Nothing was difficult, apart from wrangling the transfers for the sides. My efforts aren't perfect, but will do for a wagon that will be part of a train trundling past.
A big show means lots of money spent? Not this time.
I didn't deliberately try for a cheap show, but that's just the way it turned out. The biggest item is a second-hand length of Gauge 1 track. While I have lots of 45mm gauge track, I didn't actually own a bit of proper G1. Well, I do now. The sleepers seem very mobile on the rails, so I think I'll take it apart, clean the metal, and then fix everything to a board.
On the Dart Castings stand, I spotted a new range of model telephone boxes. Both K2 and K6 are available, nicely 3D printed, in 4 and 7mm scales. Since I don't have a K2 in the collection, I bought an O gauge model. And while I was at it, a picked up a bag of 4mm scale cats. Just because.
I can't resist a bit of railwayana, and having admired the Azuma's at York station the evening before, I was pleased to find a promotional noughts and crosses game, presumably from the launch of the sets.
While I was at it, a Scotrail sliding block puzzle joined the pile. Both were cheap, don't take up a lot of space, and have play value.
Strolling around York the day before the show, I dropped in to Monk Bar model shop, and since the law demands a purchase, picked up a couple of pots of Revell Anthracite paint, and restocked the Micro Sol and Micro set bottle, both of which took a hit from the Gauge 1 wagon transfers.
An early morning photoshoot saw me into York show nice and early this year. Finishing my work just as the doors opened left me with the whole day to wander around looking at layouts, perusing the trade and chatting to people. Far nicer than my normal rush around.
I'm not going to try to bring you the whole show, there are plenty of YouTubers out there who make it their mission to do that, I'll just mention a few displays that appealed to me, and I managed to get an acceptable photo of with my 'phone.
First up, I finally had the chance to see Maggie and Gordon Gravett's Port De Crozon, seen at the top of this post. It really is a lovely layout. The unusual high-quality modelling of an unusual subject in an unusual scale - 1:50. The thing that struck me most was the colour palette - muted but very consistent. Nothing stands out, and the colours suggest a quiet village on a sunny day. I was also pleased to see the tower that I remember watching Gordon build many, many years ago at the Chiltern Assoc. show. I'd always wondered where it would end up.
Sticking with finescale, Old Parrock by Paul Rhodes looked like a chunk of Pendon had been lifted and brought to the show. OK, it's East Sussex, but the modelling techniques looked like the best of the Oxfordshire team, and Iain Rice.
I'd love to have a go at building something like this in TT:120. Enough stock is available to make it practical, and with a scenic section only 4ft long, it would fit in the space I have available, even if the time required wouldn't.
Larger, but to my eye, very distinctive, is Coniston, by the Morely Model Railway Group. It's a truism that you should be able to identify the location a model is set in without any trains being seen, and this is very much the case here. One look at the station, and I knew we were in the Lake District.
Novelty always appeals to me, and the Roundhay team seemed to have decided to model the Lincolnshire Potato railways!
Finally, the most eye-catching-for-Phil layout had to be Janice and Myles McGregor's Studio Tour. Imagine you were visiting a behind-the-scenes theme park based on the Harry Potter films and books, and this is the model of your day out.
We also saw Ford Anglias and boats on The Dark Lake, operating smoothly and effectively. Statues spun, and there were other working features. Potter-heads will delight in spotting the scenes, most of which passed me by in the same way as the books and films. I was alone in this, though, judging by the crowds in front of the model all day.
As I say, there were so many quality layouts to be seen, a days entertainment was assured. I've only covered a few.
But, what about the cake?
In the good old days, you could nip down to your local model shop and buy a real rocket engine. Not your Estes sort of safe version, but one made of metal, that you assembled yourself.
My Dad had a Jetex engine. I don't recall us firing it up, but the idea fascinated me. He always planned to put it in an aeroplane, but this car looks pretty cool. There was a boat too, but I fear it would plough into the bank if I tried it out on the KMBC lake!
New, to me, this gas-mechanical loco in 16mm scale. I first saw the model on my late friend Ken's layout a couple of years ago. Produced by AnDell, the locomotive ran superbly and with all those rods flapping around, looked great.
I wanted one, but AnDell are long since gone, so my only chance was second-hand, but nothing appeared.
You might wonder why there is a Little Phil on the footplate. Well, when I first saw the model, it looked odd without a driver. There's always a model of me in my bag, so I tried it on the footplate - a perfect fit. So, for Christmas, I gave Ken a driver for his loco, suitably painted into overalls.
Battery-powered, from cells within the bonnet, the wheels are driven by a conventional gear. However, the rods and jackshaft drive are purely for show, a Delrin chain linking everything up. No wonder the model runs so smoothly!
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Control uses an AnDell radio set which works perfectly. I assume, from the short length of the aerial, that it's a 2.4 system. No xtals are visible, which is a relief. The loco is a delight to drive. Only problem is, it's 32mm gauge only, and I don't have a track for this easily available. Never mind, this is a nice reminder of a friend, and I'm sure I'll find somewhere for it to streatch its legs.
We head down to the allotment for some fast vegetable action as Tom Taylor's once modest railway has grown to become a popular attraction with regular open days.
On the workbench:
If you fancy a small RTR battery-powered locomotive, we test Woodleigh Engineering's 'Igor'.
For vintage steam fans, there is a good look at Finescale Engineering's Hunslets.
And don't miss our essential guide to April's National Garden Railway Show – the UK's biggest event for modellers in larger scales!
The trickiest part of any tramway model is the overhead. Unless you model a very specific location, such as Wolverhampton with its stud contact, or London with the slots and skate, overhead wires are very much part of the scene.
From Birmingham, we have another option, at least for modern image modellers. Part of the route in the city requires the trams to operate from batteries, as there isn't any overhead. The thinking was that the line runs through some historic buildings, and no one fancies screwing overhead cables to these, so for a short section, the trams drop their pans, and run on batteries.
Here, I found a little work with reamers was needed to ensure the plastic buffer head and shank slid freely in the casings. Nothing more than a couple of twists, but worth it as they won't "wear in" in operation. Not unless you push the things endlessly anyway, and that's not my idea of a hobby.
Even with the other collar on the end of the casing, the shaft and spring will go in from the front, being retained by a metal nut on the back. I added a little superglue to this once assembled, we don't want it unscrewing itself and falling on the track, never to be recovered.
Coupling hooks just slide through the headstock, the spring goes on the back, and is retained by the split pin. This slides easy though, and is a little bit fiddly to open up so it stays in place. A two-plier job.
This is the fun bit. Plenty of big, chunky parts, all of which go together really well.
Everything was given a coat of Revell 9 the evening before, so it was all nice and dry before I broke the glue out.
The W-irons have a lump on them, that locates into a hole in the back of the solebar. No messing around, lining things up. They are solid, but having fought Parkside 7mm kit moving (if you keep the glue out of them) axleboxes, I don't have an issue with that. There are some slippery plastic bearings to fit in the back first, which are a tight fit, but I added a little brush-on superglue to be on the safe side.
A piece of wire is provided for the cross shaft, but it seemed a little anaemic to me, so I replaced it with 0.9mm brass. That might also be a bit thin, but I've never measured one of these parts. A job for another day. Replacing the wire was in no way informed by me losing the supplied length either...
I did have to use a small broach to open out the holes in the V-hangers a touch, but there's plenty of meat for this.
An hour saw the whole job done, and I wasn't rushing. I need to touch up a few bits of the paint, but the wheels rotate freely, and the wagon sits flat, so I am happy.
Happy Easter to everyone who reads this blog. Apologies for the AI slop, but I've been busy setting up proper egg-based photos for work. And I've had to eat all the chocolate...
If you are curious, the original photo is this one:
Hat tip to my Mum for this one. It popped up in here YouTube feed, and she spotted Polar Bear from the GGR and forwarded the link to me.
This looks like a top even at the FR years ago. Loads of weird and wonderful locomotives. Aside from the bear, those compressed air-powered locos look fascinating. I could just build a model of one of those!
Last time I was there, in visit one, I finally bought the GGR fleece I'd wanted for a while; previous attempts were stymed by all the chubby enthusiasts beating me to it.
On the second trip, I spotted something bright orange. It's a sort of steam engine, and best of all, number six, my lucky number! It was also very cheap, being sensibly aimed at kids visiting the line. So, orange, with a six, and cheap, how could I resist?
The box has been kicking around for a while, and last week, I was just in the mood for some brick building, with the added attraction that I'd clear a medium-sized carton from the pile.
Never mind, a few minutes fun was had putting the model together. It's fiddly, but not difficult. The biggest challenge being the wheels. For a start, they need to go on the correct way so the axle doesn't stick out from the middle. Then you apply the sticker, which doesn't. Pity, as they are a nice touch.
I just hope the tiny contribution pays for a bit of loco coal.
After letting the transfers dry, I wasn't happy. I'd reduced the silvering as much as I could, but there was still some. Also, between the big letters, you could see that the clear transfer sheet changed the background colour.
So, nothing ventured, nothing gained, and safe in the knowledge that a healthy dose of weathering could cover all badness, I very lightly cut along the edges of the letters.
Then, using a damp brush, I removed the clear sheet. Some of it could be lifted by sliding a scalpel blade underneath. I've not managed to completely remove it, but most has gone, and I think the effort was worth it.
A quick coat of matt varnish, and I'm pleased with the results. Now to do the other side. I hate picking out the ironwork...
Have you ever wondered how tall the finials on top of a gasholder are?
No, me neither. But on an early Sunday morning stroll at Ally Pally, I found out anyway. Around 7ft since you are asking.
Each part was cut out from the sheet, and then I dunked the main name in some water, that had a tiny drop of washing-up liquid in it. After a couple of minutes, the print started to slide on the backing sheet, and I slid it off on the body.
What followed was much patting with a kitchen towel, some Micro Sol being brushed on, and more patting.
Reasonably happy, the other transfers went on, using the box art as a guide,
There is a hint of silvering, but it's not bad. The transfer sheet changing the colour of the background slightly is probably more of an issue, but I can live with that. Some of the raised bolt detail has poked through the sheet, but touching that up with either black or white won't be hard. I'm leaving it to dry fully before this stage however.
Then it's time to turn the model over and do it all again!
Or, "What rubbish did you buy from the show this time Parker?"
You know the law. If you go to a model railway show, you are required to buy something. Anyway, where's the fun in coming home empty-handed?
We start with some almost sensible items. The Woodland Scenics kits could be useful additions to projects, especially the water towers and tool shed. The middle one is, Tractor Pit Stop, there are whitemetal castings and scenic materials in the box, and it was cheap. Probably a blog project one day.
Moving to the German Railway society, I picked up a genuine carriage board. Obviously, I snagged the one with Wuppertal on it as a souvenier of my trip. It's accompanied by a Groudle Glen Railway fridge magnet from Saddletank Books, proving I will buy anything GGR related.
Now the big stuff.
I have coveted a raindeer car from Bachmann for years. 2016, to be precise, when I first saw it in the catalogue. Apparently, the heads move in and out as the car moves, a bit giraffe car ish. Just up my street!
Finally, before the show even opened, MRC shop operator, and layout booker for the show, Tom, spotted me, and offered me some junk he didn't want to put back in the van at the end of the weekend. He felt that out of the ten thousand people visiting, I was the only one likely to be mug enough to hand over a fiver.
And yes, this fascinating item will also be a blog post. To be honest, it is a bit of a waste of money, but it has been such a good laugh already, I'm glad I bought it. Now, does anyone want to buy it off me?
A busy show. Even busier for me, than normal. I spent the time either chatting on the stand (thanks for coming along blog readers who identified themselves) or taking photos. I managed four full shoots, plus a couple of side projects.
Since this was the 25th exhibition, there was cake. Lots of cake.
Never mind, I did try a slice of the work cake, and a couple of cupcakes, over the weekend.
Little Brian and Little Phil were out and about. We met some nuns.
A look inside the Rev. Awdry's office, now recreated in the narrow gauge railway museum. I've been in here, and it's an interesting insight into the way he worked.
Sadly, one has overheated at some point and turned into froth, sticking it in its box, but the other one is mint.
I guess that these were discovered in an old drawer. Fortunately, the finder had the presence of mind to list them on eBay. And I was the one daft enough to buy them. Price, no different to a couple of tubes of glue, possibly a bit less.
They arrived with a plastic bag too.
Can you believe people think I'm weird for keeping this stuff?
As it is, I have to spray in the garage, setting some of the equipment up each time. The smell escapes into the kitchen, and it's the coldest room in the house.
Which is why the first coat of Humbrol Wine (73) was applied to the wagon using a brush. The second coat on one side and the end was applied the same way.
Then I caved in, stopped being lazy, and fired up the airbrush. Even allowing for cleaning, a task I hate, painting this Gauge 1 wagon this way was far, far quicker than manually slapping it on with the brush. The finish is much better too.
I still wish I had a suitable spare room though.
A few more details to attend to on the Box Company.
First, replace the point lever. These Springside whitemetal items are vulnerable to track cleaning with a rubber. Best buy plenty and accept they will be broken occasionally. A little paint, followed by some UHU (PVA didn't work) and this little feature is back in place.
(I've just noticed, there is more from me on point levers on World of Railways)
Little jobs, but on a tiny layout that I hope will attract a few photos at the show, ones that make a difference. And a few pleasant little jobs for an evening.
I can't remember how old The Melbridge Box Company is, but it must be at least 25 years. However, I'd said I'd take it along to Ally Pally to act as a display stand for the World of Railways exclusive locos, so it was time to pull the model off the shelf, and make sure it was exhibition-ready.
First - dust. Lots of it. While the boxfile might close up, there are holes in the ends to let trains out, and it seems, dust in. Much work was needed with a soft paintbrush to clean the model up.
Then the main problem was the chimney. It has four stays holding it up, and as the tube splits for transport, these are made out of thin rubber thread. After all this time, this had perished and needed replacement.
Once the old thread had been cleaned away, and the superglued knots where it attaches to the buildings (it's too smooth just to tie a knot) I was faced with trying to rethread the thing. Not as easy as you might think. The holes in the sides of the chimney are just big enough for the thread, and the rubber doesn't stay straight, so getting it into the chimney is fine, but finding the exit hole isn't.
In the end, I passed a length of wire through the chimney, and superglued the thread onto the end, then pulled it back through. This worked a lot better than I expected it to!
After that, a bit of knot tying, some superglue and a kicker, and the job was done.
We've each kept one of his caps, Dad rarely went out bare-headed, so I've done my best to copy the colours of each of our headgear souvenirs.
The rest is a beige M&S windcheater, Humbrol 121 dry-brushed with 147. Trousers are a dark blue and antracite mix, with dry-brushing in blue.
Anyway, we love Rob's work, and are sure that Dad would have as well.
I have a plan though.
Little Phil, and Little Brian, will live in my bag as miniature me has been doing for a few years, and we will go on adventures together. Next time Little Phil finds himself on top of a mountain, or an interesting railway location, he will have company.
Update: The little people have enjoyed their first day out, a visit to someone who was a friend to both of us, and his 32mm gauge garden railway.
