New BTS pics of Miniature Railway Adventures.

First look at Lady Grange's model prop before it goes on set tomorrow for its first bit of filming for the test episode of Miniature Railway Adventures. Really, REALLY pleased on how this turned out.

A couple of shots of the set during and after we filmed the diary insert. While none of the footage was useable, it did give me an idea on how to go about it next time around.

While I don't have any further updates regarding my Branch Line Engines Film, I feel I owe everyone a video. Stay tuned tonight for a video diary I made back in 2022 showing the makings of one of the sets - Knapford Harbour. With guest assistant Sparkshot/Knuckles. www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_zR...

Usually around about this time this would be our summer, for the weather improves greatly. Now it feels like a second winter. 🥶

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGOm... Starting in 5mins

New Miniature Railway Adventure later tonight?

So I'm going to be taking my Ffarquhar layout off the exhibition circuit for a while for some small repairs and further upgrades are added to it. In the meantime this layout will be my next main focus in terms of exhibition modelling. I can't wait to resume work on it.

Happy Easter everyone.

So I heard poor Thomas came off the rails at the Nene Valley Railway a few days ago. I just couldn't help but make this.

So another model show has come to an end. Turned out quite well and met a lot of nice people. Unfortunately Mavis' motor burnt out half way through day 1 of the show and all the spares I had were also showing signs of burnout. But she is due for a refurbish anyway. (1/2)

Before and After. How ten years have changed for this replica model of Reidpath Thomas. Still one of my favourite models in my collection

So with the layout going to the show tomorrow, here's some new items of rolling stock which completes the passenger stock for the layout. The Enthusiast's Saloon train which makes its appearance in Sequence 3 of the running session. These will be hauled by Stepney and Oliver in turn.

The first ever written piece for TV I did, drafted back in July 2016. This was one of the many adventures I would write for the Pablo series and is among my favourites in the series. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

While there were rooms for improvement, I actually quite enjoyed the Netflix adaption. So I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the next one.

So the last of the rolling stock for Ffarquhar has now been completed and ready to go for the show this weekend. I will be on the look out for a new guest engine for the enthusiasts trains, but have the suspicion that an unexpected spare 'Goods Engine' might have stow away in the stock box. Hmmm.

Going to be working on some more animation for Miniature Railway Adventures. Feel free to drop in if you want to see how I work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQlC...

So I took my Fat Controller figure to my miniature railway club at the weekend and the huge positive feedback it got from everyone was amazing. Most of the response from them was to ask me to make more, though I'll only make 3 more figures as thats all I wish to make.

Getting things ready now for this coming weekend as my Ffarquhar Layout will be having its first exhibition of the year. NDMRS is my favourite show to exhibit at and I can't wait for what's in store for this weekend. Hopefully a new guest engine will be obtained at this show too.

I think we'll call this figure done for now. really pleased on how this turned out. Think I'll try a driver figure next.

Progress on this fella.

I had some filament spare so I thought I'd make one of my own. Still have quite a bit of sanding to do before I can start painting and I need a pointing angled arm too. Appearance wise, he's going to resemble how it looks in Series 2 as I always liked that version.

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone. 🍀 On Ffarquhar, Percy is given the chance to haul the passenger services with Daisy. The Three Beetles is also going to be quite busy today too. 🍻

She would have been 9 years old today. (56 in Dog years) Happy Heavenly Birthday, May. ❤️😇 Still miss you dearly.

My replica model of Henry is now in the state the original model currently is in, just needs some finalising with the chassis block to the correct position. The next stage is seeing how the valve gear assembly can be reassembled by combining the Farish and the Tri-ang complaints together.

2 Weeks until my Ffarquhar Branch's first show of the year starts. Hoping to have Stepney's Enthusiasts train completed before then. Only a few small details and painting is left to do to them before they're ready to go out.

How could a whole box of Humbrol paints go missing so quickly? No sooner have I bought something for my modelling, it goes missing so quickly. But we're talking a whole box full of paints here. Can't find anything these days.

My copy of TUGS is a bit different...but informative.

Might as well share a new BTS pic for the current status of Miniature Railway Adventures's animated test episode. A slight update to one of the set dressings which I think is a big improvement.

Thomas is getting ready for his first exhibition for this year. After doing his test runs with Annie and Clarabel, he retires for the night ready for another day to dawn.

Casey and Whitehouse have been feeling a little down lately. They recently got some news from Michael during his recent visit and since then had been very quiet all day as they went about their work. Would anyone know of anything that could help cheer them up? ~ Jane.

Rev. W. Awdry’s Little Engines Weekend Sir Handel, Rusty & Fred, will be back in Tywyn on the 18th & 19th July 2026. This event will be smaller in scale, but promises to engage fans young and old with activities to enjoy – and of course, plenty of trains to catch! More information coming soon!

Quick tea break during some Miniature Railway Adventures animation work. The Fat Controller is watching over checking that I'm meeting my daily quota.

An all new Ffarquhar branch video is in the process of being filmed while animation work on Miniature Railway Adventures continues. Watch this space.

So this week had a few ups and downs for me, but I'm trying to make the most of it by catching up with some much needed animation work. So far I've made good progress and hope to have another scene for MRA finished hopefully before the month is out. I just needed a good break to focus more on it.

Doing a Miniature Railway Adventures BTS Stream if anyone is interested in joining. Working on Character design and rigging. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z3i...

Planning ahead. Not going to be making this one yet, but going to see about getting the body shell and chassis ready in advance for when I am ready to make this model. Might take a look at completing Edward this week and then look more into Henry before resuming work on Gordon.

It is a good song that. Reminds me of some the tunes I used to listen to in my teens.

Never has a can of Pepsi MAX tasted so good right now after sorting out nearly 1500 metres worth of track. Will have to order in more sleepers to replace all the back left ones. The FG ones are all good to go. Back right ones have yet to be sorted out. But I can see to those tomorrow.

Haven't been sleeping too well lately. Every night this week I've been getting strange dreams which have confusing outcomes and ones that play against my subconscious, often resulting in me waking in the early hours in a confused state.

Would be nice to have another attempt at building this layout again someday. I'm sure with some careful planning, it could work.

Today I took Henry, not to Crewe, but to Drumawhey Junction where my friend Keith helped with getting the firebox opened out for the new motor to fit in place. Now I just need to sort out the footplate, but I can sort this out with my Dremel tool.

Henry, now packed and ready to go to the works in the morning.

Henry is going to be taken to my engineering club tomorrow to get his footplate and fire box seen too. I've a new motor for him on order so we should be seeing further progress on him very soon. I'll also enquire tomorrow about seeing about getting some Deep Bronze Green ordered for him.

You can watch the announcement trailer now, and at 7pm GMT there will be a livestream going more in-depth about the game over on Dovetail Games' YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0nN...

BIG Break was part of my Saturday night watchings along with The Generation Game and Blankety Blank etc. While I found Jim Davidson's antics funny, I always admired John's dedication and skills as a pro snooker player. Thoughts and prayers to his family. RIP John www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvgZ...

I found these while looking for spare parts. My first attempt at kit bashing. Thought I'd thrown them out, but here they are 18 years later. I think I've still got the tutorial on how I made them. Very outdated now though and I have since improved my modelling since. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPZ7...

A while ago we were asked what rolling stock we have at the railway. I've asked Whitehouse to draft us up a list of what stock we currently have. We use 4 coaches pre day with guard's vans attached as well as a display goods train at 2pm, hauled by Puffa or Hector, whichever engine is free. ~ Cars.

Test fitting the motor in Edward to make sure there's plenty of room so that the chassis can also slot back into place. Needs a little bit of padding inside to stop it from moving about, but it's getting there. Pick ups are next.

Nearly there. Just the other side of the tender to do and he's ready for final varnishing. Will work on the chassis tomorrow after work as the new cutting broaches will be arriving then.