Midlands Model Engineering Show 2026

This year's model engineering show was a little special for me. Our boat club always puts on a display, and I'd entered my Dad's Victorian Steam launch. This isn't a competition, although there is a Best Boat On The Stand vote; it's just a chance to show off his workmanship. 

Dad was always proud of this model. OK, it's electrically powered rather than steam, but he put a lot of effort into the wooden deck, and it shows. The lines of the model are pleasing, so it doesn't look out of place at the show. Happily, the "Little Brian" figure is about the right scale too, so he got to attend a show we had been visiting for many years. 

Elsewhere, the number of models in competitions seemed to be up. I know there was a dip after everyone finished projects while locked away during Covid. Maybe enough time has elapsed for them to complete something else?

Engineering shows are always home to a wide variety of disciplines, and it was fun to watch some radio-controlled helicopters operating at the side of the car park. The team putting this display on explained some of the challenges they face. These aren't drones, there is no autopilot. You have to fly the things. Lucky for me, the conditions were just suitable for the show. 24 hours earlier, it was too windy. 

I like talking to people at shows, it's amazing who you meet. The builder of this studio-scale model of Skydiver, from the Anderson show UFO, had worked on the Large Hadron Collider in the past, but now, aside from a little teaching work, spends his time building military models. Well, that and a rather nice large-scale Routemaster bus. 

Since I attended on the final day of the event, cake options were limited, but the carrot cake was a winner. 

Anyway, let's let the photos do the talking, with an album over on Flickr. 

Saturday Film Club: Diesel and Electric Blue The Movie

Another one of those videos which makes you realise how dull the modern railway is compared to the blue diesel days almost 40 years ago. Has anyone got a time machine? 

More stuff for the Beatties collection

I sometimes wonder if I've acquired all the Beatties stuff there is out there, but no, there's always something new. In this case, a Beatties special Scalextric catalogue. 

That name on the front is printed, not a sticker, indicating that the chain of shops was going to distribute enough catalogues to make a special print run viable. Did Scalextric put it on for a valued retailer, or did Beatties have to pay for the print run as an advert?

Inside, it looks a bit basic. Modern cars are better detailed and decorated than these ones, but it's still basically a fun racing game, and I'd consider robustness an asset. 

Wandering around GETS with my boss in tow, we reached the Elaine's Train stand and Elaine said, "I've got something for you.", presenting me with a couple of long bags marked Hornby. These are designed to carry yard lengths of flexitrack. Peco make something similar in paper nowadays. 

Of course, I am very excited about this. My boss rolls her eyes. This isn't the first time she's seen plastic bags come my way. At least this one didn't arrive at the office, to be posted on!

You'll want to see a photo of course, so I had to find someone to hold the things. 

 Well, who else? 

BRM December 2026

It's the December issue, even though it appears at the start of November, I feel there should be some festive content, which is why my first practical in this issue is a 7mm scale Christmas tree. 

It's a bit of fun, and I'm quite pleased with the baubles. 

I head outdoors for the main piece, and build a greenhouse with its surrounding garden.  

The greenhouse is a WWS kit, and the rest stuff I picked up at shows or had in the stash. I took this scene to the GBMRS show, and it was much admired; someone even tried to buy it off me!

My camera has been out. First, we have 7mm scale Offerston Quay. 

A stunning layout, based on my model Ruston Quays, but far better made. World of Railways Gold members get a short video showing the layout off with commentary by the builder. 

Moving down the scales, in 4mm, we have Guinea Street. 

This is a micro, shot at SWAG last year. Like many small layouts, it's very highly detailed with loads of atmosphere. 

Finally, we go down a scale again, this time N gauge OWDLADD. 

Another small layout, but ideal for the home as it offers both scenery, and a continuous run. 

BRM is available from all good newsagents, supermarkets and our online store.  

Part fit check

 

I spent a lot of time on the dry-fit stage of the French WC kit. There wasn't a rush, and I wanted to enjoy the build. More importantly, if significant work was required, the kit would need to go back in the box. Resin isn't lovely stuff to sand, the dust isn't good for you. Bad enough when it's just me, but we don't need to be exposing the public to anything. 

Luckily, there wasn't an issue. All the parts were moulded square and true. A bit of brushable superglue was all that I needed to hold the main walls together. 

The inside is a different matter. Once I'd figured out where everything went, it was a bit confusing; there were quite a few gaps that needed attention.  

Dealing with these was a mix of bits of Microstrip, and the filler I bought earlier in the day. The results aren't perfect, but they will do the job as you can't see much from outside. 

 

And here we have the model plonked together. Obviously, the roof and modesty screens aren't attached at this stage, these will go on after painting. It's a really lovely little model, though. And yes, everyone did think I was weird for building it - but then that's part of the fun!