tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5200194368117089242024-03-19T08:46:51.162+00:00The modelling workbench of James Hilton...James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.comBlogger2299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-52692174081884513832024-03-19T08:37:00.003+00:002024-03-19T08:37:33.782+00:00Catching a train…<i><span style="font-size: large;">We have decided, we’re going…</span></i><div><i>Our destination unknown but the first step clear,</i></div><div><i>Alone but in the company of strangers,</i></div><div><i>Apprehensive but calmed by the familiarity of process and order.</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFWPTc9afByo1p8ODeQNY4LvUgCfYS8JPSkF2rozZOniWcfAPgxPaEroMf2dezoWnPSDs05MdL72i2dN3Cv-1JgYo6wXCxCd0bc7wyzz7eqcG_yDk2I7yup6nQm1hPV7KaquYN9oLYokHMgGTK0RYBsozNYCkzHwifQuWViFUXjntLO6u2aGy1_Wknlc/s1203/IMG_3636.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1203" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFWPTc9afByo1p8ODeQNY4LvUgCfYS8JPSkF2rozZOniWcfAPgxPaEroMf2dezoWnPSDs05MdL72i2dN3Cv-1JgYo6wXCxCd0bc7wyzz7eqcG_yDk2I7yup6nQm1hPV7KaquYN9oLYokHMgGTK0RYBsozNYCkzHwifQuWViFUXjntLO6u2aGy1_Wknlc/w640-h480/IMG_3636.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>When I travel by train I often wonder at what stories my fellow passengers would tell of their lives, loves and their journey today. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are brought together in that carriage by the act of catching a train, hence sharing a moment. A familiar and safe, mostly predictable partner on that day, that time… those rails. That route to those places.</div><div><br /></div><div>Railways are wonderful metaphors.</div><div>I find them incredibly soothing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-18033836180783542482024-03-18T07:51:00.000+00:002024-03-18T07:51:53.647+00:00Commission: Another Southern Victory…<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2023/05/commission-southern-victory.html" target="_blank">Last year</a> I reworked one of my Planet Industrial ‘Victory’ models to represent the East Kent’s example as if it had been repainted by the Southern…</span></i><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTRlk84CRx79yFKOiVegrl0F31GwbcFa3dJLq3Mp0Bn56ysSZEOGJm-foCJ5Z0QCcrY27HJXcGTTZvZDiY_0Ipq-PdOB0FXAnVPTq-sL9bZWJBTgJQKer6a0QDoKRvDyONDnctADDu8VckVPgZ5pi-e-ocF2m1VdD9FDsOXaQWzv2tyYLn9ANDJOUT-w/s1920/IMG_3509.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTRlk84CRx79yFKOiVegrl0F31GwbcFa3dJLq3Mp0Bn56ysSZEOGJm-foCJ5Z0QCcrY27HJXcGTTZvZDiY_0Ipq-PdOB0FXAnVPTq-sL9bZWJBTgJQKer6a0QDoKRvDyONDnctADDu8VckVPgZ5pi-e-ocF2m1VdD9FDsOXaQWzv2tyYLn9ANDJOUT-w/s320/IMG_3509.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>That example was plain Southern black, this time I have created a ‘what if’ in lined green. My customer had purchased the plain black Victory which is still the best one to select for any repaint. The model strips down to components in short order thanks to the screwed assembly allowing the cab interior to be masked and the body primed and then sprayed. Black edging was hand painted on the cab and tanks ready for lining. Wheel centres and cylinders were hand painted in green.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCIrwmOYf8nw4Po7XdieMg2SjAsOreVM290Xc6kq4_PQSTquSY_4sQ_Sxfe3BrP0Nb2uv_W2cC08cvduxO9OyzEvOKsqaYGLsHTme6_ZoUqy6t7jW31gVO_xkrkAqI6L5gF79qFCShwqz94rZPO5vnmgajxvgPXhaxJzsTwkOYbe5fHufV6acw2oJNIg/s2241/IMG_3508.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="2241" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCIrwmOYf8nw4Po7XdieMg2SjAsOreVM290Xc6kq4_PQSTquSY_4sQ_Sxfe3BrP0Nb2uv_W2cC08cvduxO9OyzEvOKsqaYGLsHTme6_ZoUqy6t7jW31gVO_xkrkAqI6L5gF79qFCShwqz94rZPO5vnmgajxvgPXhaxJzsTwkOYbe5fHufV6acw2oJNIg/w200-h150/IMG_3508.jpeg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVzT4oOY82o6K0pTgkKK0oGOaTgytZCfQSWV5YnoGNGeZvxTsslOyNF1jauEXKgiu3oxQrGaRrCd7S_3NqgljyXp_sOLwTdnOb32saUmIn8NCbuDW-xSJcii9aBXAJ6rDe4FVLLjDMOJlhJ_c233y0xLU0soB5kkwQoLqOb6XUmEctsGDrkV4lLvjDi8/s1709/IMG_3512.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1709" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVzT4oOY82o6K0pTgkKK0oGOaTgytZCfQSWV5YnoGNGeZvxTsslOyNF1jauEXKgiu3oxQrGaRrCd7S_3NqgljyXp_sOLwTdnOb32saUmIn8NCbuDW-xSJcii9aBXAJ6rDe4FVLLjDMOJlhJ_c233y0xLU0soB5kkwQoLqOb6XUmEctsGDrkV4lLvjDi8/w200-h150/IMG_3512.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Straight lines are from Fox lining (the lettering and numbers are all Fox too) but the curved edges were produced with white paint and the bow pen, freehand, and tidied up a little with a very fine brush. Sealing with lacquer before a light weathering, using a wash on the footplate and chassis and some airbrushed dirt on the bunker and soot along the boiler. I hand painted some Planet Industrials crew and some real coal in the bunker finish her off. She looks superb, certainly believable and with the burly yet neat appearance of the prototype captured beautifully in miniature I hope she enjoys many years service for my customer.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiG80MViC-G_974PjscjalTMiSCu3hcXJcQwulXQ-_AZ5uWNR8ZC4K43gOi5hMAXo4T9JixquP-SLX9elByaMcrhky2uY5lIwv-MzfdCALu4rsFIjZTcf5nqVzvUjLm7UfzrINrRTA0CeNnE8gPtkMCHUksPP1AuzgnGMuZeEn2dVRVOdfmeIqDZloQ0/s2024/IMG_3510.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="2024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiG80MViC-G_974PjscjalTMiSCu3hcXJcQwulXQ-_AZ5uWNR8ZC4K43gOi5hMAXo4T9JixquP-SLX9elByaMcrhky2uY5lIwv-MzfdCALu4rsFIjZTcf5nqVzvUjLm7UfzrINrRTA0CeNnE8gPtkMCHUksPP1AuzgnGMuZeEn2dVRVOdfmeIqDZloQ0/w640-h360/IMG_3510.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve reworked several <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/victory" target="_blank">Victory</a> over the years since release, and am always happy to bring your model to life. Weathering starts from as little as £60, but I offer a one stop shop for design / source / detail / refinish / weathering for you to meet whatever your requirements. Get in touch for a no obligation fixed price proposal to meet your needs. Until next time, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><br /></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-81800168130484934172024-03-17T09:15:00.000+00:002024-03-17T09:15:19.041+00:00Creech Grange 1936…<p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Today’s <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/creech%20barn" target="_blank">Creech Barn Railway</a>, built on the grounds of the Creech Estate on Purbeck, is a 2ft gauge demonstration line for a collection of small industrial and cane locomotives from around the world…</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC_jrBmpF47FyZDRXYSx71f9TXmhj9YJEzo6-NqYHb8WCEH-fr7wpKNUFHo9nMRXdSBI9KjOK8tdBrG2JRZpfhNm3sNa1tgv6fZZjDq3uInEhYG-vgnJgqlvNZj_2-axp_7qJZ2a0qgmf8Ky0M55ZDgnz3wBNPAN1y0mZWmE9GvvJnmEoDoJN0P3vVKY/s4032/IMG_0577.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC_jrBmpF47FyZDRXYSx71f9TXmhj9YJEzo6-NqYHb8WCEH-fr7wpKNUFHo9nMRXdSBI9KjOK8tdBrG2JRZpfhNm3sNa1tgv6fZZjDq3uInEhYG-vgnJgqlvNZj_2-axp_7qJZ2a0qgmf8Ky0M55ZDgnz3wBNPAN1y0mZWmE9GvvJnmEoDoJN0P3vVKY/w640-h480/IMG_0577.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><i>However, it is not the first railway on the site. After the First World War an 18” gauge tramway built using surplus materials purchased from the Ministry of Supply depot at Deptford was constructed to connect the grange with the Southern railway, just north of Corfe. This diminutive line crossed fields without major earthworks and little trace can be found today. Pictured is ‘James’, a Hunslet product of the period with a short supply train, at the standard gauge interchange siding in the early summer of 1936. The tramway fell out of use during the Second World War and was lifted in the 1950s, sadly the locomotives were all scrapped.</i></p><p><a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/Creech%20Grange" target="_blank">Creech Grange</a> was my first foray in to what my good friend Tim and I coined 6point5 and is still here in my collection. Using the Busch H0f system is held great promise for a new and exciting scale, but alas, availability of the donor mechanisms meant that after several years and numerous kits, the range I developed with Steve at Light Railway Stores / Narrow Planet was discontinued. However, we went on to create Planet Industrials, culminating in the Victory. Until next time, more soon…</p><p><br /></p><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><p><br /></p>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-66183124934893121322024-03-16T08:45:00.003+00:002024-03-16T08:46:36.558+00:00Pont-y-dulais 1985…<p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">07012 (wks no. RH 480697/1962) was withdrawn by BR on <span style="font-family: inherit;">02/07/1977 and sold into industrial use…</span></span></i></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3V6PRer_ktpjz8_dgtjAfdAK35pfDRK0GuVu6A_SBBUEUFUIiCcinWJAnb3ouWdPpeqnhGwSxMP6CVvL2zdwn0gdhg91UT3uCiJbm1wTmOP4GWumq9qN5XnLkpJcvQfVkwWUG3Ci7qYrJFSqbHfJAqLVm4sFCehLPDm5mjX3t8UMYHr6ChMA3LeS4w8/s2556/IMG_4541.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1915" data-original-width="2556" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3V6PRer_ktpjz8_dgtjAfdAK35pfDRK0GuVu6A_SBBUEUFUIiCcinWJAnb3ouWdPpeqnhGwSxMP6CVvL2zdwn0gdhg91UT3uCiJbm1wTmOP4GWumq9qN5XnLkpJcvQfVkwWUG3Ci7qYrJFSqbHfJAqLVm4sFCehLPDm5mjX3t8UMYHr6ChMA3LeS4w8/w640-h480/IMG_4541.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>It moved initially to Cwmmawr Opencast Mine in April 1978 having been sold by BR to Planet Industrial Fuels Ltd. It later moved to Pont-y-dulais Washery circa 1981 and remained in the same area all its industrial life. It is seen here shunting the washery yard. This site was operated by PiChem Ltd on behalf of the NCB and then later British Coal Opencast Executive. Preservation came in 1992 when in December of that year it moved to the SYRPS (South Yorkshire Railway Preservation Society) at Meadowhall.</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course this is my old layout, Pont-y-dulais with the lovely Heljan Class 07 and Accurascale hoppers.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Caption based upon original here: </span><a href="https://flic.kr/p/8Tyv7R">https://flic.kr/p/8Tyv7R</a>).</p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-16698748078784365972024-03-15T07:22:00.112+00:002024-03-15T08:57:05.018+00:00Friday Update: Fifteen Three Twenty-four…<i><span style="font-size: large;">Warmer but wetter here in the Dee Valley and I’m sure a story echoed across much of the UK this week, and whilst that means my feet aren’t so cold, it still doesn’t feel much like meteorological Spring! That said, the daffs are out in full throw and between the gloom and glaw things are really quite beautiful…</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BVLoCtf3bAarufB9rlY5EuxAQyMoc9_DUfZHA62CbTReAjiJZIHGDDy737L6j_FttYE9rZbaDneRwKRNKA4SRGEDEiHnb1vWXckM0vrnx_evO5q68-4Pj1whB7mKQdyRLAjQOUGQVpKuFjE7RB-Td_G4uHspHjjPXtW820HPkxoOkNfJV514_I3QKiA/s3714/IMG_3592.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2786" data-original-width="3714" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BVLoCtf3bAarufB9rlY5EuxAQyMoc9_DUfZHA62CbTReAjiJZIHGDDy737L6j_FttYE9rZbaDneRwKRNKA4SRGEDEiHnb1vWXckM0vrnx_evO5q68-4Pj1whB7mKQdyRLAjQOUGQVpKuFjE7RB-Td_G4uHspHjjPXtW820HPkxoOkNfJV514_I3QKiA/w640-h480/IMG_3592.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This week has seen some existing work cross the finish line and new started. These cross-over weeks can become quite busy on the bench and throw in a Wednesday off (to collect Janey’s new car from South Wales) and a bad cold and it has been a real achievement to reach today!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclfrFJlfN-n7iIMH0PaOH39td9UVAc1hQ_xefsnC0gat9fbWzlYzd2oAdMzttTU-FFGcqhBipiWi-CWg6kSR9qxOzvanykkRWzSTockzmJEF9aDtIGeldUqtzdG7XecO2TEqtZ8FhcFYvM0ZKHoovxDyqk383c1WaE3pSiEDom3OJrl2HZLnGnJkKIuU/s3828/IMG_3594.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2153" data-original-width="3828" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclfrFJlfN-n7iIMH0PaOH39td9UVAc1hQ_xefsnC0gat9fbWzlYzd2oAdMzttTU-FFGcqhBipiWi-CWg6kSR9qxOzvanykkRWzSTockzmJEF9aDtIGeldUqtzdG7XecO2TEqtZ8FhcFYvM0ZKHoovxDyqk383c1WaE3pSiEDom3OJrl2HZLnGnJkKIuU/w640-h360/IMG_3594.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Leatown has crossed the line. The finishing touches are in place, and all that remain this week is to do the overview video - being made a little harder by the lack of a DCC fitted British outline diesel in my collection! In fact I don’t really have any BR diesels, the blue 08 apart. You might all have to put up with some static shots! This project has really come alive in the past week with little details lifting the finish from mundane to atmospheric, I can’t wait to share it with you all.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZWCRcGxDrSB8cs2-pbhZNqTL3sWn5U0R6rNHjiDmx6BlVZQQcn1g9e8fe4G7C7yBJBQcvFFkYI822VbqCznjIfo03nvcIu3eSPk-b_JWmKM6bdU4G9KKpeVhhfoDs8xSgxgZQzisEN4ZApuzCRFPSWmMFRUiknaE212J-4MNUTSO8NkIYUrubBf6w0g/s3043/IMG_3596.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2282" data-original-width="3043" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZWCRcGxDrSB8cs2-pbhZNqTL3sWn5U0R6rNHjiDmx6BlVZQQcn1g9e8fe4G7C7yBJBQcvFFkYI822VbqCznjIfo03nvcIu3eSPk-b_JWmKM6bdU4G9KKpeVhhfoDs8xSgxgZQzisEN4ZApuzCRFPSWmMFRUiknaE212J-4MNUTSO8NkIYUrubBf6w0g/w640-h480/IMG_3596.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>New things on the bench! A cluster of 009 models - a pair of Fourdees ‘Peckett’ and a discontinued EuroNG Resita. The last time I built some Fourdees models I did as Dan suggested and painted them in sub-components - but for me, I found the assembly much more difficult without damaging the finish. This time I’ve assembled them before painting, we’ll see which I prefer when these are done! The Resita is a contrast, and I’ve enjoyed the chance to work on another of these characterful kits. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37b6D4bXXO6gOnbBYpsMJmDUlLoy8SMgptzCQ3lxQrvBo1s8gZgyO8yJcHMTFqyKAyUwZAxOT8hyK6CwCv0ZKfn7ZSAtKeZ51Db2Hrdt-b-uvjNEagfkHEJ8bpCO7fuCPfXh3NOBRxDHNNTKsS2ewu8Q1l71B6V3t8X46azK9vrSc6AzQAsA8z0dXooY/s3015/IMG_3599.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2261" data-original-width="3015" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37b6D4bXXO6gOnbBYpsMJmDUlLoy8SMgptzCQ3lxQrvBo1s8gZgyO8yJcHMTFqyKAyUwZAxOT8hyK6CwCv0ZKfn7ZSAtKeZ51Db2Hrdt-b-uvjNEagfkHEJ8bpCO7fuCPfXh3NOBRxDHNNTKsS2ewu8Q1l71B6V3t8X46azK9vrSc6AzQAsA8z0dXooY/w640-h480/IMG_3599.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Mid week saw a trip down to Cwmbran on the train to collect Janey’s new car. We decided to use the train as it was a 2h20 door to door trip versus the 3h drive, anyone who knows the A49 will appreciate why the train is to be preferred. Our steed was a 3 car Class 197/1. I’ve bemoaned the comfort of the seats on these units <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2023/08/on-rails-shrewsbury-bound.html">previously</a>, they are much firmer than a 150/158/175 but they’re a comfortable ride on the whole (a few bumpy bits south of Shrewsbury but I’ve not done it in an older unit for 25 years so I can’t compare). The experience was as most of my recent train journeys, comfortable, on time, full of polite and professional staff… off peak travel at least, is a delight. Railway interest, it was fun to spot the old Golden Valley at Pontrilas, and speculate about rail freight at Shrewsbury and Hereford, Abergavenny too, all had enough siding space for a ‘wagon load’ intermodal swap body service… driving back I noticed the branch in the middle of Hereford still had track in place, it hadn’t been used for years when I last drove over it 15 years ago! </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHl-ywNdg25eT9qNTzePJJbCNsWkfEq_3qdpXs-wiNHEPAZH37C19YkK3j_Jlz4Gp868sOr46bULeqIJp2T8-3EhqyClBzP4mbB0RBvnTfyPv3JKM7ph4d6qvV7t2UbUwniFsomWLtYrJSvOnovI67vuPBf1MB-Kod2dIJXtUBzAkknXVeZosW-qbeAM/s2275/IMG_3595.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="2275" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHl-ywNdg25eT9qNTzePJJbCNsWkfEq_3qdpXs-wiNHEPAZH37C19YkK3j_Jlz4Gp868sOr46bULeqIJp2T8-3EhqyClBzP4mbB0RBvnTfyPv3JKM7ph4d6qvV7t2UbUwniFsomWLtYrJSvOnovI67vuPBf1MB-Kod2dIJXtUBzAkknXVeZosW-qbeAM/w640-h480/IMG_3595.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I’m excited to be testing some prints for Will at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coventry_railworks?igsh=MTdwNHl6dmR1ZmVxdQ==" target="_blank">Coventry Railworks</a>. The first are some prints to rework the Peco grain wagon into a later rebuilt example with pedestal suspension. The parts include a new ‘top’ and ‘chassis’ and Will will be adding a third piece to represent the hopper discharge. My four have also had the Peco mouldings reworked to remove the ‘advertising’ framing from the body sides. They’ve been sprayed blue and await decals, this set is a trial but I’ll be supplying a reduced set of artwork for Will to include in the kits. I’m hoping to test a handful of his later cylindrical alumina hoppers later too, all good for the emerging backstory of an aluminium smelter on the Lochdubh branchline.</div><div><br /></div><div>A quick note on these wagons finish. I noticed on Paul B’s useful site they seemed to be darker in the centre of each panel. I pre-faded the angle supports with white before spraying blue. This will all be toned down with weathering later - it looks quite garish at present!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexs1Xe4Z73fr2oAX4XZpSllay2GIgfDWPsrBJ2AnsWwsE4K_0Xp6HXyS3Xdde8YB5e6GzYX7y5wk0OjOzlDtIgMcGrAw3vht-p6r6TpZDg_l3D9m7Kq9SkV35ULN2UQ0kru3wEXPOHMHIWTtcfrcBtqACMkaFh4M4ll_Dn12jYgWf2RL5BJsAKwerkf4/s2642/IMG_3597.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="2642" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexs1Xe4Z73fr2oAX4XZpSllay2GIgfDWPsrBJ2AnsWwsE4K_0Xp6HXyS3Xdde8YB5e6GzYX7y5wk0OjOzlDtIgMcGrAw3vht-p6r6TpZDg_l3D9m7Kq9SkV35ULN2UQ0kru3wEXPOHMHIWTtcfrcBtqACMkaFh4M4ll_Dn12jYgWf2RL5BJsAKwerkf4/w640-h480/IMG_3597.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bringing this Friday update to a close is the Sweep. This kit has been a real labour of love, not in that it’s difficult, but it’s taken a lot of emotional energy to get it to this point. So where are we? The model is slowly emerging in colour as we see above. The red ends are done, tinged orange as the prototype is quite faded in its post CN ownership. The black has been applied, but toned down with dark grey, the chassis has had a first coat of a grimy black and at long last, she feels real and less toy like. I am hoping to get the bodywork paint finished this weekend with some patch painting over the ‘old’ CN logo and then on to detail painting things like window seals. Not long now.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the weekend approaches I will be trying to catch up on rest, as I’m continuing to suffer with a virus that lingers and the long Covid symptoms that just seem to make these things drag out. I’ve a new book due tomorrow to enjoy with the dog on the sofa. There is some personal modelling I can do with low demand and enjoy becoming calm and mindful. Kohlenbachbrücke needs a little more structure modelling, a third Irish van is on the bench and the High Weald 009 is pottering along nicely. I hope you all can find the chance to loose yourself in this wonderful hobby for at least half an hour or so - in the meantime though, more soon.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-15138638820125614762024-03-14T08:17:00.002+00:002024-03-14T08:18:51.144+00:00Commission: Hornby Scots Guardsman in OO gauge...<i><span style="font-size: large;">Re-working and detailing ready to run models can be a wonderful pastime. As a teenager I cut my teeth on my collection of Lima diesels and Bachmann and Mainline steamers…<br /></span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xojnrKrBXGxoE5kNF5zl21d8I-HuqEqeverl3LppKiera1c_WEWVY6lFKEkH6hupZkUAkMVeXlwSKBH_lvoEfgCYLC0-B0_34Qo-ztZF50QuN_lpe7sifYuXScdBJkSoVy2xzdpj4bN3kFyJr6XKg3yKYK-1N16X3jzK4rbMXUGxH17MVRRNUSu3i68/s2572/IMG_3402.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="2572" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xojnrKrBXGxoE5kNF5zl21d8I-HuqEqeverl3LppKiera1c_WEWVY6lFKEkH6hupZkUAkMVeXlwSKBH_lvoEfgCYLC0-B0_34Qo-ztZF50QuN_lpe7sifYuXScdBJkSoVy2xzdpj4bN3kFyJr6XKg3yKYK-1N16X3jzK4rbMXUGxH17MVRRNUSu3i68/w640-h282/IMG_3402.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This Hornby model has been re-worked to represent the prototype as in mainline service in recent years. This involved adding the warning flashes and then gloss treatment to the smoke deflectors. The nameplates were not right at all, and so I drew up some replacements to be custom etched as I was let down by Jackson Modelmaster who took my money and never sent the goods. The advantage of these I designed is they replace the whole splasher as one piece so look much neater and have the small stand off gap that isn’t present on the Hornby part.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF3CKYqzHIH37QJnKGwYywz58o5xsI4SbJ_CDr0E5AX96lBEm8cBtPAq975e7l8CSzm0fhV2Bn2VRi3JOZCnVXemfLhoDbJmhapA8c54uqf9u4MkgNUsdi_A0KhQkJNUaGYj8Jnj9Pkd_GErnR84dNCrHJFRSbJnx8tGNlS9G_bhp9nnx8haAtJjHTvM/s3067/IMG_3407.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="3067" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF3CKYqzHIH37QJnKGwYywz58o5xsI4SbJ_CDr0E5AX96lBEm8cBtPAq975e7l8CSzm0fhV2Bn2VRi3JOZCnVXemfLhoDbJmhapA8c54uqf9u4MkgNUsdi_A0KhQkJNUaGYj8Jnj9Pkd_GErnR84dNCrHJFRSbJnx8tGNlS9G_bhp9nnx8haAtJjHTvM/w640-h196/IMG_3407.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_60Dj57ho629pgqUvSJe1X3ZqiLAUdGF9ALHCVNWzvBN3TbM5SynY9cSvKpQM2Y0iG0f0oktskycVPNR9ZryAHdWUvcxAS-1kBdWmbzz7Ek0r9cJtVP-f6LDMFrLr5-od8v2SEt_xygVgGw-nv5iJ6-6GIMssn4gySzfGZ5t181GMf-XqHsYfcbkMJ38/s3724/IMG_3404.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="3724" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_60Dj57ho629pgqUvSJe1X3ZqiLAUdGF9ALHCVNWzvBN3TbM5SynY9cSvKpQM2Y0iG0f0oktskycVPNR9ZryAHdWUvcxAS-1kBdWmbzz7Ek0r9cJtVP-f6LDMFrLr5-od8v2SEt_xygVgGw-nv5iJ6-6GIMssn4gySzfGZ5t181GMf-XqHsYfcbkMJ38/w640-h243/IMG_3404.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Small details included fitting headlights and etched number and shed code to the front, along with a tiny custom decal I drew up for the SC (self cleaning) lane on the smokebox door. A study for photographs also identified a few details I needed to touch in different colours, the most obvious of which being the window frames. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9p8sQmf07bBGdIH0AEhhLSrx2g5dUgqKIdNzmmPYbPH_rlHzSb5zcWjS1bvETiIrmdWpyn1-izZMugIPA7kK-v7MgvREJ3u6Va4aXsu18o2DZzV4wcxQxthZ_A2tSJW0kdeagye3buKQDsiKEnwbhZMumggPOlAhSKR-52El3dZmLlVjKsGMdm115R4/s2054/IMG_3405.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="2054" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9p8sQmf07bBGdIH0AEhhLSrx2g5dUgqKIdNzmmPYbPH_rlHzSb5zcWjS1bvETiIrmdWpyn1-izZMugIPA7kK-v7MgvREJ3u6Va4aXsu18o2DZzV4wcxQxthZ_A2tSJW0kdeagye3buKQDsiKEnwbhZMumggPOlAhSKR-52El3dZmLlVjKsGMdm115R4/w640-h480/IMG_3405.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Detailing parts were added before I gave the whole model a spray of gloss lacquer. This was knocked back with some satin before weathering but the improvement in finish was worth the effort, it really deepens the bronze green paintwork. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyPTHOH1oCapTV_ucyTq26qFeZelccTN-GAArFFd2zLj4g7q20yl1UhtuC6NaxQ5NEfVJs2KY8LX3JQeJRC5gpn4WgX1FRpX4cgyVaE_dAzS3GESilEf__zB8J4o_34g11tD6U8z0z3XJky2A912cN7dkj_Nc4dYlUfp7_l4gIhLfgRrToKa8naGC19I/s2082/IMG_3409.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="2082" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyPTHOH1oCapTV_ucyTq26qFeZelccTN-GAArFFd2zLj4g7q20yl1UhtuC6NaxQ5NEfVJs2KY8LX3JQeJRC5gpn4WgX1FRpX4cgyVaE_dAzS3GESilEf__zB8J4o_34g11tD6U8z0z3XJky2A912cN7dkj_Nc4dYlUfp7_l4gIhLfgRrToKa8naGC19I/w200-h150/IMG_3409.jpeg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeC6Fzt87u9m_3xgSQji_5DwwYoenInQelTBJpOfmY1MLWPAHNwGWMfOE0QQ5M9YaUPX3KU3s6BN9RNk5Q7mQ9dqpVYOTWGhQ-wYgcitdt7LEAk2SEtk7MIOVYS2I0jaHyEitAwrFmSewmIEbjWeZx64UyLwCVJZpLx-cPc1BB6BAUb3tiVkLCfWJYNs/s2009/IMG_3410.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2009" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeC6Fzt87u9m_3xgSQji_5DwwYoenInQelTBJpOfmY1MLWPAHNwGWMfOE0QQ5M9YaUPX3KU3s6BN9RNk5Q7mQ9dqpVYOTWGhQ-wYgcitdt7LEAk2SEtk7MIOVYS2I0jaHyEitAwrFmSewmIEbjWeZx64UyLwCVJZpLx-cPc1BB6BAUb3tiVkLCfWJYNs/w200-h150/IMG_3410.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Weathering is a combination of washes and a light dusting with the airbrush designed to mirror the clean but dirty look of a used but well loved mainline steam locomotive. Real coal finished things off in the tender.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0puE50byawG2tsgECm0Wh8wfAyJXxO_HfPaMbPUJIK3cKoWa9J01zyPV7yZXgP5jXwdbJlmuaV7YZ_wFGTvn7j9RBizTgQFcCyDzkWtdz-uBGnPskpB5BBkJNEHDNd06SbJqzFraJw0eXmFVKSvHrmCkom-z4q3ZCJ3k3EZLSUmPz4u1BAGi2q1MNvFk/s2861/IMG_3401.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="2861" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0puE50byawG2tsgECm0Wh8wfAyJXxO_HfPaMbPUJIK3cKoWa9J01zyPV7yZXgP5jXwdbJlmuaV7YZ_wFGTvn7j9RBizTgQFcCyDzkWtdz-uBGnPskpB5BBkJNEHDNd06SbJqzFraJw0eXmFVKSvHrmCkom-z4q3ZCJ3k3EZLSUmPz4u1BAGi2q1MNvFk/w640-h330/IMG_3401.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The end result is, I hope a believable miniature. One that evokes memories for my customer of his time with the locomotive. Putting a bit of ‘something special’ into our model railways is what moves us on from the train set. It’s the artistry of our hobby. This Hornby model now features added love, that surely is the measure of ‘a work of art’? If you’d like me to breathe life and a new story into your own box fresh model then get in touch for a no-obligation fixed price proposal. You can reach me using the contact form on the website or via email using the Facebook link on the ‘commissions’ page here. Until next time, more soon…</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-46265845268878711322024-03-13T08:18:00.012+00:002024-03-14T08:18:46.219+00:00Pannier: What are you still doing here? <i><span style="font-size: large;">"I'm going to sell that Pannier set" I told myself, "once Pont Dulas is finished, I'm going to sell it". Well nearly 2 months on and it's still here, what is going on?</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pWI_KwcUYyutqkDVuSznSyiqKcs_8ltchs9e-tnAHBmkjfL6KvJcv784uheM-eY8lfcSZfRDYawlNVa5n_6mwhp0IlHBZ_AIEPwZu_lMsCdyxOO7RzpnQT0-sGXh2GqMzmlGQIHjK-71MU7tuZPauG1P2hivtrNW3dncvJCtxP826jkiYmhL39FMC58/s1968/IMG_3261.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1968" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pWI_KwcUYyutqkDVuSznSyiqKcs_8ltchs9e-tnAHBmkjfL6KvJcv784uheM-eY8lfcSZfRDYawlNVa5n_6mwhp0IlHBZ_AIEPwZu_lMsCdyxOO7RzpnQT0-sGXh2GqMzmlGQIHjK-71MU7tuZPauG1P2hivtrNW3dncvJCtxP826jkiYmhL39FMC58/w640-h480/IMG_3261.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps it is my love of Panniers, perhaps it is the simple pleasure of enjoying scenes like this, perhaps it is the thought that I'll miss it when it's gone... perhaps I just haven't had the time.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Perhaps too, this post is a chance to see if anyone would take on this humble locomotive, its wagons, brake, circle of track and controller and give them a new home where they can be enjoyed more frequently than they are here? I suppose I'd be looking for £250 including the two extra wagons (van above, and the milk tank wagon), all boxed in their weathered and repainted state. They all still sport standard N couplings and are great looking, great running custom 'one off' models.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>What still of Pont Dulas - for now, no decision has been made on its future. It is slightly 'out of the way' so thoughts of clearing the space for something new are not frequent and the joy I find welling up inside when I look at photographs like this, plus the regret I find myself experiencing when I consider the sale of Ynys Las mean it can live here a while long <i>- although - for the right price...</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time, more soon...</div><div><br /></div><br /><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-14114413223763043992024-03-12T08:01:00.007+00:002024-03-12T08:04:02.475+00:00An office for Kohlenbachbrücke…<i><span style="font-size: large;">Whilst I have enjoyed operating the layout with ‘Paddington’-esque cardboard cut outs in place it’s my ambition to translate these all to styrene before moving forwards with other scenic work…</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRRcRJjZrY_ASJzfJ7EobRi26Gsm2C_Lsk3VCoFvO72F-MkBZeoVZZXrrs-aVCoO9e6aeysYmglEV_ia_QtNuZT3KFuslW2kmlBYftevqgDmd4nWlXiYvnFjMIaYqv0v8ppQrQuZIrbNlyjPtPmSomnMJG6GpV65NZL5_vCBpSWQ_F2uZMw4gB03WMZk/s1491/IMG_3558.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1491" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRRcRJjZrY_ASJzfJ7EobRi26Gsm2C_Lsk3VCoFvO72F-MkBZeoVZZXrrs-aVCoO9e6aeysYmglEV_ia_QtNuZT3KFuslW2kmlBYftevqgDmd4nWlXiYvnFjMIaYqv0v8ppQrQuZIrbNlyjPtPmSomnMJG6GpV65NZL5_vCBpSWQ_F2uZMw4gB03WMZk/w640-h480/IMG_3558.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For some reason I had decided the office was ‘hard’ and the warehouse ‘easy’ so had started there, but whilst that languishes half complete the office was translated from card sketch to 95% complete in a just a few evenings last week, and with it, a key detail has been ‘coloured in’.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWF79wGtxqQMyAdGUiFda2xPmrVuCAI8k_GNiVLWXiYwr0umXsGF5dDs36ZpIzEBTBldgLDMAu4tpBsjKoaGhN5zpsrOlQCAFFoG7pzJqz2vwFNUI-yEsOwmKgh4O4ij4fk17INxiuoM4HIKG9AnEGAqn3JJu_0WB1ZBZ8KzFfUL3_i8Tn8wgDRrPw80/s4032/IMG_3112.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWF79wGtxqQMyAdGUiFda2xPmrVuCAI8k_GNiVLWXiYwr0umXsGF5dDs36ZpIzEBTBldgLDMAu4tpBsjKoaGhN5zpsrOlQCAFFoG7pzJqz2vwFNUI-yEsOwmKgh4O4ij4fk17INxiuoM4HIKG9AnEGAqn3JJu_0WB1ZBZ8KzFfUL3_i8Tn8wgDRrPw80/w200-h150/IMG_3112.jpeg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYS7dzPo52zjMZ7X5si99_gJK-Mr-SQuQuPxfDoYIIStU-z01q593V2R_LvxAGL1pqw3v8NBHLZfOec2T-awfyJwJnVTCxwhUdlpFf0kHU8_fyheG4IbL5mrvZmaVkCNtFnyK2ILAFnnOT83154jCDUXdKqZFqaF3cZzP-ii_VkiVcA7F6LytCTvdfl4/s3264/IMG_4167.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYS7dzPo52zjMZ7X5si99_gJK-Mr-SQuQuPxfDoYIIStU-z01q593V2R_LvxAGL1pqw3v8NBHLZfOec2T-awfyJwJnVTCxwhUdlpFf0kHU8_fyheG4IbL5mrvZmaVkCNtFnyK2ILAFnnOT83154jCDUXdKqZFqaF3cZzP-ii_VkiVcA7F6LytCTvdfl4/w200-h150/IMG_4167.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Inspired by one oblique photo and no dimensions, its cardboard predecessor was a caricature, a sketch, an illustration in 3D. It’s form felt right so a direct translation to styrene (above right) followed but at this stage left me cold and worried…</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrmHrbiJMkRSLpyuuBXn0jXa-o8RWYAyrEmG84ASLakImh3usD_9wXJhVZ1foXhxXyFWzWodZsCoHqwljbfeEQmhu5b0VQ9L7GZhaNAd74H1s0RxSjN6O-NAs1G7UaooA99jmrVM6C4HExabJP9QA-AIukMbKIIzLD_gqn7Aj_MeTM9cLZGvmGJkySxU/s4032/IMG_3541.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrmHrbiJMkRSLpyuuBXn0jXa-o8RWYAyrEmG84ASLakImh3usD_9wXJhVZ1foXhxXyFWzWodZsCoHqwljbfeEQmhu5b0VQ9L7GZhaNAd74H1s0RxSjN6O-NAs1G7UaooA99jmrVM6C4HExabJP9QA-AIukMbKIIzLD_gqn7Aj_MeTM9cLZGvmGJkySxU/w640-h480/IMG_3541.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>…but with some rudimentary detail, a masking tape roof and a coat of primer things improved. Further, a coat of Humbrol 64 on the walls and a good dosing of talcum powder it positively burst into life. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUjkqW-9RF3STftd1SCjiQiVXqCZmWQ_UK45QE6bI38wsJGGMSNtK3ZkDNi5H1cqlsMMTotiV16Q1cBwqY7zsr2WvQWYRUa8l1sCn5dvwLZATTp69bZWR0YMLJ8WCyg2cFK1G6GxR_tyG_j5zqB4FjZPdG_Qn6KvjSYSpNTYaDEbln__RAFhngQVi5GM/s2342/IMG_3542.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1754" data-original-width="2342" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUjkqW-9RF3STftd1SCjiQiVXqCZmWQ_UK45QE6bI38wsJGGMSNtK3ZkDNi5H1cqlsMMTotiV16Q1cBwqY7zsr2WvQWYRUa8l1sCn5dvwLZATTp69bZWR0YMLJ8WCyg2cFK1G6GxR_tyG_j5zqB4FjZPdG_Qn6KvjSYSpNTYaDEbln__RAFhngQVi5GM/w200-h150/IMG_3542.jpeg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAcpHWGX9tTje9BsodYAvFypwVMh-k2-R504cWPg7Kuzz2puk0ad6EWb2vCDnxdd9GrCARIVtpXB-pjd4g5jbJ3mRFx5Hb86Xyx9Ldit5CySi8P0gaTUBDjBZDJMTRnuZDXBHXHaKWCQH92Zm0u_4VC62CPONU6TympA-sPmZWQw9EeMKo-H4I6FM35A/s1498/IMG_3543.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1498" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAcpHWGX9tTje9BsodYAvFypwVMh-k2-R504cWPg7Kuzz2puk0ad6EWb2vCDnxdd9GrCARIVtpXB-pjd4g5jbJ3mRFx5Hb86Xyx9Ldit5CySi8P0gaTUBDjBZDJMTRnuZDXBHXHaKWCQH92Zm0u_4VC62CPONU6TympA-sPmZWQw9EeMKo-H4I6FM35A/w200-h150/IMG_3543.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Glazing was created with a bow pen, green paint and some clear material from a packaging box. This austere shade really works as a foyle for the red locomotive. A further tweak was adding some yellow to the strange box on the left of the building, these little touches of colour working well on a cameo, as evidenced by both Paxton Road and Lochdubh. Final detail included a gutter and down pipe, picked out in the same green - leaving just some faux interior to complete.<br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRRcRJjZrY_ASJzfJ7EobRi26Gsm2C_Lsk3VCoFvO72F-MkBZeoVZZXrrs-aVCoO9e6aeysYmglEV_ia_QtNuZT3KFuslW2kmlBYftevqgDmd4nWlXiYvnFjMIaYqv0v8ppQrQuZIrbNlyjPtPmSomnMJG6GpV65NZL5_vCBpSWQ_F2uZMw4gB03WMZk/s800/IMG_3558.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRRcRJjZrY_ASJzfJ7EobRi26Gsm2C_Lsk3VCoFvO72F-MkBZeoVZZXrrs-aVCoO9e6aeysYmglEV_ia_QtNuZT3KFuslW2kmlBYftevqgDmd4nWlXiYvnFjMIaYqv0v8ppQrQuZIrbNlyjPtPmSomnMJG6GpV65NZL5_vCBpSWQ_F2uZMw4gB03WMZk/w640-h480/IMG_3558.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Sat on the layout, in its ‘dropped’ position - a curious copy from the prototype - but this reminds me of my late teens when I spent a year working at a chemical factory. The place was different levels, various ages from 60s to present day, yellow railings, aging concrete, pipe bridges and bags of inspiration for this young impressionable mind. Perhaps it is this previously un-mentioned experience that also contributed to the ‘industrial’ interest within me? I’d not considered that before but do feel it being channelled here, nostalgia yes, but blended with the slight decline and decay of the Eastern Europe setting, this small cameo is a wonderful tonic to my usual modelling. Until next time, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-10232511021567340942024-03-11T08:00:00.000+00:002024-03-11T08:00:26.959+00:00Commission: European secondary...<i><span style="font-size: large;">There has been a real flurry of layout design commissions of late here in the workshop, the variety of which never ceases to amaze me…</span></i><div><br /></div><div>This time we’re looking at a scheme based in Europe, location agnostic, but inspired by a real location in Poland. Sometimes a story is told through a fixed place, a memory, other times it can be just a feeling.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvuVo7N_0YWV1mjHHGDrlYTBOXiUJK8HETHt-hl0KUTNLoCDyCmWk3MS1Wd5xlCTivUjITbB1I6sgIAr1ZDS5l09fY-tD0bIQb0sIZ9-q_AihvNrzeXdd1IWsrA-5IoIkMsLxRvDk7AR4JL4E5SHTaDS_ioxesWV-azq6NtIj_SAY86KiW4p1lF0zpsE/s2048/1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvuVo7N_0YWV1mjHHGDrlYTBOXiUJK8HETHt-hl0KUTNLoCDyCmWk3MS1Wd5xlCTivUjITbB1I6sgIAr1ZDS5l09fY-tD0bIQb0sIZ9-q_AihvNrzeXdd1IWsrA-5IoIkMsLxRvDk7AR4JL4E5SHTaDS_ioxesWV-azq6NtIj_SAY86KiW4p1lF0zpsE/w640-h480/1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In this instance it was a blend of memories exploring industrial railways with a parent combined with that familiar love of model railways. A desire to have something to ‘play trains’ with yet in a realistic setting. My typical cameo layout in H0 scale isn’t large, so keeping the full story off stage means we have a place where different trains with different locomotives hauling different loads can rub shoulders without incongruent details of factory or works.</div><div><br /></div><div>The prototype location saw railways on several layers with evolution and rationalisation through time. A gentle nod to this in a re-organisation of some elements to suit our scheme. Putting the junction with rationalised trackwork between railway bridges, themselves a contrast - one a modern electric expressway the other an aging freight only system. These have their front exits hidden by the wings, and as it is viewed closed to eye level their exits are lost behind other detail. </div><div><br /></div><div>The blend between industrial and rationalised traffic is front and centre, an industrial pipe runs through the scene, so typical of the area. Is it a heating pipe or something more industrial? A pair of aging huts break up the view along the front edge and trees line the embankment.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQaAxU_tdiOxg7nP7z1fJkq0xnfCohV0LRu1f9aJFdJgKRFPxy_hnaIvHOeHz5uq3W_67NUwk0g8n-sYyig4s5jIgfM3kCG5_4NybZZtscT4sZZ-tk01CH2xib8JgBGUx2WAAkVXOwfOjReg0qtjMy1LkYsafT3DpPav7lssiPlkmu5z9GWgYQ3WCUGE/s2048/2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQaAxU_tdiOxg7nP7z1fJkq0xnfCohV0LRu1f9aJFdJgKRFPxy_hnaIvHOeHz5uq3W_67NUwk0g8n-sYyig4s5jIgfM3kCG5_4NybZZtscT4sZZ-tk01CH2xib8JgBGUx2WAAkVXOwfOjReg0qtjMy1LkYsafT3DpPav7lssiPlkmu5z9GWgYQ3WCUGE/w640-h480/2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>My layout design process isn’t just restricted to cameo schemes, I can work with you to design a layout in any scale, gauge, prototype. Working together we explore your ideas, memories and inspiration as much as we explore your constraints and the more tangible traditional elements of layout design. If you’d like to work with me then get in touch (the contact form is in the menu or you can look on the commissions tab for other methods), the process starts from just £175. Until next time, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-25534121910988510692024-03-10T08:12:00.000+00:002024-03-10T08:12:00.285+00:00Irish vans…<span style="font-size: large;"><i>If you want to model Irish ‘standard gauge’ railways in 4mm/ft in the 70s you’re going to need some loose coupled freight traffic. Apart from some Dapol vehicles spuriously reliveried previously and the forthcoming Irish Railway Models ‘Bulleid opens’ there are no ready to run options…</i></span><div><br /></div><div>That means kits. I like kits. However, here again there are problems. Provincial models have marketed a range of resin kits from hand made masters in recent years but I understand the range is in its twilight years. JM design offer some nice 3D printed kits but the proprietor lives in New Zealand meaning not only VAT but large postage charges. What else could I try my hand with?</div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfRoJ33QDMNR7v_VtASIuXw92L_CaLX-oTHawiprGufZizMqRjs7nCdI4vUBxwFLF5jsdkRAWB7XjUlOEmcYBbbEv-TiYDdBXx8Yil-H4XHw7ip_5HUR6M4FUxd_nIwMAnkkIc_Pz1PLN8iBXro4ZwI5GvX_RHbADp5YPWS-9eWT_tkOlFcp_czNrx4U/s2048/Paper.Companion_Illustrations.2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfRoJ33QDMNR7v_VtASIuXw92L_CaLX-oTHawiprGufZizMqRjs7nCdI4vUBxwFLF5jsdkRAWB7XjUlOEmcYBbbEv-TiYDdBXx8Yil-H4XHw7ip_5HUR6M4FUxd_nIwMAnkkIc_Pz1PLN8iBXro4ZwI5GvX_RHbADp5YPWS-9eWT_tkOlFcp_czNrx4U/w640-h480/Paper.Companion_Illustrations.2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Models, photo and indicative notes by James Hilton</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The CIE ‘modernised’ its good van fleet in the 60s with a large batch of sliding door vans built by Standard Wagon - that looked a great deal like the BR Palvan. Parkside offer a plastic Palvan, one tick. The GNR (Ireland) had a batch of cement wagons that looked similar to the 12t BR van, Parkside also do that - and even better it comes with two sets of ends in the kit. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>The rest is relatively simple kit bashing. Palvan gets a new door and door runner. Both wagons get their label clips removed and buffers replaced and respaced. These buffers aren’t accurate but were in stock, more important for this butterfly mind. Railtec decals finished things off, and paired with my Irish Railway Models A class ‘feel’ right. Plans are slowly maturing here for where this journey will take me, in the meantime, I’ve got an etched brake van kit on the way, pre-ordered the Bulleids and have a Murphy 141 due imminently. The signal is dropped, just, clear for away. Until next time, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-20136417913712479342024-03-09T09:57:00.002+00:002024-03-09T09:57:33.737+00:00Visitors to Paxton Road…<i><span style="font-size: large;">I have fully embraced the ‘collect all the things’ side of my N gauge journey. This is a shameless nostalgic wander through childhood ‘photo albums’ of blue diesels and sectorisation with a healthy dose of train spotting thrown in for good measure…</span></i><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-NELHQDgWzcpcQRvgNFvlUu1azhXs_EhgjNRNA6oBNl2aN6R_vLkB75ajIGFI1yUGsTBCdZu4vhQdLc8Hkbb81vpgiWI3Aa5QpBfcn_Tmjr5LKrovZu_frxnIyWlyiOSK11ruy8KAdZBIWVH0JBZ3cSRRXLG9hWo20dGV8_U9Vm7nIJp_MiWGLrmmU8/s2275/IMG_3538.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2275" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-NELHQDgWzcpcQRvgNFvlUu1azhXs_EhgjNRNA6oBNl2aN6R_vLkB75ajIGFI1yUGsTBCdZu4vhQdLc8Hkbb81vpgiWI3Aa5QpBfcn_Tmjr5LKrovZu_frxnIyWlyiOSK11ruy8KAdZBIWVH0JBZ3cSRRXLG9hWo20dGV8_U9Vm7nIJp_MiWGLrmmU8/w640-h360/IMG_3538.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Since Christmas there have been two locomotives join the ranks here, thank goodness they have such small boxes! The first hasn’t really graced the blog previously, above, the second has had a series written about its conversion (below) but whilst neither is specifically ‘for’ Paxton Road, they both feel home.</div><div><br /></div><div>These models are wonderful creations by the design and tool makers, but adding my own flourishes bring them to life in my eyes. The repainted 37 and weathered 31 take in tones echoed in the scenery they inhabit… but it’s more than that.</div><div><br /></div><div>This isn’t about them looking right, it’s about them feeling right.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfOv_Dr4LFDKbF2J9nZ9SqU-KigfwKpekThw_XUDTmEjrY52qvOj4QE1jOrVrCetKBZE1f2N7E4kbwD-x0qf-Ns80sFHZxAPPKiEiNagyZFFRxecgcoKylIB65lclgjZsYHx2jzzmkA00SKQfOS1iG36R1WeEMphod4FzhRpOvs1HSfFa7W_oY6514yQ/s1135/IMG_4163.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1135" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfOv_Dr4LFDKbF2J9nZ9SqU-KigfwKpekThw_XUDTmEjrY52qvOj4QE1jOrVrCetKBZE1f2N7E4kbwD-x0qf-Ns80sFHZxAPPKiEiNagyZFFRxecgcoKylIB65lclgjZsYHx2jzzmkA00SKQfOS1iG36R1WeEMphod4FzhRpOvs1HSfFa7W_oY6514yQ/w640-h360/IMG_4163.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>They feel right, sat in this ‘goods yard’ environment because I’ve experienced seeing real locomotives sat in real sidings, the excitement to find something exotic and the yearning to see it move but soaking up every inch of its static being all the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love model railways. Until next time more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div><div><br /></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-34240682996065996602024-03-08T07:30:00.092+00:002024-03-08T07:30:00.135+00:00Friday Update: Eight Three Twenty-four…<i><span style="font-size: large;">What a week - incredibly varied, very busy, and on the whole a positive and rewarding one. We'll dance through some of my own and some of your commissions, but we'll open with this wonderful Fourdees 'Windle' posed here on Beaverbrook...</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtT5ICrDELoNKiX3TvoIUhNOXABUqm27IHCWGkIPd55MWPTgmcIz-zNReVI79qAQukZ0LIgRi-qrmyWw2xKDK3gYEBUcM5vrQIjJnQiFuNyhE5tBIHvJA_ZX2rAGARTquImCeb3JVM8xgPGN1Qaq8O5JdfRiVnxEKqNf9wPs_YYeAv30U1VJTbGS9t3w/s1027/IMG_3504.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1027" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtT5ICrDELoNKiX3TvoIUhNOXABUqm27IHCWGkIPd55MWPTgmcIz-zNReVI79qAQukZ0LIgRi-qrmyWw2xKDK3gYEBUcM5vrQIjJnQiFuNyhE5tBIHvJA_ZX2rAGARTquImCeb3JVM8xgPGN1Qaq8O5JdfRiVnxEKqNf9wPs_YYeAv30U1VJTbGS9t3w/w640-h480/IMG_3504.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This diminutive model has been delightful to assemble and paint. I've been careful to apply only the thinnest of coats and added a few little details. It is now sealed ready for weathering - as well as some etched plates, but this is where it's tricky... do I go for Hunslet plates and a name OR do I go for Hunslet plates and an etched number plate like on the Sierra Leone Hunslets? Time will tell!</div><div><br /></div><div>At the other end of the gauge spectrum (well prototype at least) are these OO gauge Irish models that seem to be multiplying here at the moment!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqFn1golbanmSlZFBCSJUvWcdWwH3BdYnjYmUzbV4O3BmmqzosPSgNVfl4K-v5KsheiU5AtjJWXYgWUevQRswjlxc4UNyMhEDsn46Dzk6JxyjT9vZ5y9tAlQQ9ohciPrFQef0WNJZ7WuAF5FXkboS5xLitDENvDAHv0lMWFeOeQnYkU1ztzRkEdNlXBQ/s3264/IMG_4170.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqFn1golbanmSlZFBCSJUvWcdWwH3BdYnjYmUzbV4O3BmmqzosPSgNVfl4K-v5KsheiU5AtjJWXYgWUevQRswjlxc4UNyMhEDsn46Dzk6JxyjT9vZ5y9tAlQQ9ohciPrFQef0WNJZ7WuAF5FXkboS5xLitDENvDAHv0lMWFeOeQnYkU1ztzRkEdNlXBQ/w200-h150/IMG_4170.jpeg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdWpuAA7yRh7uouGBJIA7BHeAt1C0WKzt9b_oyZIAQk4rMmSiSOAMpLbMDl57CXgRJqtxCsenaoOPLbn06AUmtKGu3B0ACq0s0_eH5d_Ooi_tJoqtDm8mlir9TG_q3DzcN6FS6Er-79Ro-47YFix8yjm4BgUH1aS9hempp2G4gAlJ2dQvcT5yY-B6r2w/s4032/IMG_3522.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdWpuAA7yRh7uouGBJIA7BHeAt1C0WKzt9b_oyZIAQk4rMmSiSOAMpLbMDl57CXgRJqtxCsenaoOPLbn06AUmtKGu3B0ACq0s0_eH5d_Ooi_tJoqtDm8mlir9TG_q3DzcN6FS6Er-79Ro-47YFix8yjm4BgUH1aS9hempp2G4gAlJ2dQvcT5yY-B6r2w/w200-h150/IMG_3522.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2J6oKrJJkq1Otx3RaQYB-HngIgX6RdhidtnMiNsBL6dTw99epptTKPKkB13Q7FV3cT9Ki8y3zJ_2nvDFV8Zc9FortgbIJRkmWgJnbP0a1EXAhnn4bFK4n7VUPA_6aaZ6-Tamx_3fnrBNh_j4J2eknbp2Bn3RxZdUEAv5OMgfQp4oi_ahyphenhyphenam3sh-5QkI/s4032/IMG_3523.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2J6oKrJJkq1Otx3RaQYB-HngIgX6RdhidtnMiNsBL6dTw99epptTKPKkB13Q7FV3cT9Ki8y3zJ_2nvDFV8Zc9FortgbIJRkmWgJnbP0a1EXAhnn4bFK4n7VUPA_6aaZ6-Tamx_3fnrBNh_j4J2eknbp2Bn3RxZdUEAv5OMgfQp4oi_ahyphenhyphenam3sh-5QkI/w640-h480/IMG_3523.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Irish Railway Models 'A' is a lovely thing, but I was struggling to find any suitable goods vehicles for a short 1970s pick up goods. A Parkside BR 12t plywood van and Palvan have been bashed to represent 'typical' examples, and give us a start at least. Another book has arrived and the 'North Kerry' as inspiration settled upon - and whilst the desire for a larger layout is strong, its more likely a 'Kinross' style cameo could be constructed when I can call Kohlenbachbrucke complete. Yes, both that and this are steps away from N gauge - and British modelling - but over the years I've just come to accept the waxing and waning of my interests and for my mental health and modelling mojo, the best thing is to just 'go' with it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiQxmNoqsIqGg21tlZZiILxgoVMyZXli9QGVFm4jU9CDDAJQn-ItGbbHfQtOc73DZIvJ-SHMvcKhmaY_emAAlTLW7rKLDkxz3GByLFJ4E3N_g6cUq69pHxi8XEIGtAz9py5ZRNP8EYd4BK767_OdcUpMjq1Qiop7co7u_MeKYaXYQNZVJuiGUTQOp3aM/s3601/IMG_3527.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2698" data-original-width="3601" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiQxmNoqsIqGg21tlZZiILxgoVMyZXli9QGVFm4jU9CDDAJQn-ItGbbHfQtOc73DZIvJ-SHMvcKhmaY_emAAlTLW7rKLDkxz3GByLFJ4E3N_g6cUq69pHxi8XEIGtAz9py5ZRNP8EYd4BK767_OdcUpMjq1Qiop7co7u_MeKYaXYQNZVJuiGUTQOp3aM/w640-h480/IMG_3527.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Back to commissions - Leatown is progressing really very nicely indeed. Just a few 'finishing' touches to add in the coming week but progress has seen the road, railings, street and platform lights (non working) and litter added. Model making is art, and my subtle restraint and choice of colours should mean that this layout comes to life with the actors, not in itself. I can't wait to get some 'finished' shots next week, it's just a shame I don't have any BR blue things with DCC decoders fitted for the video!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMRSCqUjxfRFtON1c1W0TNcPAhyod861YgtBPDXR6Wem6x_JDD2KVmrlNlYDMYPtGShCRYw6G_jNaHGqXjphMTaswWeOzC5ceY_nKASEKDA3r8a7j-gUomJ3lolnA2qt7f8edk6gVz0JGR_U68O42xGXz2NH7xfKskCxpQf_8GSE7VbmTbC9Pmi7IJTM/s1521/Hudson%20Gogo%20Frames.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1521" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMRSCqUjxfRFtON1c1W0TNcPAhyod861YgtBPDXR6Wem6x_JDD2KVmrlNlYDMYPtGShCRYw6G_jNaHGqXjphMTaswWeOzC5ceY_nKASEKDA3r8a7j-gUomJ3lolnA2qt7f8edk6gVz0JGR_U68O42xGXz2NH7xfKskCxpQf_8GSE7VbmTbC9Pmi7IJTM/w640-h526/Hudson%20Gogo%20Frames.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Virtual work has seen some parts for the Hudson Go-go tractor drawn up in CAD. These will be printed and fitted to the laser cut chassis that is already designed and constructed - this sort of 'modern' multi-media assembly is part of my scratch building process - making use of technology combined with traditional skills to create unique and characterful projects. There is still a long way to go on this one, but if this has perked your interest for your own model do get in touch in the usual way - the contact form here, Facebook or the forums.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkRfm3q7aGvbz3JBabtAdnn99NQfbchlzaQT7uHECmFfuQkOLU6OwjpSfGfeu3NwZ7gwKHiKpv8BfP7evQv-79_3KdWdFBUjb9zeS8AwwUqPoQApXkfx7LC_dYb6dPmOXvqFPq2_bgJaVcbLU3JPtTapqlXf4iUQe1xbDdfBicdcahhKmD54bBSnoq2k/s4032/IMG_3524.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkRfm3q7aGvbz3JBabtAdnn99NQfbchlzaQT7uHECmFfuQkOLU6OwjpSfGfeu3NwZ7gwKHiKpv8BfP7evQv-79_3KdWdFBUjb9zeS8AwwUqPoQApXkfx7LC_dYb6dPmOXvqFPq2_bgJaVcbLU3JPtTapqlXf4iUQe1xbDdfBicdcahhKmD54bBSnoq2k/w640-h480/IMG_3524.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Something a little more unusual for me is this station building commission. I've been asked to build both this and the goods shed from Staverton, a wonderfully bucolic structure that is still standing and serving today now on the South Devon Railway. Constructed in styrene with Slaters embossed material as an overlay, the edges have been nicked to represent the edge of each course. Touches I like are the flashing on the chimney and the subtle yet textured 'slates'. I cheat here for two reasons - these are just horizontal layers, no vertical cuts. This means you don't get unsightly lifting, creasing damage but you do get the shadow gap between each row - an important texture to get right with slate roofing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd_vR0FFqyUkvhnH88dsTIUo6QmZqNT0g2nMYwf3zVp_9pWCNuzTla32eyh95_cRnFO7RsxEIsNsz9-iip0HQZfFxk7NBiI3TX0UUYfh08JngXUuC_m5TfYtnhLdOmBWIu5N-LFGWY-GWBxEj-n6PzT6QQN3_zb9GpRL8cgRB5KOaQd26_9YYSnye2NI/s4032/IMG_3528.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd_vR0FFqyUkvhnH88dsTIUo6QmZqNT0g2nMYwf3zVp_9pWCNuzTla32eyh95_cRnFO7RsxEIsNsz9-iip0HQZfFxk7NBiI3TX0UUYfh08JngXUuC_m5TfYtnhLdOmBWIu5N-LFGWY-GWBxEj-n6PzT6QQN3_zb9GpRL8cgRB5KOaQd26_9YYSnye2NI/w640-h480/IMG_3528.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Too big for the bench, this quartet of Dapol O gauge wagons are in for a COV AB make over - I've removed the Dapol 'TOPS' panels and have designed some custom markings to replace these - but intend to weather them first as the decals are quite delicate and I don't want to spoil them with washes and abrasion in the process. Eventually I think I'll be doing another 8 of these - so quite an investment for my customer but they'll make a great sight behind his Heljan 47 (Venator - which has appeared on the blog previously). </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9uF2FzNIP61tOpKXxHBvJMSV3qPkLZOP2HWUZTETapu61i0pR3oNYyGgzgMEiU6hemkDiNkKCibkUjO59DBEyzDQiYLupKmLeXxoXs-CS6ujuNIbdvFF3WN6RtYTIljQE3kYyQfv9Dy9mp0DFggfO3ImQ_Ggnc3ufj-V0xPrpBu-f-Emr9lTiIBvsVA/s1201/IMG_3453.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1201" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9uF2FzNIP61tOpKXxHBvJMSV3qPkLZOP2HWUZTETapu61i0pR3oNYyGgzgMEiU6hemkDiNkKCibkUjO59DBEyzDQiYLupKmLeXxoXs-CS6ujuNIbdvFF3WN6RtYTIljQE3kYyQfv9Dy9mp0DFggfO3ImQ_Ggnc3ufj-V0xPrpBu-f-Emr9lTiIBvsVA/w640-h480/IMG_3453.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A personal project that has been ticking along is the 'flask' train in N - although the 31 isn't weathered yet, seen here 'running around' on Paxton Road it still has all the character of the prototype and brings the 1990s to life in my small cameo and in my heart. I love these small creations and sector liveries in particular. They recapture the excitement of the prototype 'new' in my youth...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wlz4mEyZ2AmQpJk-kAd8CC7BmOlr25gjFuUvn2dmLVTBB2ZfgbXk52MN_SRy8nK_mdY-CzrVq9VCIAO1uYniGLfbcBFlZdvrHTwsqvlHDCzKuuiyVyt2vXu1h0T11cFYRTlQUrXJVRrw6xSlr1Gf9UK51L5P9F5HHVnILAHtGShv7dwTPecX-8-aF9k/s3638/IMG_3455.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="3638" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wlz4mEyZ2AmQpJk-kAd8CC7BmOlr25gjFuUvn2dmLVTBB2ZfgbXk52MN_SRy8nK_mdY-CzrVq9VCIAO1uYniGLfbcBFlZdvrHTwsqvlHDCzKuuiyVyt2vXu1h0T11cFYRTlQUrXJVRrw6xSlr1Gf9UK51L5P9F5HHVnILAHtGShv7dwTPecX-8-aF9k/w640-h234/IMG_3455.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Closing out this week's update, a gentle reminder too that both Traeth Hafren and my Graham Farish 150/1 Sprinter are for sale - the former £200 (plus delivery) and the latter £180 (including delivery). If either is of interest you know how to get in touch.<div><br /></div><div>This weekend is another well deserved rest - with a bit of luck - and I can do some little jobs on the new project along with playing trains on Beaverbrook again - which has been re-invigorated by a layout design commission this week based on a Canadian / North American shortline! As I said earlier, I just love model railways, I love them and all of them - enjoying whatever my current interest is and not worrying about 'finishing' that one great project. However, I'm rambling - so for now, I need to get back to the bench! Until next time, more soon...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div><br /></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-54933623811821360462024-03-07T07:47:00.007+00:002024-03-07T16:05:36.856+00:00For Sale: Traeth Hafren in N<i><span style="font-size: large;">This shelf based cameo layout is a self contained winter scene depicting an estuary side halt. <b>You can now own this for just £200…</b></span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFO3Poz7exVPuba1GXuHhUiYVr5zXqefCbLcLDGAsehIRT0sHvq8TfXxIgF5qYOGt-Bu-9ss1QODCRMdJpFGEFxBulGtxBE4fgxlVAsIhzM8jBrvyK0LOznO96dZyaNn_F2OSFiVZTdIsI2DPhQfx7h3WYSlLCiSrx0Zl3R7LEjQmoq69MHlJIuaNaF8/s1657/IMG_3110.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1657" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFO3Poz7exVPuba1GXuHhUiYVr5zXqefCbLcLDGAsehIRT0sHvq8TfXxIgF5qYOGt-Bu-9ss1QODCRMdJpFGEFxBulGtxBE4fgxlVAsIhzM8jBrvyK0LOznO96dZyaNn_F2OSFiVZTdIsI2DPhQfx7h3WYSlLCiSrx0Zl3R7LEjQmoq69MHlJIuaNaF8/w640-h480/IMG_3110.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Designed for utilising a single car DMU or tank with auto coach, the layout includes a fiddle stick and built in lighting. It is wired so that a single 12v DC supply (not supplied, but advice can be given) will power both the lighting (built in) and a hand held controller (not supplied, recommend a Gaugemaster W). </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrWHIg1p5_lpCZoML-6ta3bcQeHFh7mfvRgRbfxlIrTqzL0Y1rr_QXS3msIMISQ6Xf_Vd1GXgHQCK80j9spWDnUTBeftM9IKztx5KXuXzYnNUfdOtPCtgwlyEcekGAcU87MU7uqDNfcKAGwRAest9dpacZfnM7MVbmivW-FrVmf38AHfP4z4K5ro6G1w/s4032/IMG_3152.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrWHIg1p5_lpCZoML-6ta3bcQeHFh7mfvRgRbfxlIrTqzL0Y1rr_QXS3msIMISQ6Xf_Vd1GXgHQCK80j9spWDnUTBeftM9IKztx5KXuXzYnNUfdOtPCtgwlyEcekGAcU87MU7uqDNfcKAGwRAest9dpacZfnM7MVbmivW-FrVmf38AHfP4z4K5ro6G1w/w640-h480/IMG_3152.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DMU, controller and power supply not included.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Just 55cm x 10cm it sits on an IKEA Mosslanda shelf (not supplied) but can be removed for ‘play’. The fiddle stick can be used when on the shelf, or out on a table. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHQkXDn3hjaBxtnyts6d3BsprcywI4LvgKVnSBFSZZcxcRGi-UvxjjMpuTbXQOMfjbM-0ieQprS8YbnQDcnoRy7UVPNUSM9SjtOKQ4-U6REcYdhLIdkxEUld68kvXfZRt_9cAm3js5IAWq4JxrdXCpFT0KFquEe8TU_hj15dooQU47y7bNG38xfIw8IU/s3700/IMG_3168.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="3700" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHQkXDn3hjaBxtnyts6d3BsprcywI4LvgKVnSBFSZZcxcRGi-UvxjjMpuTbXQOMfjbM-0ieQprS8YbnQDcnoRy7UVPNUSM9SjtOKQ4-U6REcYdhLIdkxEUld68kvXfZRt_9cAm3js5IAWq4JxrdXCpFT0KFquEe8TU_hj15dooQU47y7bNG38xfIw8IU/w640-h148/IMG_3168.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Built over several months here in the workshop it was an opportunity to experiement with wintry colours and a cooler lighting temperature. Twisted wire armature trees were made from electrical flex copper strands for their finesse and the platform was scratchbuilt in styrene. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkNHbL7_MABdoIm6PzQq6KBpBNq2y5i3UZt7S_D3646gvLe-tIztgy52_egmTSBC_IhM6fzBwmohxGbM0y_n6RRsWnw2gU-RVZHXRTyeWlHMGzT2JhvPpRLDfZyMQPEF3Qycsjkyg9KwJiqN35gkRalPzGemVsFAVCUjJZl_YjAs3J5APuY7-6fiyR8A/s541/IMG_3171.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="541" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkNHbL7_MABdoIm6PzQq6KBpBNq2y5i3UZt7S_D3646gvLe-tIztgy52_egmTSBC_IhM6fzBwmohxGbM0y_n6RRsWnw2gU-RVZHXRTyeWlHMGzT2JhvPpRLDfZyMQPEF3Qycsjkyg9KwJiqN35gkRalPzGemVsFAVCUjJZl_YjAs3J5APuY7-6fiyR8A/w640-h640/IMG_3171.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Despite its size it feels spacious. It’s compact contained form, almost architectural, small enough to blend in to your home but switch on the lighting and get lost in the tardis.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgsinDPQPz1Pjs_aiji9uhm2MtgvNepkkjjU41-0JGorv9P4ZbmQBoKzktlN9QMWhNVW67Mt4hN89g-yljA3VhoBnt4d-0zLDiIPACo1yAqH0WNBq3qKYxtHYzHMbPwLL-17F-m_tJEhfWpGUrJxr67iBQ8H98Q2iQXWusRHk1lLtIoDjIi5D5x-2oUA/s2964/IMG_3165.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2964" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgsinDPQPz1Pjs_aiji9uhm2MtgvNepkkjjU41-0JGorv9P4ZbmQBoKzktlN9QMWhNVW67Mt4hN89g-yljA3VhoBnt4d-0zLDiIPACo1yAqH0WNBq3qKYxtHYzHMbPwLL-17F-m_tJEhfWpGUrJxr67iBQ8H98Q2iQXWusRHk1lLtIoDjIi5D5x-2oUA/w640-h360/IMG_3165.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>Available now for £200 excluding delivery. </b>You can arrange to collect from me in person at my workshop in North Wales or I can post at cost. Get in touch using the contact form on the website, Facebook, forums or email. Until next time, more soon…<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div><div><br /></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-79805072302828511822024-03-06T07:41:00.002+00:002024-03-07T16:05:26.140+00:00Hilton and Mears: The branchline…<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Were not these branch-line memories themselves a sign of our own changing humanity?</span></i><br /><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOPnlxQiJaX-AsJoKOlu1h4eZV_nN6lBEmsKd9ci3rIDIOIrOZRF9RT4SFZfk9TQAI5nni3qJbUcbN1bDINQNHUCLk-7y1VC6E-4Wf0Ly5hp0HeEbnzW6OYf2hySTx_6jYtcKK6H3eNoOQwfjImBMvTWge1YbXknBaiPRjDag0ieQEUWQ5dkXd-f0BMo/s3491/IMG_3268.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2618" data-original-width="3491" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOPnlxQiJaX-AsJoKOlu1h4eZV_nN6lBEmsKd9ci3rIDIOIrOZRF9RT4SFZfk9TQAI5nni3qJbUcbN1bDINQNHUCLk-7y1VC6E-4Wf0Ly5hp0HeEbnzW6OYf2hySTx_6jYtcKK6H3eNoOQwfjImBMvTWge1YbXknBaiPRjDag0ieQEUWQ5dkXd-f0BMo/w640-h480/IMG_3268.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prose by Chris Mears / Photo by James Hilton</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Held in our stories with the fondness of memory like a Great Aunt we look forward to visiting from a village we haven't lived in for a long time.</span></div><div><br style="font-family: courier;" /><span style="font-family: courier;">Their lives lived every day. Not just on special ‘tween times that reunite us for one celebration that becomes another.</span></div><div><br style="font-family: courier;" /><span style="font-family: courier;">Their lives lived every day and sometimes as unintentionally singular prose. Private by circumstance.</span></div><div><br style="font-family: courier;" /><span style="font-family: courier;">Branch-line railways reaching out from the main trunk to offer a home to birds and bees and us and we and cups of tea and biscuits please. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We can't always be the place we're going and sometimes where we come from.</span></div><div><br style="font-family: courier;" /><span style="font-family: courier;">The train waiting on platform three takes us back to where our path began. It's rails our humble path in the story of our name.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-77279637072980299872024-03-05T07:56:00.000+00:002024-03-05T07:56:15.099+00:00Commission: Ffestiniog 90s diesel pair...<i><span style="font-size: large;">The latest pair of 009 models for Ben's '<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ponylodge009/" target="_blank">Pony Lodge</a>' 009 layout rolled off the workbench metaphorically a few weeks ago and he has been sharing their arrival on his Instagram for a week or so...</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7INlm3HPZexQWjkcZQIDCFE_6N-i-4g3RVwEY4Mcp7ipeidg_eswuj2ZsHqafJ7XiWkzymgy56ImvqfoUSssm3DODpVja21FZoHwLuDHqZWai99jCilrThJ09K3FIcGGgM0PkwWK368WtKBnFCnvsvI5gdtdqFvWT1l4sU9FUkb_pjpHvV5TPnmiA64U/s1673/IMG_3381.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1673" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7INlm3HPZexQWjkcZQIDCFE_6N-i-4g3RVwEY4Mcp7ipeidg_eswuj2ZsHqafJ7XiWkzymgy56ImvqfoUSssm3DODpVja21FZoHwLuDHqZWai99jCilrThJ09K3FIcGGgM0PkwWK368WtKBnFCnvsvI5gdtdqFvWT1l4sU9FUkb_pjpHvV5TPnmiA64U/w640-h480/IMG_3381.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be honest, I'm not sure of the provenance of the kits - he sourced them on eBay I believe. Whilst resin printed and generally quite nice there are a few foibles that needed some gentle re-work. The laser cut glazing was generally a poor fit on both locomotives and the roof in particular on Conwy was terrible. Most of these small annoyances have been overcome and the results are full of 1990s character. I know Ben was keen to represent the era, and I'm glad to have done the modelling work - story telling now fully in his corner.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C3w0kgFLtIkVz9Kxrr7PpynmjmBJ5eMKuE1Vo2MutjCRd9Vas6jzsd1ZctiJJO6sHksdMtTivCH3swFDgQ12HedCpRNue5JlwRZr-vVxHf2yaRqm7yLILNm_O32-7NzYt_yGk81vNOKnRT9rL16TsUP4QJHGW08n27l6er3JW1GY40ak8ulpqVAHp-4/s1577/IMG_3382.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1577" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C3w0kgFLtIkVz9Kxrr7PpynmjmBJ5eMKuE1Vo2MutjCRd9Vas6jzsd1ZctiJJO6sHksdMtTivCH3swFDgQ12HedCpRNue5JlwRZr-vVxHf2yaRqm7yLILNm_O32-7NzYt_yGk81vNOKnRT9rL16TsUP4QJHGW08n27l6er3JW1GY40ak8ulpqVAHp-4/w640-h480/IMG_3382.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzuZqakfUljw4iGR0ynzS5Of6ntL3RnTSFK2nXfffrw-c-CWe0boJle4GpmlUmac5cY5AuQDPteVyNZinLFwWyr-b3is9TDHSYfyvtTcqI7-Q54XftpmSJf0EhLfyoaVXNelEPiPVagJUWO-hwnysAmcQShl4HFgcgVx4dRSJ7MBF0c1Bs_EpZH1D6aE/s1699/IMG_3384.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1699" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzuZqakfUljw4iGR0ynzS5Of6ntL3RnTSFK2nXfffrw-c-CWe0boJle4GpmlUmac5cY5AuQDPteVyNZinLFwWyr-b3is9TDHSYfyvtTcqI7-Q54XftpmSJf0EhLfyoaVXNelEPiPVagJUWO-hwnysAmcQShl4HFgcgVx4dRSJ7MBF0c1Bs_EpZH1D6aE/w200-h150/IMG_3384.jpeg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaCKH2PxHEjFvj2hlFl3qi84Ye6_KzjLbTxQmX1qgLCEvJLhlBzyA87kiqcKh4CVBRRug0afbXyldiT1mPZoezxAfoE_0jn5F_ENujUf7EHN0PQPoaRwmbrPJWZkjTTMdfMSQY5bjsqUGGEP6o8Hm6K-WG1ccqNWnhLGJGhB_GBaWS2QhQoSFLaKrRLE/s1611/IMG_3385.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1611" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaCKH2PxHEjFvj2hlFl3qi84Ye6_KzjLbTxQmX1qgLCEvJLhlBzyA87kiqcKh4CVBRRug0afbXyldiT1mPZoezxAfoE_0jn5F_ENujUf7EHN0PQPoaRwmbrPJWZkjTTMdfMSQY5bjsqUGGEP6o8Hm6K-WG1ccqNWnhLGJGhB_GBaWS2QhQoSFLaKrRLE/w200-h150/IMG_3385.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The addition of etched plates from Custom Nameplate Studio and then handrails and jewel lenses on Conwy have lifted the otherwise quite basic finish. The result, whilst not matching the quality of Mountaineer in recent times is still an important part of the picture and I'm glad to have helped in this instance.<div><br /></div><div>If you have a model you'd like me to help you in bringing to life, any scale, any gauge, any prototype then do let me know and I can work with you to create a fixed price proposal. In the meantime though, more soon...<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-5895584640450197592024-03-04T07:50:00.000+00:002024-03-04T07:50:04.795+00:00Commission: Rushcliffe Halt in OO...<i><span style="font-size: large;">I really enjoy working with customers to develop meaningful layout design with them. The journey from uncertainty to story telling being rewarding for both parties…</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6gTsBMIEiE_xChYt5VS8vCGtERPRFzzWZ1IGFv03CxQUgDOr2mSPIsQlTO0ng3mL1zzZFJm9FDfSa3OHTghMFAOWXg01c3aAUqg52TaPnIGclXaIQItPZdzxBjmvjiTCJ7QqURErM3trtclDJeoxvH-tkNe9McRGBswbb0R19jYy_I2_T5sB_k8gbjw/s2048/Paul%20Haslam%20sketchbook%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6gTsBMIEiE_xChYt5VS8vCGtERPRFzzWZ1IGFv03CxQUgDOr2mSPIsQlTO0ng3mL1zzZFJm9FDfSa3OHTghMFAOWXg01c3aAUqg52TaPnIGclXaIQItPZdzxBjmvjiTCJ7QqURErM3trtclDJeoxvH-tkNe9McRGBswbb0R19jYy_I2_T5sB_k8gbjw/w640-h480/Paul%20Haslam%20sketchbook%202.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The design process, although structured around some fairly logical questions really focuses upon both customer and myself teasing out the story that fuels their passion for model railways. In this instance, Rushcliffe Halt, inspired by memories of early vague memories of train spotting with a grand parent combined with later tangible memories of a specific location the blend of plausible reality could be overlaid on a specific space constraint and desired time period.</div><div><br /></div><div>These design sketches show a scheme based upon part of the old Great Central. A double track has been rationalised to single and signalling massively rationalised. A loop retained at our location for running around trains serving the off stage industry (which could be gypsum, equally and MOD dump). Shadows of the former glory are illustrated by naked signal posts and the foundations of a signal box. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvPS4Fm0woE9Shyphenhyphen2_Mw-_-DfsidbdxXB278awMLBs78rss74pwA3uzCl2unKdFI_qtGsJq31nNAL5_XMSJR9oepepv7jHgPxhRQfLkqkEhyphenhyphenluxVSdlw0tbvHStTMwDhmsDhI8xsd78_81q9TJneB6JGFowajCCt3iUdYpvo3DlVWCnMaAodxRxZ-hox0/s2048/Paul%20Haslam%20sketchbook%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvPS4Fm0woE9Shyphenhyphen2_Mw-_-DfsidbdxXB278awMLBs78rss74pwA3uzCl2unKdFI_qtGsJq31nNAL5_XMSJR9oepepv7jHgPxhRQfLkqkEhyphenhyphenluxVSdlw0tbvHStTMwDhmsDhI8xsd78_81q9TJneB6JGFowajCCt3iUdYpvo3DlVWCnMaAodxRxZ-hox0/w640-h480/Paul%20Haslam%20sketchbook%201.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Design work goes beyond making things look pretty and a meaningful connection - I also consider how operation balances my customers needs despite any space limitations. A layout needs to not only look good, have a personal connection but be entertaining too - in this case sectors help keep things moving in a shorter length and alllow a freight and passenger working to be included.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to work with me to bring your own layout to life the design process starts at £175. You can contact me on the form here on the website or via email on Facebook (no account required, link in the Modelmaking Commissions page) or the forums. In the meantime, until next time, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div><br /><div><br /></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-19603222856096775032024-03-03T09:27:00.000+00:002024-03-03T09:27:55.955+00:00Ballast and a Rat at Traeth Hafren…<i><span style="font-size: large;">Intrigued as to how the cooler colour temperature on Traeth Hafren might paint different models in a different light (excuse the pun), I have tried out a few old favourites on the ‘hifimicro’…</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuRpafVieT3HpuAovT61lZKON15EfFKhKUnzIWO5QvAVOyuV9TbVxGL3aaOlYzpIBXYEVqI_1oQrqLrN52s7b-8v1_o8ABBjJROylc3Br6dGzPCkLRJaO_A_trmnA4skiGsrzqncIi3HlUfw60p29jZncmJ1WlbfTymdh_bl61JShwTMtiCpiRyhTsrw/s1607/IMG_3181.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1607" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuRpafVieT3HpuAovT61lZKON15EfFKhKUnzIWO5QvAVOyuV9TbVxGL3aaOlYzpIBXYEVqI_1oQrqLrN52s7b-8v1_o8ABBjJROylc3Br6dGzPCkLRJaO_A_trmnA4skiGsrzqncIi3HlUfw60p29jZncmJ1WlbfTymdh_bl61JShwTMtiCpiRyhTsrw/w640-h290/IMG_3181.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Farish 25 is far from perfect but goes a long way to capture the character of these at one time ubiquitous machines and so a cheaply acquired second hand example was added to my collection some time ago and ‘paired’ at least mentally, with a pair of Dapol Dogfish wagons (which despite rebuilding still exhibit some of the banana effect I almost returned them for!).<div><br /></div><div>The cooler light casts a bluer tint across both locomotives and stock, yet their weathering and consistent appearance is not diminished - the effect still attractive. These experiments give me confidence that my methods, the craft, that underpins the creation of the small worlds contained in these boxes can cope with colour adjustment. Whilst this might sound intuitive I wasn’t certain how a cooler light would make the models themselves feel, so it is a small comfort and encouragement to continue experimenting.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex4N6FgUUyM-QmqcZtT_MU7rYzbHta2BYVn_5PxNYcQYpvT3TPpN2jSJgYpgyzOpbhz92atOutalJczkG9YFIJjI_hBUSWPpZd91-unws0SOsbG6TciI9bACFeNwL5g8nzTMbWXCoXSwi5gpCARyo3CnOeF-4RaeqEQZxOaEA8LrxrGduoD0LmQnKnYs/s3853/IMG_3179.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1587" data-original-width="3853" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex4N6FgUUyM-QmqcZtT_MU7rYzbHta2BYVn_5PxNYcQYpvT3TPpN2jSJgYpgyzOpbhz92atOutalJczkG9YFIJjI_hBUSWPpZd91-unws0SOsbG6TciI9bACFeNwL5g8nzTMbWXCoXSwi5gpCARyo3CnOeF-4RaeqEQZxOaEA8LrxrGduoD0LmQnKnYs/w640-h264/IMG_3179.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here, the low angle photos that are so easily possible on a small shelf layout show the potential that N scale has wirh portraying ‘standard gauge’ in a smaller space. The layout itself will shortly be for sale, so if you’re interested in taking it on let me know. Until next time more soon…</div><div><br /><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-33392558910336932392024-03-02T09:02:00.000+00:002024-03-02T09:02:22.279+00:00More about Pont Dulas…<i><span style="font-size: large;">After I shared my video ‘Quiet between trains’ last week, talking about the ‘why’ behind Pont Dulas I was excited and inspired by the messages I received about the layout, but the style of video too…</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9FDpXAzhNzxPzNXGQrwBPKEiyX-R_-gQog3hljQ9swlnsIsfkw28PJVlwB9a9RZZpwe1Z3Rjm7zlNmOxr5Vm5q_GcDKIc_kWcr46LU7SdhLppBcRQ0lfh6yLLyNxRyqgDruS7AdN44bltEBe5cw8ucF2K27_nAjA6xIpyKjVetu7eXggNv2I89J8R1w/s2310/IMG_3269.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="2310" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9FDpXAzhNzxPzNXGQrwBPKEiyX-R_-gQog3hljQ9swlnsIsfkw28PJVlwB9a9RZZpwe1Z3Rjm7zlNmOxr5Vm5q_GcDKIc_kWcr46LU7SdhLppBcRQ0lfh6yLLyNxRyqgDruS7AdN44bltEBe5cw8ucF2K27_nAjA6xIpyKjVetu7eXggNv2I89J8R1w/w640-h416/IMG_3269.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That means I’ll try more in a similar vein in future - but for those that were asking about the ‘how’ I have put together a follow up ‘Layout Tour’ of this small cameo scene - which I’ll link below. In the video is a short clip of a train running through the scene and rather than the obvious Pannier or perhaps even DMU I chose to play with the Class 22, pictured here. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M8lHzfZFHtuHh2cuY7GPN9D417oqCNDO7Rmjp0gSXYTU-Txa-s8HLnBaVNHpecqUInPiUXpnxXd6WVMtmIebOuDPkXmwqjAx4ZND7Uw071bD22qGRXNxzXAH3_CK8z_KSLt2Hhh1Rj2fCaeohOdDjJGyb1VAlPeS3wjOsCKGLY3OfpXNWcYh4XVnb9M/s2614/IMG_3271.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="2614" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M8lHzfZFHtuHh2cuY7GPN9D417oqCNDO7Rmjp0gSXYTU-Txa-s8HLnBaVNHpecqUInPiUXpnxXd6WVMtmIebOuDPkXmwqjAx4ZND7Uw071bD22qGRXNxzXAH3_CK8z_KSLt2Hhh1Rj2fCaeohOdDjJGyb1VAlPeS3wjOsCKGLY3OfpXNWcYh4XVnb9M/w640-h360/IMG_3271.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These ugly ducklings are so full of character. I’ve come close to selling this model on several occasions but it has real staying power. I’m not sure why… I never saw them in service. My first OO gauge diesel was a blue Lima Western, and as a GWR man I appreciated that the hydraulics were almost a last gasp. Perhaps this explains part of the why, the heart? The head is easier - it’s a lovely model, and it’s compact size and good running make it a great choice for small spaces.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoiygBIQVSycU4rzUKm4pyhMUH58taHTXkuADnOFY6jalSpTVUCYdMuk4bi1J0WD8pvr2vb5X9iTRrp36gOJofz_sx3HThELSmkKKlwIX1vJQe52rS58zjNbpKD98Tt21jmtGjDaevKPeqlkt4zkeh8JZ0_y2stjAn-gr0cIONs8q7G6lv3e8frndUFI/s3504/IMG_3272.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="3504" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoiygBIQVSycU4rzUKm4pyhMUH58taHTXkuADnOFY6jalSpTVUCYdMuk4bi1J0WD8pvr2vb5X9iTRrp36gOJofz_sx3HThELSmkKKlwIX1vJQe52rS58zjNbpKD98Tt21jmtGjDaevKPeqlkt4zkeh8JZ0_y2stjAn-gr0cIONs8q7G6lv3e8frndUFI/w640-h284/IMG_3272.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCU61TDfM0y58S8N_TCaSqppdexDSiQktnQheU0WJw60JK3nIbjUKbBxXzXNMmvtQVzT91qH2kz6R7DlXzxClwQW51kK61PHNfqJlaCXQ1DK9M0Qnl9wyRi9V6Z3IpqTz3ekpZeIBzRrw2BAWRLmkJ4Djnl0Lw1s1w9GKShehaamD-Dcf-VYJ9rlm31o/s2833/IMG_3274.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="2833" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCU61TDfM0y58S8N_TCaSqppdexDSiQktnQheU0WJw60JK3nIbjUKbBxXzXNMmvtQVzT91qH2kz6R7DlXzxClwQW51kK61PHNfqJlaCXQ1DK9M0Qnl9wyRi9V6Z3IpqTz3ekpZeIBzRrw2BAWRLmkJ4Djnl0Lw1s1w9GKShehaamD-Dcf-VYJ9rlm31o/w640-h360/IMG_3274.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It is also interesting to see one of my Grandpa’s N gauge models in this train. The Peco van is a repaint and detailing of an 80s version of this vehicle. I have added DG couplings and finer metal wheels and I think although the roof is a little clunky the plank detail is better than some of the more recent Farish wooden vans, less pronounced but still visible. The connection this model brings between my childhood and my present is wonderful, bringing this older model up to date doesn’t reduce its value as a vehicle from my Grandpa’s collection, it only strengthens it because now I have invested myself into its form, its mine and a memory. Anyhow, I digress…</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jHHIRAeRzuM" width="320" youtube-src-id="jHHIRAeRzuM"></iframe></div><br /><div>In this video I give an overview of the layout before talking about both method and composition. There is of course still a bit of ‘why’ in it, I can’t help it, but hopefully this satisfies those who still like to understand how things were done. Until next time though, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><br /><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-32653928801600934802024-03-01T08:10:00.000+00:002024-03-01T08:10:14.502+00:00Friday Update: One Three Twenty-four…<i><span style="font-size: large;">Grab yourself a coffee (or paned), get comfortable and dive into this weeks omnibus edition of the workbench...</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZMiVgqRhSaJ2GBVywN1CvTO5BohTgQTlJDpFhK7u9I07RyTWFj-a3b77ZamY8D-rDDiQJlEXlrEJbC-ciZ9h8a8OZVkeZM1hfcv9M8LNB9_6SYYmsO-jcD7x76M7NWJLkXLv8YGlTc1H_R4-h3E-ADSMNaoBG5Ufnfz5K_Y7iMqmEx_BjHTt8n3b-Oc/s2589/IMG_3424.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1940" data-original-width="2589" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZMiVgqRhSaJ2GBVywN1CvTO5BohTgQTlJDpFhK7u9I07RyTWFj-a3b77ZamY8D-rDDiQJlEXlrEJbC-ciZ9h8a8OZVkeZM1hfcv9M8LNB9_6SYYmsO-jcD7x76M7NWJLkXLv8YGlTc1H_R4-h3E-ADSMNaoBG5Ufnfz5K_Y7iMqmEx_BjHTt8n3b-Oc/w640-h480/IMG_3424.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Indulgently kicking off this week's update is another shot of Leatown which is progressing nicely towards completion as the scenic work begins to layer up and bring the scene to life. This composition, at the left hand exit of the layout is wonderful, and just as I had imagined. The layering of stock 'peeping' put from under the bridge with the steps down to the path to the platform, it leads us into and through the scene. Of course, the 08 brings it to life... we can imagine the gentle lollop in it's engine note, observing too the way it vibrates and the build up of grease around the springs on the chassis - waiting for it to move and eager to enjoy it's gentle movements around the yard. Take the locomotive away and the scene appears dead, lifeless, waiting for the actor to appear - for me, the lead actors are always the locomotives - yes a story can be told around a structure or even a tree - but for me personally, the main event is always the trains. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the coming week work will continue at the right hand side of the layout, and should see completion of the road and fencing - I will share more on that next time!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQV8dSJHRf5L43eLJzQmGidH_ZHb8eTmbtY2V9CqrL3rKphNiIs2-GE4ZzKsnMcyy-1-9gE8yoggYZNMemGTNriBgr3S2fnZfEJq-hRrqOJ9EUsTeP-SmPgtRyUFnpkbnzIrsl2yyxjEZbSN7n4vdOhq37HQfGr6mKMa3ba8GJLp9t7mPiASvcsvBxmw/s4032/IMG_3377.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQV8dSJHRf5L43eLJzQmGidH_ZHb8eTmbtY2V9CqrL3rKphNiIs2-GE4ZzKsnMcyy-1-9gE8yoggYZNMemGTNriBgr3S2fnZfEJq-hRrqOJ9EUsTeP-SmPgtRyUFnpkbnzIrsl2yyxjEZbSN7n4vdOhq37HQfGr6mKMa3ba8GJLp9t7mPiASvcsvBxmw/w640-h480/IMG_3377.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This model has been a while in gestation - I have had to draw up and have the plates etched from my own artwork which has delayed what was otherwise supposed to be quick weather and detailing to turn this Hornby model into the memory of looking after the prototype in my customers former role. However, the way my subtle adjustments to the Hornby finish (adding gloss lacquer to boost up the green, then knocking this back with dirt and weathering), observing prototype details (glossy smoke deflectors and the position of warning flashes) with my usual light weathering has really given the model some presence - I'll share photos of the completed model next week all being well...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_f3TzIGXSHGqcXOfKmlBOxEUx78s7JW4_4tJH7Kq3Sg4jJhpPlbnINygI8xLTPpCDY3ktMVVaiftz5cewX9PnYJpDsRJy39FQxWRe5o-9yYoIXRxnIQYh8s6uBVqDsCvGB1N3C3TLzQ0V6lk2eT-w7t92ZNi3xPUfdQysGQNGsuwGOeGap-0cgoFdsY/s4032/IMG_3419.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_f3TzIGXSHGqcXOfKmlBOxEUx78s7JW4_4tJH7Kq3Sg4jJhpPlbnINygI8xLTPpCDY3ktMVVaiftz5cewX9PnYJpDsRJy39FQxWRe5o-9yYoIXRxnIQYh8s6uBVqDsCvGB1N3C3TLzQ0V6lk2eT-w7t92ZNi3xPUfdQysGQNGsuwGOeGap-0cgoFdsY/w640-h480/IMG_3419.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Fresh out the blocks this week, a new commission - turning the paper Scalescenes kit of Staverton station into a styrene example. Work has focused on getting a generally accurate shell and adding lamination of brick embossed styrene. The next step will be to design some etched windows (which will also then go in my James Hilton CMR range) - before moving onto the roof and basic detailing. It's nice to be working on something different again. </div><div><br /></div><div>Behind the scenes I've got some O scale MGR wagons that need re-branding (so decal design) along with some other custom one off decals - plus I've made a start on the CAD for the Hudson Go-go tractor parts.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70v1yoZbAr8qqfGOfL04gHrW1XTwefISP0veWJr0tWAyK_Y1z-OQuhFhfxDS0Xk9ruIBCS-S4iq0ZitYtJvs5SFQGEvSfHpY2cd0Nj_pJPcO3o6GrAFuePYQ7ZgkYYuFtm017o9MohZD4_iEchABh_a1Tu8vMF8oefGPKbQzFeMdRDR9iXSDNaGOKdhM/s2218/IMG_3420.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="2218" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70v1yoZbAr8qqfGOfL04gHrW1XTwefISP0veWJr0tWAyK_Y1z-OQuhFhfxDS0Xk9ruIBCS-S4iq0ZitYtJvs5SFQGEvSfHpY2cd0Nj_pJPcO3o6GrAFuePYQ7ZgkYYuFtm017o9MohZD4_iEchABh_a1Tu8vMF8oefGPKbQzFeMdRDR9iXSDNaGOKdhM/w640-h480/IMG_3420.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the bench too has been this Kerr, Stuart 'Victory' that I have repainted into lined Southern green. You've seen 948 before, but last time in plain black. Next week will see coal, a crew and gentle weathering - but I'm really pleased with how neatly this has come out, especially the hand painted curves around the cab and bunker. If you've got a Victory you'd like me to weather, paint or detail to get in touch.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdL_7AP4MWa6HjxEy0va_YbiDv8uWhtgS4qnAqe9yOxWi0VF93DbcOehzk3RcXb8lFwaW8I-DPK_6pFsWicADFBXOJ_KA4NHDDi2JiPnOrxIkEqrTiXchNOB2M8UOKwYR3CfHFrRuYg6qDgUhHOuoKMC53fKjltAojuwI88K1s1kCZFJT6BOZqSd1qy4/s1176/IMG_3394.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1176" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdL_7AP4MWa6HjxEy0va_YbiDv8uWhtgS4qnAqe9yOxWi0VF93DbcOehzk3RcXb8lFwaW8I-DPK_6pFsWicADFBXOJ_KA4NHDDi2JiPnOrxIkEqrTiXchNOB2M8UOKwYR3CfHFrRuYg6qDgUhHOuoKMC53fKjltAojuwI88K1s1kCZFJT6BOZqSd1qy4/w640-h480/IMG_3394.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the personal bench this N gauge Dapol milk tanker has been finished (for Pont Dulas photo opportunities) but will soon be sold along with the Farish train set (if you're interested in jumping the queue on that get in touch). The results here are wash and then airbrushed dirt to bring the model to life and tone down the bright silver tank!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmjOvTyIAx0oQ5eBLCtU1xGB2evtT1RfipI9VYQ6szIsUYZV_wJpwd7Gus5WxUVeFTGwY5LxMWZ0cr2Pesi9L9dr-4Gs5gP1iN7EFT0Pa4pBsg5j3q9CjkuaEPMSpok3Wucu4NIzOIsOQKr7TvimhGwVX0qRoRZUeuOPx44RdmMP1YUl3vIuCfYpCi2I/s4032/IMG_3415.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmjOvTyIAx0oQ5eBLCtU1xGB2evtT1RfipI9VYQ6szIsUYZV_wJpwd7Gus5WxUVeFTGwY5LxMWZ0cr2Pesi9L9dr-4Gs5gP1iN7EFT0Pa4pBsg5j3q9CjkuaEPMSpok3Wucu4NIzOIsOQKr7TvimhGwVX0qRoRZUeuOPx44RdmMP1YUl3vIuCfYpCi2I/w640-h480/IMG_3415.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Finally, something black and tan has arrived - an Irish Railway Models A class. This is a really smart piece of design, lovely detail, fairly robust, great running - and the first step towards my Irish adventure. I tracked down stock at Chris Dyer Fairs (if anyone else fancies one) and with the quality of this model I'm waiting anxiously for IRM to announce baby brother B/C class which would be right up my street. I have thought though that perhaps I should consider adding DCC sound to the Irish adventure, as I will never have too many models - but perhaps that is a step too far? Anyhow - very impressed, and enjoying it sat on display in the workshop.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been a tough week with fatigue and over stimulation too - and one thing I've recognised is the gentle relaxation of a quick operating session on Kohlenbachbrucke is a real tonic. Rather ironically, as you're reading this online, is the realisation that I need to step back from devices in the evening - and enjoying the discipline of only looking at books and sketching ideas on paper... </div><div><br /></div><div>This weekend may see a trip to Porthmadog - it however, may equally see just some gentle progress on my own projects. I hope you can find time for yourselves too in the days ahead. Spring is not far away, until next time though, more soon...<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-11169359237967950712024-02-29T08:29:00.002+00:002024-02-29T08:30:27.459+00:00Alan Sewell’s memories of Stone Cement works...<div><i><span style="font-size: large;">It was photos of my recent layout, <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/Traeth%20Hafren" target="_blank">Traeth Hafren</a>, a few weeks ago that led to today’s reflections from blog regular <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/alan%20Sewell" target="_blank">Alan Sewell</a>…</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">“My recent musings are around how Traeth Hafren feels like my memories of the Thames Estuary – very much like the Severn estuary I imagine”.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruo9xfgP1lgr_yxWoxade0VMV87Cjj8FgC1MLbd_-aM_UAop29ywQt0QglwaE-XwPhuzLzJCQJvUW1cTeNBMjBtQckSpvWSZvzx2PPflDTBcpsAygfj4l4qtuRhkUxY6JCHqvq2xc9Yha688MmNQslhc4YILqBDIco87C7lnhTbBw019A5nthzbnfxmo/s4829/EE%20738%2028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3687" data-original-width="4829" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruo9xfgP1lgr_yxWoxade0VMV87Cjj8FgC1MLbd_-aM_UAop29ywQt0QglwaE-XwPhuzLzJCQJvUW1cTeNBMjBtQckSpvWSZvzx2PPflDTBcpsAygfj4l4qtuRhkUxY6JCHqvq2xc9Yha688MmNQslhc4YILqBDIco87C7lnhTbBw019A5nthzbnfxmo/w640-h488/EE%20738%2028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone, Kent, February 1970, Alan Sewell photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">“With a slightly different track layout – a set of points at least this could be a setting for the electrified bulk cement line at the Stone cement works in Kent with the tracks coming under a road bridge from the cement works at one end and ending at a wharf/unloading point at the other. In the prototype electric cement hoppers were used, but other motive power would work, shuttling back and forth”.</span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdyUgg0GcHmQhpjwFckYxybTcS8zlZXQIdWqnIDlza2qWkCFQ-2YStoF_0pAyVA-tzC9UhyirIX7rl1mBIBZh0oSOuK-Px32ByLV7guQf75ZZm9yNtpkcVYiGUd1ltkk7OWcGxXmOXgAqS5ywelWwySIzrN5JpwEoLjpMbCjqw2OY06LI7W7kFLZJDQE/s4780/EE%20740%2028%20r.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3447" data-original-width="4780" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdyUgg0GcHmQhpjwFckYxybTcS8zlZXQIdWqnIDlza2qWkCFQ-2YStoF_0pAyVA-tzC9UhyirIX7rl1mBIBZh0oSOuK-Px32ByLV7guQf75ZZm9yNtpkcVYiGUd1ltkk7OWcGxXmOXgAqS5ywelWwySIzrN5JpwEoLjpMbCjqw2OY06LI7W7kFLZJDQE/w640-h462/EE%20740%2028%20r.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone, Kent, February 1970, Alan Sewell photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I saw this operation only a year before it finished and it was archaic then. A somewhat windswept and chilly location, the bulk cement ‘trams’ were built in 1928 by English Electric using a Dick Kerr patent. Covered in chalk dust they appeared ghosts as from the past.”</span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj348dodzUihc4w5Oaxl-bL6rilN0i4Dth3QmxbJ7qetxUl6_ZpvjsUyvoWronYmJNSE4A5psu3DFt_oIgGU_EvozMGFeFwZKXWoZyY1m17ut0V5dHDwv5xuEzD-k0Gvtas8BVNv-QvYppxPYB1PZnA3Rgfu6Byv0maAYvpU-N_oehZZjm8yYDgnUL73xQ/s4979/ship%20canal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3501" data-original-width="4979" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj348dodzUihc4w5Oaxl-bL6rilN0i4Dth3QmxbJ7qetxUl6_ZpvjsUyvoWronYmJNSE4A5psu3DFt_oIgGU_EvozMGFeFwZKXWoZyY1m17ut0V5dHDwv5xuEzD-k0Gvtas8BVNv-QvYppxPYB1PZnA3Rgfu6Byv0maAYvpU-N_oehZZjm8yYDgnUL73xQ/w640-h450/ship%20canal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone, Kent, February 1970, Alan Sewell photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I am indebted to <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/alan%20Sewell" target="_blank">Alan</a> for his continued support of my blog and his open sharing of photos and recollections from his extensive industrial railway visits from all over the world. In this instance he has shared not a contemporaneous account of the visit but memories and woven those with inspiration from my layout to create a picture, at least in his mind, of another project. It is this cross fertilisation of ideas, of energy and of inspiration that can drive us all forwards. Stop by, get involved, leave a comment and let’s see if my blog can become a haven for this kind of thinking? Until next time, more soon…</div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-40092365351445559582024-02-28T08:03:00.002+00:002024-02-28T08:03:30.785+00:00Commission: Cut-down Peckett…<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Greenhithe class of Peckett were a special, a cut down example designed for locations with tight clearances. Since the release of my Planet Industrials cab conversion we’ve sold many more than were ever made in reality…</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdCkud_isPjf2bP0PojvYApdcXllfP99nfdXE1RXnOzRuw0YtRFHofjmHBUwE5N80jygMtrSsWx8ipWoqKf4XnZtteQUyE0TkOSfzfLrAm3W0qBH8yM2mqatpt_Hn8WEDodTXVQtD0p4J9eXYIJyBjpyvrm8DC0woKVWHPbtio-xtvlVdFrQwuMZuXGU/s1708/IMG_3241.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1708" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdCkud_isPjf2bP0PojvYApdcXllfP99nfdXE1RXnOzRuw0YtRFHofjmHBUwE5N80jygMtrSsWx8ipWoqKf4XnZtteQUyE0TkOSfzfLrAm3W0qBH8yM2mqatpt_Hn8WEDodTXVQtD0p4J9eXYIJyBjpyvrm8DC0woKVWHPbtio-xtvlVdFrQwuMZuXGU/w640-h480/IMG_3241.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>‘Sir Harry’ shown here is another example and only the second I’ve built myself, this time for a customer. Re-acquainting myself with the Hornby W4 and the kit and I’ve enjoyed both immensely, creating something distinctly different from the donor model.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKF-7tzBjqWU6LOz1yWNHpwWLcyUoTJtj3iZUSYllPZqSiQQdlZFSpAAcs9QqLtelECDyd5FflIF2_LXs9xemaWF5xiyDsZaUyGka2KEwc7P_yXpqW4cXE40B0RFPBbnkq4WbNSgaV2I9cfILAAGskprtpj50w7RQoynOmBoZyUNawGD3dlABauzVkAyg/s1781/IMG_3239.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1781" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKF-7tzBjqWU6LOz1yWNHpwWLcyUoTJtj3iZUSYllPZqSiQQdlZFSpAAcs9QqLtelECDyd5FflIF2_LXs9xemaWF5xiyDsZaUyGka2KEwc7P_yXpqW4cXE40B0RFPBbnkq4WbNSgaV2I9cfILAAGskprtpj50w7RQoynOmBoZyUNawGD3dlABauzVkAyg/w640-h480/IMG_3239.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The kit combines elements of the ‘post-date’ kit (steel buffer beams) with the short chimney and cut down cab. The squat brute if a model that results is a solid performer with no weight removed in the process the Hornby model continues to impress. This example, finished in a ‘colliery repaint’ green with black detailing has also seen some light weathering to suggest some use after a rudimentary cleaning.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-OkmCLrdJdJ_TsbCChafQ2DXCRM-xPRX0bm-Z0eCvy9_SysOO_ZygDY3Rd265YiiaqmikX1sNtgpoFpkUchcj_kpuhgSiGwY4T-anMJPX2lG3kKbQRYyvGZF7OuKPBAzraWObzaVEUBXjffshOhV-tp0CFCUz1_VqiL3_w0gl5aY0LXnX1FBliUOfwo/s1648/IMG_3240.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-OkmCLrdJdJ_TsbCChafQ2DXCRM-xPRX0bm-Z0eCvy9_SysOO_ZygDY3Rd265YiiaqmikX1sNtgpoFpkUchcj_kpuhgSiGwY4T-anMJPX2lG3kKbQRYyvGZF7OuKPBAzraWObzaVEUBXjffshOhV-tp0CFCUz1_VqiL3_w0gl5aY0LXnX1FBliUOfwo/w640-h480/IMG_3240.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsL0c5gYOOIIP75XESJpek8FyAxS5Sm4uxTLTNnoaU8NSi5mS90IO2AMatTMJ6_ofQ5fKufyFMRGKLQEx5fM-tbCOkkbbeUW1J6xFlOFzbIDprk5P7gHPTO8kjATr5RmkAkWOGR_xdczjZodVs5cyKyzk3yygPaZBR-zSNRdnJEh0Cf_HqnGdJWcVxFU/s1707/IMG_3242.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1707" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsL0c5gYOOIIP75XESJpek8FyAxS5Sm4uxTLTNnoaU8NSi5mS90IO2AMatTMJ6_ofQ5fKufyFMRGKLQEx5fM-tbCOkkbbeUW1J6xFlOFzbIDprk5P7gHPTO8kjATr5RmkAkWOGR_xdczjZodVs5cyKyzk3yygPaZBR-zSNRdnJEh0Cf_HqnGdJWcVxFU/w640-h480/IMG_3242.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I’ve got a few ‘cut down’ industrials in my collection now and since the departure of Pont-y-dulais and Mollington Road last year have no where to call home - thoughts relating to some sort of industrial follow up continue to wander across my sketchbook yet don’t find a satisfying home - yet. In the meantime, working on others models is a great tonic and so if you’ve an industrial prototype you’d like me to help you with them get in touch for a no-obligation fixed price proposal. Until next time, more soon…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div><div><br /></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-58968414074048695712024-02-27T08:04:00.001+00:002024-02-27T08:06:29.768+00:00On this day: PiChem working at Traeth Hafren…<i><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-short-history-of-severnbank-works.html" target="_blank">PiChem Severnbank</a> works was a chemical manufacturing facility on the banks of the River Severn. Production ceased in 1992 after nearly 80 years at the site. Back in 1990 however, a daily weekday trip working operated along the Traeth Hafren branch serving the facility…</span></i><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVoB4i3Et6xJ2ph_iJLZCkmTLtd9y5Y8-OGGOXsmGAHopOUyFw6nIJBzp2JPM2pDByndlXwVtI6lIhH-VfomifDnX7zsg-39-YsseDDDZfsDoMJto5daXQKsfvotVOH-PqRM2kkf4SbccQHOg09Kdv5KzTeEpB9R2CJZUvHc25sWAdxWbZi3xCWsCA4s/s949/IMG_3177.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="949" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVoB4i3Et6xJ2ph_iJLZCkmTLtd9y5Y8-OGGOXsmGAHopOUyFw6nIJBzp2JPM2pDByndlXwVtI6lIhH-VfomifDnX7zsg-39-YsseDDDZfsDoMJto5daXQKsfvotVOH-PqRM2kkf4SbccQHOg09Kdv5KzTeEpB9R2CJZUvHc25sWAdxWbZi3xCWsCA4s/w640-h480/IMG_3177.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>After the M4 had been built and the branch truncated the works was effectively accessed by a trailing spur, arriving trains propelled backwards into the works from Traeth Hafren. There was a loop in the reception sidings, so departing trains could run around before being propelled back onto the branch and returning to Twnel Hafren junction.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYBlgMMPkibwr8jfLfLglZ9byV-e6oVXXa2EBpUaZiXKQcy7FVIKvmg54PZmTGx0EWd_SE6gHd34a9qKTbMdYHpZJQgmH4JprIS3r6wnCGTGr_vSgD8EHSfkxfZxyYugCZbx0lHTytix6S_Xa4c8Egv4wYb-8-9aXx5Vwp_6ktI-7knXdnodpm1niTAU/s1351/IMG_3178.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1351" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYBlgMMPkibwr8jfLfLglZ9byV-e6oVXXa2EBpUaZiXKQcy7FVIKvmg54PZmTGx0EWd_SE6gHd34a9qKTbMdYHpZJQgmH4JprIS3r6wnCGTGr_vSgD8EHSfkxfZxyYugCZbx0lHTytix6S_Xa4c8Egv4wYb-8-9aXx5Vwp_6ktI-7knXdnodpm1niTAU/w640-h480/IMG_3178.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>In these wintry photos taken 24 years ago this morning we see 31131 with its short train of PCA tank wagons used for one of the powdered salts used in detergent manufacture by Lever brothers at Ellesmere Port and Warrington. The photographer hasn’t noted quite what was going on but the train has drawn into the platform at Traeth Hafren which wasn’t always the case, usually they stopped at the telephone beside the line to phone for permission to access the works siding. Note the brakevan used on the trip working, due to the requirement to propel back into the works, an action that crossed several plant roads before reaching the loop.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK7wBov90AArnWrMoqF73-2UvIFV3gkR6_L1bP5k1QqEc22onjdSdDq-aWi2qOkkphDIpfoYJ6IlIxJIBtElLjercyvRhAeUlstKNHYYUeChYd53F7Ad05gkBOOIdtadYThY1LHbsnby5i7-RN5jRcj2uY_ZczQ3_iUMZzd-KjT-vKJqVOIxwYlSFrR4/s3443/IMG_3176.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="3443" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK7wBov90AArnWrMoqF73-2UvIFV3gkR6_L1bP5k1QqEc22onjdSdDq-aWi2qOkkphDIpfoYJ6IlIxJIBtElLjercyvRhAeUlstKNHYYUeChYd53F7Ad05gkBOOIdtadYThY1LHbsnby5i7-RN5jRcj2uY_ZczQ3_iUMZzd-KjT-vKJqVOIxwYlSFrR4/w640-h198/IMG_3176.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, this is my latest N gauge HifiMicro ‘Traeth Hafren’. The blue 31 on a short freight shows that even a small single track layout can have a variety of operation if a backstory is carefully crafted. The balance here is believable reality. The ICI works at Severnside was a trailing connection from the Severn Beach branch, trains could run around the train in the reception siding… it didn’t take much to go from that information to the faux history presented here. This concept is one I hope to expand on with a future, slightly larger single track scheme - one that features a chemical works AND a nuclear power station giving two excuses for freight traffic on an otherwise boring passenger branch-line. For now though, until next time, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div><div><br /></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-74803829147039461862024-02-26T08:01:00.059+00:002024-02-26T08:01:00.134+00:00Weekender: Trains little and large…<div><i><span style="font-size: large;">This weekend has been a well deserved opportunity to catch up with a good friend and just indulge in trains little and large…</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4xw-qN2EzcYrtD8JXeYKFrJCKXV_uHkrSnaQmg1nc03mLJfEkkMUdHTjs09j6zKLmwbjS7wTzH2EN6B75Jeq7qXlAMuFzqU9Z42JLr5EKC-9hpMsJp8tTWhdtKZQ151xJPRPr6pluz7IKiJ6BwbcBWvc9WM0Pafg_dHpGIuR-iNj2pWOFC3XQ49ZwPE/s2048/6A30ED15-1408-4DA9-BB5A-C5B13B2E6953.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4xw-qN2EzcYrtD8JXeYKFrJCKXV_uHkrSnaQmg1nc03mLJfEkkMUdHTjs09j6zKLmwbjS7wTzH2EN6B75Jeq7qXlAMuFzqU9Z42JLr5EKC-9hpMsJp8tTWhdtKZQ151xJPRPr6pluz7IKiJ6BwbcBWvc9WM0Pafg_dHpGIuR-iNj2pWOFC3XQ49ZwPE/w640-h640/6A30ED15-1408-4DA9-BB5A-C5B13B2E6953.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Whilst no cure to the longer term fatigue I’m facing it was a welcome break and the 6 hour round trip was worth the physical cost for the mental recharge it offered. I took a few layouts with me to see James, Traeth Hafren and Pont Dulas in N, and Kohlenbachbrucke in H0. I enjoyed the chance to spend longer talking about subjects like art in model railways, distilling the minimum level of operation required to build a mindful layout and getting lost in Irish broad gauge - a topic to discuss here another time!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdv77_WxQhZagXVCuEAloIGGLlmkQE5eVJSUv_jIL8WuqnxT-jjaBChv1CCAstQ_JsVA7Gs7HHXUJptzAxwg96EiW4WBxKURk0rb3cHIsNqEZ68HrNfxEmMyCQTaj8zkFh30Iu9-XRc0jcmXwhTDUBEZIDRTCLc2F651EMOi32Y9BwZOBmcdWu6tw6zg/s2711/IMG_3326.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2033" data-original-width="2711" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdv77_WxQhZagXVCuEAloIGGLlmkQE5eVJSUv_jIL8WuqnxT-jjaBChv1CCAstQ_JsVA7Gs7HHXUJptzAxwg96EiW4WBxKURk0rb3cHIsNqEZ68HrNfxEmMyCQTaj8zkFh30Iu9-XRc0jcmXwhTDUBEZIDRTCLc2F651EMOi32Y9BwZOBmcdWu6tw6zg/w640-h480/IMG_3326.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James has bought the same Farish 101 as me, so one of us is going to need to face a renumbering! Seen here posed on Traeth Hafren.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjp1960sE_2VwPglOCk9cTsbkWSzxmlVq6RQ1bO6x14uatLQ0egeewTf_-YNS1Z9j3Xo8Z1ZQa5F6iVg55ybKCe35LYQk1DLBNWBKBMcasLBR8MCxsWuhQN-4IXNJYBwtt8AVa-8ZKYOPb2EdAOTvQieyCD-E6wOdlnIBSHJ5kccNiCFJh1Z8t7Vlm3HI/s3750/IMG_3324.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2277" data-original-width="3750" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjp1960sE_2VwPglOCk9cTsbkWSzxmlVq6RQ1bO6x14uatLQ0egeewTf_-YNS1Z9j3Xo8Z1ZQa5F6iVg55ybKCe35LYQk1DLBNWBKBMcasLBR8MCxsWuhQN-4IXNJYBwtt8AVa-8ZKYOPb2EdAOTvQieyCD-E6wOdlnIBSHJ5kccNiCFJh1Z8t7Vlm3HI/w640-h388/IMG_3324.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James also has the same Farish trainset, but he intends to use it as the focus for a larger more beginner style layout to pass on to a deserving individual in the future, a great idea and his plans sound well founded. Here the GWR green pops on Pont Dulas.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>During the evening we set up Kohlenbachbrucke in the lounge on the coffee table, Irish trains on YouTube on the TV and a chance to play trains and enjoy a beer. It cemented the absolutely solid decision I made to build this layout. Limited in scope it is a joy to operate, to share and talking it through with James I’m much clearer on scenic plans for the right hand side and back scene. </div><div><br /></div><div>We also managed a trip out to Oakham to watch trains (and enjoy a coffee and brunch). Passenger services are in the hands of Cross Country 3 car 170s which sound a lot like my TfW 158s! We would appreciate the extra car on our services in Wales I’m sure! Freight even on a Saturday meant that in the hour we were out we saw a GBRf empty stone and a DBC container working.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xyrdl7PWRYiAVkxK0FFiCnRO41bbWPW-yqdXXaGRirmEuARyutUZ4If3Ofy_ZjVCNMO1_eQMT33y8U0t-Wp40hwyWvahP9w9WgLdWuav3mydkcBMowWDLjIQWefRwFcaANUGFN8U07Y44x68xVIBQFXxLqx1vTeJE_bnakOP2GEgmyRYWLrMDO64N68/s4032/IMG_3330.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xyrdl7PWRYiAVkxK0FFiCnRO41bbWPW-yqdXXaGRirmEuARyutUZ4If3Ofy_ZjVCNMO1_eQMT33y8U0t-Wp40hwyWvahP9w9WgLdWuav3mydkcBMowWDLjIQWefRwFcaANUGFN8U07Y44x68xVIBQFXxLqx1vTeJE_bnakOP2GEgmyRYWLrMDO64N68/w150-h200/IMG_3330.jpeg" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3Vi9aB2VgVD2b6eBIodEmFEXsFPAbhtdonn8WWQgC8b9IVuSqM-Yw9hcZdLdqL-BVyRd07IAM7kyJly4liY7-GHvKKmZwqxSLH5YyBn1Nlu-309zkHeSSAWUrjwVI6d2Il_AqI4jqE8mtsDxrF_Fh71knBslzc7yxweo-cJLGXcWv8sFzJYszZ7TKAE/s524/IMG_3335.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="393" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3Vi9aB2VgVD2b6eBIodEmFEXsFPAbhtdonn8WWQgC8b9IVuSqM-Yw9hcZdLdqL-BVyRd07IAM7kyJly4liY7-GHvKKmZwqxSLH5YyBn1Nlu-309zkHeSSAWUrjwVI6d2Il_AqI4jqE8mtsDxrF_Fh71knBslzc7yxweo-cJLGXcWv8sFzJYszZ7TKAE/w150-h200/IMG_3335.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3baatrG30hdjk0W9ObnkcomXWhTrr0mcbM8xmooFCdq9rlYXfQ9HHJ1HlytOXvT8iP_Qdex8v36uugAeskIMIvZgeOMNY2TJDOPSF2Wd70SQnKcJ68SVW2lwUgqQyNnPPm7mJoVa7HOPjAmhfZjkPQiLI2iWhB-EkHYobwO7SJ2vrPCVPYW2UJa7bqpk/s1021/IMG_3343.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="817" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3baatrG30hdjk0W9ObnkcomXWhTrr0mcbM8xmooFCdq9rlYXfQ9HHJ1HlytOXvT8iP_Qdex8v36uugAeskIMIvZgeOMNY2TJDOPSF2Wd70SQnKcJ68SVW2lwUgqQyNnPPm7mJoVa7HOPjAmhfZjkPQiLI2iWhB-EkHYobwO7SJ2vrPCVPYW2UJa7bqpk/w160-h200/IMG_3343.jpeg" width="160" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-vacuXqtZDvXn-Ly2BMHE3-4hBsH-dx0_ODOlDRDsUkRk1gdszqy3Hdjrc8xEDkc5Mym7xnVM8BdOVkgVcfbpzkkCys277Akl8UQyZQCRqpRvil-A5e7SyePwK1fL1XO9tKvnS7lF2bF6haXuRYKLeOmmOvZL_5i2qWZ-mqLkRNAsQa_gNhrEu9p3zc/s2466/IMG_3353.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1761" data-original-width="2466" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-vacuXqtZDvXn-Ly2BMHE3-4hBsH-dx0_ODOlDRDsUkRk1gdszqy3Hdjrc8xEDkc5Mym7xnVM8BdOVkgVcfbpzkkCys277Akl8UQyZQCRqpRvil-A5e7SyePwK1fL1XO9tKvnS7lF2bF6haXuRYKLeOmmOvZL_5i2qWZ-mqLkRNAsQa_gNhrEu9p3zc/s320/IMG_3353.jpeg" width="280" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With fatigue and a busy family life it’s sometimes difficult for me to justify taking time out. Even this small break has been beneficial and I do feel more recharged. It has stoked my creative fire and rejuvenated me (if also tiring me out a touch!). Good friends we can share the hobby with are so important. I am grateful to a few in particular who know who they are, but in general, even sharing my world with all of you, my blog readers, has a positive benefit for me - thank you for your virtual friendship and you are always welcome to engage, leave comments and take a step from silent reader to blog regular! Until next time though, more soon…<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div></div></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-29139820232238378992024-02-25T08:05:00.054+00:002024-02-25T09:53:31.117+00:00Old and new at Lochdubh… <p></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">In 1985 the first Class 37/4 rolled out of Crewe Works after rebuilding. The work to these locomotives, already 25 years old, included replacing the generator with an alternator and extensive rewiring…</span></i></p><p>These 31 locomotives, also fitted with electric train heating, were allocated to Scotland and Wales and provided the backbone of regional long distance travel in these areas for another 10 years until displaced by the Sprinter (Today, the type still sees regular service on the mainline on charter, spot hire and occasional infrastructure trains - even freight with timber on the Cambrian from Aberystwyth, not bad for 64 year olds!). In Scotland two distinct fleets were maintained at Glasgow Eastfield for the West Highland to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig (seeing both passenger and freight service) and at Inverness (for the Far North and Kyle lines). <i>In my parallel universe the Inverness based machines also served Lochdubh…</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEr7ltobt_4nWrbE8169Bl3M8SZnb_Pn18eEKbfvG9fCUg90Y8f0VkcWtzwgLILlmPp4in-8k_nL7jMBRnLK0wWTUYddYAO-tTmGP10Xgq_vPtgWzAqL5cS1BcGl3gfcsR_Q3AUEnZdHan_A4G5jMZAyCPNN9_F1Ij7r5PBMPf9XnR0WQmwMLIwsh0qM/s715/IMG_3185.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="715" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEr7ltobt_4nWrbE8169Bl3M8SZnb_Pn18eEKbfvG9fCUg90Y8f0VkcWtzwgLILlmPp4in-8k_nL7jMBRnLK0wWTUYddYAO-tTmGP10Xgq_vPtgWzAqL5cS1BcGl3gfcsR_Q3AUEnZdHan_A4G5jMZAyCPNN9_F1Ij7r5PBMPf9XnR0WQmwMLIwsh0qM/w640-h640/IMG_3185.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Above, we see 37418, a recent rebuild having arrived at the gateway to the isles with the 8:55 departure from Inverness. Visible behind, 37035, ousted from passenger service lays over having worked a Speedlink service earlier that morning. It would follow 418 with the return freight working to Inverness before a second run down the branch with the alumina train to the smelter at Strathbane.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcmDCh5JyMqy1Gy9e6os5x7CeqdS88_PHAaNLq1MYzEJTyipockIG4sGjWtWja7v7S-OAbHr-z1jBPtDUXF3Y5lWKCixT0Bvu95a2cdr-HTKyMSZ-IqDsZkD_VztN7ZrLG4zwb9sjKlDUY7BU6fclKWUUWCRYlAgLe5awMZwREhB9XWn-uxYRJk1LkbA/s1610/IMG_3184.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1610" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcmDCh5JyMqy1Gy9e6os5x7CeqdS88_PHAaNLq1MYzEJTyipockIG4sGjWtWja7v7S-OAbHr-z1jBPtDUXF3Y5lWKCixT0Bvu95a2cdr-HTKyMSZ-IqDsZkD_VztN7ZrLG4zwb9sjKlDUY7BU6fclKWUUWCRYlAgLe5awMZwREhB9XWn-uxYRJk1LkbA/w640-h480/IMG_3184.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here, as 418 has run around its train we get a clearer shot of the aging 37/0, this example was destined to never be rebuilt, running as built until 1996 and cut up in 2000, having served the railway well for over 35 years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/Lochdubh" target="_blank">Lochdubh</a> is my N gauge cameo and <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/class%2037" target="_blank">these models</a> are re-worked Graham Farish examples. You can read more about them here on the blog. Until next time though, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div><p><br /></p></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-520019436811708924.post-6402195066387588572024-02-24T08:00:00.024+00:002024-02-24T08:00:00.243+00:00On Video: Quiet between trains...<i><span style="font-size: large;">In my latest book ‘<a href="https://wildswanbooks.co.uk/Books/Art-of-Railway-Modelling.htm" target="_blank">The Art of Railway Modelling</a>’ I begin a conversation about a different and more deliberate artful way to enjoy and share our wonderful hobby…</span></i><div><br /></div><div>In an attempt to ‘be the change’ I’ve begun to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways" target="_blank">talk about my own work</a> in a way that shares its story above craft, the ‘why’ not the ‘how’. In this latest video I take this another step forwards with a monologue presenting my connections to the scene created and how I feel about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The layout discussed is Pont Dulas that has been <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search/label/pont%20dulas" target="_blank">serialised on the blog</a>.<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/rmk_K2yvd6E?si=oSeOcXUfiWJOf3v4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVKsBAb5YiExNwYBP5AsPJ73VqqeMQVpEE1q7wBVolKNpfcdtF4ngaoQW1xAyaQVYaPbTFrp9N310D3qo_-i4cJJTv4LO1nQuvLLd422CXJyq2hPT2Bmh1kh7clnWaA-O7EI9C_PdLPdDLxArd6W6tI62j9UFeyCqKxWdI9AKcme4ICn6Xiu_O_wEJEw/w640-h360/Video%20Title%20Card.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to view in the best experience, watch on <a href="https://youtu.be/rmk_K2yvd6E?si=oSeOcXUfiWJOf3v4" target="_blank">::YouTube::</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have been humbled by the personal reflections and kind words viewers already have left as ‘comments’ on the video. It is wonderful to think that this meandering and mindful conversation is landing somewhere important for some of you. I’d love to hear what you think, about this approach as well as the layout project. Do enjoy the viewing this morning and I look forward to reading your reflections. Until next time, more soon…</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Donate</b></span></i></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(78, 79, 80); color: #4e4f50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=U2MPDT7WSKQ3Y&no_recurring=0&item_name=Thank+you+for+supporting+my+blog%2C+you%E2%80%99re+helping+to+keep+it+advert+and+restriction+free.&currency_code=GBP" style="color: #368bb9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">donation</a>, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free.</span></i></div></div></div>James Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09612994249392438901noreply@blogger.com4