2025 - The work projects

Plenty of projects for work again this year. Let's have a quick run-through. 

In the early part of the year, I was finishing off my NG7 layout. This gave me the scope to work on a lot of scenery on the page, and a few larger-scale (in BRM world) little projects, such as a K6 telephone box. 

The following month (with 13 issues a year, the dates get confusing) I'm back to N gauge for a rather nice windmill kit. 

And it's back to 7mm scale for a track cleaning wagon conversion. 

Over on the DVD, I was looking at track cleaning more generally. 

Moving back to the NG7 layout, one of my favourite projects was the station building, kitbashed from the excellent Dapol kit. 

To go with this, I made ferns from a laser-cut card kit. 

We also get some rolling stock from a Peco kit. 

We'll need some people, and I painted them up on the May DVD. 

A nice little standalone project was a duck pond in the June issue. 

There's also a quick build of a platelayers hut kit. 

June marked the start of a quieter period of workbench activity, so my only project was to make a Peco lamp work. 

 July saw a rare TT:120 project - renumbering a locomotive. 

Something a little different, a personal departure board, which I reviewed, and then we gave away as a competition prize.

Moving to August, and I'm making proper finescale track. OK, just a short length, but hopefully, a few people were tempted to more. 

I like cranes, and was pleased to be able to build a simple Coles rail-mounted example in September. 

For BRM TV, I took a look at a Dyna-Drive fitted model. Something that most people would never have heard of!

If you have a suitable scrap wagon, such as the World of Railways exclusive pack from Accurascale, I added a simple load in October. 

November, and I built the classic Peco kit for a horse-drawn dray. I think this one looked fantastic on the page. For an old kit, it's still a good-un. 

 December arrives, and I dabble with some N gauge rolling stock.

 There's also a World of Railways exclusive building. 

 

Bought and built in under four days, for the January issue, we have this nice little shed. 

We finish the year with the February issue, where I'm back to N gauge, and the perfect addition to the top of your bridges. 

I even manage a modest 4mm scene with some Skytrex skips. 

With its increased pagination, Garden Rail also needs me to build a few things. The biggest of which has been a battery-powered steam railmotor from a Timpdon kit. 

There have been several more, but I don't have time to dig back through and work out what I've built. Well, other than the "Layout in a Day" feature at the National Garden Railway Show. 

For the Hornby Collectors Club magazine, I've been working my way through some classic Hornby kits from the 1980s.

It's been very interesting both sourcing these kits, and then building them. Several are still available in slightly different forms too. Me? I just like to show that kits aren't just for collecting, they are for building!

I've also carried out a few TT:120 projects for their house magazine. 

It's an exciting scale, with new products appearing all the time. As I write, I've just submitted my latest, using some new models that appeared this year. Who knows what we will have in 12 months time? 

All this though, has been dominated by the saddest event in my work life. The loss of my friend and colleague, Andy York.  

From a practical point of view, I've had to take over processing all the layout photos for BRM, often a week's work for a single magazine. I'd already been out and about with my camera a lot, but now those duties are mostly mine too. This is why my appearance on the page with practical projects has been limited, although we're trying to build it up again. 

Moderation on RMweb, something I helped out with in a small way, is now mostly my problem. Much of the time it's not too onerous, but every so often things spiral, and no matter what I'm doing, I need to step in. Andy used to spend vast amounts of time herding the railway modelling cats, and there's no way I can match that effort, which sometimes shows. The forum is something people are very passionate about, and I'm keen to maintain Andy's legacy. 

Personally, I've lost my safety valve. Who do I ring up when I need to rant about work, or the hobby? It has to be someone in the firm. That someone used to be Andy. I've not managed to fill that hole yet. I probably never will. 

A long post, and I still haven't mentioned shows attended and many other jobs, but if you are still with me, thanks for buying the mags and keeping me in a job. Don't forget, I'm only on the end of an email if there is anything I can do to help you enjoy your hobby more. And no, I don't mean make toy trains cheaper...

Unfortunate stains on the WC

 

I've been pondering the paint job for the wooden WC. Nothing too smart I feel, but I'm not up for the sort of paint peeling masterpiece beloved of military modellers. This is a quick build, not a chance to pour hours into learning new techniques. Not that they wouldn't be useful, just that this I'm doing this for FUN. Anyway, if I go that route, those plywood ends beside the door would need attention. 

Anyway, with wooden models, step one is usually to age the wood with EDM Models weathered wood stain. A quick coat of this usually turns the wood a delicate silver, with further applications for a deeper shade. 

Not this time. My bottle, which is main years old, is a bit thick, and sent the wood a deep silver in one hit. A less than subtle result, and one that makes me think I need to buy some new potion next time I see Paul. 

It's not a disaster, but it's not really the effect I was looking for, so in an effort to bring the colour back a bit, I tried Coach & Wagon Works Old Oak Wood Stain.  

 

 Much better. There is still ageing, but this looks like a building that has enjoyed the occasional coat of creasote every few years. 

Annoyingly, where there is glue on the surface, neither stain penetrates. Not an issue, except around the toilet roll holder inside, so I might have to hit that with the weathering powders.  

Dunkum Dunnies

 

Time for a little research. I bought this book over a decade ago from a small bookstore near the beach in Adelaide. Can you think of anything more Australian that isn't a cliche? 

All I really learn, is that "dunnies" come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Corrugated iron seems to be a popular feature, but then it is across the country. I worry that it would get a little bit toastie in a toilet made of wiggly tin in the outback sun, but I guess you get used to it if this is the only option!

The authors certainly found plenty of variety!

According to Google's AI overview: 

"Dinkum Dunnies is a classic Australian non-fiction book by Douglass Baglin (photographer) and Barbara Mullins (writer/collaborator) that explores and documents the history, culture, and unique character of traditional outdoor toilets (dunnies) across Australia through beautiful photography and text. Published around 1980, it's a nostalgic look at rural life, featuring stunning pictures of flora, fauna, and the outhouses themselves, making it a beloved collector's item for Australian history and photography enthusiasts."

Not bad, but the first edition came out in 1971, and the fifth (which I have) appeared in 1974. A popular book! 

Skip the bus in February's BRM

I know it's been out a few days, but here's a run-down of the Phil stuff in February 2026's British Railway Modelling magazine. 

First up, a whitemetal bus in N gauge, perfect for any bridge on your layout. 

 Next, some 4mm scale modern skips, complete with rubbish. 

The camera has been out, this time for Blackfriars Bridge in P4. 

Followed by Corsham in N gauge.

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

Saturday Film Club: How to Bake George Stephenson’s 200-year-old Mince Pies

You are probably sick of mince pies by now, but if not, here's how to bake some with a real railway heritage. 

Hellingly Hospital Loco

 

Merry Christmas to me!

My main present is very much a one-off - a Gauge 3 model of the Hellingly Hospital Railway locomotive.  

Readers of Garden Rail, will know from the January issue, that it was scratch built by Jamie Page, a real craftsman. There's nothing 3D printed about this model, it's been cut in brass in the traditional way. OK, the traditional way includes a pantograph cutter, but that's traditional enough for me. 

This was not a model I ever expected to own, but I bagged it from eBay, where I have a watch for all things Hellingly Hospital, for less then a price of a sound-fitted OO diesel. 

While I wasn't complaining, when I drove down to pick the model up, it wasn't going to be entrusted to a courier, I took along some photos of the line. My hope was to prove I was a worthy owner of such an amazing model. There's a lot of work in here, and I know I like things I've made to find a good home. 

Sadly, I didn't get to meet Jamie, but I still insisted on showing his wife the photo albums, and expressing my enthusiasm for the prototype.

Back home, my parents decided that this would make a perfect Christmas present, so we did a deal. OK, so I couldn't unwrap it, but who cares? This is a work of art, and I'm proud to be its owner. I'm sure some of you will understand.    

Now, where can I buy a pantograph milling machine, and where would I put it?  

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all the readers of this blog. 

Now, get off the interweb, and go eat the turkey!

Winter Holiday Train

 

It's Christmas Eve, so I'm allowed to bring a toy in - and this year, it's some festive Lego. I've been adding to the collection over the year, and so even though it's discontinued, I have set 30584 Winter Holiday Train. 

It's a fun little set. The complete train is only 15cm long, and building isn't exactly an arduous process. That's handy, as I can't even find my usual enthusiasm for Lego building this year, and putting little bricks together is normally something I look forward to. 

 

Never mind, the set is built, and sitting in front of my computer to make me feel festive.  Could it be motorised? Doubt it. Conversion to P4? Not far off already, I reckon it's 20mm gauge now! Would a 3D printed set of giant-sized bricks be fun for a 16mm scale project? Very much so! I wonder if anyone is doing some? Hmmmm. 

Double planking

 

Laser cutting is wonderful. It results in easy-to-assemble kits, where all the parts fit properly. 

But, the surface engraving is normally only on one side. The other is plain.  

For the WC, I wanted to be able to look inside, and that means we need planks on both sides of the bits of wood. 

I started by scribing the lines with a heavy craft knife, but while neat, they were less distinct than the laser-cut lines. I pondered this for a while, and decided to experiment with the same tool I use to do this job on Plastikard - an Olfa Cutter. 

The result isn't pretty, but once the surface is lightly sanded, the results are pretty good. Easily OK for the inside of a slightly rough'n'ready structure like this! 

Framed and seat fitted

 

Once I'd persuaded the cat to vacate my modelling board out came the PVA, so construction could start on the wooden WC. 

Everything slots together perfectly, with no sanding or fettling required.  The only odd bit, for which I wanted to consult the instructions, is the double-thickness top board with holes in. It slots in place easily enough, and with a bit of thought, the position is pretty obvious. 

That seat doesn't look comfy, but then I suppose it's functional! 

Rowington 2025

 

Jingle Bells! It's nearly Christmas, so it's time for the Rowington garden railway show. A festive chance to snap up a few projects for when you are fed up of eating turkey. Handy for members of your family to grab a few special presents for the modeller. He/she just has to point at something, then wander away, looking surprised under the tree later in the month. 

For a village hall show, the trade selection is impressive. Organiser John Sutton must be twisting a few arms, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. 

There were three layouts on display, two 16mm scale, and a G-scale line. The 16mm lines were running steam too. 

Obviously, there was cake to be consumed. A sausage bap too, for medicinal reaons as the day before I'd been drinking beer in London...

This is John Sutton's last show as organiser - let's hope someone steps in, as this would be quite a loss for the calendar. Best of all, £428 was raised for the British Heart Foundation. 

Saturday Film Club: Buying a Steam Locomotive - Marcia The Pocket Peckett

Is anyone contemplating a last-minute Christmas present in the form of a full-sized, real steam loco? 

If you are, it's time for Andy Hardy to explain what is involved. It would look good running around the tree...

Paper tickets

 

When I travel by train, I like to buy my tickets from the ticket office. Partly this is in an effort to ensure they see enough business to avoid another attempt to close them down, but also, because the machines have such dreadful usability, that it annoys the part of me that spent years trying to make websites operate for people, rather than for the organisation providing them. 

But, the last couple of times, I've no longer left clutching a cardboard ticket, but a flimsy paper one.  

My first thought was that the makers of Izal toilet paper, had found a new outlet for their stocks. The thickness and shiny surface are about the same. Absorbancy too I suspect, but I haven't tested this. 

Then I find that you no longer feed your ticket into the barrier to pass through. Instead, it's time to use the QR scanning device - the one I'd previously laughed at those with electronic tickets on their phones struggle with.  

As it happens, pushing the graphic in the scanner works much better than the phone version - I have a friend with a theory that the phone goes super-bright when asked to do this, and blinds the scanner.  No such problem with paper. 

This I realise, means that I get to keep my ticket. Card tickets are swallowed up by the barrier, something that annoys me as I like to write on the back of the ticket what it was for (meeting for beer, visiting, an exhibition, giving blood etc.) and put it in a box. Yes, I'm a bit wierd like that, but I bet I'm not the only one. (Go on, admit it in the comments)

Paper tickets get to come home with me, so I have my souvenier of my trip. Oddly then, this change is a win for me! OK, it's no Edmondson ticket, but not such a bad second-best. 

You're not helping cat...

 

There I am, happily cutting out the toilet parts, and sticking them together, and our cat, Stampy, decides that my modelling board would be the perfect place for a snooze. 

Now, he does sleep there during the day sometimes, but he's never marched on when I'm using it, and curled up for a kip. 

I wouldn't mind, there is a bit of spare space, but he was lying in the instructions! 

Does anyone else "enjoy" feline assistance?  

Warehouse Wednesday: Birstall Social Club

Out on a photo shoot last week, the parking was in front of Birstall Social Club. 

What a fantastic frontage. Very modelable, although I think I'd reinstate the old flagpole, between the numbers, in a miniature version. 

Handily, for those who want to take a closer look at this building, which I'm assured is massive when you get inside, there is a model railway show in January.