Martync

If these layouts are going to be at Uckfield I shall certainly be coming to see them!! Have only seen Trerice before...... Martyn

Blunts in Welwyn Garden City - or simply "The Model Shop" as it was known - was my local for many years until it closed. Fed all of my interests as well as model railways.....model aircraft/model boats/plastic models....etc. Bought my first Railway Modeller there dare I say it! Martyn

I actually have a copy of the April 1957 RM.....it's always great to look back at old magazines!! Martyn

Rob Thanks - I wondered if that might be the case!! Martyn

Just discovered this thread. Is there any reason why I can't view the pictures?? Thks Martyn

Certainly will......

Very much looking forward to seeing Bridport at Alton…..my local show! Also Hembourne… a very fine EM layout. Martyn

Got my copy from the trusty Alton Model Centre. A very fitting tribute to Iain Rice, both the obit and Jerry's editorial. On top of that a very good edition as well - lots of interest and brilliant photo's.

Returning to the topic of Southwell Central, I have the following articles covering this layout: MRJ's 8, 147, 173, 179 Finescale Railway Modelling Review 3 Railmodel Digest 2 Are there any others?? I know it has been widely covered in the 3mm Soc magazine Thanks for any information. Martyn

Without in any way wishing to denigrate Buckingham, for which I have the greatest respect (and have spent a fortune collecting all of PD's articles) I'd like to fly the flag for Southwell Central built by John Sutton. This is a layout that seems to have developed over the years in many ways like Buckingham - articles from MRJ #8 to the last edition of Finescale Railway Modelling Review -and seems to me to be the epitome of the model railway. OK, the scale/track ratio isn't what the finescale fraternity might like, but I think it is an absolute delight. It looks like a real railway, and the standard of modelling is the "uniform standard" that Peter Denny championed. I did actually dabble in 3mm many years ago, but my problem was the lack of ability to build locomotives. I remember John's articles in "Mixed Traffic" which seemed to make it so simple....not for me unfortunately!! I hope the layout and its owner are still going strong!! Martyn

Nice to see an 00 gauge layout featured!! I remember the old MRC shows....very inspirational. Saw Bembridge P4 at my first show...must have been 1972/3?? Also interesting that there is only one EM and one P4 layout at the Warley show!! Too far to go and too expensive for me. Martyn

Yes, the autobiography would be a very fitting tribute to such a talented and well loved modeller. Let's hope Wild Swan can get it published

I actually have a copy of what I believe was Iain's first article in the MRN for June 1971 "Count Dracula and the Railway Children"....the shape of things to come..........!!

Such very sad news. Iain was a complete inspiration to me over many years. I think I have pretty much all of his Wild Swan books, and I've made a point of collecting as many of his articles as I can. I did meet him at a couple of exhibitions over the years and he was always approachable and helpful. One of my favourite articles of his was in an early MRJ where he tackled building an S&D 7F which I think was subtitled "Sir Iain D'Ambroise in battle with the Mendip Monster" which was a reflection of his witty and amusing writing style. A true great has passed on to the great model railway exhibition in the sky.....RIP

It has occurred to me that it is - rather scarily - 50 years since I bought my first Railway Modeller - September 1972. This had the article about Ashleigh in it and remains one of my most well thumbed copies. Ian is to me one of the most inspirational modelers of his generation, demonstrating how you can progress from 00 to P4 to 7mm. I have magazine copies of most of his layouts over the years. I can remember seeing Otterburn in the late 70s at a local exhibition and watching it for ages......as I recall non compensated locos on P4! This seem to burst the bubble of the finescale elite! I only wish I could build something anywhere near as good....time is running out though.

Dave All of your model threads are amazing! I wish I had the time to trawl through them all. I guess the issue I’ve had over the years, and I suspect many others, is actually lack of money. Our finances have been focussed on offspring going to university and before. When you’re shelling out £2000 a month to support your children at uni there is precious little left for hobbies….even when they’ve finished and graduated……it’s far easier to make use of the splendid offerings now from the ready to run market……I shall leave you miniature model engineers to you wonderful modellers!! Martyn

Dave This is what I call miniature model engineering at its best!! I've never managed to assemble any kind of a chassis that ran well, no matter how simple it's meant to be, so I take my hat off to you and all the other modellers who produce such wonderful models. I'm too old to learn now, so shall just enjoy watching your beautiful constructions.......... Best regards Martyn

Any chance of seeing The Depots in the south at some point?? Martyn

Paul Great to see Hembourne at NG South on Saturday last. Looks and operates very well - better than anything I've ever built!! Hope to see you at another show soon!! Regards Martyn

Glad to hear that Chris is still "on deck". My memories of him are as editor of Airfix Magazine, and also as author of "How to go Plastic Modelling" and "How to go Advanced Plastic Modelling". The latter two books took my plastic modelling skills past the "chuck it together out of the bag/box" to proper building and detailing. My copies of these two books ( now 50 years old) are much treasured. Unfortunately I never came across his railway modelling side. Martyn

Interesting that the price of the issue being discussed was 1/6 or 7 1/2p. The first RM I bought (Sept 72) was 18p - I suspect a decimal conversion of 3/6. So it only went up 2 bob in 20 years. I haven't bought an RM for ages, but suspect its not far short of £5 by now........although a somewhat different magazine of course!!

Just got my copy from Alton Model Centre. Looks very good - especially the article on Cratfield. Always had a soft spot for the "Middy", as my Uncle had a cottage near Wilby.

Looks like the train shed from "The Titfield Thunderbolt"!!

Had hoped to see the "new" Bridport at the Alton exhibition in Feb...obviously not now! Have you any other shows this year?? Martyn

Judging by the rust on the rails on the Par Harbour line, there hadn't been much traffic lately................