Weldon Tabletop Wargaming Store - Corby indoor market

 

I love an indoor market, especially one that includes a very friendly model shop. WTW has been running for nearly two years, and while its main market is WW2 military wargamers, they offer a modest range of plastic kits and some Jarvis scenic products. 

There's a bit of Humbrol going on too, but no paint rack. A small selection of acrylics aimed at wargamers were on the shelf.  

Obeying the laws about buying something when you visit a model shop, I came away with a very nearly TT scale Star Wars X-Wing kit for a tenner. 

In the market, there's a nice cafe, and a store claiming to sell magic. I gave that one a miss! 

Check out their Facebook page to find out more.  

Garden Railway Specialists open day 2025

 

Too hot for tweed!

Despite representing Garden Rail at GRS's open day, with temperatures in the 30s, I had to dress appropriately. After all, while the shop is air conditioned (lovely) under the gazebos outside, where a lot of the fun is, it was toasty. Short-sleeved shirt and factor 50 being the order of the day.  

Both days saw a lot of chat - handy, as that's what I was there for. So much, that I didn't get a look around the shop until the second day. 

There was a lot of high-end LGB in display, and a reasonable amount of it went out of the door. Who says there is no money in the hobby? I'll admit, I can see the joy of owning this stuff. It's beautiful. OK, a lot of money, but then you get what you pay for, especially when you remember, LGB refuse to ship manufacture to China. 

I think my favourite is this LGB "Spreewald" 2-6-0 tank, which had been converted by GRS, to battery power, controlled by a Fosworks transmitter. It strolled away on the test track, with all sounds and lights working. The install is incredibly tidy too. I could be very tempted by one of these, a lovely looking loco. 

Outside, on the steam test track, I had the chance to play with a few locos, including the new Rounhouse Peggie - a saddletank version of Millie, which I reviewed for Garden Rail a few months ago. I liked the review model, but feel that Peggie is even better looking. It's nicely made, and although manual control only, well behaved, and better as she ran in. 

One highlight of this day is the cake, but this was eclipsed this year by a Thai curry made by the owner's wife - not too spicy (good) and very tasty. Willpower kept me away from second helpings, but i was one of the few to resist!

Saturday Film Club: Unboxing the Legendary 7-Foot Polaris Nuclear Sub!

I'm sure that when I was a kid, mail order was fun. Drooling over the toy section in Mum's catalogue. 

It seems that years before that, with apparently no restrictions on accuracy, things were even more entertaining! 

LGB 94168 Disney Dumbo Car

 

Regular readers will know I'm a fan of model railway wagons that do things - especially the Tri-ang giraffe car. 

Well, LGB also make quite a lot of operating wagons, and it won't surprise you that there are a few in my fleet. But there is one I covet, and last week, I saw one. But it wasn't for sale. 

My Dad's favourite film is Disney's Fantasia. His second favourite is Dumbo, even though one of the scenes in it makes him cry (The one where his Mum is locked in a cage for being dangerous, and rubs Dumbo through the bars). 

And LGB made a wagon with Dumbo in it. As it runs along, the elephant pokes his head through the roof, and then drops back down again. 

At the back, Timothy Q. Mouse does the same. Simple, but fantastic. There is also a dinosaur car with the same mechanism, and yes, I'd love one of those too. I am a big kid. 

I have looked everywhere for one of these. This is the first one I've seen for real, and it's not put me off. I have a theory, that if you are patient, and keep looking, any collectable item will appear at the price you are willing to pay (quite a bit in this case). That, to me, is the essence of collecting. The thrill of the chase, combined with some knowledge of the subject. 

So, if you have one of these tucked away, let me know. It would make a fab Christmas present. In the meantime, next week, I'll show you the related Father's Day present I gave him.  

 

Wipers and tail lights

 

I'm impressed that the Sand Scorcher comes with windscreen wipers. I'd be even more impressed if they fitted properly! A good dollop of plastic cement, and some Glue'n'Glaze under the wiper blades has them in place, and looking good. 

Around the back, we have tail lights. Earlier ones than I'd prefer, I love the elephants foot version, but  never mind. You'll notice I painted the orange light a different shade to the orange bodywork - attention to detail!

Oddly, there is a lovely set of clear covers, which would give these a smashing, realistic look. But according to the instructions, you don't use them, and they don't fit over the lights. I wonder why they are there? 

And before anyone says, it - I'm sure both wipers and lights could be made to work, but not this time. I just want to build this and have some fun.  

Warehouse Wednesday - Loading gauge

 

There's not much to say about this - I spotted a loading gauge at the Llangollen railway, and thought some photos would be useful for modellers. Click on the photos for a larger image. 

 It's a pretty simple structure, apart from the gauge itself, which is an interesting shape. I'm pretty sure you used to be able to buy an etched version years ago. 

Stickers on

 

Now we are at the really fun stuff. Well, mostly. Putting the decorative stickers on the car. Making it come alive!

First up were the wings. I bought a couple of sheets of Becc vinyl checkered flag. Two, just in case things went wrong. My plan was to make a card template for the wing, then transfer this to the vinyl. Peel the back off, and stick it on. Simple. 

Not simple. The card guide didn't take into account the subtle shape changes, and also the non-straight edge against the body. There are millimetres in it, but enough to be annoying. I also managed to cut mirror images of what I wanted a couple of times, because I am an idiot. 

After a little struggle, I remembered that heating the vinyl with a hair dryer would make it more pliable - it does. Changing the sheet from flexible, to the consistency of bubble gum, or cling film. Yes, it bends better, but pull too hard and you distort things. I have a feeling experimentation with lower heat would bring results, but in the end, just before I ran out of vinyl, I finished the job.

It's a long way from perfect, but id I really wanted, I could get more sheet, peel what I have off, and have another go. On the other hand, this is a rough-and-ready car, not a show queen. It's possible, the vinyl will get damaged anyway, so I'll have another go then. In the meantime, it looks the part from a modest distance. 

Advertising stickers came with the kit, but I've augmented these with more Becc material, as I really want my car to be personal. The BP is a tribute to my Dad Brian, who has been enjoying seeing my efforts with this build. 

Finally, the numbers I had to hand, but these may get replaced, if I can find something I like better. A round, white background would help them stand out a bit. 9 is my racing number, so this is non-negotiable.  

Anyway, it's looking pretty. Time for the finishing touches.  

Book Review: Squirrels nuts and flying rivets by Brian Trevis

This book was lodged on top of the children's section of Buckingham Railway Museum's mahoosive second-hand shop, probably because of the image on the front. I picked it up out of curiosity, and quickly realised that it wasn't a heavy engineering publication, but not for kids either. 

The text follows the revival of a Foden C-type steam lorry, by Richard Vincent, as told by his friend, Brian Trevis. 

Revival seems an odd word. Basically, Richard bought a tatty boiler, and scratchbuilt a Foden steam lorry around it. Quite how much of the original survives is open to debate I think. OK, some of the bits are original, from other wagons, but this is (to me) a new build. And a really good one. 

At 90 pages, it's not a long read, but the text flows well, and you can race over those technical details, or terms you don't understand, just enjoying the antics of Richard and his mates. The project is taken from inception, to completion, with several trips out with the lorry. 

I was gobsmacked that anyone, let alone an individual, can do this sort of thing.  The amount of work required, whilst also running a business, is incredible. The knowledge required, astounding. OK, he recruits several helpers along the way, but even so, this is am amazing achievement. 

For proper engineers, this is far too light a read. Someone like me, with a passing interest, can peer through the window, at a world we can't imagine being part of. And that is a great success. It's quite funny too. 

Squirrels nuts and flying rivets on Amazon 

 

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

A few months ago, I was on my way back from a photo shoot, and spotted a sign for the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Out of curiosity, I followed it, and arrived just as they were shutting up. This wasn't a big problem, and at least reminded me that I am old enough to remember when their main building as a derelict station, beside Oxford station. 

I promised myself that I'd go back, but their opening times are a little odd. 

And then a random post on social media told me that on Sunday, there would be a vintage vehicle rally. As it happens, a productive Saturday had left me with the time to go. So I did. 

First impressions are good. The station is light and airy inside, and beautifully restored, A couple of trains are in the platforms, and the cafe sells amazing cappuccino cake.  

 Outside, there is so much to see!

A 7 1/4 railway, and a 45mm garden line for a start. I was recognised and enticed on a train ride, which at nearly 1km, is pretty impressive.  

Then, in the yard, there is an Egyptian railcar set, and lots of other stock to look at. OK, some of it is in need of serious restoration, but it's all worth a look. They seem quite relaxed too - entering the restoration shed, I was told to be careful, but other than that, wander at will. 

And then there is the museum. Amazing. I particularly like the restored four-wheel goods stock with doors open so you can see inside properly. Does anywhere else do this? 

It's not just this. There are displays of small objects, and all sorts of random stuff, including more small locos. Everything is well displayed, and the whole site, which is bigger than expected, does so too. 

This is a bit of a quick rundown, but there are more photos over on Flickr. 

Full details from the Bucks Rail Centre website.  

Saturday Film Club: I made a Wallace & Gromit contraption in real life! - Joseph's Machines

So much work, for a YouTube video. Amazing. 

Builder Plus Windows and Doors

File this under things that I didn't know existed. A set of spare windows and doors for anyone kitbashing cardboard building kits. Back in 1980, when these were made, that was a thing. 

Things have changed. In 2025, I picked this up for a couple of quid on the Sunday at York show, after a day of the really keen modellers picking it over. There's obviously not the demand nowadays. 

I'm not sure what to do with this pack. For the moment, it sits in the card kits folder, but as there is a Beatties sticker on it, maybe it should move into that collection? The one thing I'm loath to do, is actually use this for the job it's intended for. I've not seen another, so it must be rare, and emblematic of a time now passed. 
 

Painting the driver

 

Sometimes, several of these posts are generated in a single modelling session. But not this one. 

Painting the driver took place over a series of evenings. Nice little, fun jobs that  I was able to keep working on, even after a busy day in front of a screen. 

His head is separate, and supplied in two halves. I used my usual trick of painting his skin with Humbrol flesh, and the dry-brushing with Revell's version.At this scale, picking out his eyes wasn't hard, he's even got pupils from a 0.3mm Rotaring pen. 

The helmet was painted white, masked, and then painted Signal red. I should have used narrower tape, as the masking wasn't perfect. Some narrow Trimline tape hid the worst niggles though, and a generous coat of matt varnish will hold it all in place.  

Clipping the body down

 

The Sand Scorcher body is supported on a single pin, with a clip, at the front, and with this clip at the back. To remove it, you reach in through the unglazed rear window, and pull the metal clip up. It seems to work, which shouldn't be a surprise, but is. 

The clip is supported on a couple of tubes. I had them in the pot, but when I came to fit it, only one was still there. Hmmm. Anyway, I have some styrene tube about the right size, so made a couple out of that, which seems to work OK. I've also run out of the correct washers for the top of the roof, but found some nice wide ones to use instead. These should be fitted underneath I think, according to the instructions, but the washers there show threadlock around them, so we'll leave well alone. 

Glazing is screwed in place, and by now I'd only got two of the three proper bolts, but plenty of some 2mm longer. No idea how this has happened, but some cutters quickly removed the extra couple of mm, and in the clear item went.  

Nose detail

 

Well, this was a simple. The chromed headlight bezels drop into the nose, and are fixed with a bolt screwed in from behind. The lenses simply clip into place. Indicators are glued in from behind. I used Contacta plastic cement, then some solvent, and still unsure how strong they would be, superglue run around the edge. I'd have added a belt and braces too if there had been space. 

All this attaches to the front of the bug with a big self-tapping screw, and a couple of bolts on the side. 

Not sure what to do about the numberplate. The supplied version says "Baja bug", appropriate, but I fancy something unique. Suggestions please.  

Llangollen garden rail show 2025

 

One thing dominated my first trip to a Welsh show this year - the news that Warners are partnering with the 16mm Association to run next year's National Garden Railway show. 

Everyone wanted to talk to me about it - so much so that I could really have done with an extra hour on the end of the event! I'm pretty bad about looking around and not chatting normally, but this time it was turned up to 11. 

What I did see looked like a nice show. In the cafe area (excellent blackforest gateau, slightly over-the-top posh sausage roll) were some exhibits for the younger modeller. There was the amazing, and dazzling, Rainbow Rock Gn15 layout. Next to this, a simple circuit of large scale Thomas trains. 

The Gscale Sodor team have all the important locos, converted from various originals. I'm trying to twist arms for a Garden Rail writeup. 

Next to them, was the G scale society, running a "build your own wagon" stand, with Lego-topped wagons and piles of the plastic bricks. Amazing. 8-year-old Phil would have got no further than that stand all day... 

Leaving before 5, I managed to find parking in the town for a quick wander - the first in five years. 

The station is in a really attractive spot, and outside there was a fish'n'chip van outside, wafting very tempting smells around. My plan involved the OK Diner at Chirk, but it took all my willpower not to grab a cone of chips as well. 

In the platform was  31 271 and steam loco 3802. This chuffed out while I was there, adding even more delicious smells to the atmosphere. I really must visit properly one day. It's only a couple of hours drive away, and I could be there when the shops were open too. 

Anyway, the stash was very limited due to talking, and me not really needing more projects. 

The shed is from Wood Valley Works retirement sale. The owner is moving to overlook a canal, and watch boats go by. A shame, as his kits are quite innovative, but time moves on. 

From the stand on Llangollen station platform, raising money selling models for the railway, a Hotwheels Baja Bug. Well, it looks cool, helps the railway, and I'm building one. Fate.  

An excellent day out. I needed a rest afterwards though! 

 

KMBC Open Day 2025

It's a long while since I've put a boat on the water. And my last visit to the KMBC pond on an organised day, well I can't remember that. For various reasons, including being so busy at work, my model boating has been pretty much non-existant. 

Still, on a nice day, when the club would be putting on a show, it would be daft not to nip down for a couple of hours. 

There was certainly inspiration on show. The Rother lifeboat looked magnificent, and reminded me that the very same kit has been "maturing" in my collection for well over a decade.  

A 3D printed Thunderbird 4 appealed too, and proved how hopeless Garry Anderson vehicles are when they aren't attached to strings. This one has all the technical gubbins attached to the underside, and works like a conventional boat. Looks good on the water too. 

For reasons I can't fathom (pun intended), members were being given free food. Being a generous soul, I insisted on paying for mine - a couple of quids worth of cake isn't going to break the bank, and I can'[t see a little more in the club coffers will hurt. Orange and giner in the photo, since you ask. 

Talking of money, there was a bring'n'buy stall, and of course I left some cash there. 

 This literally has my name all over it!

At first, this looks like a Meccano copy, but on closer examination, it's not quite as simple to use. A proper play will appear in a future blog post, this deserves more than a passing mention. If anyone remembers this stiff, please comment.

And considering this is boat club, picking up a large-scale wagon for a fiver was a surprise. 

It's really solidly constructed from wood and metal. I fancy regauging it to 45mm so I can add it to my steam train freight set. I've no idea if this was a kit or scratch-built, but the construction is very tidy. 

So, a nice couple of hours away from work.I really must get something back on the water. 

 You can see a fuller set of photos over on Flickr. 

Saturday Film Club: Track Cleaning

I've been looking at keeping your tracks clean in one of my latest BRM TV videos, which is now on general release, so you can enjoy it here. 

Let's change a number in July's BRM

In this month's British Railway Modelling magazine: 

I renumber a diesel, in TT:120, although the techniques work in other scales too. I just happened to have the loco handy.  

 

My camera has been out for three layouts: 

In P4, a classic that I'm really chuffed to have been allowed to shoot, the late Iain Rice's "Trerice". 

Jerry Clifford, the current custodian, has worked with us to produce a fitting tribute to a modeller who influenced me, and many others. 

Next, in N, Lammermuir: 

And finally, up into an attic, for a layout that never leaves home, the OO gauge, Charlemont Parkway: 

For subscribers, I have a couple of features on BRM TV too.

In honour of Rail 200, a cavalcade of locomotives through the ages, modelled in Gauge 3: 

 And a review of a personal departure board:

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

Garden Rail July 2025

How many kinds of sweet steam engine run, in an English country garden? Mark Nixon will tell us of some that he knows, as he describes his line. 

We've a busy workbench this month: 

• Building a laser-cut kit for a 16mm scale WHR coach
• A removable viaduct
• 16mm scale Ruston 20DL ‘Susan’
• Gauge 1 tram engine for beginners
• Private owner 16mm scale covered van

There is the first, in-depth look at Garden Railway Specialists new NGG11 Garratt locomotive, as well as all the latest product news for modellers in larger scales. 

Available from all good newsagents, or online: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/ 

Warehouse Wednesday: 16 ton mineral wagon

OK, it's not actually a warehouse, but you can store coal in it. 

Spotting this 16t mineral wagon at Rothley station, I was taken by how battered the thing is. Sides bowing outwards, and the section above the end door being distinctly wobbly. 

Even with the somewhat over-restored paint job*, this is a wagon that has seen a lot of life. Trying to model all the dents and dings would be a nightmare, and incredibly difficult to get looking right. I've seen people's attempts to miniaturise the wobbly sides of a diesel locomotive, and that looks odd to my eye. 

Maybe some things simply can't be modelled? 

*no criticism intended for the excellent work of the Great Central Windcutter team. People restoring the rolling stock that actually made the railways work. 

 

The future, is orange

 

I've spent a lot of time pondering my Sand Scorcher's final colour. The only thing I was certain of, was that I wouldn't be using the colourscheme on the box lid. For a start, it's very common, but more importantly, I race in orange. And I like orange cars. 

After much perusing through Instagram, I found the photo above. This is a good-looking paint job. Lots of life, and very much not the same as Tamiya's box art. 

Unlike more modern Tamiya kits, the Sand Scorcher body, is a single-piece massive moulding, in white plastic. So, unlike those made in clear plastic (lexican?) you paint it the same way as any other plastic kit. None of this working inside out. 

On RMweb, several people have discovered that Halford's has changed their paint supplier, and the new cans are a bit rubbish. They also found that the original range, had moved to The Range shops - so that's where I headed for paint. 

After much deliberation, I've gone for Ford Carnival Red (913A). A strong, deep orange colour that on the model, looks great. It sprays really well too. Wings have been masked to keep them white - I'll apply some vinyls later, and I don't want the orange, showing through. I have used most of the 150ml can on this job, and the shop only had one of them, so let's hope I finish all the ancileries too!

Time to fit the wheels

 

Fitting the Sand Scorcher wheels should be simple. Put them on the stub axle, do up a retaining nut, and job done. 

At the back, that's how things works. Yes, you have to juggle a metal hub in place, but this doesn't quite require three hands. 

At the front, on when the first wheel, and when I spun it, it was catching. 

Investigation revealed that I'd used the wrong bolts when assembling the wheels, and the once I'd fitted were just long enough to stick out of the back of the hub, and catch on the steering arms. No problem, just a bit of grumbling at my own stupidity, and these were changed for fractionally shorter ones, that don't quite reach the end of the nut now. 

But this still didn't solve the problem entirely. Something was still catching. Running the wheel inside out (wheel front facing into the car) fixed it, but that would just look odd. Moving the wheel around a little, allowing a little slack on the axle sorted it, but that's not an engineering solution. A 2mm thick plastic washer is though, in my mind at least, so I made some up, and not everything is tightened up as it should be. 

Obviously, I'm worried I've done something wrong. Tamiya don't make this sort of mistake, do they? 

Anyway, the car is now up on its wheels, and has been test run up and down our hall. Happy days! 

Cars in the Spa 2025

The weather might have been a bit mixed - although it stayed dry - but there was an excellent turnout for the classic car show held by the Rotary Club, in the middle of Leamington. Over 300 vehicles were reputed to be on show for this fantastic, free event. 

I wandered around taking photos, and enjoying the fruits of other people's labours. 

At an event like this, it's difficult to pick a favourite. OK, as a VeeDub fan, I'm a little biased toward the products of Wolfsburg, and there were a few to enjoy, but I'm not blinkered enough to ignore all the rest. 

Numbers-wise, I think the best-represented car had to be the E-Type Jaguar. I don't know if it's the location, not far from Jag's Coventry factories, or that if you've spent that much money on a car, you want to get out and show it off. I still think they are stunning, but decided to stick with other vehicles for my photos. 

If I am pushed to pick one car, I rather like this Morgan three-wheeler.  

Although I suspect it's challenging to drive, and not exactly practical!

But then, this is a hobby. As long as you mostly (struggling to free bolts off, or discovering rust excepted) enjoy it, that's all that matters!

My full set of photos is on Flickr. Which one is your favourite?  

Saturday Film Club: The Legendary ‘Temporary’ Flyover That Lasted Decades

Plenty of retro equipment on show in this video telling the story of the Camp Hill roundabout flyover. An amazing bit of kit - sadly (maybe) no longer open for driving. It must have been quite a ride on the top of the double-decker bus!

Book Review: Hornby TT:120. One size fits all by Simon Kohler

 

Launching a new model railway scale in the UK is a rare event. The last time I remember it happening was for T gauge. So, the appearance of TT:120 as a RTR scale is certainly worth a look. 

I should mention that I have a bit of background knowledge. I've known, and even occasionally worked with Simon, for many years. The idea he wanted to bring back TT was no surprise. I prodded him a few times in the years before it actually happened, to see if I could get a reaction, and he'd never admit anything. But we knew it was coming. 

The book covers a lot of the details behind the attempts to get the scale off the ground, and the trials and tribulations once the project had been given the green light by management. Some of these I learned about subsequently, others were new to me. Hardly surprising, this was a top-secret project. 

 With the benefit of hindsight, we can see that the launch was a success. TT:120 has attracted a mostly new audience of social media-savvy people. People who make a lot of noise! In this respect, the parts of the book covering Simon having to be schooled in modern advertising by Montanna are quite fun. I remember him telling me many years ago that "likes" didn't pay the bills!

Towards the end, there is mention of problems people had with the track. Apparently, when handed a new piece, Simon automatically twists it to release any tensions built up in the moulding process - a new idea to me, and to everyone else it seems, as this became a real issue for the company. This is the downside of the social media world, people rush to claim hardship, because bad news sells, and generates plenty of hits on their channel. 

The book is an easy read - Take it to a sunlounger and you'll finish it in a single session, and enjoy it. There is a lot of background here, and to my knowledge, very little edited out. I suspect that a couple of bits may have been toned down slightly, but that's to be expected. I bet there were occasions in meetings where the language wouldn't have been suitable for a family audience!

Well worth a read if you can get your paws on a copy. I'm told the first run has sold out, so we better hope for a second.  

Wheeling out the worst job on the car

 

On a real car, the jobs that take ages, are usually the ones you expect to be done really quickly. And so it turns out, is the case with a radio-controlled car. 

Putting the wheels together should be simple. The hubs are in three parts, and the tyres surround these. 

The trouble is, the middle part of the hub has to go inside the wheel. In through a hole that is much smaller than the plastic piece. The instructions just tell you to do it. Not how it might be done. 

After quite a bit of straining and swearing, I resorted to the internet for advice. Watching this video (the best, and shortest I found) helped a bit, but it mentions another hint - drop the tyre into some nice hot water, to make the rubber more pliable.  

Doing this certainly helps a bit. As does using one of the lumps on the side of the hub to aid leverage. Eventually, I managed it, but it's still a challenge. 

Then I realised that the tyres are handed. Despite thinking I've been clever and spotted this, I still had to spin one hub around within the tyre so the scoop-shaped ribs are facing in the same way on both sides of the car! 

It's alive!

 

Of course, with the car wired up, I'm, going to give it a bit of a test. Even sitting on a box, it's a bit exciting, and of course, useful, to check things are working. 

Keeping the dirt out

 

We need to keep the electronics clean and dry, not easy when the car is running off-road. Fortunately, Tamiya pack these delicate parts in a waterproof, clear plastic box on their kits. 

First up, the servo is fitted, and the arm pokes out of the case covered with a rubber bellows unit. Persuading this through the clear wall is a little fiddly, but it must fit properly, or things won't be sealed. 

Everything else follows, and it's here that the kit shows its age, For a start, the battery pack looks nothing like the drawing in the instructions. It certainly won't fit in the foam battery guard either. In fact, there is so little space, I can't see the battery moving around much, so I'll ignore that part. 

Moving to 2.4 control, the receiver is tiny, and won't need any of the space that is provided by a clear, plastic nose to be bolted onto the front of the clear casing. And the aerial wire won't be going to the back of the car, where there is a super long aerial. 

I might still fit that anyway though. With a fake fox tail on the top!

One question. Should the clear box be fixed down in some way? At present, it rests on rubber supports, but if I forget and pick the car up by it, something easy to do, obviously, it separates from the chassis. The instructions don't show anything, but I'm not convinced.  

Buggy wiring

 

Time to wire up the Sand Scorcher. A speed control is included in the box, and I bought a battery pack at the same time. Digging in the model boat stuff, I pulled out a servo, and a receiver. 

Plugging it all in wasn't hard, other than the usual guesswork trying to put the right connection into the receiver. I've learnt this is trial and error, but now don't get wound up by my inability to remember things. I do know that unlike the Planet system, you don't need to put the power in the bottom connection.  

The biggest surprise was three wires coming out of the speed control. It seems that this clever bit of kit will run both brushed and brushless motors. Who knew that such a piece of witchcraft existed? 

As it is, the orange wire just hangs around unused, but I won't cut it off in case I decide to upgrade the motor in the future. You never know, I might get good at driving this thing!