Entertainment for these troubled times.
Given the circumstances in which we find ourselves, with the restrictions on movement and the uncertainty, here are some videos via Youtube that hopefully will keep the railway appetite fed as we can no longer go out and watch the real thing.
I hope to post some links here once a week if possible. My apologies if they don’t always meet your personal taste and if you have seen them before, but in these uncertain times we need to pull together and support each other.
Enjoy and stay safe.
Monday morning, bright (not!) and early (definitely – 07.00!)
Three more video for your entertainment.
We start with our friend from Holland who this time is looking at grass and scenery.
Next, a video describing how to add stay alive to a TTS sound decoder.
Finally, another archive film about signalling.
Monday 8 June
And so it goes on…..
Here we are, Monday comes around again. This week a mixed bag which I hope will be interesting.
First, a follow on from last week’s video showing you how to model abandoned rails. This time, it’s all about adding a road and buildings.
Next, a look back to the 1980s with a BR video telling us all about signalling.
Finally, something slightly different – a cab view around a model railway.
Monday 1 June
OK, back on schedule! It must be the new month.
This week, the first offering is a silent film by a Dutch (I think) modeller who shows how to model abandoned old tracks.
Next we have a video from that star of stage and screen from the Great Model Railway Challenge – Kathy Millatt – showing how to model rain of all things!
Finally, a driver’s eye view of the run from Marylebone to Oxford.
Tuesday 26 May
Late again! Good job I’m not runnig a railway.
This week, we have some class 66s and class 70s on coal.
Next, a treat (hopefully) for all you with engineering and technical interests. A look at the innards of the prototype deltic.
Finally, one for all you N gauge fanatics.
Monday 18 May
Can anybody remember how long we have been in this “forced inactivity” (to quote our esteemed leader!)?
Anyway, here is today’s offering. A bit of nostalgia for many I think with a bit of local interest.
First, a look at the Blue Pullmans which were used initally on the Midland main line between St Pancras and Manchester, shortly followed by the Western pullmans between Paddington and Bristol, South Wales and the West Midlands.
Next, some local history. A short film about forgotten branchlines including Stafford to Wellington. Interesting content but sadly the quality is as one would expect for film so old.
Finally, a short film featuring LMS steam in the Midlands which will bring back memories for those of you who spent many hours on Stafford station spotting Duchesses and the like. Ditto above regarding the quality
Monday 11 May
Despite various announcmeents we are no further forward than we were last week so there’s nothing else for it but to sit back and watch a few videos.
First, we have a documentary about the LNER Gresley A4 pacifics.
Now a couple on the modelling front – first, a look at catenary. Something that many of us shy away from. My own personal experience ended up with the pantograph tearing down several feet of wire.
Secondly, a look at weathering via a video from Hornby.
Tuesday 5 May
Sorry – late again! Like many people I have spoken to recently, I have serious trouble trying to remember what day it is. In the old days, there were “markers” in the week which enabled one to identify each day but now every day is much the same!
This week, we’ll carry on from where we left off last week with Pete Waterman. This time, we take a look at his O scale layout of Leamington Spa.
Next, still on the modelling theme, a look at card kit construction. There are many card kits avaialble these days and they are an economical way of providing buiuldings for your layout.
Finally, another cab ride, this time from Bristol TM to Paddington.
Monday 27 April
Another week of lockdoiwn behind us. Looking on the bright side, it’s one less week we will have to endure it.
So, what have we got this week? As we all know, there are quite a few famous names that share our interest in trains, both large and small. Possibly one of the most high profile people is Pete Waterman. We start this week with an interview with him telling us a bit about his lifelong interest in railways.
Many years ago, my son was intereted in things milatary and so I bought him a book on how to build military dioramas. I was blown away with the standard of some of the modelling, particularly in the use of weathering which was pretty much unheard of in model railway circles at the time. Here is a video about a WWII diroama which has a lot of useful techniques that we can use.
Finally, I’m sure most of us have had a time when we have had to remove and replace a piece of track on the layout. Here’s a timelapse video of how they do it on the prototype.
Monday 20 April
Back on schedule this week.
First, let’s go for something big. The largest steam loco ever built – Union Pacific “Big Boy” – trying to negotiate a very tight curve.
Next, a couple of videos showcasing some excellent modelling. First, Chris Nevard, who produces some excellent small layouts, and secondly, an excellent rendition of the Ashburton branch in Devon.
Tuesday 14 April
First, apologies for the late running of this service but it is due to yesterday being a bank holiday and I was out sunning myself on the beach (NOT!).
First, if you really want to while away the hours, here is York station railcam streaming live.
Next, a bit of history. A short film, made in the 1930s, documenting how the LMS appointed footplate crew.
On the modelling theme, a look at the history of Pendon Museum in Oxfordshire. If you haven’t been, well worth a visit when we are once again allowed to indulge in such things.
Monday 6 April 2020
Ok, so week 3 of the series. This time we have something slightly different to offer as you will see, but first, a bit of trainspotting at Lancaster:
Next, many of us will be familiar with Tony Wright and his work over the years. Here is a look at his Little Bytham layout with some “behind the scenes” views:
Finally, as I said earlier, something different. Thnaks to Terry Robinson for this one:
Monday 30 March 2020
Here is the next installment.
First, as it’s difficult to travel by train safely these day, how about a ride with the driver from Kings Cross to York?
Modelling water convincingly isn’t always an easy task. Here’s a video which shows you how.
Finally, a layout tour – Gowerton parkway.
Monday 23 March 2020
First, something close to home:
Next, something with a modelling flavour:
and finally for today, a video showing how to apply static grass to your layout.