Not Jeremy

The books have arrived! Unloaded between showers, all shore leave cancelled, Charlie promising to provide assistance before lunchtime….. Orders going out from tomorrow, cardboard at the ready…..

Zut alors!

Now at the printers, a brand new book from Wild Swan Books and master modeller Pete Goss that showcases his fantastic landscapes and buildings. Final proof tweaks are just going through now, so stock should be available from late June or early July. Hopefully copies will be on sale at "Larkrail" in Bath on the 15th July, and Pete will also be taking copies to any events that he is attending. Also being made available through the trade, so available from all reputable booksellers. Profusely illustrated with photographs and diagrams, Pete shows us in step by step detail exactly how he creates his miniature masterpieces. Figures and figure painting are also covered, with examples from many models that Pete has worked on being featured in the book. ISBN 9781912038619, 144 pages, laminated card cover, sewn binding, printed in full colour on to high quality art paper. £26.95

A thoroughly enjoyable weekend was had at Bristol courtesy of Warners and the Association. I attended with my bijou boutique of books and Jerry Clifford, and considering how little I took, we took quite a lot! Obviously opinions differ and we all have our own preferences, one comment that amused me was a trader asserting that their takings had been adversely affected by the entrance price daring to be as high as £12.00. You should have seen his prices.... For the size of show and the quality of the layouts on display, not to mention all those lovely retail opportunities, the entrance price represents terrific value. By all accounts, without Warners involvement there simply would be no Wales and West show, which would be a huge pity given the show’s fantastic history and pedigree. Hopefully it will now continue in to the future, showcasing both the hobby and West of England clubs. If you think you can make it better - then get involved! So thank you again to all involved in putting this show on, very much appreciated by me. For what it’s worth I didn’t spot any BR blue(!!) Simon

Rob - I'm touched, truly. Hopefully see you over the weekend?

Good heavens, it’s you again! Do you play any other tunes? I’m sure I have heard this one before somewhere….. Still, your signature says it all really doesn’t it?

A very large number of people said goodbye to Howard Martin at the Mendip crematorium today. It was a sad but fitting event, and we all learned a little more about him through recollections from the Celebrant, his elder brother John, The Lions Club and his great friend Barrie Baker. The piece of music which played us all out was the "match of the day" theme, which felt uplifting and appropriate. Afterwards we met up at Cranmore Station for refreshments provided by the station's caterers. There were all done to a very high standard of presentation and quality, the like of which Howard would have thoroughly approved. Also included was the opportunity to take a train ride up and down the line on Ian Stoate's DMU. It was nice to be able to talk a little with Howard's family and meet his University friends, together with remembering Howard and conversing with familiar friends and faces from the hobby community. I thought I'd share some photographs here to mark Howard's passing, including some personal shots, which appear with the permission of his family. First off is a photograph of Howard and his elder brother John together when they were in the Scouting movement. On the platform after the train journey, a first class collection of Narrow Gauge modelling characters who I am sure many of you will recognise; from left, Terry, John, Barrie, Norman and Paul. Paul very kindly took my phone and included me in the group: And here is John talking to Ian in the cab after our return. The DMU was very smartly turned out and produced suitable clag at appropriate points in the journey - which brought back a few memories! Thank you to Barrie, Howard's family and everyone else who made today possible, a sad but never to be forgotten afternoon. And farewell dear Howard as you continue on your journey. Simon

Excessive use of forced perspective? i think this might be Father Dougal's attempt..

Thank you to everyone for their reports and pictures - lots of things I'd like to have seen there! Brilliant to see the Swagspectacular continuing and flourishing (even in the absence of his Kernowness) and there look to have been a good mixture of familiar and new looking faces. Hell, some of them were even quite young - so young that I might have been at the christening of one of them.... Unfortunately I had to go and see a man about a book, and he was the wrong way up the M5, so I was unable to lower the tone of proceedings with my presence. A great vindication and celebration of all that is good about RMweb and a great window on our wonderful hobby too. So well done to Rob and everyone else that made it such a success. Simon

I yesterday received an advance copy of the finished book and am very happy with how it has all come out. The downside is a slight delay to the main delivery - I am now advised that delivery into my warehouse should be on Friday 5th May. I may well open a bottle of fizz when they arrive! Thank you to everyone who has placed pre-orders, all securely recorded and "ready for action"...... Simon

66 155 approaching Claverton Crossing yesterday. It made a very fine sight and the driver gave us a friendly acknowledgment with the horn before a proper “blow” for the crossing - terrific stuff!

Great news, I think there is a real appetite for your of your approach and ideas James and I look forward to working with you on your new book just as soon as you are ready. Going back to your last one, I’m still pondering my “Moriarty and Lumberton” and its 44 tonner, I loved the curves, gradients and switchback design from your first book - fabulous!

Sort of related, my book on the making of the film is now at the printers, with lots of pictures that relate to these wonderful forthcoming models. There is a lot of text too, I have drawn a little bit on your interview with Bert and Glyn a little bit Chris, I am so glad that you took the trouble to go and interview them all those years ago. Here's a preview of the introduction by way of the proof. If you pm me your home address I will be very happy to send you a copy of the book when I have it, it is just a few weeks away now. Going back to Dan, Hugh Griffith was apparently a drinking buddy of Dylan Thomas, I guess they might have drunk some tea...... And I can report that the sun has just broken through here in Titfieldshire, here is a view looking down towards Mallingford Junction. Mr Valentine is just about to leave his house.... Very Best Wishes Simon

Another great choice of prototype and nice that Iain knew it was going to happen too. As regards CK’s question another great book is Lightmoor’s “Mainline to Industry”, lots of interesting selling on of lots of types of loco. Although I model in 1/32 I can see myself getting one of these, the one with the fireman’s bicycle on the bunker I should think!

As noted by Mick Nicholson over on the 294 thread, MRJ 295 has now been produced and is available to buy. A good issue with a variety of topics and subjects I think, in stock here in Bath and my more detailed take on it is here. Simon

Yes, I hope so Rob. Hopefully final edits being put in next week and then we will check it one more time!

What a wonderful model this is. The attention to detail in both model itself and application of liveries is incredibly well done and based upon solid research, as Paul’s answers here illustrate so well. Happily, there appear to be quite large numbers of us who are fascinated by the minutiae and detail of this project. I say happily as Wild Swan are shortly to publish a very detailed book on the subject of GWR Siphons, it is a fully corrected, updated and expanded edition of Jack Slinn’s seminal book, written by John Lewis. It will be a large sized hardback to the usual WS format with dust jacket. Heavily illustrated, including scale drawings and running to over 260 pages, it will cost at least £54.95 to purchase(!) John is a hugely knowledgeable individual who also had an input into this wonderful suite of models from Accurascale. A real gentleman, it is a privilege and joy to work with him. Simon Castens

They are enjoying it really - just in their own “special” way….

Incredibly sad news, although not completely surprising given all of the health vicissitudes that dear lovely Howard bore with such fortitude and good humour over so many years. Howard was without doubt one of the nicest and most clever of human beings that it was possible to meet and it was a real privilege to have known him. Small and Delightful, a witty play on the initials of some other railway that passed through Shepton Mallet, was such a pleasure to be part of on so very many levels. I went to every one with the books (missed one year when I went to Utrecht with Iain Rice - but the stand still went with George) and it really was the most fantastic event, packed full of brilliant modelling and brilliant people. Aside from the trains there were the fabulous cakes in Flo’s bistro, but most of all the fantastic interaction between Howard, Barrie, Alan, Roger, John and all of the other great people who created and presented the show year after year. Huge amounts of West Country ribaldry (Barrie!!) which was all set against Howard’s implacable “Northen-ness”. But through all the joking it was always clear that everyone held Howard in very high esteem and with huge affection. There is so much more that could, and no doubt will be, said of Howard. He was an incredibly talented man on so very many levels, who will be in many people’s thoughts and remain forever in our memories. Oh this is such sad news, goodbye lovely Howard….. Simon Castens

Peter's York model is soooo very much more than a "small diorama". When it made its first public appearance at Larkrail last year, its impact with visitors was absolutely huge, and that was when it was more or less a "small diorama". In its fully grown state as appearing at this year's York show it is going to blow everyone's socks off - whatever scale they are!! It is a totally inspired work of genius on so many levels, it will be worth going to the York show just to see this one layout alone. Simon

Replying as Wild Swan, it is due to be set after John Lewis's major new GWR Siphons book is finished, which we are just now going through the final edits for. So definitely this year, Matt has done more work on the text and we have found more photographs, it is "ready to go" and will be a book worthy of its subject. Wood Lane milk depot, 1935 Thank you for your interest. Simon

you’re right - and he was an “innocent man” too…

Blimey Jol, let’s hope that what has just “happened” to Ofsted couldn’t possibly apply to anyone working in a hobby……

Thank you very much for the correct information John. Which makes perfect sense when looking at the railway pictures on the original film negatives, taken by Wally Beard I believe, including this rather nice (G)WR bracket signal. Simon

What a fabulous looking show and all staged in an amazing venue, I must get up there myself one of these years. Great to see “Copper Wort”, Pete’s new book from Wild Swan covers it really well and is just about to go to the printers. Very “shows you how” and with lots of fab pictures too. On the “dystopian future” theme, if you haven’t already then wait until you clock the Government’s “Making Tax Digital” legislation - It makes me look forward to not being around any more!!