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Blog
Tales from my workbench, shows reports and build project updates for my models and model train layouts.
Electrics, an update on the £35 Model Railway Project, part 4
The electrics: A gamble that worked but I'm behind schedule. [...]
The £35 model railway challenge: project history
In the summer of 2017, I set myself a challenge to see if a model railway could be built for £35. [...]
Railways in a box, the £35 project update, part 3
More haste, less speed.
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Can it really be done? Project Update part 2
It seemed like a good idea... But then reality came knocking. [...]
The £35 model railway challenge, part 1
Can a working model railway be built for £35? I'm going to try and I'll give £100 to charity if I fail. [...]
If Game of Thrones Had Trains
Trains versus dragons? [...]
The Name Game
Looking for a realistic British name for your model railway. Here's 200 to get you started. [...]
Third Rail Tips
Building a modern era electric track layout? Wondering about that third rail? Here are a few tips to get you started. [...]
It doesn’t always work. Not with a Nokia anyway….
It's been a disappointing Bank Holiday weekend. And not just because of the rain. [...]
Progress update: Wandle Valley Railway
It's all go for my new layout, the shed is sorted; baseboards are down and the layout design complete. The track plan however... That's another story.
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Announcement
An apology, time for something new and a bit of the old.
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Revealed: my most embarrassing model making moments
There I was happy in my own little world of model trains. And then I saw the odd expression on the face of a lady walking past. [...]
Of Gin, Grime and Geoff Burch
I spent last night in a local pub drinking some absolutely delicious Tiger Gin. What's that got to do with model railways you ask.... [...]
Making A Garage Fit For A Railway
I’ve had a few emails and comments recently from modellers asking if a garage can be used to house their model railway.
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What model railway builders can learn from Lego
Don't laugh but model railways can learn a lot from Lego. Okay, not about realism or authenticism but about something perhaps more important. [...]
A day trip to Eastleigh
For my birthday my brother and his wife got me tickets for the miniature railway at Eastleigh. This weekend a Big Four show, with scaled down engines from the [...]
Upgrading an old model train
If, like me, you have old Hornby or Graham Farish locomotives on your railway you may notice they lack a bit of oomph. Here's how I give mine a power-up. [...]
I am the bringer of death
Here's a little secret. I'm terrible for starting new layouts before finishing the last one.
In fact, I've got several in various stages of "uncompletion" [...]
Pictures to inspire, photos from Crawley Model Railway Society 9th / 10th April 2016
Looking for inspiration? Here's a few photos of the amazing layouts at Crawley Model Railway Society's 2016 exhibition held last [...]
Little England or how to model a large area in a small space
If you've been following this blog you'll know I'm working on a big new layout. But creating England, from Margate to Penzance, in miniature is anything but [...]