vitalspark

It crossed my mind but I think Waverley West has already done it! D.

I thought they were rather nice..touch of Ally Mc Leods bunnet! Dave.

Why on earth would anyone take a photograph of Mr Fs bonce?!..and yes it is quite likely the 'O & I Joint'. D.

The Scottish Region Study Groups demo stand will as usual cover many aspects of modelling including this year samples of work from two of our members one who is building a finescale (EM) layout of Edinburgh Princes St and the other an equally finescale S&C based layout. Ian Norman will be on hand to offer advice regarding Silhouette Cutters which will be used in the reproduction of the accurate trainshed on his superb Princes St. Hanbuilt finescale track with an equally impressive station taking shape. Another of our members an extremenly well known finescale modeller will be on hand to offer his expert help with all things EM and especially the finer details like compensation and 'buffers!'..(correct answers of who this may be on a postcard please). He also has a layout almost complete and ready hopefully for the 2020 show. Based on an S&C location like Princes St it features finescale handbuilt track thats probably the best you will ever see. If the telegraph poles were present you would hear the wind in the wires! Classic S&C scene with a fine kit built Clan leaning to the elevation on the curve. More images showing progress on these two incredible layouts will be on the demo stand B62. The groups new main exhibition layout Larbert which is the follow up to the successful Alloa is also taking shape but still at an early stage. These three quality AMRSS layouts are being built to the very highest standards and will without doubt in turn debut first at 'Modelrail' at Glasgow. Enjoy the show and come and have a chat. Dave.

Details on post 31 Dave but here it is again. A beautifully preserved AEC Regent V with an Alexander body..just like the ones you might have ridden on when you were a bairn! Put yourself forward for driver training and it could be you ferrying the faithful to the show next year. Dave.

You're comparing a provincial show with a national show...the cost of staging the three day Glasgow show is many many times that of the event at Perth and as said attracts the major names many who are happy to be show supporters. Its a big show and by its nature caters for a wider audience but that doesn't dilute the show in any way for modellers rather it provides in addition to the trade and scale layouts plenty of interest for the next generation who we all should be encouraging. I am not taking anything away from Perth ..its a first class show and arguably the next best show in Scotland always being consistent with its quality and indeed we have exhibited there and been warmly received but I would suggest that on quality of exhibits it offers no more to the serious modeller. The Glasgow show is also unique in that its run by and for the AMRSS member clubs and is not profit making with all excess funds returned to the clubs without which many clubs would find it difficult to fund new layouts for future shows. Not wanting to get into a discussion about 'best Scottish show' but hopefully made the point that while the two shows are excellent they are actually quite different too. Enjoy the show DT! Dave

'The Glasgow Show' as Modelrail Scotland is more popularly known down south is without doubt the premier show in Scotland. The show has always attracted the big names like Hornby and Bachmann which speaks volumes about its quality and professionalism and continues to go from strength to strength. This year we welcome Hattons alongside other major retailers like Rails which endorses the above and will afford even more variety for our visitors. Less than a week to go now so all that remains is to wish everyone a great show and enjoy the weekend. Dave.

Motorising an Airfix/Dapol railbus..I've been there and tried the lot and can tell you without hesitation don't waste your time and effort on the Branchlines chassis...there's a much better option more of which in a minute. It might look fine and it goes together easily with a nice can motor and a compensated rear axle but that's where the positives stop. Try to get the thing to pickup reliably from all four wheels which is a must for decent running and you will either stop the compensated wheel set because of resistance or have to weight the thing so much it will literally bang and crash over every track imperfection. I tried plungers and the suggested wire pick up but none were reliable enough for exhibition running...in fact they were useless full stop. Also a tip is to build the thing on a brass floor pan to give the body some rigidity otherwise it will end up taking on the familiar Airfix railbus banana shape when sighted down the sides. Before the Heljan model layouts with motorised Park Royal railbuses tended to have them sitting in the yard or if they did move it was about two feet then on to the fiddle. Then..I came across 'Hollywood Foundry' who offer a chassis for this kit comprising an exquisite motor and flywheel and driving via a belt and cardan shafts to both axles with 4 wheel pickup. Its silent never falters runs all day at exhibitions and is quite simply the only answer if you are set on motorising the Dapol. You will still need the Branchlines interior which is excellent and as said build the thing on a flat heavy brass floor with a slot cut to accommodate the small motor. Don't be put off with the fact its mail order from Oz as mine arrived in days and after sales is excellent too. I requested a spare drive belt and it arrived by return of post and no charge. The guy that runs the business is incredibly helpful and will answer any emails promptly. He is also occasionally on this forum under the name 'Hollywood Foundry'. I still have a Branchlines fully built chassis lying in a drawer but it certainly won't run again. If anyone wants it come to the Glasgow show and make me an offer. The Dapol/Hollywood Foundry bus as described above is pictured below and although running just as sweetly as the Heljan its not as well detailed and has been replaced by the latter so unlikely to see an exhibition again although it did serve Alloa well for a few years. Dave.

...and followed five minutes later.. Dave.

Apologies if posted before on a different thread.. one of Tony Wrights magnificent locos making a guest appearance on Alloa. Dave.

Amongst the ashes in the steam shed and mooching about looking for its Mk3s! Dave.

If you are attending Modelrail at the SEC in a couple of weeks the free vintage bus that runs from George square and Central station goes direct to the SEC for the exhibition then calls round at the Museum before returning to the city. Attend the exhibition then hop on the bus to continue to the museum. Even if the museum dissapoints your run back into Glasgow on a 1960s AEC Regent will make it all worthwhile. Dave.

Shoosh!..you'll get me into trouble! He closely guards the broad gauge room and all offers of help from the philistines from the 16.5 Alloa next room are rejected out of hand...muttering under his breath we are not fit to lay ballast on the disused branch! On a serious note It will be a fabulous layout and hopefully he will mellow a bit and allow us to help with the running. Dave.

Just had a peek into the broad gauge room next door to Alloa and theres an advanced and very special EM S&C layout taking shape. All a bit hush hush but its by a well known finescale modeller on here and should be on the circuit around 2020. Stolen images.. Elevated finescale track and a typical scene. Part of the incredibly fine track work. This will be worth waiting for. Dave.

First test run of the AMRSS Bachmann limited edition 47/7. Dave.

First test running on the trainset the period which of course predates it by about 20 yrs but fun anyway. What a fabulous model and beautiful runner..I'm highly likely to buy a second one.. if there are any left on Sunday night that is! See you at the show. Dave.

As Craig said post 93 above but this can still be easily taken back to a less weathered look with a cotton bud just damp with enamel thinners. A slightly cleaner yellow front might be more desirable to many so will perhaps take this back a bit for the show. Easy to do and just as easy to apply more grime. From lots of images when they were based at Haymarket they were kept pretty clean and the only build up was on the roof and cab domes but when they went west to Eastfield and gained the Scottie Dug they seemed to go downhill as far as the cleaning was concerned with many sporting whats looked like 'black domes'. I like something in between but thats the beauty of simple weathering as it happens gradually and in the case of powders can be taken back off. Airbrushing the bogies and a waft of brake dust up the sides takes seconds and is 'easy when you know how' as I have heard said and its my usual starter on a model but for this loco I opted to dispense with the airbrush and use a simple enamel Humbrol Black enamel wash. Brushed on very thin it runs like water over the model to be removed almost immediately with a cotton bud leaving definition around the hinges and other details plus importantly leaving a key for powders. I would suggest anyone try this first on an old coach body or box van and you will likely be surprised how well you manage and hopefully it will give you the confidence to move on to a loco! All good fun and its a case of learn as you go along ..just don't start with the new 47/7. Come and have a chat on the Alloa demo stand B62. Dave.

Apparently a GW liveried example worked into Glasgow Central on test...I believe it was last week. Dave.

My pre show example used to look like that! I will have my weathered version on the Alloa demo stand and be happy to discuss if anyone interested or feeling brave! I have purposely not used an airbrush to demonstrate that anyone can easily weather from very light to this example which is how I remember the 47/7s. Only an enamel wash and powders were used to keep it simple. D.

On the rollers and running sweetly. Dave.

Fantastic and very atmospheric. I have just recently copied down to dvds a load of video taken by myself in that period around Waverley and Queen St and the scenes look uncannily familiar. 47/7s 26s and 107s ..Scotrail Strathclyde I/C and Blue Grey..could be taken on WWs layout! Dave.

The office light looks like its enclosed within a glass bowl and if so well done and it also gives the perfect diffused effect. Would have expected nothing less of course. Dave.

We made an award up a few years back specially for them. It was a builders skip mounted on a piece of plywood! Best of it was it went above their heads ...whooosh!! Anyway say hello at the Glasgow show and enjoy it. There are plenty nice layouts and good modelling to be seen. Dave.

Yes you're not wrong there..I wont name them but they used to Show a Swiss outlined overhead layout with the catenary made from joined up knitting needles! D.

Aye but they let your guide dog in for free..!