Model Railway Forum

I find your modelling and ‘stories’ about the layout very inspiring. I’m now itching to do something in a larger scale. Keep the photos and backstories coming!

Thanks for that Mick 1/32 is a good scale to work in.

I exhibited at a show at Reading last October and it being a two day affair I was kindly assisted on the Saturday by a friend.
On the Sunday when things quietened down in the late afternoon I had a wander round and found on the organising club’s stand a box of mixed figures all in different scales. I bought two 1/32 scale figures for 50 pence. They were un-painted and made of a hard white plastic. They both had thick bases and quite a lot of flash. After a lot of work with a scalpel and various files they have cleaned up quite well.
I painted both with acrylics and placed them on the layout these pictures show the two figures. One is a farmer in a duffle coat and the other is an elderly mechanic in brown overalls with a petrol can.
I have since found out that they are both from the old Airfix 1/32 Track Officials and Spectators set.









Peter M

50p - absolute bargain. And they look so real - testament to your artistic skills. If I achieve half as good a result after many years of practise I’ll be well chuffed.

Thanks Mick you are too kind.

2013 was not a good year for electronic devices for me. Firstly my old computer died after some eight years use, then screen packed up and then to cap it all my wife's compact camera cried enough also. It has taken many images over the last thirteen years so I suppose I shouldn't complain really.
I have never owned a digital camera, I always borrowed the one belonging to my wife in the past. With that no longer working I have had to lash out on a device of my own.
These are a few images I have taken with the new camera while testing the layout and stock in readiness for the narrow gauge exhibition at Swanley.










Peter M

This is a Fordson Model N 1929-45 a precursor to Fordson Major, it used the same engine and transmission. They too had a power take off at the rear. They were originally painted bright orange but during the second world war standing outside the factory at Dagenham thet were used by German bomber pilots to find London. So Fords painted them dark green, mine is blue an earlier colour and the same as the ones near where I lived.
The smell of a tractor running on paraffin is like the smell of a steam engine never forgotten, one that would be good if you could put it in a bottle.
The model is a Scaledown kit and like the Major would be used to tow a plough as it had no three point linkage to lift it when not ploughing. I remember these as a lad too as the local farm had two of them, the drivers usually stood up when driving them.
 



Peter M

A few pictures taken a small exhibition in aid of church funds at Braunstone Leicester.
The exhibition itself was inside the church and is an annual event that specialises in small layouts.












The third picture down looks like a formula one team's mechanics waiting for the car to pit.

Peter M

Thanks for your interest Mountain Goat, glad you are enjoying the thread.
All the models with a central motor are either Athearn Blue Box, or Concor yard switcher chassis.
The motor drives to either one end or sometimes both.
I have never tried to use one motor with one truck.
If I need just four wheels I used either a Model Power unit or one bogie from a small Bachman swithcher, or a Tenshodo power truck.
I hope this makes things clear, also I must apologise for the late reply.

Kind regards Peter M

A few pictures taken at the Beds and Bucks narrow gauge club open day one Sunday.
 
I always enjoy specialist shows like this they have a relaxed atmosphere and fewer but a more knowledgeable selection of visitors.











Peter M

One of the most enjoyable exhibitions I did year was at Stow on the Wold which was a most pleasant experience. My wife helped me setting the layout up, but a gentleman with a layout next door ran Two Sisters while I had a walk round outside in the sun.
It is a fabulous venue in a charming Cotswold town. The show was very well attended by a record crowd, who came in to view the models despite the glorious weather outside.













Peter M

Very impressive.