Howard Smith

Welcome RMwebbers to the April 2019 issue of BRM, now available from www.pocketmags.com/BRM as a digital edition with bonus features, or in stores from March 28. Inside, you'll find a tempting selection of articles and projects to give you ideas, modelling inspiration and perhaps even encouragement for your next modelling project. On this episode of BRM TV: Layout: Byway MPD (OO). A DCC layout controlled by cutting-edge technology. Practical BRM: Add weight to your rolling stock to improve running Practical BRM: An introduction to basic soldering techniques Plus: Watch our layout of the month 'Stoke Courtenay' in action IN THIS ISSUE Layouts - STOKE COURTENAY (OO): The time clocks are wound back to the 1930s for this tour of John Condon's OO gauge GWR masterpiece. - TODMORDEN MIDLAND (N): A clever interpretation of the landscape and architecture of this former milltown, supported by a 'what might have been' storyline. - STOKE BY NAYLAND (P4): Previous design, operation and reliability issues were ironed out in this eastern region-themed exhibition-tourer, set in Suffolk. FIRST (009) Stephen Clulow’s aptly-named narrow gauge modelling debut is a three-dimensional canvas, portraying a now forgotten, slower-paced way of life. Practical BRM - ENHANCE AN RTR LOCOMOTIVE: Struggling to differentiate your RTR locomotive from the crowd? Michael Russell shares tips to improve your fleet. - OPTIMISE YOUR DIGITAL LAYOUT EXPERIENCE: How computer control can make the operation of your DCC layout easier. - MODEL A DECIDUOUS TREE: Michael Russell experiments with military modelling techniques to make highly-detailed deciduous trees. - THE BILLY BOOKCASE LAYOUTS: PART 2: Do you need a baseboard for your next modelling project? Here’s a selection of options for you to consider. Products, features and reviews THE BRM GUIDE TO: COLOUR LIGHT SIGNALS: Many companies offer a range of colour light signals. Simon Bendall distils the facts on each to make your choice easier. BRM MEETS: DIGITRAINS We sent Phil Parker to DCC specialist, Digitrains, for a crash course at learning the technology. GOODS INWARDS: Four pages of all the latest models, kits and accessories to arrive for your model railway. REVIEW: GRAHAM FARISH WESTERN PULLMAN: Andy York examines this latest release with re-tooled ends from the N gauge manufacturer. PROTOTYPE INSPIRATION: CLASS 251 'PULLMANS': Stephen Rabone charters the rise and fall of BR's mid-century flagship diesel multiple unit passenger train. REVIEW: ACCURASCALE HUO HOPPER: After critical acclaim in OO gauge, this versatile model is now available in O gauge. How does it look? NEW BOOKS: For facts, photographs or research, here are the latest... TAIL LAMP: NEIL MORRLLE: Dapol's Marketing Manager on the importance of home-grown manufacturing in the British model railway market. Available from www.pocketmags.com/BRM as a digital edition with bonus features, or in stores from March 28. Enjoy the issue, Howard

That'll be the September issue...

Yes, both models are very well observed and a credit to Hornby.

NEWS: Hornby 'Terrier' First look A new model, symbolic with a turning point in Hornby's direction. Does it match the TV hype? Howard Smith finds out...

Pete - fantastic work, keep the updates coming, following with interest... H

Some great ideas here - please keep them coming! Best suggestion wins a selection of useful diorama goodies from the cupboard for your next project, which'll hopefully be located in a Billy bookcase. Howard

John - excellent. Please share your transformations - perhaps you could send me a PM with a few images of the finished model? Howard

Hi Nick, the car has been a mamoth undertaking - a full nut and bolt restoration. Didn't want to do half a job. I'm in the final throws of completing it and it's now booked in at the trimmers (always a good sign). I'll be back on the 47 soon! This was before the bodyshell went back down... a lot of work to get it exactly as it left the factory...

1986 is the date the company was floated on the stock market, hence isn't in the list of options... Clue... https://www.Hornby.com/us-en/about

March 15 for a chance to get a slot in the May issue...

So.... who's tempted to build a bookcase layout? What would you build in a 76cm x 26cm footprint? Perhaps some of you are brave enough to sketch a rough plan of your proposed layout for the May issue of BRM? Share your thoughts below...

Would it depend on when filing records became electronic?

Glad to hear it and welcome onboard. Would you consider writing a few words on what got you back into the hobby, why BRM and what your projects are/might be, please? A PM or email to howards@warnersgroup.co.uk would be appreciated. Feel free to attach a few photographs of your projects, too. Best, Howard

Here's a link to the competition. The purpose of a branded url like those we use with BRM are to make it easier to type into your browser... brmm.ag/Competition is easier than https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/brm/competitions/win-big-this-month-with-brm It's great when it works, (which it does, most of the time) but it's prone to throwing a wobbler if lowercase/uppercase isn't respected. We generate the links as the magazine is put together, then try to check all links before it goes to press... the odd one might slip through, however... Howard

Yes, the volume can be 'up and down' at times - something I regularly raise with the guys...

And in this episode of BRM TV... 'Wickwar' - an N gauge layout from this issue of the magazine. Waltham Wharf - a 16mm gauge layout, also from this issue. Behind the scenes at Great Eastern Models' DCC demonstration day. EXTRAS: A look at live locomotives in action at the London Model Engineering Show.

Welcome readers of RMweb to the Spring issue of BRM - on sale from midnight today as a digital edition or available to pick up in stores from February 28. Packed with extra content in the digital edition, this issue is sure to please fans of standard gauge, narrow gauge, modern image and steam traction. Get yours from www.pocketmags.com/BRM EXCLUSIVE TO THE DIGITAL EDITION - Free issue of Narrow Gauge World magazine (March-April 2019) - 38 extra layout images - 83 minutes of quality video on model railways and practical modelling projects FOUR GREAT MODEL RAILWAYS - Wickwar (N). Researching in great detail this former station on the main line from Bristol to Birmingham led to this magnificent creation by Farnham and District Model Railway Club. - Ealing Road (OO). The team captain of ‘Missenden Modellers’ from Channel 5’s Great Model Railway Challenge, recalls the efforts made during the filming of the programme. - Heybridge Wharf (3mmFS). If you've an interest in light railways, you'll love this tribute to the lines skirting the coast of East Anglia. - Waltham Wharf (16mm). What happens when you model in a large scale, but haven't the space? Steve Bell found a solution in this ultra-compact layout. BRM - How to create a Spring scene. Modelling the seasons is made easier with these simple techniques, starting with Spring - it's the Spring issue of BRM, after all... - The Billy Bookcase Layouts: Part 1. Our new series of project layouts is introduced. Their commonality? They all reside in a bookcase! - How to upcycle your wagons. Looking to upgrade your old RTR wagons and given them a new lease of life? We show you how... - How to model... Heckington Station Building. This Prototype Models card kit available from Freestone Model Accessories is a great way to progress your modelling techniques. - 3D-print at home. Part two of Phil's adventures in 3D printing concludes with a selection of useful modelling projects. PLUS... - Layout Planning: Machynlleth DMU Depot. Why settle for a standard MPD when you can stand out from the crowd? Plan and 3D illustration inside... - Prototype Inspiration: Colas Class 67s. Looking for formations to run behind Hornby's latest livery on its Class 67? We have a few ideas... - Show Preview: London Festival of Railway Modelling - we highlight our favourite layouts to appear at this year's show on March 23 and 24. - Tail Lamp: Bachmann's David Haarhaus seeks industry-wide collaboration to increase new entrants to our hobby. PRODUCTS - New Products - BMRA Results - New Books - Review: Heljan O gauge 43XX Get yours from www.pocketmags.com/BRM Happy reading, watching and commenting below! Howard

Thanks for the good feedback - trying to give a little something for everyone and (spoiler alert) if you're in to prototype articles, sit tight, there's a new series coming soon which is looking really good (but then I would say that...) H

Ahhh - well, please forgive me on that occasion! It was a few years ago and there are many headlines to remember. You have a good memory, though.

That's why the image says 'Chimney supplied in the middle on this prototype kit' so readers know it's an early prototype of the kit and not the one supplied. Windows/doors and fascias for that matter can be altered easily with a bit of 'modelling', as Phil has demonstrated.

2014 didn't have an annual - we produced The BRM Guide to Trackplans and Layout Design Vol. 1 instead. It would return again the following year for the last time, before we produced more bookazines. Post-2013 bookazines and specials can be found here

The benefits of subscription are guaranteed availability of the magazine through your door, a lower overall price which is guaranteed at a time when paper prices are increasing, dicounted tickets to any three of our shows, a copy of BRM TV each month and very often (certainly as long as I've been on the mag) a free gift which you receive when the subscription is taken out. Our current subscription deals offer great value for money - perhaps we'll see some of you at our Doncaster show this weekend? A special offer awaits... Howard

Here's what you can expect on the March 2019 episode of BRM TV, exclusive to BRM digital or print subscribers: Experience what it would have been like lineside at Little Bytham in 1958. In the studio, Phil Parker assembles an etched-brass telephone box, whilst Howard Smith chats with DCCconcepts' Richard Brighton before installing its new working point-rodding system to our project layout.

Hi Daniel, The content of BRMTV is exclusive to BRM subscribers and is one of the benefits of subscribing to the magazine, via print or digital. It won't be set live on Youtube free of charge by us. Howard

Hi Sam, Yes, largely influenced by Jubilee Road Wagon Works. Readers will find a cracking trackplan and artists' impression of a completed wagon repair centre, based on Langwith inside goods wagon, courtesy of an Ian Wilson/Stephen Rabone collaboration, whilst Michael Russell builds an MXA 'Lobster' from a Bachmann BDA. It's a 'loose' theme however, at the risk of putting off non-wagon aficionados, so not every feature is all about wagons! Worry not, if express locomotives are your thing, Little Bytham should please, if it's diesel locomotives, Wormhill is a worthy read and if it's smaller narrow gauge rolling stock that floats your boat, Campbell's Quarry with its working rustic dragline and excavator is firm favourite with exhibition punters. Happy reading, H