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Category Archives: Inspiration
Back to Berlin – again – 1
At the end of June Maxine and I headed off for our annual visit to Berlin to see our eldest. For once, I got the travel arrangements right. Berlin was hit by torrential rain for much of the day, and the U-bahn was closed … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Out and about, Prototype
Tagged Berlin, inspiration, prototype, railway
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The empty railways of America
Before reporting on ESNG exhibiting at the Bluebell Railway, here’s a couple of links to an article I came across on the BBC website, “In pictures: The empty railways of America.” One of photographer John Sanderson’s earliest memories was family … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Out and about, Prototype
Tagged inspiration, prototype, railroad
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An alternative grouping
‘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
Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Out and about, Weird and wonderful
Tagged hints and tips, inspiration, layout design, model railway
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Book review – ‘Locomotives worth modelling’
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
Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Prototype
Tagged book review, Hints and tips, LSWR, model railway
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South Devon Railway – 2
Buckfastleigh station is very well kept, and has some good branchline touches, like the trolley for the luggage and the milk churns awaiting collection. 1930’s carriages sit next to the preserved line’s staple piece of rolling stock – the BR … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Out and about, Prototype
Tagged GWR, inspiration, prototype, railway
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South Devon Railway – 1
A week’s holiday in the south-west started with a company reunion meal in the RNLI at Poole, Dorset. Wonderful views of the harbour and the lifeboats parked moored outside the headquarters building. We also had a tour of the training … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Out and about, Prototype
Tagged GWR, inspiration, prototype, railway
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Odd modelling idea #1677
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
Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Out and about, Weird and wonderful
Tagged hints and tips, inspiration, layout design, model railway
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1971 – September – Nine Days to Vladivostok
Also in the September 1971 edition of the Railway Magazine, was a description of a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway. It’s written rather in the “British Empire” style – intrepid explorer with Union Jack and pith helmet reaches the interior … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Out and about, Prototype, Weird and wonderful
Tagged humour, inspiration, prototype, railway
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Flying Scotsman on the Bluebell
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
Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Out and about, Weird and wonderful
Tagged Hints and tips, inspiration, Layout design, model railway
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Odd modelling idea #999
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
Posted in Hints and tips, Inspiration, Out and about, Weird and wonderful
Tagged hints and tips, inspiration, layout design, model railway
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