Picture of the Month – March 2026

Collingwood shows you how – 3rd and 4th Rail Electrification Systems – Part 2 – A Modelling Guide

Friend andĀ Collingwood layout builder, Simon Paley, takes a look at the 3rd and 4th Rail electrification systems. In this Part 2 Collingwood shows you how post he provides a Modelling Guide. The first part of this series Background & Design can be read here.Ā  Conductor Rail Installation Once you have, using the information in the … Continue reading Collingwood shows you how – 3rd and 4th Rail Electrification Systems – Part 2 – A Modelling Guide

Bachmann Spring British Railways Announcements include LBSC livery coaches

Bachmann Europe have revealed today its spring 2026 British Railway Announcements that includes LBSC Raw Umber livery versions of the ex LBSC IoW coaches in the EFE Rail range and new livery versions of the SR 12T Covered van in the Bachmann Branchline range. Following the delivery of EFE Rail’s OO Scale Isle of Wight … Continue reading Bachmann Spring British Railways Announcements include LBSC livery coaches

Picture of the Month – February 2026

This Month's Picture... Adams B4 No. 96 'Normandy' now in black but still named in SR Sunshine lettering (a re liveried Dapol model) shunts some banana traffic (kit built D1478 wagons) whilst USA tank No. 72 (yet to receive modified cab and coal bunker) on docks shuntingĀ  duty 4 heads towards the quayside. Canute Road … Continue reading Picture of the Month – February 2026

This train is my life, Canute Road Quay on the road again – FebEx 2026 Alton Show 7/8th Feb

Canute Road Quay is on the road again and appearing at the excellent Alton Model Railway Group's Febex 2026 show on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th February. The show features a wide range of high quality and inspirational model railway layouts, in a wide range of familiar scales and gauges: N, 3mm , H0, 00, … Continue reading This train is my life, Canute Road Quay on the road again – FebEx 2026 Alton Show 7/8th Feb

Happy New Year – Picture of the Month – January 2026

Welcome to 2026 - Happy New Year - This Month's Picture...Ā  An industrious start to the New Year as B2 0-6-0t Peckett 'Leader' waits as W4 0-4-0t fellow Peckett passes at Canute Road Quay. . Both models are based on Hornby models.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Merry Christmas to you all, fill up your life with love, compassion, tolerance, peace, happiness and perhaps hopefully some time for modelling. The wonderful Southern Railway Christmas press advert from December 1924 seen left (click for a larger version) is a fascinating glimpse back to a different time. I love the promise of "Jolly Parties … Continue reading Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Rails of Sheffield’s exclusive ā€˜OO’ gauge Stroudley ā€˜A1/A1X’ 0-6-0Ts return

The Rails of Sheffield’s exclusive ā€˜OO’ gauge Dapol Stroudley ā€˜A1/A1X’ 0-6-0Ts were first introduced back in 2020.Ā  My post about the release can be read here. Rails of Sheffield have announced today that a new production run of seven versions with a number of tooling enhancements are due in quarter 3 2026.Ā  The enhancements include … Continue reading Rails of Sheffield’s exclusive ā€˜OO’ gauge Stroudley ā€˜A1/A1X’ 0-6-0Ts return

Introducing ‘Collingwood’ by Simon Paley – Modern Signalling in Miniature

As many readers will know, I can often be found at shows helping friend (and Principle Signalling Designer for Network Rail) Simon Paley, operating and providing logistic support (van driving!) with his Collingwood layout. I firmly believe that Simon's Collingwood is the most accurately signalled and 3rd rail model railway on the exhibition circuit today, … Continue reading Introducing ‘Collingwood’ by Simon Paley – Modern Signalling in Miniature

EFE Rail Class 74s and ex LBSC Isle of Wight coaches arrive.

The EFE Rail range Class 74, first announced in January, and the ex LBSC Isle of Wight coaches announced in March have now started to arrive at retailers. I have been responsible for developing both these new tooled models in my role with Kernow Model Rail Centre). EFE Rail Class 74 Ten locomotives were rebuilt … Continue reading EFE Rail Class 74s and ex LBSC Isle of Wight coaches arrive.