Hatch cover

Moving on with the tugboat, I need to cover the big hole in the back, ideally with something reasonably flush to the deck, but as waterproof as possible. This rules out any combing around the edge. 

In the end, I've used a couple of layers of plastic to form a sort of seal. It's not going to be very waterproof, even if I run some Vassalene around the edges, but hopefully, most of the water will stay the right side of the hull. 

Along the back edge, a tongue locates under the deck. The other end is held down with high strength magnets. I can pull it up with finger pressure, especially once the towing post is fitted, but it seems to stay put pretty well, and may even be fine when hauling a light barge in the future. 

Changing sticks

One of the more useful things in my bag after the IPMS show was a new pack of abrasive sticks. I'm terrible at changing these things when they are badly worn as you can see from the state of the old ones. In my defence, they still worked quite well when handled properly, but you couldn't sand up to the edges of the stick. 

I'm like this with knife blades too. I know a sharp blade is a joy to use, but the parsimonious bit of me (I have both Polish and Scottish blood, neither nation is known for throwing money around) wants to make it last just a little bit longer. 

Anyone else do this?

IPMS 2018

Travelling to Telford can be interesting. Or more accurately, frustrating. A couple of years ago, I arrived at Birmingham New Street to find all the trains to the town cancelled. On that occasion, I turned around and went to the NEC classic car show instead. 

This might have been my plan this year as well, but I'd visited the cars the day before, and enjoyable as it was, didn't want a second dose. 

So, after consulting the staff, I pressed on with a change at Wolverhampton. This would add over half an hour to the trip, time I knew I'd miss trying to get around a big show. Still, I carried on and an hour later than I had planned to be at the event, thanks to more train pain at Wolverhampton, I arrived somewhat grumpy. 

Grumpiness was dispelled almost immediately when I saw the fantastic boat in the bath model above. It made me smile and the rest of the show was brilliant. I still haven't seen the modelling competition, but then I did leave about 10 minutes before the end, tired and with a bag full of kits I don't really need...

IPMS show 2018 on Flickr

Note: If you are wondering why I don't drive instead, it's:

A) A rubbish long jouney

B) You need to be there well over an hour before opening to get a space in the car park. Either that or park somewhere in Wales. 

Saturday Film Club: A tram ride in 1900

A remarkable bit of film showing a tram ride through Rochdale in the year 1900. Amazing film (with slightly dodgy added sound, turn your speakers down if it bothers you), very clear and showing a world that is long gone. 

I'm thinking this was shot on a Sunday as everyone is smartly dressed in what I assume is their "Sunday Best". 

I also wondered about the man learning to ride a bike part way through. Is his friend really pushing him in front of the tram?

Peterborough bound

I'm on my travels again - this time to the East Of England Showground for The National Festival of Railway Modelling. 

You'll find me on the BRM stand most of the time looking after a festive train set and chatting about some of the modelling projects I've carried out this year. Examples of these will be on a table in front of me.

We are also arranging a display of Cake Box models. I'm looking forward to seeing some of these for real.

And, I'll be taking part in the Strictly Come Digging challenge!

So, drop in and say hello. Always happy to chat.