Dicky W

Acrylics don't often 'stick' to RTR paint finishes on the first coat(s). It's worth putting a couple of thin washes of paint (ie diluted with water) first to allow the following coats to 'grip'. This also helps with weathering powders as they suffer from the same problem - or you can mix with water to increase 'grip'.

Model Display Products sell it in the UK - both aerosol and brush-on. Try searching for Testors Dullcote UK....

Last Saturday, I made the (fairly long) train journey from home village in Lincolnshire to Faversham. The trip was made more interesting due to the engineering works just outside the Cross, which meant my incoming HST was the first into the station that morning, which meant scenes like this: Despite an empty station with no trains on the main line or suburban sides (even the 'rescue' Class 67 was missing), the concourse was still quite busy: Anyway, onward to St Pancras to catch my South Eastern High Speed 'Javelin' to Faversham. Before entering, I couldn't resist taking this shot of the restored Great Northern Hotel and St Pancas: After a speedy journey down HS1, followed by a more leisurely jaunt through the Medway towns, I arrived at Faversham, an attractive town I've visited a number of times previous to take advantage of both Miss Havisham's Cafe and The Model Shop. The latter is a cracking little premises - just be careful when inside if your of the larger proportion (like me) as it's small and full to bursting with stock. I digress - back to the show... The brewery is easy to find and Faversham - it's been there a while being Britain's oldest! The venue itself was quite small and, to be honest, a little airless on such a warm day as it had no windows. It was, however, crammed with layouts. Ore thing I definitely wanted to do was operate my friend, ray Blanchard's Hawkhurst layout. It must be about 25 years since I saw it last and probably longer since my last operating session! I well remember taking it to Colchester show in the mid-1990s and the then editor of BRM, David Brown approaching Ray for a layout article; who'd have thought where I'd be all that time later? Despite being the best part of 28 years old, the layout is not finished yet: I suppose it's like a fine wine, takes time to fully mature - even Ray has retired during its making! Operating the layout gave me the opportunity to take some of the shots from behind the layout - which makes a change and is a little less crowded than the other side! It also gave me the chance to photograph the control panel for toggle switch enthusiasts: However, I musn't leave out all the other exceptional layouts that were there. I met up with my friend Chris White times two. One is the proprietor of Boxfile Dioramas who advertises here on RMweb - who had a selection of his wares as well as his Sandy Cove layout The other Chris White is the builder of this: The fantastic Chillingbourne, which he built for his dad. I had the pleasure of visiting them a couple of years ago to photograph it for its appearance in BRM. There were, of course, so other great layouts there too... Hobbs Hill (OO) Mollsend (oo) Souk El Kemis (Moroccan in 009!) Haverhill (2mm FS) Kerswell & Tidmeric (OO)

An enjoyable visit to Crawley Club's show in Horsham last weekend. Always and enjoyable event, it was good to see Kier Hardy's Wibdenshaw for only the second time, another chance to view all 58' of Alton in OO, which I haven't seem for years and also have a natter with Gordon and Maggie Gravett. If you turn your head to one side and part close your eyes - you can see Alton! It's always interesting to see a layout In S scale, espcecially when it includes equipment that is readily available - as it indeed is in the USA. Here's Norton and Northern. Excellent weathering - it's always good to see modellers who aren't scared to 'ruin' their models!

Glad Tim got your fish vans a bit dirty Gilbert - I did play around later and made the one we had really filthy as requested - I'll send it on...

Shepherds Bush in 3mm scale was in the 2008 BRM Annual, which also included a first look at the, then new, Hassell Harbour Bridge.

Phil - you've been dreaming about the biscuits again!

There's a review of the Bachmann shunter's truck (with a listing of the prototype trucks) by John Emerson online at: https://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/Reviews/240/Bachmann_Shunters_Truck_reviewed_by_John_Emerson/ The two models represent different builds of truck - the Bachmann is a Diagram M3 whereas the Hornby is a later M4 Diagram.

Jon Tower Pier was in the March 2012 issue of BRM, if you want to read further.

Larry, it will be appearing in due course in it's original form....

Looks useful. I'll have one too, please.

Hope you had a good Christmas! I take it you've got this one Gilbert? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/classifieds/item/3115-trails-of-steam-peterborough/

Belated congratulations Chris from all of us at BRM. Hopefully catch up with you at Warley.

No problem - would a set of photos be any use to you? PM me and I'll sort something out.

Thought I'd attach some suitable photos too, to whet some appetites!