Spring 2023 BRM

[Keith Addenbrooke]

I hope it’s OK to start a thread for the latest edition of the mag - looks like BRM has dropped through my letterbox ahead of the usual promo that Howard posts here (now that’s quality Service!).  With the garden showing the first signs of life, February is not too soon for the happy sight of the Spring BRM arriving to remind me that winter is now passing.  And I think it’s another cracking edition of BRM.

 

As well as top quality layouts, there are practical articles by no fewer than four experienced contributors (at least two of whom frequent RMweb too), so hopefully it’ll be an issue where there’s something for everybody.

 

But the reason I wanted to post something here was because of the Product Reviews.  With interests in both TT:120 and Narrow Gauge modelling, I’ll happily confess to partiality: no surprise I found plenty of particular relevance this month.

 

I especially wanted to acknowledge @Tony Wright’s review of Hornby’s ‘The Scotsman’ TT:120 set.  I found it really helpful to read the observations of an expert in the subject modelled (both in LNER modelling and locomotive building), giving us the kind of prototype insights that add value to a product review.  I suspect there’s probably chatter about Hornby’s TT:120 business decision going on somewhere on RMweb still, so it’s nice to see the focus here on the product we’re seeing:  much appreciated, thank you.  Incidentally, I agree with Tony’s comment that the flanges on the locomotive driving wheels can seem a bit large - comment I’ve seen on a specialist English language TT Forum suggests they have been tooled to meet the accepted standards, but with British outline models being smaller than their European counterparts, the flanges appear larger.  In videos I’ve seen of the sets in use, they’re not noticeable at normal viewing distance.

 

I also liked the 009 product reviews and yes - the Quarry Hunslet are tiny (a lot smaller than many N-Gauge locomotives).  I’ve seen several in the flesh and they are quite amazing.  There was a long wait for them, but they do seem to be worth it.

 

My final piece of encouragement came on the Buffer Stop page - the summary of an ‘average’ modeller responding to the RMweb survey was almost the same as my own amateur analysis posted in that thread last month (27th Jan), but BRM suggests the average number of locos owned is north of 50 (I thought it was a bit less).  Means I need to buy even more if I ever want to be average!

 

A longer post than I’d planned, sorry.  Hope that’s OK: happy reading everybody, Keith.

 

[Phil Parker]

5 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

BRM suggests the average number of locos owned is north of 50 (I thought it was a bit less).  Means I need to buy even more if I ever want to be average!

 

Well? What are you hanging around on here for then? You KNOW what you've got to do... 😉

[sjrixon]

Anything written by Tony is always worth a good read. I'm not sure I personally understand TT:120, but I bet people said the same when N first appeared. A great little review of what does appear to be a nice set. If I was starting out, maybe it would be interesting? 

 

I was also shocked by the 50-100 locos.. There must be a lot of very large layouts out there, or a huge amount of stock in boxes!!

Edited February 23, 2023 by sjrixon

[MJI]

I recognised one bridge immediately

 

[JamFjord]

Cheers Keith, I managed to get about half way through this issue so far (busy week!) - I'm glad I still have plenty to look forward to. I'm particularly interested to read Tony's TT:120 review. Some amazingly good layouts in this issue too - heaps to inspire us all. 

[Howard Smith]

Great to hear the positive feedback from readers about this issue. If you haven't got your copy of our Spring issue yet, there's still time – visit our shop, here: https://worldofrailways.hooluh.co.uk/brm-magazine-spring-issue

 

Inside you can enjoy the following great content: 

 

Digital extras this month!

· 73 extra images

· 8 videos

· 3 bonus articles

· Plus, watch this month’s edition of World of Railways TV

 

Welcome to the Spring 2023 digital edition of BRM and WOR TV.

 

This month, Howard Smith visits Llandudno station for the launch event of Transport for Wales' all-new Class 197 DMUs, and discovers new features of this fleet. Accurascale approaches its fifth birthday, and Andy York talks with Fran Burke about its business and challenges, plus, we visit 'Copper Wort', the sequel layout to Pete Goss's 'The World's End' layout.

 

Layouts

 

Inside the magazine, you'll find five fantastic layouts: 'Copper Wort', 'Port Dinorwic', 'Four Seasons', 'Tamcester' and 'Wolfe Lowe'.

 

Kathy Millatt's 'Port Dinorwic' – a dual gauge 4mm:1ft scale layout as featured in Hornby: A Model World.

 

'Copper Wort' – the latest creation by the well-regarded modeller, Pete Goss, famed in print and on the exhibition circuit for his layout, 'The World's End' in OO.

 

Practical Advice

• Get the best out of your grass mats
• Modelling beach huts
• Wiring for DCC – top tips
• Upgrade your Dapol coach

Grass mats can look unruly if not used to best effect. Michael Russell is at hand to help you overcome teething troubles.

 

Plus

• Bridges! History and prototypes explored
• Reviews of the new Hornby TT:120 Scotsman set, new Graham Farish Class 90, new Bachmann Quarry Hunslet, the latest coaches from Accurascale, and more
• A round-up of the latest headlines from the model railway world this month

It's the first train set we've seen from Hornby for TT:120. Naturally, we're excited, but what does an LNER 'aficionado' think? Tony Wright shares his thoughts...

 

Don't miss out – get your copy of our Spring issue via our shop, here: https://worldofrailways.hooluh.co.uk/brm-magazine-spring-issue

 

Enjoy the issue and happy modelling!

H

[Keith Addenbrooke]

Perhaps I should edit the opening paragraph of my initial post.  I may have spoken too soon about winter passing:

 

 

Good day for staying inside with a cup of hot Bovril to read a magazine though.*. Keith.

 

(* other beverages are available)