Not Jeremy

A great thread which I am much enjoying. A couple of small follow on pictures from me, first the demolition of Stratford on Avon Evesham Road crossing, snapped while hitch hiking from Coventry to Bath in 1981 or 1982. Secondly a slightly dark and distant snap of Aviemore in 1974, those locos were really going for it!

To answer David's question, issue 281 is the first of a planned eight issues to appear during 2021, as per normal. The 2020 volume will consequently only ever consist of 5 journals, sadly not including a Christmas issue either. Not a good year. Simon

It is very nice to see other people's pictures and visit some shows I didn't previously know about, a few familiar faces too(!) I have been trawling through old computers to look out a few exhibition memories of my own I think I have to start with the utterly fabulous RMweb live at the Ricoh Stadium in September 2014, I enjoyed it hugely for all sorts of reasons, attending as part of the Bleakhouse support team with my friend Steve Cook. Steve had made a miniature version of Captain Kernow in full HV gear, and took it upon himself to take "Mini Tim" around the show, photographing him on each layout. This caused much merriment and some bewilderment, Steve having christened the figure "Timmy Two Trousers" - well it amused us anyway... When it came to Bleakhouse Road we ensured that TTT arrived in style in a railway vehicle of suitable period (while "the boss" was away talking elsewhere, obviously) TTT walked around the whole layout, met the Finching sisters and even enjoyed a bit of gardening.... An utterly fabulous and never to be repeated weekend for which I will be forever grateful, the memories of which make me smile even now. Simon

At this strange time for all of us, it occurs to me that it might be fun to have a thread for exhibitions from the past, with the accent on pictures and the "characters" and human side of the hobby, especially fun and enjoyment, larking around and of course the trains and layouts. So, to recap; a pictorial thread, no disgruntlement allowed, sort of happy and forward looking in a backward looking sort of way. As some long time members might know I have an absolute wealth of Captain Kernowry that I could inflict upon the world in this context, but to start us off, here is a snap from Railex in 2017. One of the funniest and most brilliant things I have ever seen at a show, it is the utterly stunning "Tollesbury Quay" layout on the weekend that a certain part of the display equipment got left at home. I think It is the estimable Kevin Tong who is master of ceremonies at this point. I look forward to seeing and hearing from lots of you, the further afield and more "left field" the better - tally ho!

Ooh, you are a tease!

Issue 281 has indeed landed as Martin notes above. I agree that the cover photo is a bit on the dark side, perhaps it is meant to reflect the National mood(!?) The contents are anything but gloomy though, I thought they were an interesting collection of thoughts and ideas that reflect several aspects of just how wonderful a hobby we are so lucky to all share. And we have another Professor in the house too! John Bennett's letter has generated a welcome re-awakening of the letters page too - so thank you for that John. My take on 281 is here. Here's to a better 2021, best wishes to all. Simon

I know this is an old pre Covid thread, but since it has been brought back in to the limelight, I think Crewlisle fits under the "category" of being: Entertaining, clever, imaginative, satisfyingly complicated, approachable modelling, based on great prototype inspiration, compact, quite large, OO scale, satisfying simple, full of action, colourful, showmanship, "CJ Freezer-ish". In short an absolute belter of a layout, even if it has been around a while - a bit like the Titfield Thunderbolt!! I look forward to seeing it again - hopefully. Best Wishes to all layout builders small, large, complicated, simple, Chinese - all of them! Simon

Very sad news indeed, David was a fantastic larger than life character who I met many years ago, probably at an exhibition(!) He was a regular visitor to my "Camrail" and then "Larkrail" shows and was always encouraging and positive. Vastly knowledgeable as others have said and with a wonderful collection of information on the Great Western Railway. A long time collaborator with his friend the late Tony Atkins, between them they have contributed hugely to the published record of the Great Western, especially in the field of freight workings and wagons. He was also a very kind and caring man and was someone who I admired very much. Too many people seem to be going at the moment, I guess it is something to do with the demographic of our hobby - we should all appreciate each other while we can! On a more positive note, I am working on a new book for Wild Swan and David had been typically generously in helping me with information and illustrations. Despite this very sad loss the book is going ahead and will in part at least stand as a tribute to David and his passion for and knowledge of the Great Western Railway. RIP David Simon Castens

Just into stock, a new Wild Swan book from noted modeller Geoff Kent which describes and shows through colour photography the fantastic variety of details from the past that can still be found in the British Isles of today. Selected for inspiration to model and sketch, Geoff has recorded a mind boggling variety of styles, designs, building material and subjects. Geoff hopes that his book will encourage us all to go out and look at the world around us, recording what we see for posterity before it is too late and hopefully making models of it too! ISNB 9781912038657 64pp All colour softback produced on to high quality art paper and with a spine. £14.95. Available to purchase now from my website and also now making their way to numerous other stockists of Wild Swan books. Simon

Ken, it is really nice to see this now taking such good shape in your hands, having created the basic shape more years ago than I like to think. I really like your back story too - great stuff! Best Wishes Simon

That is just beautiful, amazing, fantastic, well done! And considering that the GEM kit cost seven pounds and six shillings back in 1968 it is also an absolute bargain. The equivalent price for the GEM kit today is just over £105, and that didn't include wheels, motor, paint or glue. We've never had it so good! I am even working on a new Wild Swan book at the moment which will complement this announcement quite nicely. And Andy Y has had a hand in it too! Maybe in time for Christmas.... Simon

What a great thread, really informative and interesting. I never met David St John Thomas but really liked his writing and admired all the the "David and Charles" books, especially the earlier ones before they started printing on loo paper and then morphed into the book club, ish. Robin Atthill's "Somerset and Dorset" from David and Charles has a brilliantly written opening, but is possibly eclipsed by what David wrote for his "West Country" regional history volume, which was first published by Phoenix Publishing I think. He describes the last train leaving Bridgwater North: On 29 November 1952, inhabitants of Bridgwater's northern outskirts peered cautiously through their windows. Outside, two men ran to crouch in a doorway, automatically covering their heads as a whistle blew and explosions thudded. An accident at a local armament factory was fresh in memory, and anyway the evening itself was eerie: after a wild, gusty day, snow was falling silently, stealthily subduing the suburb. Thanks to John W for taking the trouble to set out all the above information on the books and also other contributors for their memories and thoughts. By the way John, in our telephone conversation the other day I got the company name wrong, "Farewell to Trains" is still available from Postscript books, I think I will get myself a copy. https://www.psbooks.co.uk/Farewell-to-Trains-9780711234079 Simon

I so love this hobby and this website - "normal" folk have to pay good money for this level of entertainment.... Please let nobody be put off though, as many people as possible should read MRJ - as well as BRM, RM, MR, HM et al. Being serious for a moment, for me it is the difference between each of us and our individual approaches to railway modelling in all its guises that makes the whole thing so interesting and joyous even. We are all very lucky, even those strange 2 millers and the wretched Scaleseven mob!! Simon

Oh for Heavens sake, what about - Lightmoor Press, Crecy, Pen and Sword, Oakwood nee Stenlake, Transport Treasury, Platform Five, Mainline and Maritime, Peter Harding, Capital, Bellcode, Book Law, Irwell, Twelveheads, Middleton Press, Silver Link nee Mortons, RCL, Gomer, Crowood, others I have forgotten, some I would rather forget, and even sometimes Wild Swan. There's still a whole lot more to it than either of the above analyses suggest, interesting and relevant as they both are. The fat lady hasn't sung on the railway book market yet, I believe some people even make money from it(!) And where is the idea coming from that Royalties are not being paid to authors? Is that maybe part of the Internet/Kindle/Amazon/print on demand bolleaux? I am Not Jeremy, especially this morning!

There was a delay on sending the subs copies out apparently, I believe they are going out this week. Simon

Issue 280 has arrived here in Bath and is available for sale at https://www.titfield.co.uk/Wild-Swan/MRJ-Journal.htm This is my brief review of the contents, it's another good one I think. Edited by Martin Nield who muses slightly eyore-ishly on the usual subject for this year but thankfully also gives us a happy mix of articles. An inspiring account of how Peter Kazer built Talyllyn No 4 in 1/32 scale, Simon Fountain on the O gauge locomotives he has built for "Blackberry Lane Shed", John Thompson builds magnificent NER signals for "Port Solway", the editor reflects on his completed L&YR P4 "Eccleston" layout, Ralph Robertson builds Alpha Mill for "Slattocks Junction", while Stephen Williams adds an advertising hoarding to "Faringdon". This article features one of the nicest colour pictures of the steam era railway that I have ever seen, taken on the Severn Valley line at Bridgnorth - just lovely. A decent letters page contains a wonderfully indignant letter from one John Bennet in Towcester which had me re-reading Tim Watson's piece from last month while small suppliers forum has a fab picture of auto trailer enhancements. Dave Rowe marks the sad passing of Shirley with a beautifully written celebration of their life together. Moving, uplifting, funny and absolutely full of interest to anyone who has been in this hobby for more than five minutes, it brought to my mind the letter Dave wrote to Railway Modeller following the publication of some rather fulsome obituaries to the once ubiquitous Cyril Freezer. It was candid, insightful, down to earth and bloody funny but also kind to the memory of a man who had spread a lot of joy amongst us all in one way and another. RIP Shirley, you are much missed by many.

Just amazing, I had never seen that model. One of the greatest pleasures of acquiring Wild Swan was the opportunity to get to know Dave and Shirley a little better, having admired their work from my teenaged years and the old Bristol show. I hesitate to have "announced" the information here, I heard as you did a few weeks ago Andy, but thought others better "qualified" than I might have said something. I last saw them at Mike Sharman's funeral and it is a real shock to think that she isn't still with us, they are/were an amazing and lovely couple in so many ways as you say, a very sad loss indeed. Simon

Following on from Jerry's post, number 280 has now been printed and will be going out shortly. It should be in plastic wrappers rather than the paper envelope of the last issue which caused a few problems. I believe there is likely to be one more issue this year, 281, which will be the Christmas issue. Notwithstanding the issues that were not produced during the lockdown I believe this puts the MRJ more or less back on track date-wise. Some very sad news, which will affect some here I think, is that Shirley Rowe has passed away, hopefully the forthcoming issue will give more information. A fantastic character and modeller to boot, she has handled all the overseas subscription for MRJ since the beginning and will I think have been on first name terms with many subscribers. RIP Shirley MRJ is nonetheless definitely continuing into 2021 - despite the lack of quoted forward dates on the editorial page. Simon

Well yes, but that is not what I am talking about. The point I am making is that the selling of one's own premises from under one's own business indicates a distinct lack of interest and belief in the business from under which one is selling one's own property. And Ian Allan have "form" - witness the appalling wreck they turned a thriving business into with Midland Counties debacle of some years ago. I claim no special knowledge by the way, but I have bought from Ian Allan by way of trade over many years, and have sold to them by way of trade for the last five years. I also know or knew some of the protagonists within Ian Allan and have had dealings with them. I run a small business in the same trade and so am perhaps a little more interested in the future of this market than other folk may be(?) The irrefutable fact is that loss of sales is not good for business and the trade. Perhaps a good subject for discussion here is the extent to which the closure of the Ian Allan shops in the last few years has either benefited or damaged the railway book trade in the UK? It is also interesting that some key ex Ian Allan staffers have set up on their own since leaving Ian Allan, which rather suggests to me at least that they believe there is some value in the whole business. Or perhaps they too should "wake up and smell the coffee" as someone here so very delighfully put it. Not Jeremy

Hmmm, you very easily dismiss a great deal of effort and endeavour with your rather rude "mere flea" comment . Assuming you actually know something about all this and aren't just one of those tedious Internet knowitalls, then are you able to offer us an equally perspicacious analysis of the Midland Counties car crash that Ian Allan directed? And by your reckoning that Ian Allan's retail operations were a "mere flea" then by comparison I must be wasting my time on a worthless microbe - how stupid am I. Thank you so much for enlightening me on this point, I am so very grateful. Simon

Ian Allan own the premises!!

I also think that this is driven by a fundamental lack of interest in the business from the owners. This miserable closure is a very sad final nail in the coffin, and I feel for Kerry and all the staff who I think have done a great job over the last few years. Ian Allan have form, anyone remember the fabulous operation Midland Counties? A really good business that was taken over by Ian Allan who then totally scewed it before closing it down, disgusting. Simon Who still has a bookshop

Going back to earlier concerns about the suitability or otherwise of vehicles for the estimable Tricky's wagon, looking at my Basingstoke and Alton book I can see in a photograph from a similar era what look to be quite a lot of Thornycroft cab and chassis units loaded on to what can only be described as flat trucks, so maybe the "carriage truck concern" is a bit overdone as regards a load for this lovely model?

Oooops - thank you for that, I stand corrected Do you know, I hadn't twigged that at all, despite contemplating building a model for myself. It is now clearly the case looking at the drawing, notes and photograph, in fact it is blindingly obvious. And its a different wagon too - I really must pay more attention! I still fancy building one of the Dia 336 wagons though. I already have a suitable vehicle for a load, a vintage lorry I cobbled together from an Airfix "Old Bill" type bus kit for "Pomparles Siding" - it makes quite a convincing old lorry. Keep up the good work!! I'll keep quiet at the back.... Simon

Beautiful work Richard, great to see some decent G1 modelling! Re the solebars, I hesitate to say, but thought they were timber on your wagon, in common with most Midland wagons. It will make the build easier...... This wagon is featured the Midland Record wagons special, if you haven't got your own copy I'll happily drop one in the post to you! Simon