Commission: Ashington Number 53…

Earlier in the week I shared the completed Ashington Number 52, today it's sister number 53's turn for the spotlight...

As with the model of 52, my customer shared some of the emotional connection to the model

"They both bring back memories of my youth when myself and friends used to sit on the fence near the coaling stage to watch the engines at shift change over times. There were 13 locos in steam on a normal day so no shortage of action. 53 covered jobs at Ashington when the booked loco was on boiler washout. Transfered to Bates Pit in 1967 she was run into the ground and ended her days in deplorable condition missing a buffer and totally unloved".

This model, although lacking the complex lining was more involved to produce. I have replaced the chimney with the Giesl ejector, added headlights front and back (yes, the rear one is peculiar with it's circular shroud) and associate pipework and conduit, a turbo generator and lubricator sit on one side of the boiler on the footplate and 3 links finish off the buffer beam.

One neat trick is the cover for the headlight - a tip I picked up from my good friend Tim, many years ago, he used the same idea on a narrow gauge sugar cane locomotive! The headlight is an RT models white metal casting, the cover is a rear cab spectacle window bars from another RT models etch! I'm sure you'll agree it's pretty effective. The NCB and works plates are etched parts from Custom Nameplate Studio, and the transfers, again hand drawn and custom produced for this particular model. Weathering, a mix of washes, dry brushing, detail painting and airbrush based upon photographs of the prototype.

The result is a hard working finish, and reallly brings the model to life. Combined with the giesl, they give the locomotive a distinctive new look, and one that hopefully helps my customer relive some of those memories. If there is a particular prototype that evokes strong memories for you, then perhaps I can help bring that to life, get in touch using the contact form on the menu of the home screen, or by using Facebook or the forum messaging systems. In the meantime, more soon...