Not Jeremy

Issue 257 of MRJ has been printed and is being sent out from Amadeus tomorrow. A batch are being sent direct from Amadeus to Guildex at Telford this weekend, therefore visitors to this excellent Gauge O bunfight will be able to purchase copies this weekend from both: Wild Swan Books Ltd Bill Hudson Books I have as yet no information on the contents, no doubt subscribers copies and deliveries to other stockists will go out next week. Hopefully see some of you at the show! Simon

Well it's funny you should mention that Paul. I do have a cunning plan in this regard and conversations are underway with Peter. I would (for myself if no-one else) dearly love to see The Portersfoote Bunting Light Railway in print and although I haven't (yet) mentioned it on the website it is a definite project as far as I am concerned. Peripheral to this, but related, I am just about to pick up another one of Peter's own models of the PBLR from my late friend Dick Dorton's widow. (Dick had motorised it while he had it "on loan" as he used to run it on his nice 16mm portable layouts) This will mean I have a nearly complete collection of the models that Peter built, all of which are very worthy of display and would form a good promotion for any new book I would like to think. More generally, I'm hoping to expand the website with more information around the books. First to get this treatment will be the new Bridport book, Gerry has sent me as nice additional memory of the line from Peter Squibb which I will post up soon. Thanks very much for your kind comments! Simon

I don't think a straight reprint would really cut the mustard, but that said I would really like to re-visit this subject. If you are or you know someone interested in and competent to pull together good images and write something then I'd be very interested to hear from you or about them. Please feel free to follow this up with a pm if you have any ideas or suggestions in this regard. Thank you for the suggestion! Simon

Isn't it just. I'd like to know who did it, I'm afraid I shamelessly lifted it from Facebook! Simon

I have just added more information to the Wild Swan website, showing covers of books that have been produced since I took the business on, and also featuring a page which gives some information on forthcoming and future Wild Swan titles. I will be endeavouring to add content to this website that will complement the books and also provide a more "content rich" experience. http://wildswanbooks.co.uk/index.html Simon Castens

Calm down dear, or else you'll find your entry in danger of being disqualified under hastily drawn up pedantry rules...

Slaters introduced the 41mm back to back in order that their "fine" wheels would operate through Peco trackwork, reason being that the gauge of Peco G1 track is just below 45mm. As to why that is, I have no idea, but it does effectively introduce a third set of standards as you are discovering. If you are contemplating modelling in G1 then building to finer standards is a great idea, but will mean that your stock will not be able to run on most G1 tracks. Cliff Barker's track is the best moulded track in G1 and is what I use myself.

How about having the Reverend John Skinner (1772-1839) cogitating as he walks along your towpath? If you are modellling operations on a Sunday then he could be seen berating your drivers for not observing the Sabbath. He wasn't a happy man, suffering the loss of a young wife and his children to consumption and taking his own life with a pistol to the head in 1839. He was also a very learned man who had to contend with the harsh realities of life and death in the mining parish of Camerton. His "Journal of a Somerset Rector" is no easy read but full of fascinating aspects of life in the period. In 1820 after losing his his favourite daughter Laura he wrote: "I could not help thinking how differently this morning was to be spent by myself, an obscure individual, on the desolate heights of Mendip, and the Queen of these realms in the midst of her judges in the most splendid metropolis in the world. Yet when half the number of years have rolled away which these tumuli have witnessed how will every memorial, every trace, be forgotten of the agitation which now fills every breast; all the busy heads and aching hearts will be as quiet as those of the savage chieftains which have so long occupied these hillocks" Something to bear in mind perhaps, as we each wrestle with our own cameo daemons? Simon

I am not making any "distance" as you put it between myself and MRJ. On the basis that you are genuinely not understanding the situation rather than anything else here goes: Wild Swan books Ltd (Me) is an entirely separate legal and trading entity to Cygnet Magazines Ltd being run by Paul Karau. We trade with each other. We also talk to one another, meet from time to time, share ideas and drink tea. I do this with many other people, some of whom are also contributors to MRJ, some even editors of MRJ, but also many, many people who have no involvement with MRJ. I make no distinction and like to think that I am equally friendly bolshy irritational eccentric compassionate interested encouragiing infuriating tolerant towards everyone I meet in life, both in person and on the Internet. I do endeavour to apply maximum effort to making a success of the ventures I am involved in, with varying degrees of success, and yes the Cameo competition is born out of a desire to promote and maximise sales of a book, together with all the ideas, aspirations and jolly things listed somewhere near the beginning of one of these threads. I am, needless to say, very far from perfect in any of these areas. So truly, I do not recognise the suspicious sounding situation which you seem to be convinced exists. As far as Western Thunder and RMweb goes, the cameo competition is featured on both courtesy of and with many thanks to Adrian Cherry and Andy York who run each forum respectively. Of the two I would hazard a guess that RMweb is the most "useful" in terms of promoting the whole idea and so again I don't understand just what you think I "haven't been able to do" on RMweb. I'll not be commenting any more on this. Back to cameos? Simon Castens Edited for grammar

I'm not at all sure that I'm not going to regret asking this, but why would you or anyone find this disappointing?

You are indeed labouring under a misapprehension regarding ownerships, but to be fair you aren't alone. I "am" Wild Swan Books but not Cygnet Magazines. Cygnet is a completely separate and different entity, effectively the "old" Wild Swan Publications crew carrying on with the magazines. This happened because Paul Karau wanted the Wild Swan name to remain with future book publishing. Hopefully everything is now blindingly clear(!) Simon And I have just checked and I don't think I am Trainman 864 either, it is quite an amusing thought though. Nor am I Spartacus before the first mate of MV Ferret starts piping up….

It is 2 metres for all entries, irrespective of scale. We have made a couple of exceptions as noted on the welcome to the cameo competition thread (neither of which exceeds 2.1 metres). Simon

Tsk, what a lightweight - a fourth entry surely!! only joking……..

It really is most excellent to see that our latest announcement has enlivened the cameo competition to such a marvellous extent and brought forth so many splendidly entertaining contributions - thank you all so very much. Returning to the substantive aspect of our latest announcement: Given that Iain quotes "Longwood Edge" at 2.1 metres long in his MRJ piece, and also in the light of other "extenuating circumstances", we have as of this morning made a couple of exceptions to the "2 metre rule". For the record, these are: Josh Courtney's 7mm scale "Easton Mills" Geoff Nicholls' Gauge 3 "Aldeburgh Wharf" Apologies to all for the apparent confusion, but both Iain and I are very concerned to keep entries both physically manageable and within the spirit of the book and original concept. In this context and talking about the size of cameos more generally, when Iain talks about the Newport MRS's superb 7mm terminus Frecclesham within the book, he says: This just might be the largest cameo I've met so far but then goes on to say whether you could ever describe Frecclesham as such is a moot point Best Wishes Simon Castens

I apologise for what is effectively a change in the "rules" since the start of the competition, but there were an increasing number of "oversize" entries that Iain felt were taking the competition into non cameo territory and both he and I wanted to bring things back "into focus". I genuinely don't think the book and the ideas in it lead towards larger layouts and we have both been a bit surprised at how many whoppers we were netting. If any entrants affected by this change have purchased a copy of the book as a "token of entry" and they now don't want it, then I will happily take them back and refund etc. Simon

Yes that is the case. As I said, Iain has thought long and hard about it and decided that anything beyond 2 metres really isn't a cameo in the sense that the book and competition means it. Can you re-jig the design to shrink it a bit, or just build it as it is and enjoy the process? It's a great idea you've got there I think. Best Wishes Simon Castens

A further update on the maximum size of competition entries. Following a number of queries and much pondering, Iain has decided that 2.0 metres is the absolute upper limit of the size of the scenic frontage of cameo competition entries. Simon Edit, we have since made a couple of "exceptions to the rule" as noted in the welcome to the cameo competition thread, neither of which exceed 2.1 metres.

Please all consider yourselves reassured, here is my good friend Alan looking suitably reassuring...

Herewith the "further notes and guidance" which appeared in MRJ 256: Cameo Competition Update From Iain Rice and Simon Castens We have been delighted – nay, o’erwhelmed – by the number and variety of the models proposed and the originality of many of the concepts, which cover scales from 2mmFS to Gauge 3! We’re also impressed by the enthusiasm shown in the responses and the number of people who have already put saw to wood and made a start. There are also a number of projects which are well-advanced, pre-dating the idea of the contest but nonetheless conforming to the parameters set. On which point, we have been asked to be a little more prescriptive and provide more guidance as to acceptability of entries, particularly with regard to size and footprint. So going through each original definition of a Cameo Layout as set out in the announcement in MRJ 254: 1) It is small and concise, typically in the range of 1 - 2 metres length for the modelled scene with an integrated or add-on fiddleyard The figure of 1 - 2 metres length quoted is for the modelled scene and does not have to include the fiddle-yard(s), which can be additional to this. We are however looking for such addenda to be in proportion to the size of the modelled scene and are looking for the total ‘offstage’ portions to not exceed the length of the modelled scene. A ‘through’ cameo could thus have a fiddleyard of half the scene length at each end, as on ‘Longwood Edge’. For single-ended layouts, we would suggest the offstage addenda should be in the order of a half to two-thirds of the scene length. These figures are not mandatory; the overall objective is to keep a pleasing visual and practical/operational balance between the elements of the layout as a whole and the judges will be looking for good proportions rather than mere conformity to some arbitrary number. 2) It seeks to present its subject in as realistic and natural a manner as possible, using ‘staged’ presentation and eye-level viewpoints A ‘realistic viewing height’ should seek to put the ‘horizon line’ incorporated in the model as close as possible to the eye level of the viewer – typically, to a tolerance of +/- 2 inches. So the height at which the layout needs to be displayed for this to be achieved has to take account of how it is intended that it should be viewed, e.g., standing/seated on a high stool or seated at normal chair height. For persons of average stature, those alternatives typically equate to eye levels of about 63ins standing/high seat and 45 ins normally seated. In the context of the competion, either approach is perfectly acceptable. As the viewing height is determined by the stance of the viewer, there is no effective difference in the model itself or its presentation; so long as the display height relates correctly to the audience eye level, the required natural viewpoint will be achieved. Hope that makes sense! 3) The model is integrated with a display and support structure – including lighting and electrics – that seeks to set it off to best advantage. Nothing to add here, except perhaps to point out that the display design needs to take account of factors like concealing light sources to avoid glare and also to eliminate anomalies (such as visible exits through backscenes) that impair realism. 4) The modelling is executed to a high standard: ‘small but exquisite’, favouring fine-scale wheel and track standards and a high level of detail The opportunity for good modelling, high levels of detail and finer standards are one of the virtues of the cameo format (or any other form of small model railway). But that is not to say that the use of fine scale standards in the context of this competition is mandatory or that layouts using more mainstream standards will be ‘marked down’. Rather, marks will be awarded for the success of the model as an integrated whole rather than merely for numerical adherance to a particular set of scale dimensions. 5) The layout is engineered and specified for realistic, reliable and refined running and prototypical operation The operational success of a layout in the context of this competition will be judged on the ability of the model to replicate convincingly the working of the prototype depicted. 6) The whole thing should be as self-contained as possible and easy to transport, set up and store This means just what it says. We’re looking for thought and practicality in the design of the layout infrastructure and the ease with which it can be moved and set-up. As a guide point, we’re looking for models that can be handled by 1 - 2 people and the use of a car, car-trailer or small van for transport. Experience with Longwood Edge at 2.1m x 0.75m, 30 Kg in weight suggests this is about the upper limit for a an integrated cameo. Hence our suggestion that this order of bulk (think a generous casket…) is about the practicable limit of cameo-dom. Hopefully these notes have put a bit more meat on the bones, if you’ve got any further queries or questions don’t hesitate to drop us a line or send an e-mail to cameocomp@wildswanbooks.co.uk.

Just to reassure you that your entry has been received and accepted - a great subject by the way! Simon

I am actively pursuing this idea with Peter, it is something I would very much like to produce. Simon Castens

Available now: From Wild Swan, a brand new and much enlarged edition of Nic de Courtais' 1981 book on this iconic prototype. Printed and produced by Amadeus Press in Cleckheaton. Softback, gloss laminated cover and sewn spine, heavily illustrated, 96 pages, ISBN 9781912038718, £18.95. Available direct or from any good bookseller. In common with all Wild Swan books this will not be available at reduced prices from Amazon or any of the other cut price merchants. Simon Castens

The "further thoughts and guidance" are in the latest MRJ (256) which I flagged up on the "what is a cameo" thread on 20th July. We will be contacting everyone, at the moment we are still seeing a few new entries together with the odd withdrawal. Rest assured it's going ahead, there are lots of great ideas coming through. I have been a bit distracted by Larkrail, hols and also getting the new Wild Swan book "The Wantage Tramway" out, I pick up stocks tomorrow. Simon Simon

Here's a preview of Rich patrolling Alma Street Quay:

Cameo compadres may be interested to hear that there is full page "Cameo Competition Update" in the latest MRJ (256) which expands a little on a couple of rule type points, including some thoughts on layout h**ght as It relates to the competition. Nothing revolutionary or different but a slight concern that physical dimensions don't propel some entries out of the competition. As the update says, the response to the idea has been terrific, both here and off the net and there are lots of really interesting ideas and schemes taking shape. I'm still contemplating one of my own in G1, but it is a very big scale for a small space. If I do manage to build anything it will of course be without the competition. Simon