British Railway Modelling (BRM)

'Old Parrock’ has given me enormous pleasure since the project was started in August 2017. Firstly, there was the joy and creativity of planning the layout and researching the individual elements to include. Then, there was the pleasure of track laying, creating buildings and adding scenery, seeing it gradually come to life as trains ran and the dream became a reality. Finally, and most surprisingly, has been the enormous pleasure of exhibiting the layout, meeting exhibition visitors and making new friends; it’s a great hobby! After many years of railway modelling and after an endless number of abandoned projects, I have finally completed a model railway layout and it has been a hugely satisfying experience. Like so many of us these days, space is a premium, but I do have…

EDITOR'S COMMENT We are right in the middle of our busy show calendar at the moment, and by the time this issue hits the shelves, we will have been to Model Rail Scotland and our London show at Ally Pally, to name but two. One of the best things about going to shows is being able to catch up with readers and learn what you are enjoying about the magazine, and what we perhaps could do better. It has been almost two years since we relaunched the new-look BRM, and never one to sit back and take things for granted, we are upping the ante again and would like to find out what you readers think. Our reader survey is available to complete by going to www.world-of-railways.co.uk. As a thank…

Camelot, ‘It’s only a model’ (Monty Python) started life as an idea to produce a test track, it was as simple as that. I wanted to see how much useful TT:120 trackwork I could fit on a plain old 4ft x 3ft 'Table Top', so, I made a list. The track was always going to be Peco streamline TT:120 code 55, with its closer parallel spacing of 35mm (as opposed to 43mm employed by Hornby & Tillig), and I liked the finer scale look of this previously N gauge stalwart, combining its lower height rail that’s visible above the sleepers when ballasted and its thinner rail head. It just looked so good I had to use it. I would need a point ladder and an incline for proper testing, so…

Name: Christopher Hobbs Age: 56 How many years modelling: 50 Name of your first layout: ‘Enfield Town’ Favourite era/region: LNER all Eras Favourite locomotive: Cock O’ The North P2 YouTube Channel: Peachy TT120 Although I’ve been modelmaking for many years, much of which has been as a professional in the film industry, ‘Camelot’ technically, is my first solo layout, (well, completed layout and, of course, my father had me join in with his builds). Looking back, I think there may well have been a good reason why those elements I constructed as a child always seemed to look so much better the next morning, I guess I thought we all went to bed at 8pm? Anyway, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed building it and displaying it on its premiere at The British Festival…

TOOL of the MONTH Ultra Fine Tip Glue Applicator Filled with Everbuild 502 PVA (a tip from Petite Properties), this little bottle from Metcalfe Models has hardly been out of my hands in the last month. Perfect for laying down a fine bead of glue when sticking cardboard building kits together or placing adhesive for scenic work. As long as the pin is kept in the top, the glue stays liquid, ready for use, and easier to handle than a big bottle. Ask Phil Can you suggest a small railcrane? Not everyone has space for a 75-ton breakdown crane, but we all love a bit of unusual rolling stock. Later this year, we should see the Cowans Sheldon 15T Crane from Oxford Rail, but if you can’t wait, how about…

1 The laser-cut paper plants are incredibly fine and need careful releasing from their fret with a small, sharp knife. I’m using the summer version, but autumn colours are available. 2 Carefully, bend the plant to shape with your fingers. Holding the centre with a pair of tweezers is helpful, but the fine fronds are surprisingly strong. 3 Put a dot of PVA in the middle, and shove this well into the greenery on your layout to ensure each fern is properly planted. 4 The colour blends in with my existing grass, so I give each fern a thin wash of darker green paint to make sure they stand out on the model.…