I started New Road around Two and years ago. After installing lights, signals and ground signals, it needed to be taken down. Well it's easier with the layout on it's back. Would it come apart ? Yes, after a bit of gentle pulling. Lead on it's back. Oh what a mess. Luckily all the signals are on the centre board ..read more

As in the previous post I have added the buffer beam detail as supplied by Bachmann. There is an extra cylinder on the fret which I have know idea where it is supposed to go.  As this was already factory weathered I have left it alone apart from adding a black wash on certain areas and in the grills. This is the second one I have, surprising the amount of differences. Both now ready for service ..read more

We had a trip to Poole Exibition. Met up with a few new and old friends. A one day show but extremely busy. I've been good recently and passed by Ray Heards stand with a glancing look. Today something caught my eye. Do I need another Class 25, probably not but I wanted one. Paying £60, (thanks Ray) for a Bachmann Class 25 is a bit of a steel compared to today's prices. Bringing her home and having a better look, I'm begining to think it's never been run, no fingerprints and very shiny wheels. Bachmann Class 25/1 model No 32-327 BR Blue weathered No 25052 Its in very good condition and runs v ..read more

 Theve done it again. Hornby TT120 It will sell. Look what people said about rtf 0 Gauge and where that has led us. In today's society with smaller houses it's an ideal gauge. Most "non modellers" who just want a train set to run wouldn't consider going to a model shop. Hornby being a household name, they would just search online to see what is available. I can understand why Hornby have kept it all in house. The hornby TT catologue would appear to be photographs copied from there 00 Gauge range. Hornby interview with Simon From a "Modellers" point of view and being an ex 3mm scale model ..read more

 Hi all. It's been a while hasn't it. I've been going off on various tangents recently. New chassis for a Mazak fitted out old Hornby Class 31. Signals for New Road, an MGB, yes that is a tangent. Some of the things to talk about in the near future.  I must get back to it. For the moment something new from Hattons. One of there Genesis carriages, a blue and grey know less Believe to have originated from a GNR carriage from 1895. It lasted until 1971 when it was cut up. Paired to a cinema carriage and believed to have travelled the length and breadth of the country. I couldn't resis ..read more

Thinking it's time for an update on New Road. I shall be quick. A couple of street lights of the old gas type. platform lights from 70s vintage. Control panel installed properly. Signal box and some ground works have been completed. I forgot to cut the arches where the baseboard join is. Will be disguised with a tv Ariel pole ..read more

The Canopy on New Road had to match the station building, something Art-deco then. Looking through various books to get an idea. I found one with a reverse ridge with a gully down the middle. 5 uprights were needed to support the roof. Making 1 was fine but trying to make 5 all the same was beyond me, lots of curves and angles. A friend of mine suggested contacting York Modelmaking, this was duly done. I was asked to produce a drawing for Julie to use. About 2 weeks later they arrived in the post. Made from white acrylic, I'm a happy bunny. Thank you Julie at York Model Making ..read more

Looking at Kernow's Adams 02, it was mentioned that the side window surrounds of the cab was in fact wrong. Kernow had painted the frame white, thinking this didn't look quite right..... ..... One delved a bit deeper. Looking at some photos in the vast array of books I have obtained over the years on Southern loco's, this should be black. Originally it's actually a brass band running around the inside of the apperature. Southern days they all look to be painted black. With a pot of Humbrol satin black and a very small paint brush I set about overpainting it. Half an hour later, we have this ..read more

Buffer stops! What else is out there other than your normal Peco or Hornby types. Searching around I found these from PH Designs. used all over BR and finding a good few photos of them in use on the Southern, spot on then. PH Designs The ones ordered were ph4bs1, the old fashioned way, a cheque or bank transfer. Bare with him, he's a busy guy. Bare in mind that what you actually get are just the etch plates, there are templates to help you file out the rails. These are designed for code 75. The easiest way to do these is to make yourself a jig. Consisting of nothing more than a piece of wo ..read more

Searching around on the net the other night, I came across a site that may be of interest to you. Not being able to find Mashima motors any longer I thought I would share. https://tramfabriek.nl/ They also have a eBay shop. https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/tramfabriek ..read more