Radio control for Musketeer

 

Time for a little catch-up job. A couple of months ago, I wrote up my build of the Boot Lane Works kit of "Musketeer" in Garden Rail, but left the job with power controlled by an on/off switch. My aim had always been to fit some radio, I just didn't have any to hand. Besides, the kit was off the market, and I'd run out of space in the magazine. 

"Musketeer" has been rereleased due to demand, for which I take some of the credit. I still needed power and control, so I turned to RC Trains for a simple solution. Their drop-in unit for the Timpdon Railmotor worked well, so a similar setup here appealed. 

A quick email discussion about space for batteries later, and I received a small Jiffy bag containing all I would need.  As promised, it doesn't take much work to fit. The unit it connected to the motor with a chocolate block, and the battery pack just plugs in. A few seconds binding the transmitter to the receiver, and my loco works perfectly. 

The biggest job was making the switch fit into the toolbox on top of the loco. This is designed to fit over a slightly smaller switch, but a few minutes hacking away at the 3D printed part saw it fit snuggly. 

Now, the loco just needs a driver... 

Saturday Film Club: 1979: The Model World of Robert Symes

Off to SWAG

Sunday sees the latest meeting of the South West Area Group (SWAG) of RMweb. It's a fun little event that is open to all, and normally features some really good small layouts, plenty of chat, pasties and cake. 

You can read about last year's event here. 

It's a little bit of a mystery exactly what will be there, but dig through the thread on RMweb, and you'll have a better idea. I've already arranged one layout shoot, and strongly suspect that it won't be the only one. I find SWAG a great source of micro layouts for BRM. 

If you enjoy quality modelmaking, and cake, head to Taunton, and all being well, I'll see you there.  

10AM- 4PM , Sunday 19th April 2026 

Staplegrove Village Hall, 214 Staplegrove Road, Taunton. TA2 6AL

 

Dirty and stoned - BRM May 2026

 

May's issue of BRM has landed, and there's a few Phil pieces in there. First up, I've taken the exclusive World of Railways fireless locomotive, and given it a gentle coat of muck. These things wouldn't get too dirty; there's no muck coming out of the top for a start, so the work is all carried out with powders. I'll admit to being very pleased with the end result, although when you read the article, the model had to come to pieces first, which is a story in itself. 

The four-step piece this time involves loading a wagon with stone. 

We had a bit of a discussion about this on RMweb. Contemporary photos show the stone loaded loose, possibly with some straw, so that's what I've done. But first, I had to make the stone itself. 

My camera has been out to shoot: 

Bournemouth East (OO)

Chaddesley Corbett (N)

Jeffrey Lane (OO)

British Railway Modelling magazine is available from all good newsagents, or our online store. 

Warehouse Wednesday: Mill House, York

Opposite my hotel in York, are a couple of attractive buildings.According to Wikipedia, Mill House is a former grain mill which is now the headquarters for the police in York. There's no obvious signs of it's current use, other than a couple of Police vans parked outside at all hours. 

Next door is The Whippet Inn, which is Grade II listed and dates back to 1896. It used to be called The Yorkshire Tavern, The Other Tap and Spile and the Yorkshire Huzzars. The entrance to the back yard (and possibly stables?) is shown on the first large-scale map of the city in 1852.

Visit these buildings on Streetview.