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Opening the box
Model of the Year results - You voted for your favourite models of 2020 - now we reveal the winners!
Our‘16XX’ has arrived! - Our next exclusive model is now in the UK and ready to appear on your layout.
News - Bachmann’s Spring announcement, plus other news from the modelling world.
According to Chris...This month Chris outlines some of his favourite tools to aid his model building.
Inspiration Layout: Furnace 5 - Kyle Humphries knew there was only one way to create his layout - scratchbuilding.
Masterclass: ‘56XX’ - A detailed look at the history of a rugged stalwart that shook Swindon to its core.
Layout: Lynsford - Rapido’s Andy Hardy tells Model Rail the story of how ‘Lynsford’ came to be.
Start in ‘O’ gauge - Part 2 - Chris Nevard explains how he made the lifelike buildings on his ‘O’ gauge layout.
Build a ‘mirror micro’ - Graham Goodchild reveals how he made a micro in a shoebox with extra depth.
Build a plastic coach kit - George Dent guides you through a suburban coach kit build.
Animate your layout - Peter Marriott tests a system which can add movement to your layout.
Scratchbuild a depot - Steve Nall models a modern depot.
Masterplan: The ‘L’ shape - Paul A. Lunn offers some variations on the traditional 6ft by 4ft layout.
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Start in ‘O’ gauge - Part 2 - Chris Nevard explains how he made the lifelike buildings on his ‘O’ gauge layout.
Build a ‘mirror micro’ - Graham Goodchild reveals how he made a micro in a shoebox with extra depth.
Build a plastic coach kit - George Dent guides you through a suburban coach kit build.
Animate your layout - Peter Marriott tests a system which can add movement to your layout.
Scratchbuild a depot - Steve Nall models a modern depot.
That's a word that has been on everyone's lips over the past year and, while certain aspects of the hobby and craft industry have been booming during the pandemic, there are other areas that have definitely suffered. Exhibitions are an obvious casualty, but model railway clubs have also faced huge challenges.
With members unable to meet in person and club rooms shut (but rents and utility bills still to pay), committee members have had to adapt quickly to the situation. Like the adoption of virtual exhibitions, it has been interesting to see how clubs have managed to keep their existing members engaged and, in some cases, even attract new faces.
Free trial memberships and online journals, plus Zoom courses and seminars, are just some of the tools being employed by enterprising societies such as the Manchester and Twickenham & District clubs, to name just a few. Indeed, I'm looking forward to attending a few of these online talks myself in the coming weeks.
That's one of the things I love about this hobby, the fact that innovation isn't limited to the big model brands who have large marketing budgets and the latest manufacturing technology at their disposal. Rather, innovation goes on all the time at grassroots - and the individual - level. It takes a lot to stop us modelling!
George Dent Editor
