Howard Smith

Thanks - it's not updated as much as I'd like though. Best, Howard

Glad to hear it arrived OK. Best, Howard

It's almost a year since the last post, so it's high time I get a couple more posts going on this blog. Those of you who read BRM on a regular basis will be aware of the articles over the past 12 months or so - creating the fencing, building a signal kit, weathering the station building amongst others, but that's the layout - what about the rolling stock? North Wales trains of the '90s, usually had a Mk 1 coach lurking amongst the Mk 2 As. So, Penmaenmawr is in need of a couple - the trouble is, do you go down the lengthy kit route and build your own, or make something that is available 'off the shelf' better? Time is a big factor here, so for me the choice was obvious. In the November issue of BRM (on sale October 8 ) you'll see how I modified and re-sprayed these Heljan Mk 1 SOs and added new seating, tables, passengers and bogies. New seating ready to be installed.

Statement from Bachmann Europe Plc: Bachmann Europe can confirm that both the N and OO Scale Mark 1 BCKs in Pullman Colours come with a limited edition certificate (504 pieces).

STATEMENT FROM Bachmann EUROPE PLC IN RESPONSE TO David Haarhaus, European Sales & Marketing Director at Bachmann Europe Plc would like to clarify the situation regarding future commissioned items. “At the time of the interview with BRM we were reviewing internal processes relating to commissioned items. Detailing the relationships between our customers, our UK engineering team and our parent company in Hong Kong. This review would not have in any way infringed on commissions for our retailers such as Invicta or the London Transport Museum. I would like to reassure RM Web readers that Bachmann will continue to talk to its customers regarding bespoke projects and opportunities and the options available to make their dreams and suggestions become reality”.

Very nice Martin.

Some time ago I built a model of Penmaenmawr station building. I thought that it was time to man the paintbrushes and decorate it as per the prototype, ready to be fixed to the layout. In the January 2015 issue of BRM, I'll be showing how it was transformed from an unpainted and plastic-looking building to a weatherbeaten building that has endured years of the North Wales coast weather. If you'd like to find out how it's done and the full summary of what products I'm using, get yourself a copy of the January 2015 issue of BRM (on-sale from December 11). It comes with a free DVD, so you'll get to see some handy tips too. Howard Smith

My brain wasn't engaged when I typed that...

Hello Tom, Yes, as you'll seen in the Jan issue of BRM. The station building is looking better.

Nice to see another 7mm project underway! Howard

Thanks for the encouraging comments Huw, it was nice meeting you at the show. Soldering is a subject that comes around every once in a while. We ran a series on soldering two years ago, covering most aspects from a beginner's point of view. Whitemetal soldering was one of the topics covered. Saving a whitemetal kit from the heat of the iron is harder than a brass kit if some detail is lost (ie. window frames etc.), but not always impossible. I suppose it depends on what state the kit is currently in/ how much work to repair is needed and how much a new replacement part can (if possible) be bought for. If you don't mind taking a few snaps of the kit, I'll let you know your options. In any case, yes, like I said at the show, we'll certainly build on your idea and see if it develops into something for the magazine. Thanks, Howard

Well, RMweb Live was a good chance to work on the Road-Railer project and make some progress. It is now in the state as seen below: The show was one of the best I've experienced for engaging with the public on a more one-to-one basis, and the project certainly created some intrigue amongst many who passed. An explanation of the work carried out so far, along with details on the prototype machines and Phil Parker's Road-Rail trailers can be read in the November 2014 issue of BRM, on sale in shops from October 9.

Mick, I think you are right.

Yes, so did I. A really good model with interior seat details, the beauty of these coaches is that they lived for so long.

Well, I suspect that will depend entirely on demand. Given the current backlog of products announced, Bachmann are slowly getting back on top of things, hence this years slightly reduced number of announcements. The OO crane is expected to retail around the

Well spotted and duly corrected! Thanks for pointing out Dave. Howard

Bachmann Europe announced their 2014 product range from their headquarters in Barwell, Leicestershire yesterday. Members of the press, traders and model shop owners were invited to partake in what was to be a well organised event with plenty of atmosphere. Not only was it a chance for Bachmann to unveil their model plans, but it was a great opportunity for all those who visited to catch up and talk about all aspects of the hobby. Luckily, with the unstable weather that we've been witnessing this Summer, the rain held off and allowed an exterior visit of the premises, where a few interesting items could be found. This old Bristol VR was bright enough, parked by the gateway and marking the entrance to the site. Since Exclusive First Editions fell under the same brand ownership last year, this bus had a reason to be here. But it wasn't the only item to be found on the site. These ERF and Atkinson tractor units were also attracting the gaze of observers. One of the best 'toys' in the yard was this chevy LS7 powered Sagaris. It was certainly popular with visitors. This Baldwin locomotive, suitably weathered at the front by Steve Smith of Bachmann, stood under an awning with a bogie flat wagon, both of which should be attending this year's Midland Railex event at Butterley along with the newly restored Ashover coach. A cab ride beckons! The paint finish and general state of the locomotive looked superb. Somebody had spent quite some time cleaning the copper pipes! It wasn't too long before the crowds started gathering and the ever helpful Bachmann personnel were about to 'meet and greet' all those arriving on site. Having done the rounds outside, it was time to head to the outdoor tents and see what had been prepared for us. Believe it or not, this was one of the quiet moments before it really got going. Dennis Lovett (far right) in deep discussion adjacent to the display cabinets. A selection of continental products from the Lilliput range was for sale in the centre of the tent, although most people were distracted by other items on display. The current state of developments in the 'Farish' range was fairly evident, although I was surprised to see a few items such as the N2 class and Class 31 still in grey. A few nice samples of recent work in the Branch-Line range were also visible. This fantastic new model of the LMS inspection coach was on full display, a review sample of which we have received at BRM - look out for the review soon. This great new addition to the Bachmann range in the shape of the Midland 1F can only be complemented. The level of detail really is incredible and it has to be - an open cab layout leaves everything exposed! Look out for the full review of this model in the September issue of BRM on sale August 14. The most eye-catching of displays was this container crane - the latest addition to the Bachmann Scenecraft range. Of standard resin construction like other items in the range, it will be supplied in kit form, ready to assemble. Well done to all the Bachmann personnel involved with this successful event, their well organised hospitality was appreciated by all who attended. Howard

No use of black beetles on this project Pete.

I was planning on putting a driver in the cab (although one on a diet as this is a 1/50 model and it's a squeeze), but I hadn't heard about the log grabs...this photo was taken in mid- August 2013, so possibly before the 'incident'... who knows?

Here is a BRM project that is a little more challenging than usual, primarily because it fits into the ‘it was never designed to do that’ category. So just what is this practical BRM project? To model a Road-railer, part of the Story Rail fleet. Using an NZG Liebherr A900C diecast model to the scale of 1/50, the aim is to illuminate and motorise this little model for O gauge…and why not? So, if you would like to follow progress on this project, keep coming back to this BRM blog where I shall try and update it! The completed project will appear in BRM very soon. Any comments are welcome! Howard

When scouting around for a colour light signal for my layout, I came to the conclusion that the only way to achieve this was going to be via a scratch-build, such is the lack of kits and RTR versions in O gauge. That was, until I saw a couple of posts on a topic here and realised that Pete Harvey was producing etches - but no mention of them on his website. I'd heard that C&L models were planning to stock them, but given their recent flood damage and other commitments, this was looking unlikely in the immediate future. A quick phone call cleared up the matter and the good news is that the kind folks at C&L will be stocking the range of signals by the time our next issue hits the press. I also got the opportunity to test build one, the verdict of which will be in the August issue of BRM, on sale July 10. Here is a little step-by-step to whet your appetites! The upper part of the signal - the design of which is intricate, but correct. Pete used ex-BR plans to produce the kit and when compared with photographs of the three aspect signal sited at Penmaenmawr, there is little to fault. The bolts are made by inserting wire through the holes in the etches, soldering into place and then cutting to length. I didn't really want to use superglue when building the kit! A little more cleaning here is still to do. The rear of the unit with hinges soldered into place. I'll place some 5mm LEDs in each of the holes, using the structure as the common return. These are fabulous and I can't recommend them enough - pro sanding files from Albion Alloys. With 100 grit on one side and 180 on the other, they make short but precise work of removing excess solder without leaving marks behind as some files do. They don't clog with solder either! The end result is a nice 'brushed' and clean surface - perfect for taking paint. The ladder is made by soldering wire though the holes in the two side etches. So long as the distances all the way up it are kept equidistant, the finished look will complement the rest of the signal. You can see in this shot that the rungs have yet to be cut to the required length and cleaned up. Without doubt it is an enjoyable build and as for the verdict...well, you'll just have to wait until next month's issue (August) to find out!

The printed edition of BRM has now been going since 1993. Over the years it has evolved and continues to do so, in-keeping with the times and the readership's demands, needs and wants. What it can't offer you though is movement. Plain text and static images often leave the layout to be 'imagined' as a whole by the reader and in today's world where an increasing number of layouts are being operated by DCC with sound and lights, it just seems a shame to neglect these aspects. This is where video comes in. Our digital edition of BRM features (whenever possible) layout videos that I have shot when 'out and about' on my travels. Last year in September at the Accrington show organised by Blackburn & East Lancs MRC, I filmed Mick Bryan and Peter Taylor's 'New Bryford'. Something that I liked and wanted in the magazine. The quality of the layout reflected the talents of both modellers and it was a pleasure to spend time filming and interviewing them. New Bryford is in the June '14 issue of BRM on sale now. Another of my favourites was Monks Bay that I shot in April of this year on the coast at Mablethorpe. If you have children that are interested in railways or the beach, why not combine the two for a great afternoon out? If you'd like to see more of these videos, simply subscribe to our youtube channel or take out a digital subscription to BRM. Let us know what you think!

Thanks Martin. Always plenty to do...

Finally I've managed to get back round to working on Penmaenmawr. The next update can be seen in the June issue of BRM (on sale May 8th). Work has commenced on the yard hut area, a small driver rest room and surrounding beds. I made use of some of Poppy's Woodtech LNWR fencing, but I won't spill the beans too much - you'll just have to pick up a copy of the magazine to read the full article. General view taken by Dave Sallery in 1996. Now to the model: Still much to do, the fine ballast will raise the height of the surrounding ground. The laser-cut wooden fencing is a great addition to any layout, a little more playing around with the positioning and it should be there! Not quite out of the woods yet, but at least it counts as progress!

So, you need to motorise a turntable effectively. Well what we witnessed at our premises today as Alastair Milne from ADM Turntables paid us a special visit certainly made an impression. With his three 'table setup, we filmed a display of DCC locomotives easily negociating from one track to another without a single break in their sound. The system is equally compatible with DC setups. If you'd like to see them in action or are wondering how they work, then stay tuned for a forthcoming digital issue of BRM when they are given the 'full works'! A very nice system indeed.