Saturday Film Club: Why DO we love model trains?

Why do we love model railways? Tim Dunn asked people at The National Festival of Railway Modelling. 

Airfix flick motor

 

"Would this fit in your Beatties collection?" asked someone generous at the weekend. I took one look at the price label, and said, "Oh yes. Thank you". Of course, I completely forgot to get a name, and even if I had, it would have slipped my mind in the chaos of the event. So thank you, random stranger. 

What we have is a "flick motor", a one-pole motor that will run, but not start on its own. You fit the motor into the nose of your 1:24 aeroplane, and wire it up. Then, to start the prop spinning, flick it with your finger. To stop it, just stick your finger in the way. According to the box back, this won't hurt. 

It's a very neat solution. No switches required, just some clever motor design. Presumably, Airfix felt there would be enough of a demand to justify manufacturing these. It's not like there was an alternative use in the real world - unless anyone knows better. 

Anyway, into the collection it goes. 

 

My 100th issue of Garden Rail!

 

In my 100th issue as Editor, 

Did you know? The Lynton & Barnstaple line, once nicknamed the “toy train”, has its very own 16mm scale model railway! Pete Chandler takes us behind the scenes, and shows how you can get involved.

On the workbench this month:

• Building a 5-inch gauge loco
• Chassis for our 16mm Planet diesel
• Scratch-building a Gauge 3 steeple cab
• Welsh slate wagons
• A micro layout for your office corner
• Repairing an LGB point

We visit the Wernigerode model village, a G-scale stunner. 

Out in the garden, we’re exploring lineside planting ideas and sharing tips to encourage youngsters into our hobby.

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

Available from all good newsagents, or our online store.  

Warehouse Wednesday: Oxford roofs

I found myself the other day, looking out over Oxford, from the top of the Sheldonian Theatre. As I admired the dreaming spires, I pondered how I'd model them if called to. 

And it occurred to me that there were two options. Carefully make one, with a great deal of skill and fiddling, and cast it in resin, or more likely, 3D print the thing as many times as required.  

As a fan of traditional modelling, I'll have to admit that this is one area where printing will score well above carving things out of plastic. That pains me a bit, as I'd like my modelling to take place somewhere other than on a screen - I spend more than enough time staring into one as it is! 

However, this fits my idea that this is another technology that is a useful tool, an addition to the modellers toolbox as it were. Fortunately, I'm not likely to modelling central Oxford in the near future, so I don't have to worry too much right now...

Incidentally, while in the Theatre, I tried on a mortarboard.

All the ones on offer were too small. So, it turns out it was a good job I was too thick to go to university - I'd not be able to graduate, because I couldn't fit in the hat!
 

Heat and hammering

 

Last week, I mentioned a nice four-wheel wagon I've picked up. The wheels were set to 32mm gauge, but I felt it would be more use to me in 45mm. 

Well, a couple of days ago, I decided to do something about it.

As discussed last time, moving the wheels on the axles was likely to require heat, and that wasn't going to be good for the whitemetal axleboxes. With a bit of levering, the track pins holding these in place were pulled out, and then with a waggle, the axleboxes on one side came away. Fortunately, the glue had aged, and the joints broke. 

Popping the first axle in a vice, and giving the end a tap with a small hammer, the wheel moved. So did the second one, and soon they were set to the correct (41mm) back-to-back. A little superglue run around the wheel/axle joint, and they seemed pretty good. 

The second set were harder work. In the end, I had to heat up the joint with a small blowtorch to get anything to move, even with many, many whacks. Eventually, though, the joint gave up, and they were set as required. 

I refitted the axleboxes with pins, but no glue, and all seems good. The wagon has had a trip around our club track as part of the train, and seems to behave itself. Sadly, it won't fit in the goods train box, so I'm not sure how much use it will get. I do need a small wagons box for the skips. Perhaps it will find a home in there. 

Anyway, a fiver and half-an-hour well spent.