Time for a break

 

For various reasons, I need to take a few days' break from blogging. Please talk among yourselves, I'll be back soon. 

The Valley Railway Adventure

 

Last Saturday, I nipped over to Evesham Country Park, to buy some unfashionable shoes. While I was there, I couldn't resist watching the steam train in operation, and taking a few photos. 

I've always thought this would make a nice prototype for a model. There's plenty of it. The problem would be scratchbuilding the stock of course. 

 

For more details of the line, visit the website. 

Saturday Film Club: Toton Yard Hump-shunting 1950

Ahhh, the happy days when everyone thought railways had a real future moving freight. When you needed a super shunting yard to make things efficient. Not just loads of lorries. 

Scalextric 2012 Olympics Velodrome

 

This is Simon Kohler's fault. Reading his autobiography, the 2012 Olympic Velodrome set, was given a bit of a kicking. Of course, that made me want one. It could sit in my collection with the other great disaster, the 3DS. 

A quick look on eBay, where there is plenty of choice, and just under twenty quid later, including postage, a rather tidy set was mine. The question is, is it any good? 

Inside, it's all nicely packed in a moulded cardboard tray. There is track, a couple of cyclists, power supply, controllers, and some cardboard decoration. 

All set up, the first thing you notice is that the Team GB board is smaller than the oval - not quite as shown on the box. 

The track feels a bit cheap, and as this is a banked circuit, I'd say that's not a good thing. Remember, the whole lot rests on the inner edge. There are no supports, it just sort of wobbles in mid air. Not a big problem, but this doesn't scream "quality" to me. 

The cyclists are quite impressive. 

Each man is attached to a motorised sidecar. The front wheels revolve, a nice touch. I'm told they are a bit fragile, and liable to lose the moving wheel when leaving the track. It's worth looking out for this if you fancy a set yourself. I spotted a few incomplete ones for sale. 

Under the sidecar, is a motorised unit with a pair of drive wheels, and the required thing to run in the slot. The braids on my set look a little poorly, but a spare set is included in the box. I guess that standard micro Scalextrix spares would work. 

You can also see a pair of magnets that grip the steel rails, providing power. This will increase grip, and stop the cyclist flying off all the time.  

Unclip the lid, and inside is a standard 3-pole Scalextric motor driving the wheels. Both chassis benefited from some of Deluxe Materials magic jollop, but soon ran very smoothly. OK, we didn't have a huge amount of speed control, but then this isn't a P4 shunting layout. 

So, is it any good? 

Not really. The fundamental problem is that the inner track is shorter than the outer one, which gives one cyclist an advantage over the other. The pair of chicaines adds a little jeopardy, but the cyclists appear to be able to squeeze past each other without too much trouble. 

The idea is interesting, but play value will be limited, not helped by the fragile nature of the set. I bet there are a lot that never made it to the loft dump. The number on eBay suggests many people had a go, and put it all back in the box. 

You can't even add track for a more interesting race. OK, this is realistic, but is that the point? 

Another noble Hornby failure. I have a lot of sympathy for their Olympic range. If you remember, it wasn't until two weeks before the event that the country got behind it. Had we realised how good it was going to be earlier, who knows how much tat we might have been persuaded to buy?

I'm not sure that would have saved the velodrome though... 

Bog done

 

With the hinges sorted, all that remained to finish the wooden toilet was to fit the latch, which is in the kit, and glue the roof down. 

 A tenner well spent I think. Everything goes together nicely. I've made a bit of a meal of it with the woodstain and a couple of extra details. On balance, I wish I'd added some strips of venner down the front to hide the plywood. I'm not doing it now, as matching the stain would be a nightmare. Anyway, the kit is cheap enough to just go and buy another. 

Was this the fun stick-it-together project I needed? It certainly came pretty close. The model could be assembled in minutes if built straight from the box. I just feel the need to mess around, but then that's the fun part isn't it?  

Warehouse Wednesday: Irish flour mill

Hat tip to Duncan Young for this: 

This was lifted with permission of the administrator from the Disused Stations site. It’s a rail-served flour mill in Ireland (5’ 3” gauge). It oozes modelling potential-short wheelbase wagons, delicious pointwork and a good starter for a micro layout with simple electrics? 

Some nice simple buildings to scratchbuild by the look of it. All a bit grey and (I suspect) 1950s industrial. Just my sort of thing. Thanks for the find! 

Hinges

 

I've been pondering the door hinges for the wooden WC for some time. The kit is provided with a couple of laser-cut plastic versions. These look nice, but of course, they won't work, and my inner child says it would be more fun if the door could be opened. 

Complicated, but accurate versions soldered up out of bits of brass and tiny tube were considered, but even if I did manage to make these, the process was going to be frustrating. 

Then I had a brainwave. Take a strip of brass, bend it around some rod, clamp it tightly, and glue it to the door. My initial idea for the rod, was to use a staple, but brass is weatherproof, and there was a better chance of the things working. 

Result - a couple of hinges that actually work. Time to make them, a couple of minutes, or about 1% of the time taken to come up with the idea!

At last, a good use for the Sun!

 

Just a little detail for the wooden WC - something to clean up with after your visit!

The newspaper front pages come from ScaleModelScenery, but in 4mm scale. I had them for a magazine project, and thought "why not enlarge them for this one?"

The result looks OK, and makes me chuckle. A Peco track pin keeps them in place. I had to drill a hole all the way through the wall, glue the pin in place, and then cut the excess away on the outside with some flush cutters.  

Saturday at Kidderminster

Between Christmas and New Year, I like to take a train ride to Kidderminster. It's nice to watch a few trains, browse the big book sale in the museum (also home of fabulous cake) and wander down to Footplate Models for a chat and nose around. 

Upon arrival, at the platform, I found "Hagley Hall," which is a Great Western chuffer. 

Next to it was 46 045, which I may well have spotted back in the 1980s. Not really sure I'm with the idea that rail blue is "heritage", but then like many people my age, I think the 1980s were only 20 years ago. 

09 107 was on shunting duties, bringing in the teak set of coaches. I like the way these have weathered and picked up a little dirt. I'm sure this is closer to how they would have operated in service. 

I love a Class 37, and 37 508 was sat in the bay platform, not doing anything. Not sure the livery does anything for it in my opinion, but it's none of my business. Whoever owns it, the loco looks tidy - not bad for a 62-year-old diesel loco!

As "Hagley Hall" departed, LMS Mogul 13268 arrived, and looked fantastic running through the smoke and steam from the departing train. 

After my book buying, lunch and Footplate trip, I returned to the station to find 37 415 waiting, anoyingly (for photos) beyond the end of the platform. It appeared to be working an enthusiast special, judging from those on board. 

So, not a bad trip. Six different, and interesting locomotives. According to the information board, there was a heritage DMU floating around, but I didn't manage to catch sight of that.  A good way to get some festive fresh air!

Saturday Film Club: The Origins of Groudle Glen

Why is the Groudle Glen Railway the best in the world? 

It's not just because of the trains, even though these are the best in the world, it's the whole package. The Glen was once a major tourist attraction, and this video provides loads of history as well as the chuffy bits, so sit back and enjoy. 

Then book your trip to see it for real later this year... 

Annie

For many years, one of my regular contributors to Garden Rail was Dave Skertchly, with the tales of his Vale of Weedol tramway. Dave's stuff could be a bit off the wall occasionally, but always interesting, practical and amusing. Each article would sign off with him ruminating over a pint of Auld Phagbut beer on the latest escapade. 

Dave was always a pleasure to work with, and his hands-on style of modelling appealed to the practical part of my brain. No kits, no fancy tools, and apart from a diversion into carbon fibre, no weird materials. This was budget modelling, showing that if you were willing to get your hands dirty, a line full of character, was within your grasp. 

Sadly, the Vale of Weedol is no more. Dave and Mrs Dave have downsized to an apartment. The railway has been dismantled, and disposed of via Facebook garden railway groups. When I first spotted this, I enquired about owning one of Dave's locos for old time's sake. I don't have a 32mm gauge line to put it on, but that doesn't matter. I have some track, so maybe one day...

Anyway, Dave was obviously keen to find good homes for his models and knowing my love of the Groudle Glen Railway, offered me Annie. A Bagnall loco that is due back to the railway anytime soon. 

A few days ago, Annie arrived in here nice wooden box. Apart from the driver having lost his footing on the footplate, she's perfect. 

Best of all, she's the result of a friend tinkering in his shed, and making something wonderful. I'm proud to own her.  

 

Garden Rail - February 2026

Beat the winter blues with a trip to sunny Wiltshire! We visit Ian Folland’s incredible 7/8ths scale Chalke District Railway. Join the slow worms basking in the sun to enjoy realistic trains and the gorgeous scenery of this wonderful garden line. 

But that’s not all! In this issue: 

• Explore the 16mm Blackwater Valley Railway 
• Discover a nursery with its own 2ft gauge railway for garden plant lovers 
• Our new train game, coming to a show near you soon. 

On the Workbench: 

• Building a high-level garden line 
• A diesel servicing point for your locos 
• Kippo Models’ stunning Gauge 3 engine shed

 Plus, the latest Product News for large-scale modellers – including Roundhouse’s brand-new steam locomotive! 

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

Defunct battery charger

 

Spotted beside Platform 4 at Leamington station, this (presumably) defunct DMU battery charger. 

I'm sure someone can give chapter and verse on these things, there's probably an enthusiasts society, but I just know they have been in residence for many years.

What caught my eye was the ivy growing over the top of it. I love modelling ivy, it hides all sorts of dodgy workmanship on model buildings, and blends things into the countryside really well, naturally softening hard edges. I'd never considered it on something like this, but I will in the future. 

Once this was the future of course. Now it's just old junk. We all go that way eventually, I suppose.  

 

Wiggly brass roof

 

A few days ago, Woz asked, "Where is the dunny roof ?"

Well, here it is. Although a laser-cut top is provided to look like roofing felt, I decided wiggly tin would be more plausible. This was helped by me having a wiggly tin-making tool kicking around. 

Green Stuff World's corrugator tool, is a pretty light-duty device designed to be used on foil, pewter or cardboard. I don't fancy cardboard for a model that might encounter rain, and I didn't have any foil or pewter handy. I have some litho sheet, but can't remember where is is right now. I do have brass, and after a little experimenting, found it would emboss the thinnest shim sheet (5 thouish) in my stash. 

The process is a little brutal. I clamped the tool in my vice, and rolled the sheet back and forth, gradually tightening the clamp. 

I'm pleased with the result. It looks like proper corrugated iron. For now, it's painted with red oxide primer, but I'll add more colour later. 
 

Quirky poll results are in

Over on RMweb, Brian Macdermott and his team, have been busy running our annual poll of slightly unusual model railway items that might appeal to the enthusiast. The "quirky" started as an antidote to the more serious main poll, but has out-lived it. 

You might think this sort of thing is a waste of time, but wasting time is what we do. Besides, a few years ago, who would have predicted RTR Port of Par locos, or a fireless shunter? 

Anyway, I insisted that a new Giraffe car be included, and it scored enough votes to come in fourth!

More interesing though, is the set of high-polling models. K&ESR railcar? Something IOM?  Y10 Double-ended Sentinel? I could go for all of those thank you very much...

See the results over on RMweb.  

New Year Steam

 

What better way to start the new year, than with some little chuffy trains? 

Especially if you've the remains of a cold and so could do with the fresh air. And it's not raining, or too cold. 

My plan was to take my Peckett and Roundhouse locos along for a spin on the club track. A flask of tea, along with some of those festive biscuits that need finishing up at this time of year. 

When I arrived, the track was mine alone. There were some guys at the model boat club, but as usual, they quickly shuffled off to the warmth of the clubrooms. The lake had a little bit of ice on it, and the one yacht in action, wasn't going anywhere. 

Things didn't start well. Trying to gas the Peckett, both adaptors leaked badly, and the model was quickly covered in frost. 

Since the day wasn't warm, I left this for a few minutes, attending to the other loco and hoping it would evaporate. Eventually, I gave up and lit the burner. A bit of heat would soon solve it!

A few minutes later, we had steam, and plenty of it. The little blue loco ran superbly for about 20 minutes, including a boiler top-up. 

Even with the burner turned right down, there was steam to spare. The safety valve was lifting all through the run, and we had more than enough power for the three coaches. 

A really pleasant run!

Moving on to the Lady Anne, I hit another problem. None of the three lighters I brought along would give me any flame! Even the one used for the Peckett suddenly wasn't playing. This has happened before, and I just replace them - which lasts a few goes, and then they are scrap again. One job in 2026 is to find some reliable replacements. I don't mind spending some money, if it makes the steaming session easier.   

Oh, and then I cut my thumb locking up again. I hope this isn't an allegory for the rest of the year! 

Saturday Film Club: The Last Railway Horses

A classic black & white film, showing the last railway horses, employed by British Railways. Aside from the cute factor, there's a lot to enjoy in this, showing life at a normal, small station. The sort of place we tend to model. 

Calendar time

 

Right, what am I planning to fill my weekends with this year? 

7/8 February - Doncaster Show

28 February - Midlands Garden Rail Show

21/22 March - London Festival of Railway Modelling

4-6 April - York show

19 April - SWAG Taunton

25 April - National Garden Rail Show

26 April - Key Model World

1-3 May - Bristol Model railway show

6 June - Llangollen garden rail show

12/13 September - TINGS

26/27 September - Stafford model rail show

10/11 October - GETS

24/25 October - Great British Model Railway Show

13-15 November - NEC Classic Car Show

21/22 November - National Festival of Railway Modelling

12/13 December - Manchester model railway show

I've highlighted the shows I expect to be at in some sort of official capacity. This isn't finalised, as we might split the attendance between the team, but for the moment, I'll keep the space clear in the calendar. 

In addition, I can think of other events I don't yet have dates for - Yorkshire Garden Railway Show, IPMS Telford, Rapido Railex, G1 AGM, G3 AGM, and Rowington Steam being the main holes. I'm sure there will be others too. 

This might look like quite a list, but the truth is, I love going to shows. Really love it. Even when my enthusiasm for my actually taking part in hobbies has evaporated, getting out and about still makes me happy. 

It can, I think, be partly summed up by the theme tune to the sitcom, Cheers (look it up kids, it's brilliant):  

Sometimes you wanna go 

Where everybody knows your name 

And they're always glad you came 

You wanna be where you can see (ah-ah) 

Our troubles are all the same (ah-ah) 

You wanna be where everybody knows your name

Basically, shows are full of wonderful weirdos who care about something. My tribe. 

If you see me at a show, please do come up for chat.  

2025 - Review of the year

Two decades of my rambling! That's an awful lot of posts, 7137 to be precise. Lots of words, quite a few misspelt, but hopefully, plenty of inspiration along the way. 

2025 saw me add another 365 to the list, according to Blogger. Did I really manage an entire year without a break? It seems unlikely, but we can't argue with computers.  

Stats, according to Google Analytics, are 380 visitors a day. Statcounter says 343 - take your pick, but both are up on last year. I wonder if AI spiders are busy reading this stuff and messing with the numbers? If so, then I worry for the state of that industry!

Advertising is still hopeless, but then Google controls this, and unsurprisingly, doesn't want to tilt things in favour of content creators. Fortunately, I'm not in the game of chasing numbers, but talking to those who do, it's a real worry. It would still be nice if you clicked on the adverts occasionally though. 

The usual project recap. Garratts, railcars etc. that are briefly mentioned each year have made no progress, nor has the Beetle. This might change. My sister bought me membership of the Classic VW Owners Club, and I'm hoping they can give me a lead on someone to do the work. 

Talking of Beetles, this year's big project was a Tamiya Sand Scorcher. 

I really enjoyed this project - a dream build I've wanted to do for many years. The finished model looks fantastic, and works well too. 

Apart from this, I built a Brandbright wagon kit. 

The project could have stalled for want of wheels, but thanks to a couple of generous offers, I was soon back on track (pun intended as always). 

One I had forgotten, a cheap plastic kit Mini, that found a home on my NG7 layout.  

 My 16mm scale goods train was completed by a Woodleigh Engineering flat wagon. 

 

 In 4mm scale, there was a Ratio SR van kit. 

But that's it. Quite how I managed to fill a year's worth of posts is a mystery to me. An even bigger mystery is why anyone is still reading, since I seem to do so little modelling!

The problem is that I'm so busy with work, that I don't have the time or enthusiasm for personal projects. I work, and then want to slump. According to ChatGPT, this is burnout, but working out how to tackle it is proving challenging. Not least because there is a part of my brain that considers beating myself up like this, something to be proud of! This is, apparently, a common symptom too. To be honest, without this blog, I'm not sure if I'd ever get anything done. The desire to generate posts forces me to do things that I enjoy, once I get started. 

Anyway, off the workbench, I need to mention a bit of travelling. 

First up, a city break to Lisbon.

Here, I rode the wonderful tramcars, and also all but the most modern funiculars. A fascinating place, that I want to revisit one day with my camera. Those four-wheel cars creeping around narrow streets and up and down hills, are simply amazing, and so photogenic. (Photos here)

Then it was time for the Isle of Man,

Yes, it was the enthusiasts' week, but that just means lots of weird trains to ride, and a chance to go behind the scenes. Mind you, whisper it, but the highlight was the Southern Agricultural Show! (Photos here) 

Finally, a solo trip to Germany to tick off a couple of major transport features. First, the Harz mountain railways. 

Lovely, but I enjoyed watching the trains more than riding on them. Mind you, the model village was an added bonus. (Photos here) 

The real highlight was a day on the Wuppertal monorail. Proper bucket list material!

From the moment I spotted one of the stations from the train I arrived on, I was excited. This is one of those trips I never thought I'd actually do. And I did it! (Photos here)

So, what does 2026 hold? I'd like to think that my mojo will return and I'll make a dent in the project pile, but I doubt I'll even scrape the surface of that lot. It's odd, but I've never bought a kit, or acquired a project, and not believed I'll one day get around to it. But then, when I'm wondering what to do next, very rarely does anything leap out at me with the same intensity I felt when adding it to the pile in the first place. 

Hopefully, I will keep blogging, and you will keep reading. Thanks to everyone who has followed my lack of progress this year. Wish me luck for the next one!