Welcome
Welcome to a slightly unorthodox issue of Model Rail. Yes, it’s a ‘first world’ problem but deciding what content we could – or would be able to – produce during the lockdown was challenging. Would we be able to buy modelling products? Would we receive new models to review?
Everyone likes a ‘top ten’ list – mainly to disagree with!
So, inspired by a recent issue of sister title Country Walking, we devised a series of ‘top tens’ designed to entertain, spark debate and, ultimately, prompt some ideas for layouts.
At the time of writing, lockdown restrictions were being eased but there’s still so much affecting our hobby – and Model Rail – that’s still in doubt. For example, it seems as though it’ll be a while before Chris Nevard will be able to undertake any new layout shoots. What restrictions will still be in place when the exhibition season kicks off? Given that Warley is not happening this year (see News), will there even be an ‘exhibition season’? The good news is that production in China seems to be in full swing again and UK factories, particularly that of Peco, is up and running again. Development work, judging by the huge raft of new models arriving for review, is continuing.
Britain’s economy has taken a pounding during the pandemic. Difficult though it might be for some at this time, we need to keep supporting our manufacturers, suppliers and retailers, to play our – albeit small – part in getting the country moving again. Richard Foster Editor