Finished slate wagon

Job done. I was aiming for a faded look for this wagon, so dug out a Lifecolor Weathered Wood pack of paints to give them a go. 

I tend to find these paints a bit pale, the White Wood is basically six of pots of white, but for this job, they looked OK. Anyway, this is what "proper" modellers use, so I really ought to have a go. 

First, the entire model was painted with Cold Base Colour, a beige. Then dry-brushed with Cold Light Stage. Once this was dry, a wash of Warm Base Colour to emphasis the grain and plank lines. This took a bit of working, but I think the end result is OK. 

All the metalwork is colour with a AK black marker and them touched in with rust from the Lifecolor Rust Wizard set. 

For such an old kit, this really comes up well and was great fun to build  - more details on the Binnie website.  

Warehouse Wednesday: Wingfield Station

On the way back from Crich, I dropped in to Wingfield station. Knowing nothing about it, other than having spotted a sign on the way up to the tramway museum, it was one of those wonderful discoveries that happen occasionally. 

The station isn't served by the real railway any more, but trains still pass by what was once the platform, and it's a lovely spot to sit eating a tub of delicious ice cream, and watching multiple units thrashing by. 

Rather than take you through the extensive history of this Grade II listed building, allow me to point you at the excellent website.  

As a modelling prospect, this building has a lot going for it. Modest in size, and not overly ornate, to my eyes, very attractive. If you're not sure, there is a 4mm scale model of it in the goods shed. 

With an eye for the unusual, I was very taken by the train planters around the site. 

 

 

I want some of these in the garden!

More photos of Wingfield station, and its planters, over in my Flickr album.  

Hellingly Hospital Tramcar

If there was a list of model rail vehicles I never expected to see, the Hellingly Hospital Railway tramcar is very high on the list, but there, in a cabinet at the Tramway museum, is a stunning 5/8th inch to the foot miniature, built by David Getgood. It shares space with a number of other models he built, all lovely, but this is the one for me. 

The scale works out at 1:19, basically 16mm scale, and slightly larger than the G3 loco from the same site that I own. I think they would still look great together. Maybe one day I'll make that happen. 

Apparently, David  started building in 1950, completing the models over the next 50 years. They are operational with 24v motors, and performed on layouts until 2015. How I would have liked to see that, and speak to the builder!

It certainly puts my OO gauge model in the shade. 

 (Photo: Chris Nevard)

 

Model trams haul

This was supposed to be a cheap show! So, how did I come away from it a couple of hundred quid lighter? Not money spent on cake either...

Dodging the smelliest person I have ever encountered at a show while browsing the TLRS second-hand stand, I spotted some 7/8th scale Groudle Glean Railway coaches in the corner. Making my way over to them, partly to avoid the stench, I whipped out my pocket ruler (we all have one don't we?) and checked that the wheels were 45mm gauge. 

Closer inspection showed these to be an average-built set of IP Engineering kits. I don't like the livery on the ends, and the woodwork could do to be a darker colour, but you know what? They are a set of coaches to go with my Sea Lion. I have a feeling there are kits in the stash, at least I hope so as they don't appear that often, but these are built. One needs a coupling pocket rebuilt on the end, but they are built. I could run them. 

After a little negotiation on the price, realistically, I was likely to be the only person after something like this I pointed out, and they were stashed under the stand. It's opportunities like these that mean I enjoy a second-hand stall more than any amount of shiny new stuff. 

Of course, these weren't the only weird things I picked up.

Atlas Lisbon tram for a fiver in its box? Yes please. I really must go back there, ride more and take plenty of photos. Manx Electric Railway supplement - can't remember if I have a copy but why risk it for a quid? It's a good read too. 

The books were a cash donation. Vauxhall Cars is for my Mum. I was born in Luton, and her dad worked for "The Vauxhall" like so many others in the town, and she remembers him owning many of the cars in there. Mr Whippy is because I like ice cream, and it's the sort of history that fascinates me. So far, I've learnt that their headquarters were down the road from me in Leamington Spa!

And finally.  

Impulse buys. The four-wheel railbus is one I've eyed up in the 009 Society cabinet a few times, but never really thought much about it. The other is just an interesting kit. Both for 1/3rd the price they would sell for on eBay. They always say you regret the things you don't do, and I'd have kicked myself for not picking these up. Maybe I was the only person in the hall who would have bought them, I'm sure I'm one of the few who handed over the money intending to build them. 

And yes, I know my kit stash is bigger than it sensibly should be. But each one is a little dream, and I can live with that.  

Crich Model Trams 2026

I had a lot of reasons for visiting the model tramway event at Crich this year. 

First, I'm layout shopping for work. I've always felt that model tramways are under-represented, and if I'm going to find something that will work on the page, surely this is the place?  

Second, this was one of my Dad's favourite museums. I remember many years ago on our first visit, he was like a kid in a sweetshop. He loved trams, and there they were. Running through a street scene, and beautifully restored. And so many of them! I had arranged to donate a couple of boxes of die-cast models so they could be sold to raise a bit of money. I gained a chunk of useful space in my office; the tramway museum brings in some funds to help their work. 

And thirdly, I just enjoy the day out. It's only 90 minutes up the motorway, and as a member, I get in for free. 

As far as model tramways go, I drew a blank again. There were a couple of interesting N gauge models, but nothing that would stand the sort of scrutiny of a magazine shoot.  My favourite OO model was nice, but very narrow, and once you start to take 3/4 views, this becomes an issue. Never mind, maybe next year. 

However, there were more model railways than tramways, and I spotted a couple I need to investigate. One problem was that several were upstairs in the workshop, and the lighting is good for exhibits, and hopeless for models. None of which had their own lighting rig. Much peering through the gloom was required, which was a shame. 

Outside, the first tram I saw, and indeed rode on, was a four-wheel LCC car. I've inherited a part of a 3/4-inch-scale model of something very similar (a Preston car, I think), so this was appropriate. 

Little Brian posed on the dashboard of this, and Bluebell, another of his favourites. 

I enjoy the changes to the museum over the years. The buildings have changed a bit, we no longer have a little engine shed beside the shop for example, and the ice cream kiosk has become a pair of vintage-looking catering lorries. 

There were also a couple of ladies wandering around in full 1930s dress, and in character. I heard them chatting to a girl about the price of her coffee, "You'll have to make that last all year!" and marvelling at one of those new-fangled motor cars. 

The car in question was 91 years old! I enjoyed a chat with the owner, who had driven it, full of family, from Telford. It's good up to 45mph, so no motorways for that trip. 

An enjoyable day. The weather helped; it can be a bit chilly on top of the hill in an open-top tram, but Dad always insisted on heading for the top deck, so I had to do the same. Just like he always liked lemon meringue pie, so I had to eat that on his behalf as well!

You can see more photos from the trip over on Flickr.