Saturday Film Club: 1990: Building Dioramas and Models

Let's head back to the good old days, when TV used miniatures to help explain things. Miniatures built, and presented by Matt Irvine. 

The CatBus has arrived!

 

What colour is a CatBus? 

On stage, it's bright orange, but in the films, there is a bit more subtlety, so I've plumped for more AK Off-white (must get another one of those) and the same company's Brown. Even though the parts were primed in white, it took at least three coats to build a depth of colour I was happy with. Blasting things with a hair dryer is very effective. The paint seems to take quite a while, admittedly in cold conditions, to harden so one coat doesn't lift the previous one otherwise. 

Painting the brown is tricky as those pens really don't offer as sharp a point as I'd like. Again, at least three coats were required. 

Not all the paints are the same. Both the red nose and purple flying mice wings cover in one go. I used two flavours of purple in quick succession to blend the colours as I could see from a film still.  

The finishing touch was the route - 1 South Farm, my local bus service. Well, I'd like to travel by CatBus, although I'm not sure that it would be great at following the correct route if my cat is any guide!

All done, and I'm very happy. This was a fun project that I wanted to put some time into for several evenings. It's not serious, but that's what keeps me interested. 

 

Paint pen effects

I'll admit, I don't really know what I'm doing with paint pens. Obviously there are many hours of YouTube out there, but I don't have time to dig through it all, so I've read a couple of articles (sooooo much quicker than video) and dived in. 

First, we have the garden around the house. 

One challenge is to match the colours to the stills from the film of My Neighbour Totoro, which seem to change quite a bit. Then to remember that I've only seen the stage show (still looking for a DVD), and so I want a nice-looking model. It's not about authenticity. 

AK's Off White seems a reasonable base colour for the tree trunk and ground. Arguably, they should both be brown, but we are in a fantasy land. The plants are picked out in cheap pen Dark Olive, which looks really nice, but cried out for some highlights. With paint, I'd dry-brush, but that's not an option with the pens (I wonder if I could drag colour from the pen onto a brush? One to try), so I simply picked up high areas on the ground cover using the pointed end, and streaked the leaves of the tree. 

Working on a plastic base that has been primed with white, this seems to allow the colours to merge very slightly, and the effect is quite attractive, not unlike the hyperreal painting military modellers are so fond of. 

You'll notice some pen testing in the area that will be hidden under the house. These paints change colour as they dry, and I wasn't sure what they would look like in real life. 

Moving on to the house itself, the pure white walls look a bit stark, so I base-coated with AK off-white, left it to dry, then top-coated with cheap pen white. The paint is slightly translucent, so we get a nice aged effect. 

Green windows are painted first, and then many coats of white tidy up the frames. Working with a brush would be easier here and the pen points aren't nearly as sharp as I'd like. 

The roof is red, but pure cheap pen red is a bit bright. I left it to dry while pondering, then coated the tiles with AK Dunkelgelb, and wiped it down the roof immediately with my finger. Result - a nicely aged effect. Even where the paint has worn away from the edges in a couple of places looks good. Not that anyone will be looking at the roof much anyway. 
 

Cheap paint pens

I'm thinking that the CatBus would be a good project to paint entirely with acrylic paint pens. Recently, I've found them really useful - no messing around mixing paint and then cleaning up the brush. Perfect for the time-poor modeller who can see a deadline approaching. The speed the paint dries is another help here. 

To date, my tools have been from Ammo and MiG, proper modellers products, but at my club, the chaps working on the modular layout pointed me at this pack on Amazon.  They are getting on well with them, and for the price, an experiment wasn't going to hurt. 

A benefit is that this provides a lot of different colours, which may be helpful for figure painting where I need a tiny bit of colour, but am too stingy to splash out £4+ on a tinlet of Humbrol. I might love purple, but I doubt it would have gone off by the second time I opened the pot. 

The pens are normal pen size, and have a brush end, and a "pointed" one. Oddly, the brush is the more pointed of the two. Another moan (this is the internet) is that the pen doesn't say what colour it is, you are left to compare it to the back of the box and guess. 

The CatBus

 

Remember when I went to see "My Neighbour Totoro"? I quickly became obsessed with the CatBus, but not so much I'd pay £40 for a plush version that didn't look that great to me. 

Instead, I dug around the internet for a garage production model, and found this one from (appropriately enough for me) Nom Nom Figures. At just over 10cm tall, it's a nice size. There isn't room in my cabinet for anything much bigger, and this is going on display!

A few days after ordering, a modest cardboard box arrived, full of 3D printed parts, all nicely enclosed in bubblewrap. 

The printing is nice and smooth. The part fit is amazing, considering the cat curls around the roof of the house. I can't fault it. 

Time to start painting! 

GETS haul

 

Not a lot of stuff for me from GETS. There were a few purchases for work projects, but I'm still being restrained as I have so much stuff in the stash, and not enough time to build it all!

Of course, as regular readers will know, I'll buy pretty much anything Groudle Glen Railway-related, so when I saw that Saddletank Books had some bookmarks and a badge featuring "Polar Bear", they were obviously coming home with me. I don't need three bookmarks of course; a couple will be Christmas presents in a few months, an idea I like so much, I may need more. 

Better still, Pauline has promised to add "Sea Lion" to the range in the future, knowing this guarantees even more sales. 

The Warley 21st wagon turned up in a rummage box for three quid, a big drop from its original price, I seem to recall.  

And more paint pens. My stocks of these are growing, which is handy, as you'll find out later this week.  

Great Electric Train Show 2026

I don't know if this can described as a "trend", but there were several layouts this year that offered little operation at the front, replying on the fiddle yard operator being efficient and sending around a constant procession of trains. 

Instead of operation, they provided superb scenic displays. I particularly liked Penhelig, seen above. It's a halt, and very accurately, doesn't have much other railway around it, but treated as an attractive moving picture, it just works. 

I like this idea, and it's one I've pondered building in the past. You need a wide selection of trains made up, ready to be fired around the layout so the viewers aren't left waiting for some movement, but for a stock builder, that's no problem. In my head, I'd also include a couple of animated scenes to provide interest. The fun would be in the building. 

A feature that intrigues me, is this coaling stage on the layout Marley Potts & Witherwack Sidings 

Is there a prototype for this? It reminds me of the Hornby/Pola model from the 1970s that I built last year.

Layout quality overall was really high. Even Making Tracks was behaving itself on the Sunday when I visited, although Pete mentioned that the day before, one of the control boxes had released some of those bad electrical smells we all dread...

Food wasn't bad. Lunch was a very nice jacket potato with chilli and cheese, which looked a bit like the eggs in Alien. After this I really fancied something sweet, but there wasn't anything on offer, apart from bars of chocolate, so I nipped up to see the nice chaps of the Double O Gauge Association, and blagged a jam doughnut. 

Numbers looked good, but it wasn't hard to get around. Layout watching was a little challenging, because of the numbers who are filming the models, and so have to occupy a prime spot for a long while.  Grabbing a photo is one thing, long video sequences? Not so sure, especially those filming on an A4 size iPad, for whom there is a special place in hell reserved. The bit where the only model trains as N gauge GWR!

Anyway, more photos on my Flickr feed.  

Saturday Film Club: Mazda K360: The quirky three-wheeled truck that changed Japan’s roads

When I mentioned the Mazda K360 a few days ago, it inspired me to try to find some video of one in action. This is the best the internet can serve up, and it's an interesting, and pleasingly concise piece. 

Off to Gaydon this weekend for the Great British Model Railway Show

 

This weekend, I can be found at the top of the escalators at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, for the Great British Model Railway Show. 

All being well, I'll fill a couple of tables with various projects I've carried out of the years. In deference to the organiser, many with be from The Hornby Collector and TT:120 club magazines, but there will be a few BRM and Garden Rail projects too. 

Please drop by and say hello. I'm there to talk all things model railway, and not to get any modelling done!

Visit the Great British Model Railway Show website.  

Look mum, no wires!

Out in Birmingham last week, I found myself tram spotting while waiting to go into the town hall. This is the section of the line where the trams run on battery power to avoid having to install overhead wires. 

For modellers of the modern scene, this is a gift. The hardest part of any tramway build is the knitting in the sky. Now we can just pretend that the model shows a battery section - job done!

It also occurred to me that it's been a long while since I've ridden Brum trams, and the only place they went in those days was Wolverhampton. The route is now being extended, and the trams have changed too! Another for the list of places to go.  

Why was I in Brum? Well, an evening making my little grey cells do some work...

 

That's the lid on the barge build

OK, we are calling this done. This "quick" project has been rumbling on for over two months; it's time to declare it finished. 

Right at the end, the kit decided to fight me again. Assembling the roof was easy enough, but painting it...

I sprayed the whole thing with grey primer, but fancied a lighter grey finish, so out came the acrylic pens. Three coats of grey later, it looked nasty, the paint was streaky, I suspect because it dried too fast to blend properly. 

Looking at the colour, it was too light. To be honest, this barge is more Sylvanian Families than scale model, the roof should be flush with the edges of the sides, not with an overhang. The correct thing to do would be to trim it back, and then paint in the same green as the sides. I wasn't convinced I'd produce the neat result that would satisfy me, and anyway, the overhang is quite attractive. 

Out with a pot of Humbrol 66, and it covers the pale grey nicely enough, but then dries patchy. A second, thinned, coat isn't much better. Left to dry overnight, I tried a light spray with Dullcote - a little better, but I am still wishing I'd gone in with a dark grey spray to start with. 

However, I can live with this. It's not perfect but the longer I spend with the kit, the more it becomes like the Irish road directions, "You don't want to start from here". I can see loads of things I'd do differently were I to build this model again. The roof would go for a start. The interior would be reconfigured to put the log burner at the other end. I'm not convinced by the railings around the back either. 

I could go on, but as was explained to me by the manufacturer, it's aimed at a market that isn't as exacting in terms of detail. On that basis, this is a winner. Not difficult to construct, and the finished model is attractive and a little different.  

I have enjoyed this build, which is the point of the whole thing, and I have a feeling someone with a greater knowledge of canal craft could really go to town with it. Perhaps if the project hadn't had to grab little moments of my time among all the other stuff I'm doing, it would be even more satisfying. At least I wouldn't have taken so long over it!

Turning up the heat in the barge

 

 

There's a spare corner in the barge, so I decided to fill it with a log burner. After all, it gets cold on the cut in winter, and we don't want our sailors to freeze. 

I looked at a few photos online, and then decided to just mess around with some bits of plastic tube. The result looks OK when seen through the windows, it even has a tiled hearth. 

If we are going to make smoke, there better be a way to let it out, which means a chimney on the roof. 

Here, it became apparent that I'd not thought this through properly. Steering the barge, you'd get a face full of smoke from the log burner - not ideal. Really, I should re-jig the interior to move the heat to the other end of the boat, but that's pretty much impossible with everything glued into place. Ooops. 

The not quite Elsecar haul

I didn't manage to buy anything from the Elsecar show. 

OK, that's not quite true; there are a couple of goodies for future Garden Rail articles, but nothing for me personally. We came close, but I have more than enough projects knocking around at the moment.

This isn't to say my wallet escaped unscathed. You see, the venue is home to a couple of antique centres, craft stalls, and a beer shop. From the latter, I bought piña colada cider, and from the craft shops, some Christmas presents. 

In the antique centre, there is a tool seller, and there I found a cased  Arcliner compass. I have part of one of these, but for a fiver, the new one has the extension bars, so I can now draw an arc over two feet in radius. This could be very handy, as I've found a few occasions when being able to scribe a reasonably accurate curve would be really helpful. Yes, you can use a bit of string, but it will stretch. The only other solution is to make a compass from a bit of wood. This works, but a proper tool is so much better, or at least it is to a tool addict like me!

There was also a jet cleaner - presumably for carburettors- but the super fine brushes will find a use I'm sure.  Finally, a carriage door key. Don't know why I thought I ought to own one, but it was cheap, and now resides beside my GWR spanner, and massive LNER drill bit. 

Antique shops, it's not all about ugly china. There's good stuff too. 

You are probably wondering about the piña colada cider. It was lovely, but I can't tell you how accurate the flavour is, as I've never had the cocktail! 

Elsecar 2026

The Yorkshire Garden Railway show returned this year, to its spiritual home - Elsecar Heritage Centre. 

I like the site. While Barrow Hill, the location for a few years while the heritage centre was being refurbished, is great for us train enthusiasts, it's not somewhere to take the family. If you are setting up a layout or longish trade stand, the wobbly floor is a nightmare. A proper exhibition centre is much nicer, and there are craft and antique shops for non-enthusiasts. And for both, there is a fabulous beer shop. 

The show was lovely. Big enough for there to be plenty to see, but not so large you'd struggle to get around. 

I spent a lot of time chatting with trade and exhibitors, picking up both articles for Garden Rail, and product news for the magazine, as well as a couple of review samples - a really worthwhile trip. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

There were some nice ideas to be picked up too. The micro layout above is only 2ft wide, and although it uses the owners bespoke 3D printed track, other options are available. I don't have access to a 32mm gauge track, and I do own the kit for the Groudle Glen loco that was happily running around it. In fact, I own several small 32mm gauge locos and wagons. I really need to add this to the list of projects I don't have time for...

I'll admit, I did sneak out for an hour, for a delicious sausage bap, and some fresh waffle, cream and strawberries. 

There was cake on offer, but it all looked a bit sickly to me, and the waffles were lovely. I dropped in to the antiques centre too, but more of that tomorrow. Another surprise was meeting an old friend who now works there, completely unexpectedly. It's a small world!

All in all, a good day out, and a show I recommend anyone consider for their calendar, especially if they want to take the family out for the day. You can all meet up after a couple of hours, and compare shopping. If the family have spent more, you can nip back into the show, and add to your stash!

More photos over on my Flickr feed.  

Saturday Film Club: Erie Steam Shovel action

A short video this week, but what a machine!

Time for an AGM?

 

Spotted while on a photo shoot a couple of weeks ago - and it made me chuckle. 

I had to ask, and it seems that B.L.O.G. stands for Buckden Lodge Owners Group, for users of  Buckden Marina, nothing to do with those of us posting away on the internet...

Not sure an AGM would be a great idea. The Treasurer's report would be a bit of a disaster, and you lot might vote me out!

Wythall bus museum

Some days, you just need to escape "the office" and go to watch the countryside pass by from the top deck of a vintage bus. A couple of weeks ago, I had such a moment, but it handily coincided with an event at the Transport Museum, Wythall. 

Off I toddled, and spent the day riding around on old Brummie buses, enjoying a workshop tour, and some nice grub. Just what the doctor ordered, or at least I'm sure he would, if I'd asked him.  

There's not much more to say, other than there are more photos over on my Flickr album. 

And yes, there was a minor haul. I recently had to set up a photo and realised I was very short on flatbed lorries. One of the stalls at the museum sorted this out with a couple of diecasts. 

 

Theatre Review: My Neighbour Totoro

You might wonder why I'm posting about a stage show on a blog about toy trains'n'stuff. Well, this visit was inspired by something I spotted on an N gauge layout. 

Chatting to the owner, it turns out that this is a CatBus, from the 1988 film, "My Neighbour Totoro". Obviously this fascinates me, and I spend time I should be working falling down the CatBus rabbit hole on the internet. Fairly quickly, I find that there is a stage show put on by none other than the RSC. At this point, I decide to stop messing around, buy a ticket, and get back to work. 

Last week, I trotted off to London to the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is in Parker Street, a good sign.  

Finding my seat, quite high up, but with an excellent view, I awaited the show. There is quite a lot online about it, but I'd tried to avoid reading too much. 

The story is a bit limited, but that's not what we are here for. The staging is amazing. I'd go so far as to say the whole thing is magical. 

Much of the work is done with puppets. Those operating them wear black, and are veiled when not being part of the ensemble cast. This works well, you simply don't see the people, like you don't see baseboard joints on model railways at a show. 

Totoro appears in several sizes, most notably about 25 feet high (or long, we meet him lying down), and while not the nimblest puppet, he can move around thanks to his team of helpers. I understand that the multiple scale is based on the film, where the artists drew him at convenient sizes. 

For me, the star was the CatBus - it is huge, pretty close to the size of a real bus!

Again, the puppet work is amazing. As he does the flying around, miniature buildings and even a train rush by underneath. Again, we get a different scale puppet for one sequence. 

Aside from this, there is a house that spins and splits up so we can see inside and out. Plants that erupt from the stage,  a forest that closes in, moving sweetcorn plants and a whole lot more. 

The show is funny, poignant, and always visually stunning. I really enjoyed myself, and am tempted by a repeat visit. There's so much to see, I know I will have missed some of it. 

Picky point? The family arrive on a piaggio ape, which is an Italian three-wheel transport, surely unlikely to be seen in Japan. Surely a Mazda K360 would be more appropriate?  

Stern work

 

Time to move outside the barge, and work on the stern. A series of wire pieces are cut and superglued in place. Over this, slips a couple of laser-cut card parts. To cover the wire ends, a thinner card piece fits over the top. 

This reads quicker than it turned out to be. I used a piece of MDF as a spacer for the bottom rib, but did the top by eye. It's not perfect, but OK. 

Leftover wire has been used for the tiller, although it deserves a bit more colour than the plain black I've painted it. 

To be honest, this double rib arrangement seems a bit of a fantasy to me - I don't recall seeing anything like it in real life, but I'm going with it. This isn't a kit to rebuild too much. Due to work commitments, it's already taken longer than a "quick build", and I won't argue that it looks nice. 

Acton haul

 

What I didn't buy - a signal head for £400. Too heavy to bring back on the train. Likewise a chunk of masonry from a Leslie Green station. 

LT railwayana isn't cheap. Numerous "Lift" direction signs for £100. Tiny squares of moquette for £20. Even the tube line stickers used in trains were pricey, and they didn't have a Bakerloo line one. 

Obviously, this didn't entirely stop me. A tote bag and guidebook (an excellent 100 page read with lovely photos) for £8 and 10 postcards (am I the only person who buys these?) for a quid. I'm wondering if the prospect of a house in Metroland for £750 is still possible? Is the 1932 advert a touch out of date? 

Weird buys - a pack of whitemetal oil drums and depot details, and 16mm scale Talyllyn Railway plans. No idea what they were doing there, but they are mine now!

Best buy? A great big paper label that says "Defective". I think I might put it on a lanyard and wear it around my neck...

Acton Depot

A chance spot on the Ian Visits newsletter presented me with the chance to tick off somewhere I've always wanted to visit, but never found the time - Acton Depot. Home to the bulk of the London Transport artefacts collection. 

The depot doesn't host that many open days, and by chance this time it was a Friday/Saturday session, so I quickly booked the end of the week off work, and bought myself a ticket. Weirdly, this works better for me than weekends, which are in short supply at this time of year. 

Entry is timed, but they were pretty relaxed about this, letting me in an hour early. I wasn't sure how long it would take me to cross town, less than expected thanks to an efficient underground system!

The depot is big. Eight platforms of underground (not just tube) trains, plus buses and a couple of trams. Plus half a million smaller items apparently. 

It was all a bit "woah!" to start with. I needed three circuits to get my head around it properly. I won't claim to be any sort of LT expert, but I can respect the work that goes into restoring these things. 

My favourite though, has to be a battery loco. 

Mainly because they are ugly workhorses, but also because I built a model of one years ago as a magazine project. This loco is still in "as used" condition, and all the better for it. I've only ever seen these from a distance before, and so loved the chance to get up close. 

A trip up on the mezzanine saw me with another item that I have a tiny connection with.

I often look at maps and find myself fascinated by places, and in the 1990s, one end of the tube map showed a place called "Ongar". I knew nothing about it, and there wasn't an internet to consult quickly, but when I read in Railway Magazine that services were to be abandoned, I took a day off my job at the Ministry of Agriculture, and hopped on a train. 

Ongar is Chipping Ongar, and the ride included an awful lot of countryside. Riding on an underground train through this was fascinating, and a bit weird. I spent a couple of hours wandering around and caught the train back into the smoke. The line closed in September 1994, and is now run by the Epping Ongar Railway. 

As a day out, it was well worth it. Not somewhere I feel the need to go regularly, but I hope to be back one day. If you've not been, add it to the list. 

There are more photos over on my Flickr album.  

Saturday Film Club: Exhibiting at the Bala model railway Exhibition on Llantaliog a 16mm scale layout

Some large-scale steam action at the Bala Lake Railway gala. 

Pay Checks

A final bit of the Stafford haul, which I nearly forgot as they have been rattling around in the bottom of my bag, are these railway paychecks. 

According to Wikipedia, these would be issued on Thursday, and then swopped the next day for money and a payslip. Some numbers would be issued to an employee when they started work, and kept for life. 

These cost me a quid each from the North Staffordshire Railway Co. 

While I know they aren't rare, each one is much older than I am, and a fascinating piece of social history. This little bit of copper (I think) meant everything to the person it belonged to. Who was that person? Whose hands have each one of these passed through? 

I've built a model like that!

 

Going for a stroll last week, I spotted this fence. There are several similar ones on the estate it's on. 

I think the ground has dried up so much, that the posts have all started to lean. Obviously, the bars have held, so it's just leaned over. 

Which looks an awful lot like many a model fence I have seen - so there is a prototype if you can't make your posts stand up straight! 

Garden Rail November - We are off to Switzerland

This issue takes a trip to Switzerland with the stunning 'Helvetia' Gauge 1 layout, proving that world class modelling can fit in surprisingly small spaces. 

Also inside: 

• Build your first Gauge 1 locomotive with the latest beginner-friendly G1MRA kit.
• First test of Garden Railway Specialists' new Hudswell Clarke live steam locomotive.
• Create realistic water features to bring wildlife and extra interest to your railway. 
• Build a Tin Turtle armoured Simplex from recycled parts. 
• Explore the history of Harvey Watkins' Darjeeling B Class locomotives. 
• We visit the Misbourne Valley Railway for an Indian locomotive special, and if this inspires you, we're also building a Darjeeling coach 

Plus, all the latest product news for anyone working in the larger scales. 

Garden Rail November 2026, packed with ideas for builders, tinkerers, live steam enthusiasts and anyone looking for their next project.

Soft furnishings

The "padding" on the beds and sofa in the barge is made from pieces of pre-cut MDF, to be covered by the builder. 

I raided my mum's material scraps for something suitable. These aren't big cushions, but it's a modelling job I've never done before. Each piece was wrapped, and glued along one side with PVA, held with a couple of small bulldog clips. Then I was distracted, and left them for a couple of weeks. 

Coming back to the task, the material had stuck, but I needed to work around curved corners, which with the PVA and clips, seemed a little challenging. So, I changed to superglue, which sets fast enough that the excess material can be tugged to keep the tension. 

It worked!

Within a few minutes, everything was stuck in place, the glue hadn't ruined the front of the material, and I could trim the excess with curved nail scissors.  

Some small cushions seemed to be required. Why is it that the softest and most comfortable seat in the house, needs a ton of small cushions? 

Anyway, these are balsa wood squares, roughly shaped (you can't see much through the windows) and wrapped in tissue, again, held with superglue. The surface is a bit wrinkly, but looks OK. 

Stafford haul

 

As I picked up the 1/24 figure set, the guy behind the Stafford second-hand stall said, "I thought of you when I put that out!"

It seems I have a reputation. 

To be fair, I've enjoyed some cracking deals from this stand. Mostly buying stuff no one else wants, but appeals to my weird interests. 

So, we have a 1/24 set of "Campus Friends" in an odd Tamiya box. This set looks to be the original 1983 version, there is a more modern set with a figure taking a selfie. However, the plain box confuses me. Is this an early "white label" version? 

The Russian army figures are useful poses, especially those with the fuel drum. And the MG, well, I hadn't brought my spend up to the value of my entry ticket, and it just appealed to me. There is a lot of box for a very small motor car! 

These came from a preservation stand. The Merit carboys are nice models, and with straw packing, will make a wagon load. I suppose most people would ignore them for something 3D printed, but that's their loss. The trees are just nice boxes, and I'm curious about them, especially the Alder trees. 

Anorak's Anonymous provided me with a nice kit for a road roller, travelling van and water bowser. These are nice kits and make up well. Six quid is a lot cheaper than a RTR diecast model, and so much more fun too. While we are looking at road vehicles, the diecast trailers from £3 for three, and the second-hand stall had a pile of them. 

Another AA find. I didn't know what I was buying here; I just really loved the box design, from a firm I've never heard of. What I have is a set of street light kits. Probably a bit American, but not outrageously so. However, buying old kits because I like the look of the box is very on-brand for me. 

Finally, from the donations table, at the end of the day, so obviously not that popular, a railway simulator. I don't think I've ever had a proper go with one of these, so why not? I'm probably one of the last people with a CD Rom drive in my computer anyway - which probably explains it being left on the table!

Not a spendy show, but the trade was good fun. I haven't picked a few bits up for work projects too, but this is the fun/weird stuff that makes going to a physical event so entertaining.  

 

 

Stafford 2026

I suppose that I ought to mention that I managed to blag a free ticket for Stafford this year, by virtue of having given the exhibition organiser my old layout, "Edgeworth". Mind you, this, and York, are both on the list of shows I happily attend as a punter, paying to go in. Stafford is always a worthwhile trip. Partly because I get to take the train, and then vintage bus, to the showground. Yes, it would be cheaper to drive, but not nearly as fun. 

Of course, as I'd save my money on a ticket, I was duty-bound to spend at least the entry fee on the club second-hand stall. But that's for tomorrow. 

I've been visiting Stafford for a long while. In the old days, it took place in February, often with snow on the ground, and in three adjoining halls rather than this single building. They have gradually grown to completely fill the "new" hall, with all of the generous balconies being in use. 

Being in one room gives the show a nice atmosphere. It is a big event, but still feels like a club show, which is what it is. 

Layout quality is always excellent, and I normally book a shoot or two for BRM. This time, I recognised many of the display as ones that have appeared on our pages, at least one of those was so pleased with the way we showed off his excellent layout, the magazine itself is part of the display!

Yes, I am a bit smug about this. North Cornwall Brewery is my kind of layout, and so when the owner is pleased with the photos, I am delighted. 

Despite being a big show, there are a good number of small layouts, the ones I think inspire people, and those that I'd like to build. I don't think there was a single stand-out "Phil would like to build this" model this year, but many fell into this category. Maybe I'm so busy with other things that even my imagination doesn't fancy adding another project to the list! 

Trade was excellent, with many of the big names represented, including Dapol, who don't do many shows now. 

But the cake. I finally, after many years, succumbed to the giant custard tart. 

I'm sure these things used to be size of a coracle, but even now, they are pretty large. But, I had snuck out of the hall to the old cafe, and just gave in. You always regret the things you don't do, people say, and this year was the time to stop looking. 

Handy hint, the waiting time for the old cafe, which was beside a dog show, was much less than the one in the hall I'm told. Since your wristband allows you in and out, this worked well. Better still, they are finally taking cards, so no more looking at the menu and deciding how much cash you have left.

Anyway, another really enjoyable show. There are more photos over on my Flickr feed.  

Saturday Film Club: The History of Steam Power and what it means to us!

Yes, another video from the Groudle Glen Railway. What else would you want to watch? 

What colour is a blue brick?

 

Sometimes, work means I have to do some odd things. A few weeks ago, there was an emergency run to buy pencil crayons. Yes, coloured pencils. 

For the station building project I was working on, I had to colour in some blue engineering bricks. Now, in the past, I'd been told "Prussian Blue" was the colour. I tried it, and it very much wasn't. Far too blue. 

That being the case, the project ground to a halt until I located the correct colour, hence a hurried trip to my local art shop, Picturesque, in Warwick, with some photos of real buildings. 

Now, the people running the shop are used to oddballs coming in, and didn't bat an eye at someone testing every flavour of grey in the rack on a bit of card kept from the kit fret. It took a long while for me to work through all the ranges and settle on a selection. The bricks are a lot greyer than you think, but with a hint of blue. Sadly, no one makes a "blue brick" pencil to make things easier for me. 

In the end, I came away with a few: 

• Derwent Blue Grey
• Stabilo CarbOthello
• Derwent Mid Grey
• Derwent Steel Blue
• Derwent Iron Blue
• Derwent Payne's Grey

Eventually, a mix of three randomly rubbed on the etched bricks did the job, or at least to my eyes. It's all subjective anyway...