File this under: Phil's not going mad.
For months, I've been trying to explain to my magazine colleagues that there used to be a column in a model railway magazine "written" by a dog. Specifically, by a bloodhound called "Baz".
As I recall, "Bazzing Around" involved Baz looking closely at the details of a locomotive. As well as photos, the articles were illustrated by line drawings showing specific parts of the machine.
The only trouble was, I couldn't find an example and people were beginning to think I was nuts.
Then, a few weeks ago, I was flicking through the November 1976 issue of Model Railways and there is Baz. He's not looking at a loco this time but a section of London Underground track. Baz points out the different parts of a crossing. Not exciting stuff, but worth studying if you aspire to better trackwork.
Oddly, I can't see another appearance in the same year, nor one before or after. I'm sure there are more but for the life of me, I can't find them.
Please, someone, tell me they remember Baz as well!
8 comments:
I remember the "Bazzing Around..." articles in Model Railways. They became more infrequent after 1974/75. Really informative on unusual track formations in stations and yards.
Regards
Bill
Remember Baz well early 70s'
He sniffed out detail and your layout aimed to pass the Baz test
I remember Baz too Phil. It must have made a frequent appearance at one time. Model Railways was not my usual Railway Magazine of choice, financial constraints of a young family restricted my purchase power at the time. However, working in the centre of Leeds, W H Smiths' "reading room" was available at lunch times.
Bill L
Me too, Phil. Somewhere, I have a copy of Model Railways from 1974 with a "Bazzing Around..." feature. In fact, I think it's about Yeovil Town station. I would scan it for you if I could find it...
I missed out on those, but I did have a similar experience railway related.
I'm sure you've all seen Unstoppable, well after watching that for the first time, I was convinced I had watched another film in my youth with a similar plot, but it was a passenger train and it was a snowy scene. For years people said I was crazy or that I was thinking of Runaway Train. I knew I wasn't though and finally earlier this year, I tracked down the film, simply called Runaway.
I have had someone offer to sell me a home recorded copy on dvd for £45 as it isn't available officially, but you can find the full film on youtube. I recommend a watch on a cold afternoon with a hot cuppa.
I rememember Baz , I even have an idea who wrote for him , will try and look out which Model Railway news he originally appeared in
Richard Preece
Thanks everyone. I'd be interested to find the other articles - access to the magazines is no problem, I just need to find them without looking through everything. You know how long that takes, especially when you get distracted by other interesting articles.
I also remember Bazzing Around - somewhat later, though, as I didn't start buying Model Railways until the early 1980s..
John Bardwell
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