Card Kit of the Week

 A different model displayed here every week.

BR(S) Type 13 Signal Box (click for details).

Third Time Lucky? - Battledown Flyover #4

The Flyover is assembled and installed.

It looks the part but is not perfect. There is some distortion evident that may not be noticed by onlookers, including a bit of droop in parts of the handrails.

My verdict on Anycubic Water Washable ABS Like 3.0 Resin is that it is a bit of a stretch to liken it to ABS plastic. Real ABS is much tougher. This resin will take gentle knocks due it its mild pliability but will not withstand a severe knock.

I heard somewhere that whatever the brand of resin it is all made in the same factory or two in China. I tend to believe this because of similarities between resin performance in use. Take the Nova3D Water Washable Mecha Resin which is extremely pliable yet unstable in my model form. It seems whatever chemical is included in its formula that gives it immense pliability is diluted in the Anycubic resin thus giving some stability of form in my model. 

My preference for water washable resin may be a limiting factor in performance. If my model deteriorates over time I'll not be making another.

Note: These resins may be highly suited to other model forms.

Now, see that strange wagon in the bridge photo above. It is my designed model of a 1960s Matisa 3B5 ballast cleaning machine. It is another 3D printed wonder. This is what it looked like having hit a concrete floor when I accidently knocked it off the layout.

It was made using Anycubic Water Washable Resin +. The most brittle resin I have used to date. Surprisingly, some parts were salvageable including the cabin and these joined the newly printed parts made with the ABS like resin.

In a way it is just as well the accident occurred because the long chassis had developed a noticeable droop in the middle. 

The opportunity was taken to revisit the design. Connecting the end decks were two parallel resin beams. I replaced these with rectangular brass tube for strength. The bogies, which were originally printed in PLA plastic on an FDM printer also broke (long story - don't ask). These were remade in resin after installing prototypical rivets in the design.

It was a delight to watch this unique train run around the layout.

END

To Part 1.

To my experience with Nova3D Water Washable Mecha Resin.

In the beginning.

Third Time Lucky? - Battledown Flyover #3

These five parts join together to make the bridge deck. It is nearly one metre long. Longer than the sides because the bridge is skewed. 

All but the smallest exhibit a small bow which can be manipulated straight due to the pliability of the resin. Once the sides are glued to the deck I expect the bows to be eliminated.

A couple of printing errors manifested. One was a delamination of print layers, simply due to insufficient support structures. The affected parts will not be reprinted as the fault is not too noticeable.

The other is a little odd. A rippling warp of a girder web. Odd because it only affected one girder on this part.

Earlier I said that in the design I had increased plate thickness to 0.5 mm. In fact I only did this to the sides of the bridge, not the deck because I could not be bothered and accepted the risk.

Fortunately this piece is hidden in the bridge embankment so can be left as is. Having seen this fault though the design of the centre pieces that are visible were increased in thickness before they were printed and they printed perfectly. This proves to my mind that 0.5mm plate thickness is acceptable when using this Anycubic water washable ABS like 3.0 resin.

To Part 4.

To Part 1.

Third Time Lucky? - Battledown Flyover #2

Here are the parts that make up one side of the bridge, except the three girders at the top span both sides.

So far there have been no breaks or warp using the Anycubic Water Washable ABS Like V3.0 resin. I am particularly pleased that the thin handrails have held their form (1mm diameter) although time will tell if they droop due to gravity like the other resin fabrication did.

Another nice aspect is that the print time is about half that of the other resins I used before. 

The next photo is to show off the rivet detail achievable with this technology. Each rivet is 0.5mm diameter.

The assembled side ready for painting. It is just over half a metre long.

To Part 3.

To Part 1.

Third Time Lucky? - Battledown Flyover

Anycubic Water Washable Resin +

My first attempt at Resin 3D printing this bridge using Anycubic Water Washable Resin + resulted in a very brittle structure that broke apart with the slightest knock.

My second attempt used Nova3D Water Washable Mecha Resin, chosen for its pliablity. Firstly, out of the printer it took on a life of its own warping dramatically. I was able to force it back into shape before curing and after that it seemed to hold its form.

After a winter in the garage though I was confronted with this.

Nova 3D Washable Mecha Resin

It had done its warping trick again!

Now, I know I am pushing the technology because there is a lot of long thin plate sections in the bridge design. 3D resin technology is noted for having difficulty with that.

I reworked the design to increase the thickness of plates from 0.33mm to 0.5mm. This may still be too thin. 0.7mm may be adequate but that would not look right in 4mm scale.

I have now chosen Anycubic Water Washable ABS Like 3.0. It is purported to be tough yet still pliable, not as much as the Nova3D, which is very bendy. The first issue I had with the ABS Like resin is that there is no published resin settings that I could find for my Creality Halot Mage 8k printer. That is because the resin is a relatively new product, I believe.

Google AI gave some recommendations, which seem to be the Anycubic resin parameters for their range of printers. I used these and ran a test print using the 'resin xp2 validation' model, which failed badly. I then found compatible settings for the previous Anycubic ABS Like resin (V2) and that gave a good, slightly under exposed, test result. I tweaked the burn time up to 3.5 seconds and test printed again with little difference. Anyway, I decided to stick with this and printed a component for the bridge.

Anycubic Water Washable ABS Like 3.0

The result is encouraging. There was no warp and after curing it held its shape and felt tough with a little pliability. There is some excess resin laid down at the join between crosses and side panels but it is insignificant so, no worries. I'll continue printing more bridge parts and see how it goes.

The reason I want to resin print the bridge is for the high level of detail that the technology provides. There are thousands of rivets in the bridge design that need to be modelled for authenticity. If the bridge fails again then I'll probably scrap this location for a different scene.

To Part 2.

Basingstoke MRS Expo 2026 Review

Our annual visit to this show. About 47 layouts and traders to peruse. Traders impressed having bountiful  stock of new and preloved items.  I came away with a brake van and brass tube!

Having been spoilt by the massive Southampton show recently, few layouts appealed at this one.

Here are my top three.

ESSEX BRICK (00)

I choose this crowded scene not so much for the subject or era but for the sheer complexity and heavy dependence on technology that was used to create it.

There is much animation of cranes, boats and trains controlled by computer and electronics. Nearly everything is made using 3D resin printing and it took 3 years to build.

This layout is one of at least four on show that featured a harbour or dock scene, each with as many boats as trains! 

This is a look behind the scenes at the electronics.

The builder has taken railway modelling to another level!

NEWTON HEATH WORKS (7mm scale)

Based on  the ball clay industry on The Isle of Purbeck in the county of Dorset. Fronting this cameo layout is standard gauge track and at the back on higher land is narrow gauge.

The layout is very small for 7mm scale and questions its operating potential. That is solved by the narrow gauge workings where loaded balls of clay are unloaded into standard gauge wagons at the flick of a switch.

I was also told that loaded narrow gauge wagons entering the warehouse come out unloaded!

A small layout such as this lends itself to detailed modelling. Looking closely at the engine shed at the rear and a clutter of internal artefacts are seen, though not visible in this photo.

FAIRWOOD JUNCTION Westbury (00) 15 feet long

Somewhat surprised I offer this as my 'Best in Show'. Surprised because there is no station, no goods yard, no town and its modern image! (my era of choice is 1960s steam)

It is just a four track railway in open countryside. It is closely modelled on a prototype, which is my preference. Even the backscenes are photographs of the real location. The landscaping is attractive and very well modelled.

This is one for the train spotters

Southampton Model Railway Exhibition 2026 Review

On recommendation I visited this show for the first time. 

Visiting on a Sunday to avoid the Saturday crowds and lack of car parking space I was somewhat taken aback by the size of the show and its popularity. Nearly 70 exhibits comprising layouts and traders spread over 9 rooms plus corridors of a sixth form college in Eastleigh. Much to my surprise the rooms were packed with visitors. I dread to think how busy it was on the Saturday. Catering facilities were beyond expectation being an onsite professional cafeteria.

The only downside of the venue is limited parking on site (but ample street parking nearby) and the rabbit warren of exhibition rooms typical of all school venues.

In these reviews I usually state my personal 'best layout in show'. Impossible to do this time as the standard of modelling across the board was the best I have ever witnessed making me question my own efforts.

Here are a few that struck a chord.

WANTAGE TRAMWAY (P4)

A model of the prototype set in the 1920s. I was drawn to this layout by the plethora of exquisitely modelled buildings at the town end of the scene.

THE PARLOUR RAILWAY (0)

Unlike anything I have seen before. An imposing scene that goes beyond the track. The rolling stock  is a mix of GWR broad and standard gauge and the track simply arranged end to end with automated train journeys. The layout baseboard, if you can call it that, is more a piece of Edwardian furniture, built from mahogany wood. Lighting and other furniture, furnishings and ornaments supporting the layout all reflect the Edwardian era of the early 20th century.

COLLEGE HALT (00)

This is one of several small layouts that appealed. It is always interesting and motivational to see what can be achieved in a small space. Based on a real place this layout was constructed by students of Uckfield college under guidance of Uckfield Model Railway Club members. Of particular note was the depth of field achieved and the exit points at each end hidden behind the facia and foreground scenery.

RATHMELTON (0n3)

Another small layout, this time based on Irish railway practice. It is 7mm scale with 3 foot gauge track, necessitating all to be hand built. The low relief buildings and integration with the backscene is very well done, having following Ian Rice practise.

Another notable small layout was EXPRESS DAIRY SIDINGS (EM). An inglenook 'game' nicely 'scenicified'. I failed to take a picture. Some here for you.

And the list could go on.

I was impressed with the trade stands. Seen for the first time was Langley Models who presented far more products than what I knew them for. Prices of second hand rolling stock and accessories were reasonable and inexpensive compared to new. No one need complain about the cost of the hobby if they choose to buy preloved items. The range available was vast and a credit to traders in this area. I was on the lookout for a Gaugemaster  Combi controller and bought a new one at a considerable discount on the RRP.