More details

 

A few more details to attend to on the Box Company. 

First, replace the point lever. These Springside whitemetal items are vulnerable to track cleaning with a rubber. Best buy plenty and accept they will be broken occasionally. A little paint, followed by some UHU (PVA didn't work) and this little feature is back in place. 

(I've just noticed, there is more from me on point levers on World of Railways) 

Next, a missing oil drum. This fell off when I opened the box up, and disappeared, leaving a PVA footprint. No problem, I've just picked up a pack of these Ratio items, so replacement is easy. Or it would be if I could find matching paint. Some nearly-the-same and a wash of rust over them looks OK. 

Finally, a figure had fallen off, leaving some superglue footprints. Once these were chipped away, a quick look in my painted figures box brought this model of Andy York out, and he's now glued in place (with PVA, hopefully more resilient), showing the "gaffer" his camera. 

Little jobs, but on a tiny layout that I hope will attract a few photos at the show, ones that make a difference. And a few pleasant little jobs for an evening. 

New elastic for the chimney

 

I can't remember how old The Melbridge Box Company is, but it must be at least 25 years. However, I'd said I'd take it along to Ally  Pally to act as a display stand for the World of Railways exclusive locos, so it was time to pull the model off the shelf, and make sure it was exhibition-ready. 

First - dust. Lots of it. While the boxfile might close up, there are holes in the ends to let trains out, and it seems, dust in. Much work was needed with a soft paintbrush to clean the model up. 

Then the main problem was the chimney. It has four stays holding it up, and as the tube splits for transport, these are made out of thin rubber thread. After all this time, this had perished and needed replacement. 

Once the old thread had been cleaned away, and the superglued knots where it attaches to the buildings (it's too smooth just to tie a knot) I was faced with trying to rethread the thing. Not as easy as you might think. The holes in the sides of the chimney are just big enough for the thread, and the rubber doesn't stay straight, so getting it into the chimney is fine, but finding the exit hole isn't. 

In the end, I passed a length of wire through the chimney, and superglued the thread onto the end, then pulled it back through. This worked a lot better than I expected it to!

After that, a bit of knot tying, some superglue and a kicker, and the job was done.  

Little Brian

 

I have a fun way to remember my Dad. A miniature caricature of him has been commissioned from Rob Bennet. I ordered four, one for Mum, sister and me, plus a spare to drive a steam engine. They came unpainted at my request. 

We've each kept one of his caps, Dad rarely went out bare-headed, so I've done my best to copy the colours of each of our headgear souvenirs. 

The rest is a beige M&S windcheater, Humbrol 121 dry-brushed with 147. Trousers are a dark blue and antracite mix, with dry-brushing in blue. 

Anyway, we love Rob's work, and are sure that Dad would have as well. 

I have a plan though. 

Little Phil, and Little Brian, will live in my bag as miniature me has been doing for a few years, and we will go on adventures together. Next time Little Phil finds himself on top of a mountain, or an interesting railway location, he will have company. 

Update: The little people have enjoyed their first day out, a visit to someone who was a friend to both of us, and his 32mm gauge garden railway. 

Dad's celebration day - 31st May 2026 - you are all invited.

Back in January, we lost my father, Brian. 

He'd never been religious, and didn't want the fuss of a funeral, so we didn't have one.

However, we still wanted to say goodbye, and give friends the chance to join us in this. 

So, on Sunday 31st May, we will be jumping into the L&WMRS planned open weekend with a few tributes to him. 

I hope to bring Melbridge Dock along, it was the most successful layout we both built. If I can recruit some operators, we'll be running it all weekend. 

At the boat club, we'll have a model or two he built on the water. We're also donating a bench to sit where he used to enjoy watching boats on the water, swifts catching flies over it, and a chip butty. 

A set of coaches he built will run on the outdoor track.  

There will be food laid on. Probably a barbecue, hopefully some rhubarb (his favourite) and definitely NO custard! (he hated custard)

That's the current plan anyway. It's definitely won't be maudlin, Dad wouldn't have wanted that. He was incredibly proud of the model railway club, so it seems the ideal place to celebrate him. 

Because it's a normal open weekend,  all the club layouts will be operating, so there will be loads to see and do, even if you didn't know my Dad. 

So, please put the date in your diary - the more the merrier! We're right in the middle of the country, and it's a lovely spot, the perfect day out. 

(Note: So we have an idea for food numbers, drop me a line if you are coming.) 

Saturday Film Club: Unboxing English Electric locomotives

Steven and I had great fun filming this unboxing of a couple of Hornby locos. I played with some DCC, and enjoyed it!