Freight through Burton
One real highlight for those with an interest in diesel and electric modelling is the DEFine Modellers Day. It’s a lovely laid-back, intimate show.
I wasn’t expecting to go as I was supposed to be on nights but my mum passed away few days before and James asked if I’d like to go as I was off work. Many people had seen the news on Facebook, plus James’ round up of 2023, and had many kind words. I really appreciated it.
Kit built inspection saloon on Elcot Road
The event always brings out some superb modelling so let’s see some of the highlights.
Burton upon Trent
Cavan Millward’s Burton upon Trent in N is superb! With it’s hand built track on the scenic section it shows the real potential of N, something which normally only comes with 2mm Finescale layouts.
Stock from Burton
I don’t really know Burton upon Trent but many people were saying how it captures the real station.
37511
The stock is beautifully finished and some of the best looking N gauge stock you’ll see. Cav has such a good eye for tone and colour, this is railway modelling as art in many.
Peak
And the layout runs beautifully too.
Burton upon Trent station approach.
The Bendalls’ Elcot Road featured in Rail Express Modeller a few years back when Simon was editor and it actually featured proper modelling.
Elcot Road
(As an aside, if Rail Express sent their present modelling editor to an event like this there’d be months of great material for Rail Express Modeller.)
Behind the scenes of Elcot Road
I really enjoyed watching the layout, Network SouthEast livery always reminds me of childhood holidays to Austria when we travelled all the way by train, including Victoria to Dover by NSE EMUs.
Elcot Road
Elcot Road is a great advert for P4, it ran smoothly and perfectly all day.
Cripple Corner Wagon Works by Nick Gurney
Moving up in size was Nick Gurney’s Cripple Corner Wagon Works. A very simple yard which appears much bigger than its size would suggest. Nick’s stock is beautifully finished, the Railfreight red fading perfectly.
Sherpa
Despite this, it was the Sherpa van which was photographed more than anything else on the layout!
2mm Finescale was a feature last year and there was a great selection of modelling in this scale on show.
2mm Finescale selection.
It’s one of my favourite scales, I used to model in it during my teens and there’s something truly delightful about good 2mm modelling.
2mm scale class 37 in progress.
Something particularly rare in any scale is a scratch built mainline diesel and I rather liked this scratch built Peak.
Scratch built class 45 in 2mm scale.
Braynerts Sidings and Underhill Yard were also on show but I struggled to get near for many photos!
Underhill Yard
Braynerts Sidings is a delightful shunting puzzle with some particularly intricate trackwork.
Braynerts Sidings
Guy Molyneux brought along an example of his PGA wagons, built from his own 3D printed parts. It looked very nice indeed.
PGA by Guy Molyneux
The social side of the day is particularly good with a hall full of lovely people. I spent most of the day talking, quite cathartic in the circumstances. We had a good catch up with Philip Sutton and it was quite enlightening on many subjects. And hopefully we can make Railex in May to see Mostyn!
If you didn’t make it this year, it’s worth the trip next year.
DEFine 2025 is planned for 11th January 2025.
West Halton Sidings 