Category Archives: Hints and tips

An alternative grouping

Posted on May 28, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

‘Proto-freelancing’ is far more popular in the USA than in the UK.  Perhaps this is due to the use of the same locomotive designs, with detail differences, across many railroads – for example the iconic F3 and F7 diesels.  Bu … Continue reading →

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Book review – ‘Locomotives worth modelling’

Posted on May 26, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Our visit to the South Devon Railway did, of course, include a visit to the second-hand book shop.  (It has to be said, too, that we visited the bookshop at Buckfast Abbey and came out with a purchase.)  I couldn’t … Continue reading →

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Odd modelling idea #1677

Posted on May 16, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

It’s becoming a forgotten art, converting one model into another prototype.  When I was a teenager, Triang GWR Clerestory coaches could be made into almost anything, with a new roof and a bit of cutting and sticking. But this article suggests … Continue reading →

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Flying Scotsman on the Bluebell

Posted on May 12, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Thanks Peter, for this shot of the Flying Scotsman on the Bluebell Railway.  Not everyday that 60103 has to collect a tablet for single-line working.  I wonder how many times, if ever, that happened in pre-preservation days? And that’s a … Continue reading →

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Odd modelling idea #999

Posted on May 10, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

As I return back to the UK and the depths of Redhill….. Here’s why there is a red telephone box graveyard between Merstham and Redhill For most of us who commute by train the journey to work will be a … Continue reading →

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Why Rome sends trains filled with rubbish to Austria

Posted on May 6, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

This could be another odd modelling article, but it caught my eye as I was catching up with the world news. Rome’s rubbish is helping to power Austrian homes – and it gets to Austria by train. Rome has been … Continue reading →

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Odd modelling idea(s) #2017

Posted on May 4, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

In case you missed it on N Gauge Forum, I can recommend this video.  Not for the faint hearted and for some of these high altitude trips it would be wise to carry a change of underwear….. I am sorry … Continue reading →

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1971 – July – Birdcage discomfort

Posted on April 27, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

Also in the July 1971 edition of Railway Magazine was an interesting article on the Oxted line of Southern Railway and BR Southern Region.  This line branched off the main Brighton line at East Croydon, wound its way through Oxted … Continue reading →

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Odd modelling ideas #398

Posted on April 1, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

From the Daily Telegraph… Incredible train ‘disappears’ through block of flats in China’s ‘Mountain City’ Architects and planners in a Chinese city have designed a novel way to make space for an essential train route – by building it through … Continue reading →

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Shunting ad infinitum

Posted on March 22, 2017 by snitchthebudgie

You may recall that I found this plan of a small urban goods yard in Brighton, and commented on its suitability for a model. (All maps from the National Library of Scotland site, under creative commons.) Wandering around south London, … Continue reading →

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