Gauge Fudging

nevard_110224_matfrd_sdjr7f_DSC_1561_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Last week I was down in the Devon and Cornwall photographing layouts for the UK's most innovative model railway magazine Model Rail (it also has the best repro by far too).

The shot here is of my freshly weathered up Bachmann SDJR 7F 2-8-0 posed on John Farmer's delightful depiction of a modern day railway outpost near Exeter in P4. Before getting down to taking the 'proper' photos, we thought it a bit of fun to back date the layout 50 or so years and pose this OO gauge loco in it. Serious toy chuff chuff fans know that OO which is 16.5mm gauge will not work on P4 which is something around 18.8333333333333333333 mm in gauge. However if one is sneaky, all one needs to do is to place a length of rail on its side just inside the rail furthest away for the far loco wheel flanges to rest on (if you look under the front of the loco just to the right of the pony truck you can just seen the rail). The 2 wagons in tow are proper P4 gauge however.

It would be unfair to take credit for such tomfoolery, Messrs A York and P Marshall-Potter have done this many times in the past, but they have kept the 'how' bit a secret.

Model Rail International 2011

From the same team (which includes me as snapper) that brings you Model Rail Magazine, the eagerly awaited 2011 Model Rail International has just hit the shelves of newsagents and model shops across the UK. A4. Perfect bound. 130 pages. High quality paper and repro. Price 4.99.

• Nuremberg Toy Fair Report
• Layout: Rhatia (HOm)
• Modelling Switzerland's Rhatische Bahn
• Weekend Wonder: Madurodam
• Layout: Quai:87 (Proto 87)
• Run Rabbit, Run
• Coffee Break
• Layout: Oceanside (N)
• Modelling Timber Trains
• Timber!
• River Deep, Mountain High
• Where to go in 2011
• Weather or not?
• Q&A
• Time Team

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• To order POST FREE call 01733 840564

'Austerity' need not mean dull!

nevard_110225_harry_IMG_9284_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Yesterday this colourful happy chappy called Harry arrived second hand from Paul Steedman of RHB Rhatia fame (see his layout the latest Model Rail International just out - get it from Smiths - that's the cover on the right by the way). As you can see, the loco is in very nice condition too in its rather smart red, which is anything but 'austerity'.

This Hornby model is a little dated, so it could do with a little work to bring it up to current expectations. Some will of course replace nearly everything with bits of brass, I have no issue with that, but life I'm afraid is too short for me with so much else going on, and anyway in my case it's all about effect rather than total accuracy. So, for this reason my detail tweaks will simply involve some new lamp irons, cab handrails, smokebox handles and a finer replacement for that rather chunky grab thingamabob hanging off the saddle tank near the front. Most of these bits will be manually filed up from surplus brass 'sprue' and paper-clips. 

I quite like the crimson colour and fine lining, so that will stay and be subdued with bit of weathering. A new name will be chosen and take the form of an etched plate. I quite like the name 'Mendip', this I imagine is unlikely to exist 'ready-to-stick', so the actual name will probably be something else that looks and sounds suitable (suggestions if you like-please).

The chassis is a little crude looking by today's standards, but once it's under a layer of grime, it will hopefully look much better, and anyway, it's a sweet running chassis after widening the back to backs to get through my C+L - so *why meddle?

This loco's home will be split between Brewhouse Quay, Mendip Colliery and Cement Quay (when in olde-worlde steam mode).

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*Cue hate mail from the adenoidal brigade who will insist that this loco is totally wrong and that I should be building a kit from brass and how I should be publicly strung up at the next finescale meet and be whipped to near an inch of death with Peco code 100.

Friday's Load of Old Bull...

nevard_110222_catcott-collett_DSC_1470_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Swindon's finest 3206 pauses at Catcott Burtle with the 2.20pm service from Highbridge to Evercreech Junction during the rear end of the summer of 1965. Note the brisk westerly wind catching the exhaust (which I admit to being Photoshoppery).

OK, enough of the old tosh, hopefully the grass is a good advert for static grass "ground foam is so 90's don't you know?". The reeds are not the right colour and too dense - some plucking and work with the airbrush needed there (real life and its requirements somehow got in the way). The actual backscene is suffering from perspective things from this oblique angle - my excuse is that strong westerly and moist air off the Bristol Channel in is to blame, the Mendips being about 4 miles to the north creating the cumuli running along the ridge (it looks fine head on). Must sort out the curtains on the top right window (cut out from junk mail) - they're rubbish I know (but it is very small in real life). And if any smart nice person mentions that the telegraph wires should sag then listen to sound of a raspberry very loud.....

WIDESCREEN VERSION http://www.nevardmedia5.fotopic.net/p69185292.html

March 2011 Model Rail (154)

Firstly you must gawp at the wonderful cover taken especially for this issue. With such a crowded news stand in the uber-nerd section of the nation's favourite newsagent, it's really important to stand out from the rabble, and to carry this off in wonderful style Model Rail's George Dent has done a cracking job titivating up a Hornby King Arthur Class locomotive.

Behind the cover is the below, all propped with the best colour and image reproduction of any UK model railway magazine!

• News - pictures: Hatton's Co-Bo, and 10000, Dapol's class 22 
• Reviews: N gauge HSTs, Britannia 
• Nuremburg News 
• Westbury Cement - showcasing Steve Jones' beautifully modelled portrayal of the well known but recently closed cement works in Wiltshire.
• Choose the Right Semaphore Signals for your Layout by George Dent.
• Brassmaster's 'Scot' detailing 
• 5 Ways to Make a Hedge - Peter Marriott
• Going off the Rails - GWR road vehicles and the Railway Air Services feature  - Chris Leigh
• Highley Unlikeley - a delightful N gauge layout based on the Severn Valley Railway.
• Recycling Your Old Layout
• Fitting Commonwealth bogies on a Bachmann CEP
• FREE printed building kit (Victorian era messroom/office/light industrial)
• Ellis Road O layout - Rob Ellis' popular exhibition layout portraying an urban Southern Region freight backwater in the day of steam.
• Masterplan - Ventnor 1969
• Gullant N gauge layout building - Part 3 of this micro Peter Marriott.
• Show & Tell
• Q&A
• All the regulars,
• Backscene.

Brewhouse Quay: Monday 14 Feb '11

nevard_110213_brewhouseQ_IMG_9207_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Most of Sunday was spent cracking on with the trackwork on Brewhouse Quay. Once you get going this form of track contruction can be remarkably speedy.

The most tricky bit of track is now complete apart from the hidden staging yard bits, the siding in the distance, and gapping sleepers and rails so it actually works. Most of the area in the foreground will be cobbled, it forming part of the canal wharf - hence all the additional check rails.

Brewhouse Quay: Update 12 Feb '11

nevard_110211_brewhouseQ_IMG_9181_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Brewhouse Quay's 'K Point' is slowly coming together - lots more in the way of checkrails/rails to add! It's actually proving easier to work in copper clad than I recall last time.

Copper Clad is very forgiving if a realignment is needed - rivet in ply sleepers would be less so. I'm using code 55 flat-bottomed rail from C + L, not the N gauge version which would have a top that is too narrow, but the 4mm version which is often used to depict third-rail on Southern Region systems. My reason is for that light-railway industrial look.

Most of the track to the right will be embedded in cobbles, hence the continuous check-rail. I will be extending the check rail on the right up to the diamond - due to a chance of plan which involves the crossing diamond area being cobbled too.

The 6.05 pm Service from Evercreech

nevard_110206_catcott_DSC_1324_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

BR Std Class 3 MT No. 82005 slows for Catcott Burtle with an early evening service from Evercreech Junction during the late summer of 1964.

The layout lights were turned off and the natural north facing window light was allowed to stray in. Clunk.  The only addition is the fake engine-clag and some pillock called Chris leaning out of the engine. The Morris traveller has been sprayed with a little matt varnish to kill the toy like shine.

Oh yes, before I go - here's a 1280 x 800 pixel version..

Down Wiv-da-Kidz-Init?

I frequently get requests from toy chuff chuff fans wanting to be my 'friend', however I'm a shy retiring type who only keeps a personal Facebook account for family and the closest of friends - that aspect I'm sure most will understand unless they're a railway modelling stalker.

I don't really want to show the obilgatory out of focus drunken shots to the rest of the world because they're really not pretty much of the time. And anyway, most people I'm sure really just want to snigger at my railway modelling, photography and occasional humourous swipes at the 'odd-brigade' who give us all something to cackle or roll our eyes at when at exhibitions.

So, in response to the above, I have set up a 'Facebook Page' to announce new photos, website and blog updates, an exhibition diary, answer a few questions on how not to 'do' model railways and photograph the resulting distasters in a slightly more casual interactive way than my Twitter account allows.

• CLICK HERE, to get to the Facebook page.

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The non-fluffy small text: unlike a personal Facebook account, there is no restriction or approval required. Iffy members trying to sell stuff to increase the size of ones member will be removed howver.

Digital Photography with 1960's Tech.

Click on the photo above for a 1024 sized version.

This snap shows a typical Highbridge Branch train as seen in the last 2 years of the line's existence; a single Hawksworth Brake Compo and a ex-Southern Railway bogie-van for perishables (fun things like cider and cheese). You can see some rather nice prototype photos of such trains here. Note the narrow gauge trucks in the background used for transporting peat from the nearby moor. I hope to get that aspect operational before the next show.

Of more interest to photographers, might be that this photo was taken using a Nikon Nikkor 35mm focal length prime lens dating from the mid-1960's. We tend to think of digital photography as throwaway, but this need not be the case, many makes of digital SLR allow the use of wonderful older lenses - and 'vintage' is so cool! So, if you have a limited budget, the smart money will always go on a good lens, the chances are that you or your kids might still be using it 45 years later like here - whereas that expensive camera body will be down the car boot sale with all the knocked off tat in just 5. And the real bonus is that 'camera make' prime lenses are frequently optically far better than mid-priced zooms and go for pennies on Ebay! Of course that smarmy salesman in the out-of-town megastore will not tell you any of the above for obvious reasons.

So, here we have a portrayal of the end of steam scenario, taken on a lens that was around when steam ruled supreme, well just!

Below, hopefully some of the answers to the blizzard of questions that will no doubt follow......

• Loco: Bachmann Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-2 renumbered, detailed and weathered.
• Coach: Hornby Hawksworth Brake Compo after a bit of fettling
• Van: Ratio (Kit) SR bogie van.
• Layout: Catcott Burtle.

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• Toys: Nikon D200, Nikkor S 35mm f2.8 shooting RAW with the camera firmly mounted on a tripod.
• Exp: 3 sec at f16, using 6 exposures combined in Helicon Focus to extend the depth of field.
• Lighting: The layout's own fluorescent lighting.
• Cheating: The only computer addition is the loco-clag using 'Clouds' in Photoshop.
• Not-cheating: The sky is physically there, is actually part of the layout and was produced photographically - proof here for those that think everything is make-believe these days: http://www.nevardmedia5.fotopic.net/p57399245.html . I'm mid-way through writing an article for the popular press on doing such.

Look, I Shrunk the Wife!

 Click on the pics to enlarge to 1024 pixels...

 Ok, now I've got your attention with my wife superimposed in unseasonal clothing onto the little bridge that crosses the remains of the Glastonbury Canal next to Catcott Crossing, the real reason for this post is to highlight a little basic weathering on the rather splendid new Hornby ex GWR Hawksworth Brake Compo. These rather stylish coaches were regularly used during the final couple of years of the former SDJR Highbridge Branch. And yes that is me in the cab looking stupid.

Weathering has involved a few washes of black acrylic mixed with Carr's rusty coloured weathering powders, the filthy mix was then splashed all over the pristine coach, wiped off and then buffed with a stiff decorator's brush to produce a nice sheen whilst working the pigment into the recesses. Prior to this filthy task, the roof was repainted a darker Humbrol matt grey. The peeling paint which appears to be a feature of these coaches in their final years was achieved by applying some PVA glue before-hand and then peeling it off after the darker grey paint was applied to reveal the original lighter colour underneath. Of course there are special bespoke products to do this - but you know me by now I'm sure. Tight. I also added a 'first class' stripe just below the roof line courtesy of some HHRS Pressfix, the model doesn't come with this, but photos of these coaches show such in 1964-65.

Below, a slightly more close up view which hopefully better highlights what I have done. Further improvements might be to remove the glazing and paint the edges of the clear plastic to reduce or possibly eliminate the slight prism effect. Of course some passengers could be added too (the token passenger on the right in the top photo is a well known model railway scenic expert courtesy of Photoshop) - but we all know that this little piece of railway never carried anyone in its final years apart from spotters so who cares? Before some spod with an irritating adenoidal voice takes great delight in letting me know that the guard's handrail is missing - yup I know, it got damaged when buffing the coachwork - so it will need to be replaced with some brass wire.

I quite enjoy these quickie weathering jobs, they really transform these already excellent ready to run models. So, next I quite fancy doing a Hornby 'Blood & Custard' Maunsell 3 coach set next using similar techniques for running on Combwich, such will look super behind an ex Midland 4F.

Brewhouse Quay: Aerial View

nevard_110204_brewhouseQ_IMG_9143_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Here's a looking down Google Earth kind of view showing the whole caboodle. The whole layout is importantly contained in 4ft x 2ft3 area, the area to the left and behind the backscene being hidden staging/fiddle areas that are accessed by a sector plate which also completes the run around loop which should produce a good shunting puzzle. The foamboard sub base is just resting very roughly in position to show how it will work one bonded firmly in position.

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Disclaimer for armchair modellers: this layout is not finished, the buildings are only positioned approximately, the little row of buildings at the top are just there for effect, I might or might not be using them, and if I do they'll be hacked about accordingly. The backscene will not be left bare wood and will not have one pasted on from Peco, it will be painted or produced photographically as with Catcott. The whole diorama 'box' will have it's own built in lighting rig. This layout will form part of the Model Rail Mag road show from time to time to display new releases, some of which may never have gone near a brewery in real life. And no, I won't be building another one in N gauge. It's my layout - so there.

Track Laying on Brewhouse Quay

nevard_110204_brewhouseQ_IMG_9104_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Track laying has now started in earnest on my brewery project. Because the layout will be presented diorama style with a high curved backscene on 3 sides as mentioned on previous posts, I'm laying the track 'off set' using a 5mm foamboard sub-base which will be firmly bonded to the proper plywood base once most of the fiddly stuff has been done. It's much easier to work this way because I can spin the base around to suit and really ensure that the trackwork is all properly aligned without having to resort to some kind of contortion act. Good track is something that is particularly important with a layout which will mainly be running 4 wheeled locos, though of course one should always aim for well laid track irrespective of what one is running.


Much of the trackwork on the left hand side (which is next to the canal basin) will be embedded in sets (cobbles), so armchair modellers should worry too much about the iffy sleeper spacing. Note the check rails on the nearest line in preparation for the 'sets' which will probably be scribed Humbrol Air Clay.

Natural Window Light

nevard_110123_combwich-53809_DSC_211127b_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

At Combwich, a nicely buffed up 82005 prepares to take on coal next to the foreman's Morris Traveller.

For most layout photographic commissions we have to use portable studio lighting to get the best out of layouts because most model railways are nowhere near a good source of natural light or are lit by domestic spotlights. This type of artificial lighting, whilst popular is totally unsuitable for photography because of multiple shadows and uneven pools of light it generates. Tip: do what Pendon do and use fluorescent tubes if you want to use your layout for photography, modern digital cameras cope very well with this type of lighting.

Sometimes though the layout can be placed next to a window, the soft lighting especially if on an overcast day can produce a very nice luminous quality.

For the shot here, the layout was placed at about a 70 degree angle to the window, the angle being important to add a bit of modelling which highlights texture and detail. In the digital darkroom, apart from some basic level control (which is no different to the old days when we used to send negs away for printing or do our own at home), the only computer addition is the little whiff of smoke. Oh yes, and the use of Helicon Focus to extend the depth of field, that however will not have added anything that isn't actually there.

You can see a bigger version here:
http://www.nevardmedia5.fotopic.net/p68805715.html

Barking Bill

Watched by Tiddles the huge station cat bruiser, SDJR 7F No. 53809 arrives at Combwich with the afternoon goods from Evercreech Junction during the August of 1961. 

This is of course the rather super new Bachmann SDJR 7F 2-8-0 which has appeared a few times over the last few week on this blog. The big difference now is that I have at last almost finished the weathering process.  I never weather in one go, but tend to do it in stages over a few days or even weeks, for it is very easy to overdo weathering and end up with something crude if rushed. I also like to see how the loco looks in different light and how it compares to other items of stock that it will be running with - that and of course using as many colour photos as one can find for reference. And that aspect now has been taken care of due to this wonderful resource in the form of Barking Bill's Photostream which is the real reason for this blog post!


The obligatory WIDESCREEN wallpaper version is here!

Fake Himalayas, Photoshop and Marmite

60026 arrives at Cement Quay Old Wharf with a and empty short rake of MFA high sided box wagons. The loco will uncouple and run around the train before propelling it under the screen for loading. Click to enlarge.

 When photographing a model railway for publication it is generally desirable to replace the garage or office wall with some kind of wishy-washy pale blue, grey or white background in the event of the layout having no or a very low backscene. This I’m sure most will agree quite acceptable practice, for even 100 years ago such photographs would be tidied in such a manner by painting out part of the negative. The only way to avoid this would be to make sure that the camera always points downwards, which to be honest is likely to be a very dull experience for the reader.

In the olden pre-digital days, for those layouts without backdrops, large rolls of pale blue coloured paper or cloth would be suspended behind the layout during the shoot; this could prove quite a slow process due to space and the ability to light the cloth or paper evenly. These days we can use photo editing software to achieve the same if not better result allowing the photographer more time to concentrate on new, creative angles and good lighting.

This is all good news all round, but I’ve noticed increasingly on the printed page a tendency for all sorts of non-layout things starting to appear behind or even in front of layouts, frequently this is in the form of actual landscapes pasted in, making it possibly quite tricky for the reader to work out what’s really there - or more likely not. Personally I won’t take this route because is not about me and how clever I may of may not be at photo editing, but about showcasing the layout and all the hard work that’s gone into creating it. And then, what is the exhibition goer going the think when they finally see that their favourite layout in print doesn’t have Chatsworth House or the Yorkshire Dales really lurking in the background in full focus?

However, recently and possibly controversially I add a little ‘clag’ to steam shots, though I hasten to add that I always make available a set of photos ‘without’ and leave the editorial team and layout owners to decide which set of shots they want to use (which surprisingly has been a ‘yes’ to clag most of the time). It’s a bit like Marmite I guess, you either love it or hate it? And I’m sure most readers will know that the miniature locomotives don’t really spout out smoke, not unless 240 volts has accidently been zapped through them. Maybe I’m just adding what the brain imagines when looking at our miniature world, bar and the hiss, chuff and clanking noises? Comment!

What’s the shot at the top of the page got to do with it all? OK I admit it’s taken on my layout – but shot-wise it’s what I like to aim for with other people’s layouts if at all possible, especially if there’s a nice high backscene to allow a low angle like here. I can safely say that if you ever see the layout for real, pop your eyeball out and rest it on the edge of the layout (I’ll even give you a blob of Blu Tac if that helps) this is exactly what the naked eye will see. But, if your layout doesn’t have a nice high backdrop, I promise never to add the Himalayas or the Massif Central if ever I’m lucky enough to photograph your pride and joy!

Model Rail 152 / Concrete

I'm freqently being asked about how to produce the super super speedy old fashioned style concrete effect as seen on the culvert here on Catcott (click to enlarge). 

After much pressure from emails via my website and people at exhibitions I finally caved in to produce a 'here's how' featurette for the January 2011 issue of Model Rail Magazine. And I must say that the Fabulous Bauer Boys have done a wonderful job putting my random jottings and snaps into a super looking and coherent article that hopefully can be of use to modellers who want to venture beyond a slap of grey paint.

Ok, enough about me (almost), here's what else is also in the this cracking issue:

• Select your Sentinel (beautifully posed and photographed) 
• Hornby 2011 Preview (more fab photography) 
• News 
• Reviews (including the SDJR 7F)
• Layout: Checkhuddersfax 
• Can you Build it? Part2 
• Quick Getting Concrete (that's by me!) 
• The Ultimate Guide to BR Coach Liveries
• Masterplan: Gullant 
• Action Stations 
• Layout: Stodmarsh 
• Model Rail DVD Offer 
• Model Rail Shop 
• Britain's Model Trains 
• Subs offer 
• Q&A 
• Hornby 2011 Handbook 
• Next Issue

Model Rail is available from all good news agents or can be ordered online here!

Time for Pint

The Astolat Model Railway Circle Annual Exhibition on Saturday 15 Jan went very well indeed after a quick set up of only 17 mins from getting out of the car to running a loco. Much to my surprise the layout performed admirably as it did at its last outing at Railex in May 09, with the only 2 derailments of the whole day being caused by not placing stock properly onto the fiddle yard tracks in the first place - duh!


The newly installed working level crossing gates went down a treat with the audience, that and the sunflowers growing in the crossing keeper's garden (why bother with the trains?). A special thank you must go to Dave Renshaw who kindly gave up his day to assist running trains  - I hope it wasn't too stressful!


The tweeded gent to the left isn't an escapee from a society finescale railway modelling gathering,  but the charming Bob Symes who may be familiar to those who remember 1960's & 70's TV - Model World and Tomorrow's World. Amongst other things he also hosted 'Bob's Your Uncle' (Childrens Channel) in the late 1980's.

Enough from me, even though Dave R did all the work running the trains, it's now time for a pint. Next? Full steam ahead with Brewhouse Quay! Toot toot!

A Leggy Italian!

Ah - gotya! I expect you were hoping for some prime totty! Sorry, nothing so exciting, but what would you expect on a toy train BLOG? But I can tell you that my huge heavyweight vintage pro spec Manfrotto Art 075 tripod is suffering with 4 broken leg extending clips after 25 years of use - not bad, it having been made in a country better known for cars that rust when new and dishwashing machines. Getting hold of spares has been impossible, so for the last few shoots I've been resorting of using a pair of pliers for any leg length adjustments - which is rather tardy to say the least.

So, whilst I await some other kind  of mechanical fix for 'the beast' probably involving a keen chap with a  foundry and skills normally used maintaining the Eiffel Tower, I've  taken delivery of a Manfrotto 055XPROB. Why this model? Well, it  has an arm which allows me to suspend a camera actually above a layout  which is something I've never been able to do until now. Benbo is a well  known make that's been doing this 'arm thing' for years, but with Manfrotto now taking this useful route, it allows me to use my various tripod heads (a ball and  socket being seen in the shot).

So, here we have a snap  of a camera taking a shot of another camera taking a photo of Catcott  Burtle, the view as you would briefly see shortly before hitting the ground at 120 MPH - if  having fallen from an Tiger Moth!

Catcott Burtle - Now with Working Gates

In preparation for the weekend show in Guildford at the Astolat Model Railway Circle Exhibition, I've finally managed to bodge up some working crossing gates and a working signal.
I won't go into too much detail for the mechanical brigade will probably shudder at my Heath Robinson approach using brass rod and code 75 bullhead rail; you'll just have to imagine - but if you come along to the show at the weekend I'll let you look under my drape and the mechanical contraption - ooh err Mrs!

Summer Saturday Over Mendip!

nevard_110109_pines_DSC_20926_BW_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Acclaimed West Country snapper Ivan Locksmith with his Rollieflex and a roll Kodak Tri-X captured this photo of the Cleethorpes to Exeter pounding up the Mendip slopes near Masbury ably hauled by 40564 and 53809 in August 1959. On summer Saturdays Bath shed was frequently short of motive power, so a SDJR 7F heavy freight locomotive was often rostered on to assist over the Mendips and was always marshalled on the inside.

The reason for no crew being seen, is because there was a group of naked ladies running through the field on the other side of the embankment being shot of a Carry On film!

The miniature representation here consists of a renumbered and painted Hornby LMS 2P 4-4-0 and the new Bachmann SDJR 7F 2-8-0. The coach is a 25 year old Mainline LMS panelled carriage repainted into maroon and lined out. The foreground is my stock photo-thingy and a summer sky added to replace the magnolia wall this little cameo was shot against.

• Want to see this shot in widescreen and colour?

Countdown to the Weekend

nevard_110103_catcott_IMG_8887_01_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Catcott’s first outing in well over a year is now just a few days’ ways. The railway has been set up with a view to giving it and up and under to hopefully ensure a hassle free experience for the public and for me.


Jobs so far have been to tidy up the reeds along the front and to relay one of the fiddle yard sidings that had gone out of gauge due to me being too tight with the amount of copper clad used. Later this week, I hope to give the layout a good run with any new items of stock that have appeared since the layout’s last outing which was Railex in May 2009.

The snap here is just a ‘serving suggestion’ and not part of the display, the Neolithic background being a quicker option that tidying up the room that layout it set up in!

• Astolat Model Railway Circle Exhibition 15 Jan 2011

Hornby 2011 - The Official Handbook

Hornby 2011 - The Official Handbook is on sale from 5 January in all good newsagents and model shops, price £4.99.
Order now online: www.greatmagazines.co.uk/hornby/
Order now by phone 01733 840111

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Official press release, posted with permision of the Model Rail editorial team. Be sure to click on the images to enlarge:

'Model Rail has teamed up with model railway giants Hornby to bring you an exciting new publication. Hornby 2011 - The Official Handbook is a high-quality 132-page publication and is the only magazine officially endorced by Hornby.

It contains full details of the company's 2011 range of models. including background information on the latest all-new locomotives and rolling stock, and news of some very exciting developments in the next year's programme.

 To compliment all this news, the handbook will help you to choose the right trainset, find a home for your next layout, lay your track, experiment with detailing and improving locomotives and rolling stock, and help to get you started with Hornby Digital.

Expert advice comes from some of the best known authors in the model railway business; DCC expert Nigel Burkin, layout builders Peter Marriott and Chris Nevard and Model Rail's professional model maker George Dent.'

• Showcase

• Hornby Family History

• Reader Offer

• Hornby 2011 Review

• FAQs

• Family Favourites by Simon Kohler

• Building a Simple Baseboard

• By Royal Appointment

• Britain’s Best Layouts

• Hornby Track System

• Win Hornby Models Worth £100s!

• Hornby Railroad: Unlock the Potential

• What’s That Bit Called?

• Scenery: Bring Your Layout to Life

• Commuter Classic

• Wagons Roll
• What Exactly is DCC?
• Digital Revolution
• Best of 2010
• Things to See and Do in 2011
• Railmaster: The Real Way to Run a Railway
• Hornby Official Stockists

Order now online: www.greatmagazines.co.uk/hornby/ 

Order now by phone 01733 840111

Ivan Locksmith's Jowett Javelin

nevard_110107_catcott_IMG_8924_BW_web, originally uploaded by nevardmedia.

Influenced by Ivo Peters' fabulous photo of of his famous Bentley posed next to a down goods train at Binegar (or was it Chilcompton?); Ivan Locksmith didn't delay in creating a similar shot to Ivo on the day he part exchanged his elderly Austin Seven for a shiny Jowett Javelin. Here is the photo that was taken at Catcott Burtle with a goods from Highbridge Wharf. Just a bit of fun!

Wnat to see it in colour?
http://nevardmedia5.fotopic.net/p68631542.html