Staged in Aldershot. I only discovered it was on for this weekend (8/9 October 22) because the exhibition manager had posted details on SREmG. Usually a good show because of the number of layouts and traders available to see. I was not disappointed. Unusually for me I had no purchases in mind (for the first time I think). I wanted to buy something but what? It was not until I was on my third walk around the exhibits and after the crowds had thinned that I could study unhindered traders' offerings. As a perused Squires trade stand my mind was jogged by some items seen that were indeed needed. I ..read more

 Pre-launch of a new .pdf card kit for 4mm scale modellers. View the cover here ..read more

 N15 class locomotive hauling a ballast train out of Crewkerne tunnel. View the cover here ..read more

See that black 'pipe'. Well, I forget how many times I have knocked it off and glued it back on. It came off yet again and is now lost. Looking at photos of other models it seems to be a common occurrence. Check it is there if you buy one. I decided to fabricate a replacement and started by searching out a photo of the prototype. Now that is a surprise. The Mainline model representation is quite different, being partly flat, too far forward and angles omitted! Using the prototype as a guide I used two gauges of copper wire (0.8mm and 0.5mm) to make the replacement.  Whilst it is bl ..read more

That is, the hooks from traditional UK closed bar couplings. Mysteriously two came free and were lost causing coaches in a train to break loose. It was the Bachmann variety. A search of the usual stockists did not reveal any but there were Hornby variants available. They were quite cheap but would they fit the Bachmann frame? I was not going to try. All I could find of the Bachmann were packets of complete coupling assemblies. Needing only two hooks it would have cost about £12 the pair, a bit expensive for two small hooks. Maybe I could make a replacement.  I had some spare brass sheet a ..read more

Returning from holiday on the Surbiton - Okehampton Car Carrier in 1964. The Bulleid West Country class locomotive is in the distance and behind it are two passenger coaches, a kitchen/buffet and closer to the camera the first of eight GUVs containing passenger motor vehicles. View the cover here ..read more

Locos failing left right and centre.  First it was my Lima Class 33 that needed a motor transplant (motor obtained from www.strathpefferjunction.com). Then it was my Hornby Class 700 that needed a motor replacement (obtained from Peters Spares; discovered later I could disassemble the original motor and repair it.). Now, My Hornby Bulleid Merchant Navy Class exhibited gear slipping. There is the culprit - the gear on the right in the photo is split causing the axle on which it fits to spin freely in it. On the left is the gear assembly comprising a large (white) gear and a replacement f ..read more

 It's the holiday season! All aboard The Atlantic Coast Express to our west country seaside destination. View the cover here ..read more

This story is a follow on from my February 2021 posting about a lorry for Corona Quay (please read that first). Previously I wanted to correct the driving position and fit a driver but could not fathom how to take the cab off to gain access. It is strange sometimes how events manifest. Nearly 14 months later I was just sitting and playing my guitar and looked up to the windowsill where the lorry on display caught my eye. On a whim I decided to have another look to see if I could do the upgrade. I like the model but it irks me to see that the foreign manufacturer made this distinctly UK lo ..read more

After many years of good service my Lima Class 33 motor performance degraded to such an extent that  the locomotive had to be withdrawn from service. I stripped down the motor, cleaned the commutator, checked brushes, spring tension, gearing and reassembled. The loco would still only move slowly on full speed or not start at all. Magnetism seemed normal. I just don't know what was stopping the motor from working properly. One of the videos on YouTube showed how a CD drive door motor could be adapted to replace the Lima pancake motor and in fact a trader (www.strathpefferjunction.com) was ..read more