Jump to content
 

Recommended Posts

Hmmm ....... not sure this tallies with my very limited observation.

 

I've seen some truly excellent diorama/military modelling in Spain, and there seems to be a significant subculture of model ship building, from some seriously detailed wooden kits that require a stack of skills. And, there is a railway modelling mag. So, I think there must be pockets of hobby craft skills.

 

Perhaps it's no completely beyond hope.

 

Kevin

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

From my location and perspective your observations are almost spot-on. It is a good job I scratchbuild almost everything, and virtually all my materials are imported from the UK, with notable exceptions such as Evergreen plastics which are cheaper in Spain than the UK, and there are very good discounts available on Redutex resin coverings. I have favourite model shop located in Torrelavega, Cantabria and who also have a good website

 

One has to work with what is available wherever you are, and wherever you can find models and modelling materials to meet your own requirements. Sometimes it works out fine, at other times it can be a bit of a pain, but we all push on with our projects regardless, because we are who we are

 

Happy modelling here in Spain in spite of the problems

 

Cheers

 

Ron

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Hmmm ....... not sure this tallies with my very limited observation.

 

I've seen some truly excellent diorama/military modelling in Spain, and there seems to be a significant subculture of model ship building, from some seriously detailed wooden kits that require a stack of skills. And, there is a railway modelling mag. So, I think there must be pockets of hobby craft skills.

 

Perhaps it's no completely beyond hope.

 

Kevin

K

Edited by 71000
Link to post
Share on other sites

From my location and perspective your observations are almost spot-on. It is a good job I scratchbuild almost everything, and virtually all my materials are imported from the UK, with notable exceptions such as Evergreen plastics which are cheaper in Spain than the UK, and there are very good discounts available on Redutex resin coverings. I have favourite model shop located in Torrelavega, Cantabria and who also have a good website

 

One has to work with what is available wherever you are, and wherever you can find models and modelling materials to meet your own requirements. Sometimes it works out fine, at other times it can be a bit of a pain, but we all push on with our projects regardless, because we are who we are

 

Happy modelling here in Spain in spite of the problems

 

Cheers

 

Ron

R

Edited by 71000
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

I am in awe and admiration of your achievements, your observation on the practical capabilities of Spaniards is pretty much on par with mine, having seen the quality of the work put out by the building trades out here I either do it myself as I am ex trade, or get a trusted and recommended ex pat and wait accordingly, although some seem to get sucked down to the Spanish level eventually, prudence is the watchword.

Your trials and tribulations with your "pupils" would make a good comedy sketch, I'm imagining something along the lines of the 2 Ronnies, worryingly though, it is true!

I would like to come and visit the museum, but, even though you are close in Spanish terms, it still takes 7 hours on the train or 3 hours plus driving, I shall have to try and engineer a weekend out of it.

Thanks for the updates on the shops and exhibitions, such as they are.

How did the open weekend go?, you obviously got a few through the door so to speak, did it provide any fresh blood, or did most go away bewildered and shaking their heads?

Please keep us updated, it's difficult being a missionary!

 

Mike.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ron,

Indeed I'm extremely impressed with what I have seen on your pages. And I just wish you lived a bit closer. However I do know of another good British Railway modeller who lives in Denia. Indeed he was a professional Master model maker before retiring, working for a specialist company that is/was based on an old RAF Airfield in the West Country. Producing large scale model cars to extremely high standards for Boardroom tables. 99% of which were exported direct to the USA. When I last saw him ten years ago, he was well under way with an "OO" scale layout, built in his modern houses cellar. He was located high up above the town. Very pretty spot on a small estate of individually Spanish styled houses, which were surprisingly well built !

 

 

The Duke 71000 

 

That gentleman wouldn't be Gerald Wingrove by any chance?

 

Ron

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I live in Cubelles, province of Barcelona, not too far from Mora la Nova, but at our age neither my wife or I would like having to drive there (we could take the train, but that involves changes), although I really would like to visit the place.

I agree with what is said about the dearth of model railway clubs in Spain. In the nearby town of Vilanova i la Geltru, there is a well stocked model shop (HO and N gauges, slot cars, and larger models, ship building kits, etc. and a good range of scenic material, so there must be modellers around, although the owner told me tha the only modellers' club he knows of made military models. For various reasons, I have imported most of the material for my 8ft by 4ft layout from the UK. I have also had the occasion to purchase material from El taller del Modelista en Torrelavega and from Zatatren in Zaragoza. I do have, though, both HO and OO rolling stock, although practically all the buildings are Metcalfe and all the non-railway stuff (cars, commercial vehicles, buses, etc) is UK.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, 71000,

I'm afraid I am somewhat in disbelief at your initial statement!

Although my own personal experience of Spain is limited to the years 1970-1983 or so, I do recall seeing model shops, selling model railways. This is not to say of course that they have not all disappeared in the intervening years.

However, there are still some domestic Spanish model railway manufacturers;

http://www.mabar.es/en/ - Fine quality models of 'brass' standard.

http://www.atfmodels.com/ - beautiful kits. I have an unbuilt kit of a lovely little 0-6-0T, now long out of production but beautifully prepared. Presumably deleted from the current range due to the RTR Electrotren model.

http://www.ibertren.es/en/ - decent quality RTR (not Hornby!).

 

Information websites;

http://ferropedia.es/mediawiki/index.php/Categor%C3%ADa:Locomotoras_de_vapor

http://historiastren.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Also;

http://www.pilentum.de/uk/the-beautiful-spanish-model-railway-layout-with-cab-ride.htm - a nice Spanish layout.

 

I hope the above information is sufficient to convince you that railway interest in Spain, while not as high as in Britain, Holland or Germany, it does still exist.

Cheers,

John.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I live in Cubelles, province of Barcelona, not too far from Mora la Nova, but at our age neither my wife or I would like having to drive there (we could take the train, but that involves changes), although I really would like to visit the place.

I agree with what is said about the dearth of model railway clubs in Spain. In the nearby town of Vilanova i la Geltru, there is a well stocked model shop (HO and N gauges, slot cars, and larger models, ship building kits, etc. and a good range of scenic material, so there must be modellers around, although the owner told me tha the only modellers' club he knows of made military models. For various reasons, I have imported most of the material for my 8ft by 4ft layout from the UK. I have also had the occasion to purchase material from El taller del Modelista en Torrelavega and from Zatatren in Zaragoza. I do have, though, both HO and OO rolling stock, although practically all the buildings are Metcalfe and all the non-railway stuff (cars, commercial vehicles, buses, etc) is UK.

C

Edited by 71000
Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, 71000,

I'm afraid I am somewhat in disbelief at your initial statement!

Although my own personal experience of Spain is limited to the years 1970-1983 or so, I do recall seeing model shops, selling model railways. This is not to say of course that they have not all disappeared in the intervening years.

However, there are still some domestic Spanish model railway manufacturers;

http://www.mabar.es/en/ - Fine quality models of 'brass' standard.

http://www.atfmodels.com/ - beautiful kits. I have an unbuilt kit of a lovely little 0-6-0T, now long out of production but beautifully prepared. Presumably deleted from the current range due to the RTR Electrotren model.

http://www.ibertren.es/en/ - decent quality RTR (not Hornby!).

 

Information websites;

http://ferropedia.es/mediawiki/index.php/Categor%C3%ADa:Locomotoras_de_vapor

http://historiastren.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Also;

http://www.pilentum.de/uk/the-beautiful-spanish-model-railway-layout-with-cab-ride.htm - a nice Spanish layout.

 

I hope the above information is sufficient to convince you that railway interest in Spain, while not as high as in Britain, Holland or Germany, it does still exist.

Cheers,

John.

J

Edited by 71000
Link to post
Share on other sites

Dear Duke,

You certainly have my sympathies!

I must admit, I only really knew Spain prior to it's joining the "Common Market", I well remember people driving around on/in donkey carts and the like. Then, the Japanese(?) opened a steelworks factory somewhere down south, nearish to Algeciras (could be wrong about this location), Spain joined the CM/Eurozone and almost overnight everyone seemed to be driving around in nice new cars! Okay, it probably took a couple of years but it was a quick transformation.

Spain certainly has a fascinating and long history and railways certainly played their role in helping to build the country, I'm glad there are museums and I wish you well with your work there.

I'm bemused at your description of how Spanish schools operate, how do children prepare for university? Do they have to go to school for more years than other countries kids do? I know they must have plenty of graduates as the city of London would struggle without them!*

Best regards,

John.

 

*A potential can of worms that I'm making no further comment upon!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

I'm impressed that Spanish carpenters can make any sort of rudimentary baseboard give the quality of wood that we have over here.

I bought the best quality ply and strip wood that the newly opened Leroy Merlin had to offer to build a lightweight small shunting plank, no more than 4' x1', as a diversion to Wibdenshaws reconstruction.

Using the standard "British" methods of construction, PVA and screws, clamped until dry etc, I might have well have been making bows for Robin Hood, as it all warped in x, y and z planes within a week of completion. It is currently being used as a shelf system whilst an order to Tim Horn is submitted.

 

Mike.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm impressed that Spanish carpenters can make any sort of rudimentary baseboard give the quality of wood that we have over here.

I bought the best quality ply and strip wood that the newly opened Leroy Merlin had to offer to build a lightweight small shunting plank, no more than 4' x1', as a diversion to Wibdenshaws reconstruction.

Using the standard "British" methods of construction, PVA and screws, clamped until dry etc, I might have well have been making bows for Robin Hood, as it all warped in x, y and z planes within a week of completion. It is currently being used as a shelf system whilst an order to Tim Horn is submitted.

 

Mike.

 

Hope you have better luck with your new assembly

 

Must admit I had similar problems when constructing my first attempt at the baseboard for Manchester Central. I almost decided to strap it all to Rolled Steel Angle underframing. But finally decided on 30mm thick Insulating Foamboard on 150mm deep x 7mm thick egg crate construction, and it has worked out OK. Just have to make sure I don't get any sort of solvent, solvent based adhesive or paint on the foamboard

 

Ron

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm impressed that Spanish carpenters can make any sort of rudimentary baseboard give the quality of wood that we have over here.

I bought the best quality ply and strip wood that the newly opened Leroy Merlin had to offer to build a lightweight small shunting plank, no more than 4' x1', as a diversion to Wibdenshaws reconstruction.

Using the standard "British" methods of construction, PVA and screws, clamped until dry etc, I might have well have been making bows for Robin Hood, as it all warped in x, y and z planes within a week of completion. It is currently being used as a shelf system whilst an order to Tim Horn is submitted.

 

Mike.

M

Edited by 71000
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I recently came across a spot of modelling by a Spanish gentleman called Jose Manuel, his diorama is called "Despeñaperros" - I spotted this on a German forum, mainly because I remember this place as a child and miscalling it "Desperate Perros" (Desperate dogs!)

He kindly provided me with the following links;

Building the diorama step by step

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMJeTbBpFbneOqP6EeAPqf0YgpvwnV6eJ8ie7Aef1BiLp9bQpKCy4hAhuXvkGyMmw?key=cWhVNDZrTlRZRGtZaUdTZ3pzTmptWWhEd3F2d3hR

 

Level crossing step by step

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNVIWW3O_hbXjXQmU3zCvaiCyCwtMcRXwgowgzP3RtBytHQif2ksHTr8JWVwC14sw?key=TTZhc29XdlNYblVxbXo3N1VsWHgtUG45b0dXVVZ3

 

Railway yard (another diorama)

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMpBs9_dehOof5fLHsHNjrVVQ0wVr3w_aIOOWaNvf4gX7JAROI5B2qNtx7ZGpky6A?key=d1hVelVYcGh0OGgzSXBmcVd0SXRQVzgyWTB6b3Zn

 

Personally, I think Jose's work elevates him to the standard of Josef Brandl, Patrice Hamm or our own Gordon Gravett. I only wish that I could work to these standards.

Cheers,

John.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I recently came across a spot of modelling by a Spanish gentleman called Jose Manuel, his diorama is called "Despeñaperros" - I spotted this on a German forum, mainly because I remember this place as a child and miscalling it "Desperate Perros" (Desperate dogs!)

He kindly provided me with the following links;

Building the diorama step by step

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMJeTbBpFbneOqP6EeAPqf0YgpvwnV6eJ8ie7Aef1BiLp9bQpKCy4hAhuXvkGyMmw?key=cWhVNDZrTlRZRGtZaUdTZ3pzTmptWWhEd3F2d3hR

 

Level crossing step by step

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNVIWW3O_hbXjXQmU3zCvaiCyCwtMcRXwgowgzP3RtBytHQif2ksHTr8JWVwC14sw?key=TTZhc29XdlNYblVxbXo3N1VsWHgtUG45b0dXVVZ3

 

Railway yard (another diorama)

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMpBs9_dehOof5fLHsHNjrVVQ0wVr3w_aIOOWaNvf4gX7JAROI5B2qNtx7ZGpky6A?key=d1hVelVYcGh0OGgzSXBmcVd0SXRQVzgyWTB6b3Zn

 

Personally, I think Jose's work elevates him to the standard of Josef Brandl, Patrice Hamm or our own Gordon Gravett. I only wish that I could work to these standards.

Cheers,

John.

Hi John.

 

He has a blog which can be seen here.

http://trainscape.blogspot.com.es/

 

I believe he was part of the team that was involved with Scopic, a Spanish version of Miniature Wonderland that closed its doors a couple of years ago.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Hi Everyone. My first post, to let you know that I have set up a new Model railway Club here on the northern Spanish Costa Blanca. Called the Marina Alta Model Railway Club (surprise, surprise), we have a spacious 100m2 clubhouse in the town of Teulada, close to Javea, Denia, Moraira & Calpe. Currently we are working on a large DCC 00 gauge layout and a smaller N gauge DC setup. We would welcome new members of all nationalities, and guests are welcome to get in touch to visit during their stay.

I can confirm that such clubs are indeed few & far between in Spain, and that supplies for our modelling needs generally have to come from UK. The Spanish do have a liking for real historical railways more than modelling in my experience, though nothing on the scale of the UK scene. 

Please get in touch via mamrclub@gmail.com where a warm welcome awaits.

Ross Ord, Chairman.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

We have sold well over a hundred 1:87 Taurus kits to Spain and have some industrial Hunslet kits in stock. The kits are capable of being built to correct gauge (including 1000mm in the case of the Hunslets but all the ones I have seen are 16.5mm gauge

post-1643-0-43531700-1516989758_thumb.jpg

Judith Edge kits

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...