Phil's wagon

 

This was not my idea.

I think that the chaps at Rapido Trains are somehow responsible. 

Anyway, you can now pre-order yourself a P.Parker Patisseries wagon from the World of Railways shop.  One of only 90 to be made I'm told. 

If you prefer, there is a three-pack too: 

 

This includes a wagon to celebrate RMweb, and my late friend and colleague, Andy York. Proceeds from the Andy wagon will be donated to The Royal British Legion, a charity he supported. 

Being Rapido wagons, they are of the highest quality, and will look amazing on your OO layout. If you have an N gauge layout, then you have plenty of time to build a OO one, as the wagons will be delivered late 2026. 

So, get over to the shop and get your order in now 

(Note: I don't receive any money for this, but it will be a bit embarrassing if no one buys one! Even though THIS ISN'T MY IDEA)

4-wheel wagon

 

Would you believe I picked this lovely little wagon up at a model boat event? No one knows how it ended up there, but I'm glad it did. A fiver well spent. 

A well-made scratchbuilt (unless anyone can identify a kit) wooden model. It's fitted with 30mm diameter, uninsulated steel wheels. Currently set to 32mm gauge, there is plenty of space to move these out to 45mm, which is what I plan to do. 

Mind you, they don't seem very keen on moving on their axles. I'm wondering if I dare try a bit of heat to break any glue joints. Trouble is, it's such a lovely model, I don't want to risk damaging it. The axleboxes are metal, I'm suspecting whitemetal which rather precludes warming things up. Suggestions welcomed. 

Length, over buffers: 160mm. Width, over axleboxes, 82mm. 

The hole in the floor is a mystery. Was this a tender for a steam loco, and the holes is to allow a pipe through to the loco? Maybe a battery cart for an electric model. We'll never know, but it's fun to speculate. 

Warehouse Wednesday: Staines Mustard Mill

Hat tip to Duncan Young for this photo, which he had to get wet to take!

He says, "It’s been boarded up for some time and is adjacent to a path to the railway station. The central part must be for roasting or grinding the seed? It might make a nice low relief model?"

I can't disagree. This is a pretty typical structure, but being modular, it would be perfect as a backdrop to a layout. You could even stick a few sidings in front; they wouldn't look out of place.  

 

 

Model shop carrier bags

 Some people have greatness thrust upon them. I have old carrier bags from long-defunct model shops. 

Trains and Transport of Preston

Modelzone

A paper bag from G&I Models, Wigan or Warrington

A little Beatties bag

St Helens Model Centre

CDS Models, Warrington

 TAG Models, Doncaster 

 Finally, an Ian Allan bag from Waterloo

What a collection! Thanks very much, John J on RMweb. These are now carefully folded in the box with all the Beatties stuff. When I looked through these at the NEC, with members of the trade panel, there were some who remembered these shops - wonderful nostalgia!

NFRM - The Haul

 

Obviously, even though I was busy, I managed to buy a few bits to add to the stash. When you go to a toy train show, the obvious thing to come back with is a Russian space shuttle. A fiver from the MRC stand. They wouldn't let me try it on their test tracks though. 

I did manage to find some train stuff. First up, a couple of additions to the G-scale circus train, thanks to a deal with Richard at Footplate models. 

 

I also added to the old Hornby kit pile with some shops. 

Not sure if I have this one already, but for a fiver towards the end of Sunday, I'll take the risk. In the back of my head is an idea to build a street scene with a tramway running along it, so some shop kits will be useful. 

Some brushes from Burshes4U. I think these are brilliant, so it's time to stock up.  

Another job on the agenda, where it has been for years, is to ruthlessly sort out the brush pots, and bin all the ones not good enough even for dry-brushing. Then I'll put some good brushes in to replace them, which will make painting much more pleasant. 

Finally, a late buy from the MRC second-hand stall for a couple of quid. 

 

All the animals are off their sprues, and some have damaged legs. That's why it's a lot cheaper than the example on the Kitmaster collectors club stand, which is still in its cellophane. 

Playing the "If I was a millionaire" game, I'm not sure, with my limited time, how much else I'd come away with. The £100 Edwardian "Dribbler" on the MRC stand, perhaps. Interesting, but not that interesting to me. I'd probably order an LNER Garratt, and TT:120 DMU bubble car. But in terms of stuff to walk home with, not that much. Maybe I'm mellowing, and realising I have enough toy trains. Well, nearly.