Category Archives: Hints and tips

Minories – what’s in a name?

Posted on August 16, 2020 by

Thanks, RMWeb.  Now I know! Names have some strange origins.  I recall hearing that ‘Tooley Street’ next to London Bridge started off as ‘St Olaf’s Street’.  Go figure….. There are some good videos posted by this guy, including….

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Minories – the next generation

Posted on June 14, 2020 by

There’s been a flurry of ‘Minories’ discussion again on RMWeb.  And here are a few of the new ideas. Probably the optimum Minories arranagement, using two ‘Y’ points to reduce the reverse curves and straighten the platform. An ‘almost’ Minories … Continue reading →

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Kuritu is back!

Posted on March 5, 2020 by

Several years ago, I bought Ian Milroy’s little Kuritu, an N gauge Japanese tram layout, as he was retiring it from the exhibition circuit. I finally got space in the railway room for it, and having put it up, to … Continue reading →

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End of an era

Posted on December 14, 2019 by

After 43 years working for the same company, I paid my last visit to work today.  As I have been working part time and on zero-hours, I submitted my final invoice, and handed in my computer and door card. Truly … Continue reading →

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Model Railway Journal no. 274 – Wise words

Posted on November 18, 2019 by

I took the day off from visiting exhibitions last Saturday – nothing very close, and I had already posted flyers to all 5 of them.  So, a more reflective blog today. I’ve started to get just the one model railway … Continue reading →

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Minories #2 – Out in the suburbs – repost

Posted on July 14, 2019 by

Number 4 is my second Minories post.  Back to normal (whatever that may be) next week! If you leave London, and head to the other end of the commuter lines, a Minories like design, sort of ‘mini-Minories’ is another option.  … Continue reading →

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A small shunting layout – repost

Posted on July 12, 2019 by

Interestingly, Number 3 is this little American switching layout. Model Railroad Hobbyist has a very nice ‘shunting plank’ in its October edition.  It’s in ‘O’ gauge, but the dimensions are a very reasonable 11’- 6” x 17’–19” with a 6’ … Continue reading →

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Minories #1 – the original design – repost

Posted on July 10, 2019 by

Number 2 is this one on the classic Minories design. There are few model railway plans that can be deemed ‘classic’.  One surely must be the late Cyril Freezer’s ‘Minories’ plan.  The plan was the result a flash of inspiration whilst … Continue reading →

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Llanastr – yet another small layout – repost

Posted on May 24, 2019 by

I realised that, having just written my post on expoEM and Llanastr, I had already blogged this little layout.  As it’s a busy week, I’ll repost this earlier screed.  It’s coming up to holiday season again, so I may well … Continue reading →

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Bluebell(s)

Posted on April 23, 2019 by

From Cha(I)rman Allan on Sunday…. Just had a nice train journey from Riddlesdown to Sheffield Park.   We were lucky to see Mallard there. But could not get a ride behind him……. Lol Come on!  If I made a joke … Continue reading →

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