A selection of books picked-up in June

A short update showing some of my book prizes from June.

Back row; A Street Through Time - a gift from a friend of my Daughter-in-Law. Elric, At The End Of Time - another gift, Cross-Section Castle - from the same friend.

Front row; Rivers of London, a graphic novella called Black Mould from the Rivers of London series (well worth checking out) the book was picked up in a charity shop for just £1.00 and another graphic novel - this time Artemus Fowl which was a present from my daughter.

Tony

31 High Street, Droitwich - update

Following on from this earlier post I saw this leaflet when visiting The Hive, Worcester and though it was worth including.

It is certainly a fantastic restoration.

Tony

For Sale on Ebay

Some more items for sale on Ebay. For details see this link.

Tony

Using Make-up Brushes for Drybrushing?

I recently saw this You Tube video from Tabletop Minions and thought the technique of using cheap make-up brushes for drybrushing was worth a try. I searched the local bargain shops for a suitable sample, but when I couldn't find any cheap brushes, I reverted to ebay where I found a set of 10 for just 10p (plus P&P of £2.60).

The brushes are of a very high quality and having experimented with one of the larger brushes can report that they work perfectly as drybrushing brushes and for applying weathering powders. I would recommend searching out a set for yourself.

Tony

An Industrial Narrow Gauge Adventure - Modifying the track layout part two

Regular followers of this Blog will know that I have been working on an industrial narrow gauge railway layout built to 1:27.7 scale or 11mm = 1 foot. The choice of such an unusual scale has meant that much if not all items needed for the layout have had to be heavily modified and/or converted from existing models, completely 'scratch built' or sculpted by me.

In these latest posts I will update the Blog with 'work-in-progress' images and text showing how the initial project is developing. For more information look out for the Narrow Gauge Labels to the right.

The original 'Y' Shaped track layout has been pulled-up and replaced with a single length of Peco SL - 500 'Crazy Track' or O-16.5 track fitted slightly further back from the wharf than in the initial design. I have removed about one in three sleepers for a more in keeping sleeper spacing and glued the track down with PVA glue.

I have used card and DAS modelling clay to level out the groundwork to either side of the track and small pieces of cork to fill-in between the sleepers. The warehouse, salt pan base and brick wall section have been glued in place with a mixture of PVA glue and my hot glue gun while DAS has been used to build up the groundwork and 'bed' the buildings in place.

Tony

An Industrial Narrow Gauge Adventure - Modifying the track layout

Regular followers of this Blog will know that I have been working on an industrial narrow gauge railway layout built to 1:27.7 scale or 11mm = 1 foot. The choice of such an unusual scale has meant that much if not all items needed for the layout have had to be heavily modified and/or converted from existing models, completely 'scratch built' or sculpted by me.

In these latest posts I will update the Blog with 'work-in-progress' images and text showing how the initial project is developing. For more information look out for the Narrow Gauge Labels to the right.

It's been some time since I posted updates on the OSO SALT layout. I had allowed the whole project to stagnate due to some work and commission issues but hopefully the visit to the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association Railway Show earlier this month will give me the push to continue working on the layout.

I have decided that the 'Y' style layout will have to go as the area in front of the main building (particularly in front of the factory door) does not allow for larger engines and wagons to pass by. In addition the turnout lever that I had planned to use (front left) was broken during a ham-fisted move.

I had hoped that I could get a narrow gauge magazine interested in publishing work-in-progress articles, but after e-mailing a number of publications (a number of times) I have received no response!

My plan is to keep a record of the work on this Blog - updating on a regular basis to show how I have changed the initial plan and the modelling work I have carried out.

Tony

Cadbury World

Yesterday Sue and I had a great day out with both of the grandchildren at Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham. It has been some time since our last visit to this attraction and there have been many upgrades in that time - we all enjoyed the exhibits and rides.

See this link for more details.

I should also point out that we took Flo (my mother-in-law) who is wheelchair bound and unlike Disneyland Paris we were not treated like second-class citizens but really looked after. Thank you to all the staff for their understanding.

The image above was one of the many wall decorations I saw and I thought it interesting for a couple of reasons. Firstly; the continental style oil drums with pronounced ribs rather than the plain and more ordinary UK/USA pressed drums. Secondly; the weight markings on the cab side and Thirdly; the canvas cover. Maybe one day, I will get around to modelling something similar.

Tony

Airfix Magazine Annuals

Earlier this week Sue and I were tidying up the attic and I came across these early edition Airfix Magazine Annuals. The first volume (the black covered book on the bottom left) was bought for me when I was still in school - that's over 40 years ago!

It is a collection that I do not envision selling as the nostalgic value is worth so much more that the monetary. And as you can see they are very well read.

A real 'blast-from-the-past'.

Tony

Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review #80

A third post detailing a six page treatise on painting and colouring wood found in the specialist railway magazine Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review. This time issue 80 from October 2009.

The article called Working with Wood was written by James Coldicott and shows materials and techniques for finishing scale timber for model making. The article covers; Materials and Tools, Timber Preparation, Solvents, Graining and even a step-by-step walk-through showing how to model aged wood in miniature. Another great read.

As with the two earlier posts - I would recommend searching out this not-too-common magazine series and checking out the very informative model making articles.

Tony

Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review #96

This is another Blog entry highlighting an article in the specialist narrow gauge railway magazine Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review that I picked up second-hand at the recent 7mm Narrow gauge show in Burton this weekend.

Issue 96 from October 2013 has a 6 page article called Weathering a Sentinel written by Tim Shackleton that details the use of MIG weathering powders and other weathering techniques on a 7mm scale white metal and brass 80hp Sentinel built from the Wrightlines kit.

Once again a beautifully written and illustrated tutorial with loads of hints and tips for realistic weathering and finishing that I have enjoyed reading. This is not a common magazine but it is well worth searching out as the techniques are very informative.

Tony

Wargame Terrain & Buildings - a You Tube Review

This week I came across this Wargames Illustrated You Tube review. For more information and to see the video please see the link below.

Further reviews and information on how to order a copy of Wargame Terrain & Buildings The Napoleonic Wars can be found here.

Tony

Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review #86

As regular readers and followers will know, I like to browse and purchase second-hand model making magazines, picking them up from charity shops or second-hand at shows. At the recent 7mm Narrow Gauge Railway Show in Burton I picked up a couple of second-hand issues of the specialist model making magazine Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review and in particular number 86 from April 2011.

The magazine has a 10 page spread by Simon Harris called Modelling and painting in the larger scales. This has to be one of the most informative model making articles I have ever read (and re-read) and is full of hints and tips for painting realistic metal and wooden subjects with some innovative and unusual materials and techniques.

The magazine is not generally available but I would thoroughly recommend searching it out and in particular getting hold of this tutorial as the techniques used will be of interest to modellers everywhere. It really is that good.

These are just three of the many illustrations of the narrow gauge wagons painted by Simon. They are built to the scale of 1/12th. I hope you will agree that there are quite spectacular.

Tony

7mm Narrow Gauge Railway Show - this weekend

These scratch built models were built and painted by David Wright of Dovedale Models and seen at the recent 7mm Narrow Gauge Association Show held in Burton this weekend. I spent some time speaking to David who was only too happy to pass on his knowledge and offer advice.

The models are built to either 7mm = 1 foot or 1/48th scale.

The image above shows some work-in-progress or test pieces to illustrate his talks. All are Das modelling clay, but the base or core material ranges from card to foamboard to MDF.

More images can be seen by following this link.

Truly inspirational.

Tony

D Day - 75th Anniversary

They shall grow not old.....

The Guardians of the Riverbank from Northumbrian Tinsoldier

The Guardians of the Riverbank is a limited edition set of 10 metal miniatures and 7 dice in a beautifully packaged gift set from Northumbrian Tinsoldier. For full details see this link.

The models arrived in this black card box (above).

And were presented in a tissue and foam wrap (below).

The full contents include;
10 - 28mm scale metal miniatures
10 - plastic bases (slottabases)
1 - black velvet purse with 7 blue crystal dice
1 - presentation leaflet
3 - full colour postcards

I chose the Northumbrian Tinsoldier miniatures above the Oathsworn (official Burrows & Badgers) minis as I thought the limited edition pack was better value and a little more characterful.

I think I will replace the plain plastic based for something more fancy, but look forward to painting them up.

Tony

Burrows & Badgers by Michael Lovejoy

I picked up this book last month. I had been given a voucher for Amazon as a birthday present and thought I would treat myself to this wonderfully illustrated book. The black and white illustrations by Gary Chalk are some of the very best I have seen in a gaming book and as regular readers will know I admire Gary Chalk's drawings and have many of his books and illustrations.

There have been many reviews of this book/game and at first reading I agree with the very positive reviews and remarks.

No doubt, I will be purchasing some figures for the game, but at this moment I am also looking to produce some themed terrain pieces I think my modelling style will compliment the figures well.

Tony