The August issue of BRM - out now - has a "Getting Practical" article by me!
The "Getting Practical" section provides a step-by-step how-to for a range of different modelling projects. My article covers adding working platform lamps, something I have done on my own layouts but that may seem daunting to someone who hasn't tackled a similar project before.
It's a straightforward project that can make a big difference to a layout, and uses some excellent slimline modern style lamps from Kytes Lights.
Effective aren't they? (it took me a lot of attempts to get a decent photo in the dark!)
It's the time of year again that the Sussex Downs 009 group take the 009 Society showcase and demo stand to the Amberley rail gala.
Sadly the model railway side of the event has diminished over the last few years and there were just a handful of layouts, some seen before. I can't resist an original cameo though.
The event doesn't seem to attract the numbers of enthusiasts that it used to, and while many of the visitors were interested in the models I can't imagine it resulted in much business for the couple of traders present. I did manage to have a productive day modelling, although that isn't really the point of a demo stand! However, it's never a bad thing to show model trains as a hobby, particularly with kids around (they do love our little demo layout).
Outside there was a visiting loco, Lily, a rather smart Decauville, which was on passenger train duties alongside the resident Bagnall, Peter. The two train service seemed well patronised.
Of course there was the usual line up of small internal combustion engines in action which the Amberley museum shows off so well.
I'll leave you with a shot of the morning steam-up on shed.
Yesterday my son and I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This is only about 30 minutes from home, but it was only my second visit and the first for my son, perhaps surprising as we are both petrolheads. It is quite pricey though, and this is the first year he could attend on a weekday without missing school!
This event has become as legendary as Glastonbury and Wimbledon for motor enthusiasts, and has a lot of corporate entertainment going on, but there is lots to see and do for the ordinary punter. Of course, there is the central theme of the hillclimb past the house and up into the forest on which a variety of cars are showcased, from modern F1...
...classic F1 - this one driven by Bruno Senna, nephew of the great Ayrton...
...legendary cars from motorsport...
...to insanely quick modern supercars, including the current hillclimb record holder the electric McMurty. This thing sounds like a jet engine (thanks to active ground effect fans) and is unbelievably fast up the hill, even in the company of the fastest cars around.
That wasn't the most bonkers vehicle there though. I think that award goes to this propellor-driven rear-wheel steer vehicle, looking like a biplane without wings.
There's not just the hillclimb though. There's off-road vehicles, and a busy rally stage up in the woods.
Plus a massive car show, the event having effectively become a British Motor show with many car manufacturers having impressive stands showing their latest vehicles. It's even the place where new cars are launched, or showcased in the UK for the first time, including the new Ford Capri (it's not what you would hope it is), more than one Chinese car brand you've never heard of, and this hypercar from F1 team Red Bull - fancy a £5m car said to be faster than an F1 car that isn't road legal?
There's also a display by the Red Arrows, easy to miss with so much going on at ground level.
And finally, if you've not seen it before, let me introduce you to the art of "drifting". Spectacular and entertaining for sure, but think of the tyre bill! Remember, don't try this at home...
