Old models don’t die...

In these days of super detail this, that and the other, mixed and multi media ready to run with plastic, brass, wire all pre formed and bent for us it is easy to dismiss older models as passed their best, or at least, means they sit uneasily next to their new brothers and sisters...

What we as modellers need to determine is how do we feel about that? Are we happy to sell on our older items, to others who still cherish their simpler (and often more robust) construction? Do we use them as fodder for practicing new skills, perhaps repainting them to learn how to use an airbrush... or is there another option? In this day an age there are a plethora of suppliers (including my own  brands) that will offer you aftermarket parts to convert those older models into something more personal, bespoke and yet finely detailed, happy to stand shoulder to shoulder with the new kids on the block.

This post isn't a how to, or a shopping list, or even very long - it is a signpost to pause, to look at our own collection of models and make some conscious decisions about how they continue to exist in our possession... this Hornby Sentinel, above, is a wonderful performer but as it comes, out of the box, lacks the finer detail of more recent releases - especially in the finesse of the cab windows. I've more recently converted a chain driven example to a fictitious Planet Industrials livery - this time I decided I wanted to represent a Sentinel that had been modified by its owners, just as we modify our own models... a compressor cabinet and replacement doors have been designed (prototypes need tweaking, shown, and no etches to complement them yet) and will give the model a more modern finish - combined with the skirts from RT Models and windows from Shawplan, this will be a fun little project (and one you can undertake yourself once I release the cab conversion parts later in the year).

Another example is this old Lima PCA wagon... I'm modelling the tanks used in Tripolyphosphate traffic, which add extra roof walks and different bottom valves (to be created). I've used brass parts from Stenson models to add finesse to Lima's moulded roof walkway, as well as the left over parts (each fret does a pair of wagons) to add the TPP tank extra walkways. The chassis has had mould lines removed, holes filled and sanded and the original moulded couplings, bosses and buffers removed - the latter replaced with sprung metal examples from Accurscale. Once Instanter couplings have been fitted, along with airbrake pipework, and a little respray the tank wagon will add some variety to my own fleet, an the finer detail will help it sit well with the more recent Accurascale wagons in my small fleet.

Both of these models are for a future project based around Corkickle Brake - so there's also time to take them slowly and enjoy the model making. It's all to easy to rush to meet deadlines, self imposed, or to write a detailed instructional blog post. I hope this different approach makes you think, and perhaps gets you to re-consider your own ageing wagon fleet, steam, diesel, British or overseas prototypes - what could be retired and sold and more importantly, what can be re-worked to give many more hours of enjoyment.

More soon...

Links:

Stenson Models

Accurascale Components

Planet Industrials parts