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!

Hi Hector Wolverhampton MRC's Charwelton in OO is a superb layout. so looking forward to seeing your N gauge version! Theirs is up for sale, so if you can make your hobby space bigger.......

We were having a bit of a chat in between the phone not ringing and emails not appearing about scenery. What makes a layout 'scenic'? Does it have to be as large as Totnes or The Gresley Beat to be considered so? I still remember Chee Tor, Chiltern Green and Tebay - they're extensively scenic (as in countryside) to me, although I'd have to say the same about Copenhagen Fields and Halifax King Cross, even though the scenery is 'different. The Black Country Blues boys are going to a lot of effort to make sure the layout 'feels' right by incorporating a fair amount of scenery - is that necessary, or can the 'dressing' just be a particular building or structure that sums the area up? What are your favourite 'scenic' layouts and why?

Are there tablets for this?

Thought I'd add the cab photos!

Larry In the absence of Gilbert, I'll tell you. It's a Canon G12 - we're all using them now, it's such a convenient size, lets lots of light in, can be programmed if required (just ask Andy Y about his stacking) and has a lens that's just the right height to represent a 4mm figure's eyeline. We just need a 2mm version now! Hope this helps Richard

Hello Flavio Nice to see you involved - would you fancy a spin-off article on the buildings? Regards Richard

We featured the Roadrailer in a previous BRM Annual, and, if my memory serves me right, they were also covered in MRJ not so long ago?

That's great news Gilbert - are we going to have to call you 'Barnacles Barnatt the pirate' now? Love the new stuff by Peter!

Ian Should have something of interest to you soon - as we've some ongoing constructional articles on - Grantham! Richard

Just for info, Trevor's East Lynn and Nunstantion will be appearing in the March and April editions of BRM.