Duncan

A few weeks back one of the three 009 GEM Douglas rebuilds reached completion:

For a bit of fun, this one was turned out as the Skarloey Railway's 'Duncan', wearing the red livery from the books rather than the yellow of the TV series (Yes, it is red, not pink, it's the lighting, I swear!)

There are actually some 'firsts' here though. My first time lining an engine with transfers, my first time adding transfer lettering (Surprisingly not as infuriating as I first thought adding tiny 1mm high letters one by one!) and as a result of this, my first time varnishing an engine.

Apologies to the die hard Railway Series fans, but it'd not meant to be an accurate representation of Duncan at any point in history or the illustrations, I simply found as many references as I could of the Talyllyn's No.6 in full Skarloey livery and went from there. Even then I made a big mistake. I couldn't find a reference for the cab back-sheet and so simply added blue lining to match the tank sides. Naturally, it was only after varnishing a reference appeared showing that there's no lining on the rear, in the obvious place I didn't check, Wikipedia! 

Still, it's a quirk unique to this model.

Partnered up with a Meridian Models 'Limping Lulu' and Rodney Stenning Corris Brake that I put together around the time of the original Bachmann Skarloey release, it makes a nice set.

It's nice to have a Duncan on the stock list, especially after the announcement from Bachmann that they were cancelling their own version. The red livery also has the added bonus that it wouldn't look too out of place as a guest or spare engine if a layout ever made it to exhibition.

Annoyingly, it's actually a really nice runner. Even better than some of the 'proper' stock!

I do not need a Skarloey layout, I do not need a Skarloey layout, I do not...

Time For Church

It's been a while since we were at the Cartel Challenge layout. 

I seem to have a started a thing over the last few years that every layout I work on either has to have a church or at the very least a churchyard on it. And so we come to the example for this layout:

Another first for this year, first time painting a church. Apologies to the lovers of Victorian remodelling and Gothic Revival, this is very much an artist's impression! In all honesty though, I'm quite pleased with the attempt at shading and arched windows. Certainly gives me the confidence to do further building painting onto a backscene.

Churches are a eclectic mix when it comes to prototypes, and this is based on one, but to point it out the exact reference would give the punchline to the layout away. If you somehow can work out exactly where this is meant to be by this representation alone, then shhh!

And later the obligatory 'happy little trees' were added to help give a little more depth. They do need a little tidying up (Especially that flying shrub in the corner!) But for now they're acting as a very nice backdrop to photograph rolling stock against.

Gauge 1 North 2025

THREE exhibition posts in a row?! It's all a coincidence, I swear. I don't normally get around this much!

Just over a month since my last visit, I'd decided to brave the weather warnings for heavy rain and head back at the Agricultural Centre in Bakewell for another model railway exhibition. This time for the annual Gauge 1 show, held here since 2010. I've been attending now for the last four years, but this marks the first time I finally remembered to bring the camera along with me!

This is taking the 'train set oval' to the ultimate level, with both live steam and battery power running side by side and some sizeable train lengths. What an image can't capture is the wonderful smell from all the steamers!

The Manor class engine rushing through the above image deserves a special mention as it was coal fired, the operator essentially having to shovel whilst sprinting alongside the straight to keep up with it. They'd got it down to perfect timing, clearly not their first rodeo!

Spotted awaiting his turn.

I know 'hand of God' images are generally frowned upon, but this moment did give me a chuckle. At the last moment it was found a scenic over bridge was too narrow to allow the engine to clear the main line.

A coal drop module on the corner adds a little bit of variety, and the working tipper mechanism always manages to find an audience. Personally I find watching the wagons being shunted one by one down the slight incline on the other side a tad more fun.

One big reason for visiting this show though is the trade support. A quick look at the website to refresh the memory shows a total of 29 stalls (Including societies) catering to every aspect of Gauge 1. For me though, the tools and raw material stands are unmatched for any of the model shows I regularly attend. That's not to say the others can't provide, but that this is very much a 'builder's scale' gauge. Essentially, if I'm after some sort of tool, or in this case a sudden need for brass tube, I know I can definitely find it here.

There is an urge to model something Gauge 1, and it'd probably surprise many to discover the main 'want' is to model one of these 7 plank wagons. I'm very much of the generation that grew up with the early television episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine, and it may surprise some to learn that during the early series many of the rolling stock kits came from Tenmille Products. The company is still going and were there on the day. I know there are people out there who produce replica faces from the original TV series ones, so the temptation to model a 'proper' troublesome truck is strong. I think the main thing holding me back is that I know it'd just end up one my desk as a store for pens/pencils... 

One thing that did strike me during my visit is just how young some of the operators on the big layout were (i.e. clearly below 20) There's a lot of comments lately, and indeed an ever going on argument, that the hobby is dying with no or few younger modellers taking over. Certainly didn't seem that way to me, which I found even more surprising for such a large scale when comments about lack of space are also a regular occurrence. Perhaps it's more a case of the model railway hobby has come full circle and the idea of only owning and engine and a few items of rolling stock to take along to a group layout is regaining popularity again? It's food for thought...

I mentioned 'the big layout' above as in one of the back rooms were two much smaller layout. One of these was the "Chop It Up Lumber Company" demonstrating minimum gauge modelling in a large scale, allowing for a highly detailed layout in a relatively small footprint. The waterwheel hidden in the shadows did work.

Likewise, the pumping engine at the other end worked as well. This is a really nice little cameo shed scene.

Unfortunately my visit was cut short by the inclement weather outside. Not wanting to be caught out by how quickly some of the surrounding roads can flood, and having obtained enough brass tubes to hopefully last me a few years, I made an early exit after a couple of hours.

Still, what little time I did have there was very enjoyable. Big thanks to the Gauge 1 Model Railway Association for putting on the event, it's always nice to take some time out to just watch the trains go round.

Railex Buxton 2025

Two exhibition posts in a row? Oh my!

The weekend just gone saw the return of the Railex Exhibition in Buxton. I'll admit I was a little sceptical heading there this year, not for the contents of the exhibition, but this year they'd changed up the entry fee. Turning up between 9-10 cost £4.30 more than a standard entry, the upshot to that being discounts at selected traders. It didn't really interest me, but given the event clashes with several other non-train events in Buxton and the surrounding area, and that long stay car parks are fewer than you'd think you can understand not wanting to arrive too late and being forced to go home.

Reading the show guide (Again, a very nicely produced 'bookazine' like last year) it's a relief to see that the organisers are fully aware of this, and that plans are already in place for improvement and expansion next year, including a different weekend date and what sounds like a bigger venue. Roll on 2026!

Heading in there was the usual display of courtesy rules displayed, but one in particular caught my eye:

"No livestreaming of the exhibition"

Sounds almost comical, but it clearly must be a new problem shows are facing. I've no doubt that there are people out there who would happily sit at home watching whilst someone else did all the leg work and commentary in real time.

As always, what follows isn't a complete show guide, mainly due to two things. Number one, I forgot to pack the proper camera again (D'oh!) and two, I was having such a nice time just talking to people. Special mention to the team running the 009 Society stand. Steve, I'm sorry if I stopped you making as much progress with that coach kit as you'd have liked!

Hindlow (OO) Nigel Fisher - Based on the nearby station that formed part of the now closed Buxton to Ashbourne line. Although this section of the line does still exist as a freight only line serving the nearby quarries, the station itself is long gone.

Really liked this blending of the physical layout with the processing plant painted on the backscene.

Two Bridges (OO) Rex Ashton - I'm ashamed to say this was the only image I took of this layout, but there is a reason. I've had one of these Ratio signal boxes sat around part built for quite some time now, but the assembly of the windows left e very confused as to how they went together. The exploded diagram in the instructions is a little confusing, and the photos I could find online weren't much help either. So, reference acquired!

St. Etienne-en-Caux (HOe) Charles Insley - Nice to see Charles again at Railex after he'd had to drop out last year. This is only a small part of what was a fairly compact 'L' shaped layout, but I wanted to make sure I got a picture of the on scene cassette system. This particular type uses metal 'L' brackets for the track work with small bulldog clips making the electrical connection to the layout.

Also accompanying the above layout was the 009 Society publicity stand. It occured to me that I've never actually had a chance to look properly into the display cases showing some of the Heritage stock created by members over the decades. During my chat about kitbashing with Stuart Mann (Publicity Officer) I noticed this 'Director's Saloon' bash of a Dundas Bro Madog coach kit. Another one to add to the ever increasing 'to do' list!

Grindley Brook (7mm Finescale) Hillingdon Railway Modellers - A monster (In a good way!) of a layout taking up a good chunk of the Octagon Hall. It did however allow for scale length trains to run through the scene. It certainly alway had a good crowd in attendance whenever I passed by.

Edgeware Road (7mm Broad Gauge) Peter Boyce - A very unique subject for modelling, Victorian era Broad gauge London Underground! Surprisingly, the description in the show guide talks about how the early Metropolitan line is actually quite a popular subject for broad gauge modellers!

Just looking at the combined livery of the locomotives and the coaches, I can see the appeal. That is very tempting as a colour scheme. Even though the metropolitan isn't a deep level tube line, I can only imagine how quickly the white on the coaches darkened!

Nicola Landing (On2 & On3) - This was fun to see again, especially when comparing it to it's 'under construction' appearance during the 2024 show. The thing that struck me the most was just how the river surface is just a gloss blue. I just works. Perhaps sometimes simplicity is the key.

Telindalloch (OO) Terence Tew - Scottish modelling in a small space, and for m this is the layout I'd have liked to have taken home, even if it was only for that forest backdrop. A photograph just doesn't quite convey how deep it made the layout appear to the eye.

Apparently there's over seventy trees on this layout. On the right hand side you can see how the physical trees blend with the flat trunks on the back scene, giving the depth. Love those colours. I'll happily admit I'm very much an Autumn person, so the temptation to model something like this at some point is very strong.

Heading back to the car parked under the railway viaduct there was an unexpected detour. Just by chance on the walk in I'd spotted the Buxton Railworks shop (I had actually half convinced myself I'd misread 'Nailworks'!) Always nice to find a new model shop in the local area, and even better one that specialises in preowned items, though there is a very good supply of the Peco/Wills/Ratio products alongside. It seems I may have to start making more than one trip a year up to Buxton.

One item that I wasn't leaving the shop without was an old Hornby Country Church, complete with working 'music box' chimes. I've been after one of these for so long, and at £5 I thought very reasonable. Having a closer look back at home revealed that the whole thing had been put together by a previous owner using a minimal amount of all purpose glue, so disassembly and a repaint/rebuild is definitely on the cards. Those original stained glass window glazing pieces have got to go, they'd probably look more at home in a 1980s workout video!

Wait for it, these Hornby churches are going to start popping up everywhere now that I've got one!

In fact, just having a look at the preowned section of the website has presented me with a project I've been umming and arring about for a few months but at a more than reasonable price. More on that another time...

A big thanks to the team behind Railex Buxton this year. Definitely enjoyed myself and looking forward to next year!

Bakewell Model Railway Show 2025

A little later than I'd planned, but the first weekend of June saw a return once again to what I dub 'the local' model railway show in Bakewell. In fact, since the show the post I made about last year's offering seems to have gained quite a bit of traction. Either there's more of an audience than I thought, or Google searches are just redirecting people there!

As always, this isn't a full run down of every layout that attended, and any corrections are massively appreciated! Remembering the lack of show guide last year, one of my main challenges was getting shots of layout name-boards where they were used.

Leighmoor Bois (OO) - Classic Hornby Dublo to see upon entry. Lots of train running round. Always a good way to start! It could be the fact that this was one of the largest layouts there, or the fact it was by the door, but there was always a really good crowd round this one. I'll say it again, sometimes it is just really nice to sit back and watch the trains go by.

Brockwell (OO) - A nice and compact Southern Region branch line terminus. I do wish I'd seen this layout before embarking on th scenics for the Micro Model Railway Cartel Christmas challenge. THAT's how I should have done the fiddle yard entrance/exit! (More on that another time!)

Quarry Hill (OO9) - From the same owner of Brockwell was this very nice OO9 layout. Certainly one that I'd be happy to have at home.

Allsop & Sons Slate Ltd (OO/OO9) - Always fun to see a little bit of mixed gauge modelling on a layout. Part of me also wonders how much easier it makes it when trying to explain the concept of OO9 to the general public!

With every show seems to come the stronger and stronger urge to submit to the temptation of a Bachmann Baldwin!

Karolina Falls (On30) - I'm trying to remember when I last saw this layout. I'm fairly certain it might have been at a previous show at Wirksworth, but it must have been some years back now. A very fun layout for spotting little cameo scenes, and it even has something fairly uncommon for model railway layouts, let alone travelling exhibiting ones...

Real running water effects! Just think about the practialities of this makes the mind boggle a little bit. It's either got to be one of those things that's an absolute nightmare for travelling, or is so deceptively simple that like certain magic tricks it's almost disappointing to know how it's done!

Ashover Butts - A very nice representation of the nearby terminus of the Ashover Light Railway by David Wright, taking some artistic liberties by having the line continue onwards (David himself freely admitted this was mainly to make it a loop that could be left running!) As always the scenic work deserves closer scrutiny, I'm only just noticing the level of detail on the backscene as I'm putting this post together! Also worthy of note is the positioning of the barn to hide the abrupt end of the road against the rear of the layout. Clever!

A closer look at the level crossing scene.

Spionkop (N) - I actually missed this small layout on the first walk round, so it was quite a nice surprise when walking round again.

One thing that was notably absent this year was the large 2nd hand stall. It always normally has a large crowd round it (Particularly the N gauge section!) and I normally manage to find a project or two to take home. I hope it returns next year. On the flip side, I did manage to track down a copy of P.D.Hancock's Narrow Gauge Adventure for £10, which I thought was a very reasonable price compared to some outlets online. I'll look forward to reading that on my lunch breaks.

Again, a very enjoyable show from the Chesterfield Railway Modellers Group.

Church Lane Station - Basecoats & Varnish

Some rare back to back dry and sunny weeks at the start of April saw another push forward with the station building for Church Lane. Even rarer, with no noisy neighbours blasting out music like the front row at Glastonbury, I was able to do all the painting whilst sat out in the garden!

Models always photograph far better in natural light. The highly out of focus background also makes a nice setting and gives a better idea of how it'll look against a potential back-scene.

At the moment this is just the base colours (I'm also just noticing I missed the bargeboard on the lean to!) a further drybrushing of weathering will be added later. Of note though is the Revell brown colour - This particular shade only comes in a silk matt finish. In another moment of 'firsts' this year I had a go at using a matt varnish, nothing special, just a basic rattle can. But it is nice to be taking tiny steps towards other things.

Control's Train Set

Once again, last week I found myself attending 'The World Championship Railroad Race' at Wembley Park, probably better known under the name Starlight Express.

Unlike last time though, where I was a little overwhelmed by the fact that I was actually there (It'd been a long 23 year wait!) This time there was more of a chance to spot all of the fun details in the set design that I'd missed previously. I'd also smartly remembered to pack the proper camera, which is far superior at taking images in the low level lighting than the phone!

At first glance the overall set looks rather plain, bare, and almost like it was recycled from the movie Tron, but look closer and there's some fun things going on. For those unfamiliar with the plot line the stage set is supposed to be a child's (Only ever referred to as Control) toy train set. There's a few semaphore signals (Interestingly in a 'continental' style) and as can be seen in the top image, many lamp signals along the tracks. 

The highlight for me though was these three toy train props, representing the characters Rusty, Electra and Greaseball. The Rusty prop in particular has a wonderful scene at the start of the show. I can't spoil what happens but all I will say is: It's a really simple piece of special effects work, but it's a great piece of magic. That was the moment during my initial watching when I suddenly felt like I was seven years old again, it's a lovely little sequence.

There's still a very strong urge to pick up an old Graham Farish Jinty and do a repaint, or even one of those old push along N gauge Jintys that they used to give away with Weetabix.

The state of play at the interval. Look a little closer and you'll notice the toy trains have reappeared...

All three models are unpowered, but they do have working lights! Someone more knowledgeable than I will be able to point out what type of diesel locomotive this is. Interestingly, a fun little leftover relic from the original version of the show still survives in the current script, with Greaseball being referred to as a Union Pacific!

Despite being unpowered, all three engines run laps round the stage throughout the interval, with the flat stage having what I can only describe as a 'donut' ring that can rotate 360degrees. The donut middle can also raise and lower during the show.

For a sense of scale here, each of these engines appears to be somewhere in the region of 2ft long. Naturally, it's hard to tell without getting incredibly close to them.

Just thinking about the interval set up again as I'm writing this. Could that be the most obscure theme for a 'pizza' layout?