to be careful when cutting resin as it's brittle, but niggling. 

Anyway, job done. Figures are all Hornby ready-painting, as I rescued them from an old project. They needed to lose their legs below the knee to fit, but as they are made of a rubbery plastic, that's a few seconds job.  

Warehouse Wednesday: Cadbury buildings

 

A mop-up of interesting views around the Cadbury factory. All should be clickable if you'd like a closer look. 

Spot the Creame Egg car.

 

The wrong transfers, for the right reasons

 

Despite painting this VER in the wrong livery, I have been doing a little research. And that research shows me that the livery varies between cars, even today. While the body colours remain the same, the typeface used at the ends seems to vary. 

To make things even more interesting, I can't find any transfers available that match. So, it's a case of commissioning something, which will take ages, or using the closest I have in my stash. Which is what I have done for the VER.  

Under the letters, there should be a number, and I was really struggling to find something suitable, until I dug out a sheet that my Dad had bought many, many years ago, to letter a London E2, the first whitemetal kit he ever built. Now, pedants will point out that it looks nothing like those on the real VER cars, but it is the right size. So I'm going to use it. 

I love the idea that mt Dad has had a little input into this project, and that matters more than perfect fidelity. Besides, hardly anyone will actually notice.  

Making Peco OO9 slate wagons go around really tight curves

 

My railway under a cake cover goes down very well at shows. The only whinge is that the Peco tippers are a bit of a fiddle to couple up, as they all have Bemo couplings, and keeping them on the track whilst shoving them hard enough to couple up isn't easy. 

Salvation should have come in the form of the same company's slate wagons. These are designed to be used in rakes. There is a simple loop and pin between each wagon, and you can replace this with a supplied Bemo at the end if you want. 

So, I put them, on the track, and set the loco moving. They fell off. Again, and again. Fortunately, the hoppers ran all weekend perfectly.

Now, the problem with the cake cover railway is that the curves are very tight. I used Peco flexi track, as the set track isn't tight enough to fit. And I bent it around my knee to produce something that would fit. 

Back home, I investigated. Moving the wagons around, it seems my curves are just a little severe for the hook and look couplings. They seem to bind at the extremes. 

So, with nothing to lose, I thinned down the outside of the loop with a fine abrasive. Not a lot, just enough for the coupling to work more loosely. At the same time, I gently carved out a little material from the inside of the loop with a sharp knife. The amount removed was tiny, I'd guess less than 0.1mm, but it seemed to do the job. The hook ran much more smoothly around in the loop. 

The results were good, but not perfect. But, these are very light wagons, so I cut some bits of lead flashing so they fitted in the bottom, and allowed the plastic slate load to fit over the top. 

Result - wagons that would now follow bit the diesel and Hunslet around the model reliably for five minutes. 

Final job, hack away the box insert so the wagons can go in with the Bemo fitted. Really Peco, you might have done that bit... 

 

Fiddle yard envy

 

I felt a pang of envy at Doncaster. 

Waiting to get started with a photo shoot on the Friday evening, I watched the guys putting stock in the fiddle yard, and remembered when that was me.

Back in the days when I was an exhibitor. You turned up, moved the layout to your allotted space and set up. The layout was your little world for the duration of the show. You were responsible for everything in that world, but nothing else.  

I'm not really sure what I yearned for at that moment. Maybe things were simpler then. As a regular exhibitor, you went through the same actions at every show. As long as things went well, it was a whole load of fun. Playing trains to an audience, being told what you've built is amazing. Sometimes being asked interesting questions about the prototype, or how you've made a particular model.  

Dunno. But I definitely felt it.  

Saturday Film Club: Toton Yard Hump-shunting 1950

An interesting film, made up of a lot of clips I think, showing Toton hump shunting yard in operation. A really fascinating thing to watch. 

Paint on the VER car

 

A quick update on the Volks Car - painting has started using the closest colours I have to hand. Precision Paints LNER coach cream for the top, and Humbrol 73 (Wine) for the lower section. 

Looking at photos, they aren't a bad match for the current colours. Yes, I know Car 2 never made it into this livery, but I'm keeping things simple so the model actually gets finished. 

A dirty little hut in Spring's BRM

 

It's been a busy time, so I've only a single practical in the Spring issue of BRM magazine - weathering the little metal hut that I built in the last issue. 

I have been out with the camera again though. 

First, we have Canalside in OO.

The simply stunning Clyre Valley Railway in 009. 

 Finally, Barnwood in N. 

 You'll notice that two of these layouts have boats on them - happy Phil!

Warehouse Wednesday: City of Birmingham Electric Supply 1920

 

Head up to road level from Bournville station, and this is what you find. A 1920s substation, from the days when "The Corporation" handled electricity. 

What a beauty it is too. OK, the various extensions don't add anything to the look, but at least the building is still doing the same job it was built for - even being upgraded a few years ago.  

Younger readers may not understand just how widely the tentacles of the local authority once spread. Nowadays, everything is chopped up, and sold off, but once, the council was seen as a benevolent body that looked after the local area. People actually cared who their local representatives were. When this place was built, people were proud of their construction, and intended it to last a very long while. I wonder if they expected it to be doing the job a century later, though. 

From a modelling perspective, putting the name of your fictional council on the end of a building like this would help the viewer form an idea of where the layout is set. This isn't a complicated building either, as the view on Streetview shows. 

This is why my collegues think I'm weird

Sometimes, work post for me goes to the office, and has to be forwarded on. At Doncaster, my boss handed me a jiffy bag that had just arrived in sunny Bourne. 

Inside the packet was this. A Beatties carrier bag, and a postcard.  

On the back of the postcard, it just says "Phil. One for your collection" - so I don't know who to thank, but I really appreciate anyone taking the time to pack a bag up, and pop it in the post. Even if the people I work with think I'm odd. 

It was not the only bag from the show though. I couldn't resist Anorak's Anonymous's new one. 

 

I know someone is going to shout "AI slop", but I think it's fun. Now, where's my bobble hat...

Doncaster haul

Did I come away with anything from Doncaster? Yes, but if I'm honest, there wasn't much to grab me, as I keep reminding myself that I DON'T NEED ANY MORE TOY TRAINS!

But, the rules are, you must exit a show with something. So, on Sunday, I had a wander. This isn't a problem, as I mostly look for weird stuff that no one in their right mind wants anyway. 

 

The North York Moors Railway produces a couple of amusing signs, and Tea Junction made me chuckle. My walls are full, but a fridge magnet-sized version should fit, and give me a smile while working. 

The slim (20 pages) book is a biography of Norman Cave, who worked on the railways and looks to be something written by a friend. For a quid, I decided it was worth a look - I have soft spot for local publications that almost certainly sink without trace. However, stuck in the back of this book is a letter from Norman's widow, adding a personal touch. 

 

Not everything I came away with was on a trade stand. The excellent Nick Midgley has delivered me another project. 

A 16mm scale, 3D printed model of Dolphin from the Groudle Glen Railway! He has partially assembled the loco, but I can take it apart again so the surfaces can be smoothed off. I'm looking forward to this one. While the steam, locos get all the glory, Dolphin and Walrus saved the line, providing motive power in the early days after the restoration, so they deserve a bit of love. Can I complete this before heading to the island this year, to bring model and prototype together? 

The Festival of British Railway Modelling 2026

 

If the model railway hobby is dying, then no one told the good people of Doncaster. This was one busy event!

I was told at breakfast on Saturday that pre-booked ticket numbers were well up, and the first person was in the queue at 8am, 90 minutes before the doors opened. Plenty of people paid on the door to. This leads to a few complaints that the hall is too busy, but most people seemed to manage, and really enjoyed themselves. Sunday was easier, as it always is, better for layout spotting, if not bargain snaffling.

I spent both days talking to people on the stand while my colleagues sold more subscriptions than last year. Trade overall was up, another good sign. 

I did manage to get around and look at layouts, carrying out seven photo shoots this year. I can honestly say there wasn't a duff model on show, something confirmed by commenters online. A good mix ensured that there was something for everyone, especially if you liked the big roundy-roundy Grantham. It was next to our stand, and despite its size, there weren't any gaps along the barrier on either day. 

Of course, I'm a small layout fan, so the winner of "Layout Phil would like to build" goes to the excellent Forge Island. 

Alex has produced a superbly detailed scene, with excellent weathering. It's tiny, the scenic area fitting into a plastic box. You'll have to wait until later in the year to see my photos, but I can assure you, the wait will be worth it. 

There is a second prize for "Layout Phil has already built sort of" which goes to Offerston Quay. 

This 7mm scale model is based on my old BRM project Ruston Quays - and it's superb. Well detailed and with the added joy of working, radio controlled road vehicles. The top level is controlled by a laptop, rather than the shuttle I used, but it does the same job, keeping the station active while the lwer level Inglenook is shunted. Have I photographed it? Not yet...

But enough of the layouts, what about the cake I hear you cry.  

Elaine's Trains came up trumps with something special, peach melba, complete with cream. I would like to point out that I consumed the smallest piece, as I wanted to save space for dinner. Fish'n'chips and mushy peas, followed by knickerbocker glory. 

Again, I need to point out that only one of these is mine. The other, and the sherry triffle, belonged to other people. I could have been tempted, though, as these were really good!

All in all a really pleasant weekend. Yes, I know it's my job, but I enjoyed myself, and hope everyone else did too.  It's good to enjoy the atmosphere of a really busy show, 

Saturday Film Club: Gauge1 live steam & electric model locomotives

Just some Gauge 1 locos thrashing around a track. Nice camerwork, and some very impressive models. Makes me want to get out and steaming again. 

Vintage spirit level

 

Picked up in an estate disposal, I didn't think many people would want an old, wooden, spirit level. After all, it looks a bit battered, and it's hardly like modern spirit levels are hard to come by. 

Looking at the brass plate on the top, this has quite some pedegree. 

J. Radbone and sons, were a Birmingham-based toolmaker. I won't try and put the history on here, as there is an excellent version online already. The factory it was produced in was apparently, in Whitmore Street, although there is no trace of it now. Over the years, Radbones was taken over, eventually becoming part of the Stanley Tools company. 

As a spirit level, it still works perfectly well. The brass corner plates ensure that, despite the wear on the wood, the level still sits where it should. 

I don't need another spirit level in the toolbox, but this has character. I can't work out how old it is, at least 63 years, since that's when the makers were first absorbed by another company. It could be a lot older though, so I wonder whose hands this level has been in. What did they measure with it? 

Garden Rail March 2026

Is a garden railway ever truly finished? 

Probably not, but that’s half the fun! The Tinto Valley Light Railway is a perfect example. It’s still evolving, but looking fantastic, and its builder Richard Ashton has learnt a lot along the way.

If you’ve ever dreamed of running your models on a big railway, check out the line at Buckingham Railway Centre. They’re always looking for volunteers, and it’s an amazing place to let your engines really stretch their legs. 

On the Workbench This Time:

• Building twin open wagons in wood and plastic
• Improvising a military train • Smart steaming bay designs
• Assembling a WC kit
• Winter jobs for the garden
• Turning a toy Toyota truck into a weathered model masterpiece
• Two loco builds: a Go-Go diesel and a battery-powered steam engine 

Plus: All the latest news for large-scale modellers!

 Garden Rail is available from all good newsagents, or the online store. 

Warehouse Wednesday: Bourn Brook

I was in Bournville, so of course I took the route from show to station, through the Cadbury factory. And yes, I did go in the shop, and no, I didn't buy anything. 

What I did collect, was a lot of photos of the buildings. We start with this one, The Bourn Brook. 

If you click on the top image, it will be blown up so you can take a proper look. The picture shows the scene in the days of the railway, and the sign is at the real spot. I'll be honest, I can't relate the two images - possibly, I am standing on the bridge shown in the drawing. The buildings shown, now replaced with a car park.

I don't think that anyone is going to build the whole of the factory, but Bourn Brook could be turned into a 3D picture, with the trains running over the bridge between hidden fiddleyards. Maybe not the most exciting operation, but maybe it could be automated. I bet at shows, you'd enjoy a good-sized audience watching the trains go by. 

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!