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.