Model Railway Journal 293

[Not Jeremy]

Edited by Jerry Clifford, issue 293 marks the sad passing of Iain Rice. A legendary name within the hobby in so many ways, who with the late Bob Barlow really helped to launch MRJ on its hugely successful voyage into the seas of publishing. Was it the "Beagle" or "The Dawn Treader" -  more likely some sort of Jack Russell probably, but whatever the ship was or is called it has been illuminating our hobby lives ever since.  As did Iain himself through his writing, modelling, wit and personality.

 

There are some really lovely photographs of Iain and his layouts, and a thoughtful collation of memories and thoughts about the man, even including a rather wonderful poem from Richard Butler - the one from Ayrshire...

 

Continuing the dodgy nautical theme, the cover features Maestro Gordon Gravett's very lovely model(s) of the coaster "Radstock", which are featured inside the magazine. This article very nicely complements Jerry's own, on the re-working of Highbury Colliery into a scene alongside the main line of the Somerset and Dorset Railway. The photography of which is absolutely, staggeringly, utterly and fabulously good. I'm not allowed to reveal who the photographer is, but well done Andy.

 

The rest of the content is fab - honest, a bit of a return to form it seems to me.

 

Anyway, you've heard enough from me already and I'm going to shut up and carry on fretting about getting up to Warley.

 

On stand A02 at Warley, as well as Bill Hudson Books, Book Law and others I expect, also available to order direct here.

 

 

Iain and Bernie Baker with "Trerice" snapped by Steve Cook at Larkrail in 2016.

 

Edited November 24, 2022 by Not Jeremy
Typoids

[Neil]

On 24/11/2022 at 16:07, Not Jeremy said:

.... The rest of the content is fab - honest, a bit of a return to form it seems to me. .....

 

I picked up a copy from the newsagents here in Tywyn. I'm enjoying it more than some recent issues. I put it down to it containing more words than of late and they're good ones, well arranged, that offer fresh insights. If I had to choose then for entertainment I think I'd rather have the thousand words than the picture.

Edited November 30, 2022 by Neil

[Hroth]

24 minutes ago, Neil said:

 

I picked up a copy from the newsagents here in Tywyn. I'm enjoying it more than some recent issues. I put it down to it containing more words than of late and they're good ones, well arranged, that offer fresh insights. If I had to choose then for entertainment I think I'd rather have the thousand words than the picture.

 

A thousand words and a picture. Well balanced content!!!   😀

 

[Barclay]

That's very quick - only just over 3 weeks since I received 292.

 

Looking forward to it very much, though it will be a sad read of course.

[D-A-T]

Unfortunately death is an inevitable outcome of life. I’m hoping, and sure it will be, a celebration of Iain’s life, talents and accomplishments. 

[Martync]

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.

 

[queensquare]

Now that MRJ is out there in the wild I thought I would add this picture I took on the weekend Simon C refers to in his memories of Iain - a great weekend in Utrecht. Simon, ‘Not Jeremy’ on the left, Dave Doe centre and the the boy Rice.

… and just to show Iain didn’t just make trains. Here’s a scratchbuilt 1927 Albion built in the early 1970s.

 

Jerry

 

 

 

 

[smiths park]

Just picked mine up from my local newsagent on Tyneside. I agree with Neil and his earlier comment it looks a very good issue and as a Highland Railway modeller very happy and inspired. I was happy collector and reader of the work of Iain Rice, loved his style and spent many a contented hour armchair modelling with one of his books. Nicely done commemoration.

[Not Jeremy]

Thank you for the picture Jerry, that was such a hugely enjoyable weekend from all possible points of view.

 

And for putting together this MRJ too, a very good read and fitting recallation* of Iain, as others have said.

 

Simon

 

*That may be a word I have just invented, a cross between recollection and evocation, sort of inspired by Mick Simpson's Cameo Callaton

 

 

 

[phil_sutters]

An excellent issue. As a 60+ year SDJR fan whose first layout was based on the area, between Coleford and Vobster, near where we lived in the late 1950s, and whose current interests lie in my Dad's next parish of Highbridge, I was very pleased to see three relevant articles. All three of course show top quality modelling. Gordon Gravett's Radstocks are museum quality. I am in awe of his skills.

 

Edited November 30, 2022 by phil_sutters

[RichardT]

Hopefully I’ll be able to pick up my copy from Monk Bar Models before Christmas- sounds like good holiday reading.  
 

Is this actually the first issue of 2023, but early?  As I have my MRJs bound in annual volumes  I had it in my head that issue 300 would be the last issue of 2023.  (I am keeping my fingers crossed for a bumper celebratory issue 300 recalling the Xmas MRJs of old.  What a tragedy that Iain Rice won’t be around for that milestone.)

 

Richard T

[stewartingram]

I'm still waiting for my subscriber's copy - the 1st time ever I've had to wait! I put it down to the PO strikes and possibly a change at MRJ hq (the last issue wasn't really late, but not as quick as usual). Or possibly....my subs have run out...lol.

[Hroth]

Just picked it up from my local vendor.

I've put it aside to peruse at leisure (cup of tea, digestive biscuits, etc...).

 

[MartinM]

Still waiting to my subscription mag to turn up in Darkest Sussex I assume the postal strikes are the cause... I will be in WHSmith tomorrow so I hope I'll have it by then otherwise I'll be tempted to buy a copy off the shelf.....

[melmoth]

I subscribe to the New Statesman, and because of the postal uncertainty they sent out last week's issue via email as a pdf attachment. This, I suspect, is unlikely to be an option for the quill-and-parchment-based approach to technology prevailing at MRJ Towers.

[Hroth]

18 minutes ago, MartinM said:

Still waiting to my subscription mag to turn up in Darkest Sussex I assume the postal strikes are the cause... I will be in WHSmith tomorrow so I hope I'll have it by then otherwise I'll be tempted to buy a copy off the shelf.....

 

Do what 50% of WHS browsers do, flick through a shelf copy for a while. Your subs copy will arrive eventually!

 

[Not Jeremy]

For those that are still waiting, here is a bit of gratuitous Ricery.

 

For dark winter evenings spent waiting for striking postmen/women, in unheated and rude hovels, with reintroduced boars rampaging through frost covered and unlit housing estates, wolves howling from out of town shopping centres, estate agents queueing at foodbanks and unemployed bank tellers huddling together in warm banks. All that and Radio 4 too - sheesh.

 

Whoops, wrong thread, sorry....

 

 

This piece does not appear in the MRJ for which you are waiting.

[Hroth]

They don't make 'em like they used to....

 

(Has the end of the screed perished from neglect?)

 

[Captain Kernow]

The usefulness of RMWeb! Just looking through this thread and I then realised that I had forgotten to renew my subscription! That's probably why 293 hasn't turned up in Devon yet.

 

[cctransuk]

12 minutes ago, Captain Kernow said:

The usefulness of RMWeb! Just looking through this thread and I then realised that I had forgotten to renew my subscription! That's probably why 293 hasn't turned up in Devon yet.

 

 

It hasn't arrived in the Duchy yet - and I HAVE renewed my subscription.

 

It does annoy me when subs. copies lag so far behind the news trade supplies.

 

CJI.

[Not Jeremy]

1 hour ago, Hroth said:

They don't make 'em like they used to....

 

(Has the end of the screed perished from neglect?)

 

 

Happily not, I just didn't scan it.

 

I could always post it here later if subs copies don't turn up, it might at least be something for those poor folk to look forward to.....

 

For myself, I'm currently in the land of Titfieldfieldshire - all sunshine and whimsey, so long as you aren't on your way to prison!

 

[Hroth]

2 minutes ago, Not Jeremy said:

For myself, I'm currently in the land of Titfieldfieldshire - all sunshine and whimsey, so long as you aren't on your way to prison!

 

Some richly deserve it!!!

 

[queensquare]

53 minutes ago, Hroth said:

 

Some richly deserve it!!!

 

“he sinned in a very good cause, they will surely be lenient … ‘

 

Jerry

[NHY 581]

Those still awaiting their subscription copy have my sympathy but I have to say my MRJ 293 arrived from Simon, well, George technically, yesterday. 

 

It came as part of a mysterious parcel, the purchase of which was instigated by the Memsahib who whipped away the rest of the contents before I could catch a glimpse of them. 

 

A nice issue. I headed straight for Iain Rice's obituary. A lovely piece. 

 

The rest I shall enjoy at my leisure this afternoon but Jerry's S&D contribution looks right up this Sheep's street and I've long admired Great Bardfield. Mr Gravett knocks up a nice boat as well.

 

So all in all, a jolly good read to look forward to.

 

Rob. 

[micklner]

No trace at 3 different Smith's so far.