Friday Update: Six Twelve Nineteen...

As Christmas approaches the pace quickens as smaller commissions get ticked off and back in time for going under the tree, this weeks Friday update sees work in the smaller scales and news of an exciting project...

First of all, spotted on the Facebook page of Pecorama this week, a photo of the BHLR loco, but who is that stood in the centre back to the camera talking to John Macdougall? Yes yours truly! It's strange seeing photos of your back, Warley was a great show and a real eye opener to the opportunity in front of me, lots of exciting conversations and we'll see how ideas pan out in 2020, be sure you'll here more here first!

I shared these photos on my Facebook page this week (if you don't follow me there too, I tend to post quick updates there between Friday updates) but they tell a nice little story so I'm repeating them here to illustrate how quickly projects can come together with focus. The pair of Exmoor steam engines aren't all they appear! Both are custom models, modified 3D prints to represent different examples. The green model features a sand dome and Hunslet curve to the side tank, along with a dropped footplate. The red model has been modified to represent Spirit of Adventure at Perrygrove, so the tank has been modified to suit, and the dropped cab floor recreated.

Paired with the Busch chassis and standard etch they've also had different chimneys fitted, posed here with a 20p to show how tiny they are! The lining is from Fox and is 2mm scale carriage lining, yellow and black. Fiddly but worth it, I'll share a proper post on these models next week once they're with their new owners.

Last week I shared a few lines on the new Planet Industrials project, and again this will garner it's own post in the next few days. The printed parts have arrived here in North Wales and I've cleaned them up and modified the Hattons Barclay to fit the details. The print is very clean, but the roof does need careful cleaning up to remove the supports, and sand smooth, no more than 15 minutes careful work, this method of printing upside down does mean lovely crisp rivet detail though, so is worth it. More on this exciting new project soon.

Finally this week I've completed painting the 7mm scale Ffestiniog 'Conway Castle' model, assembled using a Mark Clark chassis and body from Mountaineer Models. This is well designed and now combined with a fiddly paint job and custom Narrow Planet works plates looks striking, awaiting glazing early next week and a touch of weathering. 

I'll also be working on a Hornby Peckett and my own Class 07 next week, as well as moving the 7/8ths commissions on, and that is likely to be the last week of solid work before Christmas, as I'm feeling a little burnt out as usual for me this time of the year and look forward to a quieter few weeks leading up to the festive season. One more Friday update of 2019 though, so stay tuned for the Exmoor, Planet Industrial and more updates next week. More soon...