A pair of 3Fs

 

A pair of 3Fs hauled out of the display case for work, showing how much the hobby has changed over the years. 

On the left, a Bachmann model released in 2011. On the right, Tri-ang from 1958. 

Both have been worked over a little by me, but nothing massive. The Tri-ang model is my first locomotive, and was painted and detailed when I first joined the model railway club over 40 years ago. 

The newer 3F was weathered for a Hornby magazine project when it first came out. While I'm sure there will be plenty of people on forums telling the world that it was time the loco was upgraded to "modern standards", I think it still looks pretty good.  

Obviously, both tenders had received a load of real coal, a simple task that really lifts the look of the model in my eyes. 

Mind you, I don't think the 1950s model looks too bad. The general shape isn't hopeless, you'd guess the prototype if asked I think. Fortunatly, we no longer have skirts under boilers to hide the chunky cast chassis and X04 motor, nor moulded on handrails (although I liked the improvement when these were replaced). 

Garden Rail April 2026

 

We travel to Arizona for our lead feature on the impressive Grand Central Railroad — a large, action-focused line built by a dedicated team of enthusiasts.

Remaining in the United States, we present a detailed model of a locomotive converted from a farm tractor. Created by master modeller Chuck Doan, this build showcases techniques used to achieve museum-quality results.

Moving to steam, Dave Pinnigar introduces Yvette, an articulated locomotive with notable engineering interest.

On the Workbench:
• Scratch building Churchwater Slate Railway rolling stock
• Re-purposing a control unit from a toy
• Converting a toy lorry into a locomotive
• Building platform barrows
• Seasonal tasks for garden railways

We also include a preview of the upcoming National Garden Railway Show, along with the latest new products for large-scale modellers.

Garden Rail is available from all good newsagents, and the online store: www.world-of-railways.co.uk

It IS quicker by train

 

Spotted on Quorn station. Even if it's not quicker, at least you can have a snooze, or read a book...

Rapido Fireless locomotive

I've been hoping to blag one of these since the model was announced. With my interest in industrial locomotives, Rapido producing a RTR fireless loco ensured this was always high on my list. Fortunatly, there are a number of projects to be carried out on this model, so it has made its way into my clutches. 

The livery is, I think, the best of the batch, overall green with a BP logo. It's the World of Railways exclusive model. 

In my hands, I notice that this is a heavy little beast at 130g, there's a lot of diecast metal in here. 

The pack contains details, which appear to be cab doors. Not sure if these will get fitted, but they would change the look of the model, so I really ought to give them a go. We'll be leaving one open so the ModelU crew can be seen clearly. 

Underneath, there are four wheels, and some simulated inside waggly bits. A nice touch. Obviously, it runs impercably, annoying for those of us who have spent hours trying to make kit-built locos work so well. 

Talking of kits, it's odd that there has only (to my knowledge) been a single one in all the years I've been modelling, that being from Impetus Models. I'd have expected much more interest, is this prototype just too esoteric for the modelling community? Not in RTR form, as it's selling well. 

For various reasons, I have dug out my boxfile layout, and of course, posed the loco on it. 

 You can read more about this model on the Rapido website. 

Midlands show haul

 

I don't need any more kits, but when you find Northern Finescale Gauge 1 wagons at a bargain price, it seems churlish not to add a couple more to the rake. With the range now history, I reason that if I decide I don't want them, well, someone will take them off my hands. 

There's a 16mm scale 1950s teenager with a camera - a seconds from The Gauge Gallery. I think he looks fun, and you may well see him appearing in various places in the future. 

Finally, a gas canister connector. It's what you buy when purchasing cheap gas from a trader, and reaslising that none of your existing adaptors fit...

I don't need any more books either, but adding to my collection of Peter Jones Garden Railway Guides brings me closer to a complete set. Tag's Live Steam Workshop is a Garden Rail publication - so I ought to own a copy, and I'm sure I'll learn something from it. 

Odder, is The Plynlimon & Hafan Tramway, a bargain at £4.50.  The tram loco "Victoria" has always intrigued me, and there's a plan of it in there, along with lots of other locos and rolling stock. And I love plans.