The Club builds and operates layouts in a variety of scales.
A Shay in 1:160 scale
Tom Knapp writes from Hawaii: I’ve just completed construction of an interesting 1:160 narrow gauge locomotive kit from Showcase Miniatures. It is designed to run on 6.5mm gauge track, simulating 3-foot narrow gauge. The model is West Side Lumber Company’s three-truck Shay No. 12. West Side Lumber Company (and its predecessor the West Side Flume …read more.
Sep 18, 2021
A rummage through the box – and 6 buildings emerge
I have not been entirely idle since my last post, although I am not sure whether what I have been doing counts as productive. My scrap/gloat boxes get bigger and bigger, and I felt I just had to take some of the old junk and sort it out. Charitably, one might call it “upcycling”. Uncharitably….. …read more.
Dec 25, 2020
St Ives – In OO gauge
MRC member Paul Frabricius’s layout “St Ives” features in the November 2020 British Railway Modelling magazine – here’s a bit more about the inspiration, and a link to a video of it OO Gauge. Approx 10ft x 3ft. Fiddle Yard 8ft x 1.5ft BR Mid 1950-60s As a child I spent summer holidays on the …read more.
Oct 18, 2020
Pacific Coast 111 – narrow gauge N
With the encouragement of Tim Watson, I would like to share a just-completed N-scale-narrow-gauge project (1:160 scale on 6.5mm gauge track) from my workbench here in Hawaii. It is a far cry from the scratch-built locomotive mechanisms Tim and other 2FS modelers routinely create from billets of brass, but one must work with one’s skills …read more.
Oct 17, 2020A Pagoda for Great Shefford
The latest to emerge from the South East Cornwall workshop ( which has been quite productive since summer ended and it has been raining for the last month ) is this 2mm scale “pagoda” for Richard Wilson’s Great Shefford project in 2mm scale. It has home-made corrugated aluminium sheeting over a plasticard shell. The roof …read more.
Jul 11, 2020
Laser cut coaches
Like many Railway Modelling addicts I was born sometime in the middle of the last Century. At that time The Hobby (my capitals) was pursued in a cultural climate where television was monochrome if available and heavy industry was commonplace. Being a master craftsman was a mark of distinction. Computers were unknown to the general …read more.
May 24, 2020
A Tale of Two Signal Boxes in 2mm Scale for Copenhagen Fields
The Model Railway Club’s 2FS “Copenhagen Fields” layout requires no less than six signal boxes. Some years ago I made one of them, “Belle Isle Up” [ “BIU” ], and I was asked to then build its opposite number “Belle Isle Down” [ “BID” ]. Well, what with one thing and another proper 2mm modelling …read more.
May 7, 2020
Signalling Orchard Wharf – Updated
Here’s work in progress on a signal controlling the ramp track between the upper and lower levels of our new EM gauge layout “Orchard Wharf”. It’s my first attempt at a signal in brass. This signal is a MSE kit with a 20ft height. I have gone away from prototypical a couple of times for …read more.
May 1, 2020
A Garden Layout
Well it’s not exactly modelling but more a bit of fun for my son and me. A few years back I started on this little project and it didn’t get past the baseboard stage. As we can’t go out and the weather been great I thought why not get on with it. The original remit was …read more.
Apr 29, 2020
Getting started on a home layout
The time at home, plus the fine weather, has lead to another of our members getting down to it with his new layout. Alex found himself at home for the day so decided to head out into the yard and get some work done! – track has been pinned down – most of the droppers …read more.
Apr 21, 2020
Scratch Building – Roof Tiles
I’m having my first proper stab at scratch building a building – and it’s a blend of two structures at Westport and Castlebar stations in County Mayo, Ireland. Still far from finished so not going to share photos of the whole building just yet… But I’m making progress with the roof. The roof tiles were …read more.
Apr 19, 2020
San Luis Bay – Nn3 modelling from Hawaii
On a MUCH smaller scale (Nn3) I have been binge-building here in Hawaii. Or, rather “re-building” a diorama built on a 6’8” x 2’-8” door in the late 1980’s by the late Ken Westcott and architect Andrew Merriam for the San Luis Obispo Historical Museum. It was a static diorama of the 1890’s wharf in …read more.
Apr 18, 2020