Having just returned from Warley where I spent part of the weekend helping with Aberbeeg (see above), I realised four things, I can tell the time using a watch, some people speak Dutch, I can do blue diesel haze on snaps without software, and Max Stafford has broken out of ‘solitary’ and is now roaming the wide open space of the interweb writing about stuff ‘up north’.
His blog is http://maxstafford/, Daves well observed and subtle weathering is always good to see and he has a sharp sense of humour. One to watch, welcome to the jungle matey!

In this week for initial review is the new GWR Signal box kit from Ratio,

Initial thoughts are that it goes together well really capturing the look of a hip roofed standard GWR signal box. Well worth investing in, it’ll give a much finer focussed look than the resin equivalent model currently available. The detail is exceptional, as is the fit of components, I’ve had virtually no cleaning up to do, not quite ‘shake the box’ but close to it.

I’ve also started to get rid of shed loads of ‘stuff’ accumulated over the years, Airfix kits etc etc. I keep an eye on whats happening in other modelling genres, as there is always something to learn. Out now is this handbook, which is a compilation of previously published simple techniques showing how to get the best from some of the older basic Airfix Kits. If you’ve not bought the magazines as they came out, then like me you’ll find this a simple and handy guide for some clever little dodges.

Theres a lot to learn from this bookazine, a good deal would transfer directly to anyone taking some of the older railway kits and ready to run items to improve them. Many of the kits I bought and built in my youth, this shows just how well they can turn out with a bit of imagination and skill. One problem is that one of the kits destined for ebay got held back, and I now intend to build it, so the mag has worked, Max’ll be pleased its a silver one too …

Not Everyone
Works For Peanuts …