Tell Me I'm Mad

Or a clever opportunist!

I have been caught up in the frenzy over the new magazine 'Your Model Railway Village' because of the coach given away with issue 1 at only £3.99. I saw it in WH SMITH and dithered over whether or not to buy. Do I really need a MK1 maroon coach? Probably not, even though my railway is set in the 1960s. So I left empty handed.

Back home I did a search and discovered the model railway forums were buzzing with reviews, especially of the coach, which by all accounts suggest the quality is on par with the Bachmann's of this world, and yet it is only £3.99.

Then this review appeared on YouTube. If that guy is not a salesman he should be because he inspired me to go out and see if I could find one.


Immediately I went to our 'One Stop' shop, a few minutes walk from home to see if they had one (unlikely I thought). But, tucked away on the bottom shelf almost hidden, was only one magazine. Grabbed it and enquired at the counter if they had anymore. The manager went out back and returned with another two! So, I bought their entire remaining stock of three for less than £12.

In my excitement I entered my PIN number incorrectly three times and locked my debit card! (Thankfully I have others).

Now what do I do with this collection?

• Leave them unopened as an inheritance for my three children to sell for profit in about 30 years?
• Use the three coaches myself and give the extra magazines away? 
• Sell them on eBay after the shop stocks have all evaporated? 

 SDJR7F88 you have a lot to answer for but, I am pleased with my find (It awakened the primeval hunter instinct in me).

If your shop has sold out you can subscribe online via this link. (28 days notice to cancel subscription)
http://www.hachettepartworks.com/our-titles/model-railway


To Part 1.

A Railway Adventure

An apt title because booking a seat on a steam train excursion over the UK mainline network has to be undertaken with an understanding that the unexpected may occur. Vintage steam trains are old and can fail causing delays, postponement or, loco replacement (perhaps with a diesel) at short notice.

And so it was with some apprehension we set out on a dull, drizzly summer morning to meet our train for our first excursion, having booked seats a couple of months in advance for a birthday treat.

The service was the Swanage Belle hauled by a Southern Railway locomotive, the Bulleid Pacific 'Tangmere'. Joining at Basingstoke it would take us via Southampton and Bournemouth to Wareham and then along the single branch of the Heritage Railway to Swanage. A few hours exploring the town and sea front before returning via Romsey and Salisbury.

Now, Tangmere had failed on another tour 4 days beforehand but with no notification of schedule change our expectation was that it would be repaired in time. Not to be so. On the day of departure a change of locomotive was announced and I assumed it was to be a diesel.

But, joy of joy as the station announcer reported the train was at Winchfield taking on water - this meant it had to be a steam locomotive. A little while later and another announcement that the train was delayed due to a 'problem'! About 15 minutes of uncertainty before the train pulled into platform 2.

The locomotive was Class 5MT (Black 5) 44932, which I had photographed nearly 3 years earlier from lineside hauling the same excursion!

Settling into our seats, the old maroon carriages were spacious, comfortable and very clean. A booklet was given out to passengers containing quite detailed information about sights to see along the route, timings, gradients, maps and colour photos. As the journey progressed the weather brightened and sunshine enhanced the expansive, lush green views of the British countryside. Herds of cows and horses stampeded across fields spooked by our own stallion in full flight. There was a great feeling of nostalgia hearing the rhythmic beat of the steam loco with puffs of white smoke passing the window occasionally sending a few smuts of coal dust through the open window onto the table before us. Enthusiasts and onlookers spaced out along the lineside and stations photographed our progress or waved enthusiastically.

Throughout the journey staff shuttled to and fro answering questions, staging a raffle (first prize another excursion), offered pastries, sandwiches and scones at cut prices to clear remaining stock and most importantly frequently cleared the tables of picnic waste. An exemplary service throughout.

If the journey was not enjoyable enough we then had the excitement of stepping back in time on the Swanage Railway to see vintage rolling stock, locomotives and station architecture, not forgetting the pleasures of a seaside resort.

All in all an enjoyable and well organised day out.

Excursion Organiser.

30th BNHMRS expo

A sort of Déjà vu. 

Same halls, same traders, similar layouts and as big a crowd as last years show. 

Shortly after opening time to visit a show can make viewing layouts or browsing a trade stands difficult because of the initial throng of people. But, it is the best time to be sure of finding what you want to buy before it is sold. Not disappointed in this respect. Quite amazing the plethora of modelling items available from the traders.

With regard to layouts, perhaps it was the throng of spectators clouding the viewpoints that distracted me because not much excited or inspired me. Corris 1930 (009) was a delightful welsh valley scene that drew my attention and repeat visits. Alkham (EM) was nice too showing a great illusion of depth from the railway station across well made residential properties at the rear. I wanted to see Fisherton Sarum, billed to show but not to be seen (unless hidden by the crowds.) 

A smile was brought to my face upon viewing Stodmarsh (0 gauge). The cameo scene shown below is based on BBC's Dad's Army with Jones's van, its gas balloon deflated because the troops rifles (which were animated on the model) punctured it as they pushed through the roof!. For me, Dad's Army is a regular Saturday evening programme that is always enjoyable to watch.

Back to model making for me now armed with my purchases. 

Progress will appear on our n gauge blog (link top right).