Blog
Keep up-to-date with The Model Railway Club
Pacific Coast 111 – narrow gauge N
With the encouragement of Tim Watson, I would like to share a just-completed N-scale-narrow-gauge project (1:160 scale on 6.5mm gauge track) from my workbench here in Hawaii. It is a far cry from the scratch-built locomotive mechanisms Tim and other 2FS modelers routinely create from billets of brass, but one must work with one’s skills …read more.
Oct 17, 2020
Ingatestone resumes modelling at Keen House
Both Ingatestone 00 and Putnam HO have resumed modelling at Keen House from the end of August. Many members have been involved in making Keen House COVID safe and we now have reopening of the club on Thursdays for members from early Aug. There are many members to thank for their efforts here. We had …read more.
Sep 14, 2020
Figuring out the USATC’s painted numbers
Or: fixing a factory shortcut The subject: Roco’s recent H0 model of the S160, which was a utility locomotive ordered by the United States Army Transportation Corps (USATC, set up in 1942) in preparation for the invasion of Europe as the second world war progressed. The model meets the high standards currently expected in the …read more.
Sep 12, 2020
Stayin’ Alive
A closer look at improving running reliability in DCC using capacitors A long-standing irritation in railway modelling is the tendency of powered model rail vehicles to stall owing to a momentary loss of electrical contact between wheel and rail. This is annoying in any circumstances, but is particularly problematic for sound fitted locomotives, exhibition layouts …read more.
Sep 5, 2020
A Long Welded Rail Train
Several years ago, a French firm that makes plastic sections (something like Evergreen) introduced plastic rail section in different sizes. The smallest is equivalent to code 80 and I bought some at one of the exhibitions in Germany. Moulded in dark grey plastic, it is flexible enough to be easily curved. So was born the …read more.
Aug 29, 2020
A Freightliner for Minories
Freightliners were a regular feature on the section of railway I overlooked as a child, running down off the WCML through Primrose Hill and Camden Road. The Hornby model is clearly very dated: and I could never quite convince myself to buy the Colin Craig etched kits that I have jealously watched on other layouts, …read more.
Aug 6, 2020
Getting Dirty – The Art of Weathering
I suppose of all the model railways skills I may, or may not have, weathering rolling stock is probably my best and certainly the one I get the most enjoyment and satisfaction from. All set up in my new conservatory! Bill Water’s M7 mentioned in the article gets the air brush treatment with my new …read more.
Jul 30, 2020
Bow Junction – July 2020 Update
We have managed to make some progress on Bow Junction during the lockdown. Here is a photo of the Foundry board and the mainline behind it. We are now fixing the track connection to the Foundry. Progress is also being made in connection with rolling stock. As you can see there are about 25 wagons displayed with …read more.
Jul 26, 2020
York Road – Underground modelling 35 years on
I recently retrieved the cardboard placeholder model of York Road tube station from Keen House, prior to going on holiday in Cornwall. This has enabled me to make a good start on the definitive building. Unbelievably it is approximately 35 years since I made the original Caledonian Road station. I always like to use a …read more.
Jul 25, 2020
Sarum Road – Part 10
Or how I got a new set of legs without surgery… Legs, I like ‘em – apart from the ones I originally designed for Sarum Road (based on an upturned wine glass – now there’s a surprise). I was never happy with them and after two or three years of cogitation decided that aluminium angle …read more.
Jul 16, 2020
Class 20 conversion to EM – with Gibson wheels
In the latest of the blogs on straight forward conversions of OO to EM gauge, this is a conversion of a Class 20 using the Alan Gibson pack of wheels and new axles -available direct or via the EM Gauge Society. The conversion pack is suitable for the Bachmann Class 20 & 25 and the …read more.
Jul 12, 2020A Pagoda for Great Shefford
The latest to emerge from the South East Cornwall workshop ( which has been quite productive since summer ended and it has been raining for the last month ) is this 2mm scale “pagoda” for Richard Wilson’s Great Shefford project in 2mm scale. It has home-made corrugated aluminium sheeting over a plasticard shell. The roof …read more.
Jul 11, 2020