Lifeboat day 2026

Lifeboat day dawned grey and cloudy, but when I arrived at the lakeside, everything was set up, and looking good. I'd even got there early to help, but I think that despite the emails during the week, much of this work had been carried out the night before. 

Good news as it turned out, because people had travelled to the event from quite some distance, including a group from the Blackpool MBC.  

There were all sorts of orange boats, plus a few blue and white earlier vessels to be seen. I'd taken my Brede, and launched it early in the day - at that point when everyone seems unwilling to get their hulls wet. It performed well, but ran out of electricity before the main parade. Never mind, we struggled around a bit, and at least stayed on top of the wet stuff. 

Not everyone did. 

Speeding off, and then slamming the brakes on, saw this superstructure jump off the hull, and need resucue by someone in a wetsuit!

Incidentally, the funny colour of the water is a fish-safe chemical that keeps the weed down. 

By lunchtime, the sun had come out, and I was enjoying a sausage in a bun, followed by some cake.  

All in all, a really pleasant day by the water. I even made a profit on the Bring'n'Buy stand!

You can see more photos over on Flickr. 

Saturday Film Club: Paint like a Pro - Three Top tips for mastering Acrylics

A video by my colleague Steven Draper with some useful hints on mastering acrylic paints. I learnt a bit, and now need to do some shopping!

Testing Dad's boats part 1

 

If I'm going to see some of my Dad's boats on the water during his celebration day, I better see if any of them are working. 

First up, Isobella, a Victorian steam launch named after my grandmother.

Dad was always very proud of this boat. He made a smashing job of the woodwork on the deck, and the glazed engine cover (the bit that looks like a cold frame), so it was top of my list for the day. 

None of the boats have been sailed in years, so it was a bit of a surprise to find that the NmH battery pack still seemed to be fully charged. Initially, I assumed there was something wrong to make the charger show a full pack. After a bit of faffing with the radio, I proved it would turn the prop, and make the steering servo work. So, off to the lake. 

On the water, the model lists very slightly, but happily pottered around for over 15 minutes, looking lovely in the evening sun as it did. I correctly remembered that this was a very nice sail too. Other than another charge, this one is ready to go. 

While I was there, we had some action on the steam track. A rather nice loco under construction, based on Roundhouse underpinnings. That's the joy of being at a club, you never know what you'll see. 

 

We go eco in June's BRM

 

I like making things, and in this issue, the thing I made that gave me the most satisfaction is a ground source heat pump. 

Given a pack of solar panels, I needed to turn these into a four-step project, and so I've gone full eco on an old Hornby kit. Panels, heat pump and an electric car charging point. Not sure I've ever seen this modelled before, am I a trailblazer for green model railways? 

The camera has been out again, too. 

Venture Park (OO)

Pedwardine Forest (OO)

Porthllechen (OO9)

 BRM Magazine is available from all good newsagents, or our online store. 

 

 

Supermodels, Rugby

 

On bank holiday Monday, I'd planned to go to Stanford Hall VW Show. I toddled off, and when I arrived, the gates were shut. Odd, I thought. So I drove on to a spot where I could park, and check the times on my phone. 

The gates would have been open. If I'd turned up the day before...

What to do? OK, it's only a 23-mile trip, but it seemed a shame to waste petrol. However, there was a model shop that had been popping up on my social media for months, and it was in Rugby, and I was on the northern edge. 

A quick check to make sure it would be open, and the satnav guided me to Hillmorton, about 15 minutes before opening time. A little stroll allowed me time in the fascinating Maddens hardware store and newsgents - a place that has obviously been part of the street scene for many years, and all the better for it. 

Going back to Supermodels as the doors were opened, I enjoyed a browse. The shop contains some of the stock seen on the website, but what is there is an excellent selection of plastic and figure modeller paints, including ranges I don't know, but will do when I try some of my purchases. No Humbrol, but Maddens have a rack of that. 

There are plastic kits, and loads of tools. Some interesting 3D-printed figures too, but I don't really need a sandworm to add to the project pile, tempting as it was. It's the sort of place where railway modellers can find useful equipment that you don't often see at shows. 

Talking of railways, there are none here. An agreement with the nearby Tony's Trains ensures that they don't step on each other's toes in this respect. Since both are so close, if you visit one, you might as well drop in on the other. An excellent arrangement. 

More on the Supermodels website.