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Saturday, 23 August 2025

Dis-track-tion

 It seems that quite a lot of Wargamers also enjoy the delights of toy trains, including your humble author, though I didn't get an electric train set until I was in my forties and have never indulged in building a layout. Every so often I get them out and send them round an oval circuit on the dining room table, or possibly include some of the bits and pieces in a wargame.

Recently I considered buying a station (so that the trains actually had a destination) but thought I might make something first as the space issue for OO scale is quite inhibitive (as indeed is the cost). I am not a talented model-maker, so I based my little station on the Hornby Dublo range (c.1950) that were definitely toys, rather than more recent versions which are models. It's not too bad for a first attempt and has given me ideas on how to make a better version! There are a great number of wonderful videos on YouTube regarding making simple train layouts, so I may yet disappear down that particular rabbit hole...

Hornby Dublo catalogue (Brighton Toy Museum site)

Bit rough and functional but you get the idea

GWR No. 1466 on the through track

The Man behind the Green Door waves at the 4.15 from Paddington

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16 comments:

  1. Robert (Bob) Cordery23 August 2025 at 13:55

    That’s a very nice little model … and looks like the original,upon which it is based!

    All the best,

    Bob

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    1. Maudlin Jack Tar23 August 2025 at 14:30

      Thanks Bob. I was quite pleased with the first try!

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  2. Elliesdad23 August 2025 at 15:30

    Good luck with your toy trains 🚂🚃 Many moons ago I had a small railway set up. Sadly I rather “messed up” when I glued plastic sheet to the engine in an attempt to create a WW2 Eastern Front armoured train. Ohhh so clumsy 😔
    These days I’ve barely enough time for wargaming, let alone my books, comics, magazines etc.
    Cheers,
    Geoff

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    1. Maudlin Jack Tar24 August 2025 at 07:17

      Thanks Geoff. I empathize regarding the lack of time!

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  3. Roger23 August 2025 at 20:00

    And what a lovely distraction (!)
    I think you station turnes out very well, giving the nostalgic impression of those Made by Hornby Dublo.
    Regarding layout sizes and concepts; I like simple, and are designing a H0 scale oval myself, dividing the board in the middle with a scenic divider.

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    1. Maudlin Jack Tar24 August 2025 at 07:19

      Thanks Roger - I hope you post your layout design on your blog. I'd be very interested to see what you do with it.

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    2. Roger28 August 2025 at 12:47

      My H0 model railroading are often overtaken by larger (railway-) scales, projects and wargaming. But when I finally get around to it, I will post it on the blog. It's a very interesting 'rabbit hole'

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    3. Maudlin Jack Tar28 August 2025 at 13:07

      Roger I look forward to reading about it! I've been watching a lot of videos on YouTube to see what other people do with small projects.

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    4. Roger28 August 2025 at 15:03

      I do consider to do a blogpost on layouts and trackplans that have inspired me to do this a little smaller project.

      Delete
    5. Maudlin Jack Tar28 August 2025 at 15:12

      Sounds intriguing!

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  4. Anonymous24 August 2025 at 07:14

    Lovely model, great work.
    Alan Tradgardland

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  5. Duc de Gobin25 August 2025 at 23:55

    Bloody superb work sir. Now, I am seeing a station in Safi in 1942, with a bunch of GIs about to march past with crap tanks, but I can see the immediate appeal of the model railway 'scene'.

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    1. Maudlin Jack Tar26 August 2025 at 07:31

      Cheers! I did have some "thoughts" regarding VBCW mixing with toy railways...

      Delete
  6. Martin S.28 August 2025 at 07:48

    Great work, MJT…...that looks the part 👍🏼

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    1. Maudlin Jack Tar28 August 2025 at 08:04

      Thanks Martin! I have yet to discover the original that Hornby based this style on. To me it looks like a sort of 1930s utilitarian type design but this is just a hunch...

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