Howard Smith

Heljan confirms second batch of Class 25s for 'OO'

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/Heljan-confirms-second-batch-of-class-25s-for-oo

Bachmann Train Packs for NHS Charities arrive in stock

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/Bachmann-train-packs-for-nhs-charities-arrive-in-stock

SE&CR 'D' Class 4-4-0 production samples received

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/secr-d-class-4-4-0-production-samples-received

Scalescenes releases new low-relief railway works kit

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/scalescenes-releases-new-low-relief-railway-works-kit

Heljan approves Class 27 artwork for 'O'

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/Heljan-approves-class-27-artwork-for-o

Ellis Clarke shares decorated samples of 'Presflo'

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/ellis-clarke-shares-decorated-samples-of-presflo

Mid-Suffolk Light Railway progresses with line extension

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/mid-suffolk-light-railway-progresses-with-line-extension

Great Central Railway receives significant recovery grant

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/great-central-railway-receives-significant-recovery-grant

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway receives second 'life-line' to cover pandemic losses

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/gloucestershire-warwickshire-steam-railway-receives-second-life-line

A warm welcome RMwebbers to our May issue of BRM, complete with a free episode of BRM TV for all digital viewers and print subscribers. We hope you'll enjoy the content within as much as we have in creating and compiling it – it's certainly varied for all tastes! Copies are available in stores from April 22, or download your digital copy now from www.pocketmags.com/BRM

In this episode of BRM TV, join us for a tour of one of my favourite layouts – 'The World's End' in OO gauge, crafted by the talented Pete Goss...

Join Tony Wright for an overview of good running tips...

Plus, Phil Parker advises on measuring tools and their uses...

Meanwhile, in this issue of BRM:

Layouts

'Bethesda Sidings' (OO) – Tim Maddocks used a number of spare items to create this ‘might-have-been’ scenario, loosely-based on British Railways’ practice in the Welsh Borders...

'Foxcote Colliery' (2FS) – The pre-grouping era is increasing in popularity. Jerry Clifford reasons why he chose a Somerset & Dorset-themed colliery, with further trackplan options, too...

'Dolgelley' (O) – The North Wales Coast has long-inspired modellers with its scenic vistas. Philip Crathorn’s model highlights the history of this location...

PRACTICAL BRM

Improve kit and RTR model signal boxes – Phil Parker explores common options for modellers of all abilities, with a guide to improving these lineside structures...

How to make handmade track – Producing custom track offers many benefits and can prove easier than anticipated for newcomers. Geoff Taylor outlines his experiences using the range from C&L...

How to transition from 3D to 2D – A seamless blend between layout and backscene is key to a more realistic-looking layout. Howard Smith shares a selection of versatile methods...

Building ther DJH 8F – With newly-found time on his hands, Tony Wright constructs this kit of the most numerous eight-coupled freight locomotive to have roamed all regions of Britain...

Build a retaining wall – Expanding her layout to accommodate her husband’s larger locomotives, Carol Flavin creates this space-saving feature in the process...

Adapt the Bachmann 94XX – Mass-produced models needn’t retain their identical details, as Paul Marshall-Potter carves a subtle variant from Bachmann’s 0-6-0T ‘Pannier’...

Features and reviews

Historical lines across the solent – As refurbished rolling stock arrives on the Wight Line, Clive Baker explains the island’s railway history and proposes a location-inspired layout...

Review: Heljan GWR AEC Railcar – The concept of a diesel-powered railcar was perhaps a little ahead of its time for the GWR. We look at the latest release from Heljan, depicting these unsung heroes...

Review: Heljan Class 17 – For modellers of the Scottish and North of England regions in O gauge, this new release fills a locomotive gap of a prototype with a short and unfortunate history...

Plus, we look at the latest books, new model railway gadget arrivals, Mr. Hobby weathering paste and the latest news. All this and more in the May 2021 issue of BRM, on-sale April 22, or download the digital edition now from www.pocketmags.com/BRM

Online exhibition to mark Horncastle railway closure

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/online-exhibition-to-mark-horncastle-railway-closure

Hobby Goblin commissions private owner wagons

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/hobby-goblin-commissions-private-owner-wagons

Science and Industry Museum unveils £5M new gallery

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/science-and-industry-museum-unveils-5m-new-gallery

Rail Camera Club runs competition for under 25s

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/rail-camera-club-runs-competition-for-under-25s

New-build 'County' 4-4-0 offered potential home

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/new-build-county-4-4-0-offered-potential-home

Jenny Monday Club commissions MDV exclusive

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/jenny-monday-club-commissions-mdv-exclusive

JSModels announces a new canal lock kit

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/jsmodels-announces-a-new-canal-lock-kit

Spring is here, though as I'm typing this, there's rain on its way – still plenty of time to model, then!

From projects little and large, we hope you'll find the contents of our April issue of interest, from micro-layouts to box room-filling creations, with a sprinkling of quality and diverse practical 'how-to' articles throughout. 

The digital edition of this issue is available to purchase now, from pocketmags.com/BRM or get your copy in stores from March 25. In the meantime, here's a glimpse of what's inside...

**Digital editions include free episode of BRM TV, featuring ‘Fisherton Sarum’ in OO gauge, a beginners’ guide to scales and gauges, plus advice for searching accurate plans from which to model.**

Layouts

Canute Road Quay (OO) – Southampton Docks provided the setting and inspiration for this compact quayside shunting layout, adaptable to cover different eras...

Little Quarry (OO) – What commenced as a model railway build over which father and daughter would bond, soon escalated into this detailed micro-layout...

The Mill (EM) – This competition-winning layout measures just five feet, yet welcomes viewers into the industrial heartlands of the North-West with a warm embrace...

Practical BRM

Build an Aveling & Porter steam roller. Phil Parker uncovers a layout centerpiece model in a whitemetal kit...

Creating different back gardens – Michael Russell presents scenic solutions to transform bland areas of private land into plots of character, each reflective upon its owners...

Modelling York Station Hotel – Peter Smith rose to the challenge of condensing architectural grandeur into a workable, yet imposing model, true to its NER origins...

How to model an abandoned wagon – layout detail can be found in the most unusual of places, though it’s more rewarding when added to overlooked items, as Howard Smith shares...

Seeking unique vehicles for his layout, Paul King modified a die-cast model and plastic kit to create two London-based icons of off-road transport...

Products & features 

2020 BRMA RESULTS – Your votes have been counted and triple-checked. Find out which manufacturers and retailers came out on top this year...

Your inspirational modelling. Always on the hunt for great miniatures, we’ve selected our favourite examples, plus allocated a prize for the stand-out entry...

Reviews

Hornby Mk. 1 RB. Howard Smith finds much interest in this new release from the manufacturer, available in guises suitable for modellers from the 1960s to the 2000s...

Hattons 'Genesis' coaches. Phil Parker takes a closer look at these hotly-anticipated coaches from the retailer in both four- and six-wheel guises...

Plus, Andy York examines The Model Centre's exclusive version of Heljan’s new Class 25...

Pocketmags digital edition customers will be able to enjoy bonus content too, with eight extra videos and five bonus articles in addition to BRM TV.

All this and more in the April issue of BRM, available now from pocketmags.com/BRM or get your copy in stores from March 25.

We hope you enjoy the issue, and as always, happy modelling!

H

Planet Industrials commissions 21T MDO exclusive

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/planet-industrials-commissions-21t-mdo-exclusive

DMG Electech signs deal for new DC/DCC controller

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/dmg-electech-signs-deal-for-new-dc-dcc-controller

Accurascale 'Coil A' decorated samples emerge

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/accurascale-coil-a-decorated-samples-emerge

San Juan Model Co. delivers new GATC variants

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/san-juan-model-co-delivers-new-gatc-variants

JSModels to produce industrial chimney kits

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/jsmodels-announces-new-industrial-chimney-kits-in-3-sizes

Revolution Trains to produce Class 93 for 'OO'

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/revolution-trains-to-produce-class-93-for-oo

Lionheart Trains previews forthcoming Mk. 1 coaches

Read more here: https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/news/lionheart-trains-previews-forthcoming-mk-1-coaches