The Club builds and operates layouts in a variety of scales.
A Shay in 1:160 scale
Tom Knapp writes from Hawaii: I’ve just completed construction of an interesting 1:160 narrow gauge locomotive kit from Showcase Miniatures. It is designed to run on 6.5mm gauge track, simulating 3-foot narrow gauge. The model is West Side Lumber Company’s three-truck Shay No. 12. West Side Lumber Company (and its predecessor the West Side Flume …read more.
Sep 18, 2021
Lockdown Labours – Broad Ethel
I’m fairly new to the MRC, although I have helped out a tiny bit on Copenhagen Fields in the past. And will do again soon, once I get a window to do some more! I do build models professionally, and also for pleasure (although sometimes it feels more like a self inflicted punishment). One thing …read more.
Feb 6, 2021
A rummage through the box – and 6 buildings emerge
I have not been entirely idle since my last post, although I am not sure whether what I have been doing counts as productive. My scrap/gloat boxes get bigger and bigger, and I felt I just had to take some of the old junk and sort it out. Charitably, one might call it “upcycling”. Uncharitably….. …read more.
Dec 25, 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
2mm and N gauge Scissors – a track building weekend
It looks like this might be a track building weekend – as we’ve had two quick updates on what look like quite a bit of work. Richard is making good progress on a 2mm FS scissors crossover on a slight curve – you can see the critical geometry in the V and K crossings is …read more.
Apr 20, 2020
Cambridge Buffet Express – Painting Teak
Guest blogger Steve been working on and off on his five carriage Cambridge Buffet Express set. Four of the coaches are quite a way into their construction but the 61’6″ ex-GN Composite still needs to be designed. For those who haven’t seen them elsewhere, here are some photos of progress so far. The middle carriage …read more.
Apr 18, 2020Lacey Dale Update March 2019
Following our sojourn in the Library over the new-year, Lacey Dale has had a busy couple of months, with outings to the Erith model railway club’s exhibition at Longfield in January, and a visit to Milton Keynes MRC for their 50th anniversary exhibition in February. The performance of the layout at Longfield was very good, …read more.
Mar 17, 2019
MRC Test Tracks at Warley 50
It’s been a busy first day at Warley for the MRC Test Tracks. A constant stream of locomotives kept the test team busy, with new owners were being reassured to see their purchases successfully running round the tracks. A handful of non-runners were identified, these were returned to suppliers for replacement or refunded.
Nov 25, 2017
Scenery Update
As it has been some time since the last update, I thought I would post some images of the layout. This is more a pictorial update on the progress so far than a detailed account of what has been happening. This will be covered in future posts. To summarise, all the bare patches on the …read more.
Oct 9, 2017
Newton Peverill
“Newton Peverill” is Mike Lloyd’s entry in the MRC’s 2015 Layout Challenge. It’s an N-gauge Great Western terminus, that whilst meeting the criteria of the challenge has been designed to be extended to 8’x1′ to make it more operationally interesting.
Dec 6, 2015