Friday Update: Fifteen Seven Twenty-two…

Variety and plenty of it here in North Wales again this week and from 009 models to 180cm long layout planning it’s been productive…

We’ll kick off todays post with this, a sign of things to come. For some time I’ve been wondering what sort of body kit could be designed around the Hornby Ruston, and after some digging about in various books and a request with a knowledgeable acquaintance I sourced a drawing of the Motor Rail 14t standard gauge shunter. Expect more on this over the weekend, suffice to say I’ve really enjoyed designing a kit again.

A popular commission with me is to produce a Dolgoch from the Bachmann Rheneas, and to join the Skarloey to Talyllyn conversion my customer sourced a kit and one of the new release yellow Rheneas. This has been turned around in short order and should go into the paint shop later today. The pair are being finished in the lined Brunswick green livery they wore in early preservation. 

As well as the Renfrew repair I’ve also been working on another layout design commission with more of a European twist, this time taking elements of the same Renfrew concept but putting them in a different context. Laying out the track and putting together a video to explain the operation has been a useful tool for my customer to gain a better understanding of the balance between operation and scenic treatment that they want, and there is more to do before it is finished (although this interim, now discarded plan, may end up having its own post as I really like it!). The layout design process is a great way to engage me as it helps you work through questions with an experienced guide and sounding board. The result is a layout design brief with track plan, component lists and illustrations allowing you to build the layout yourself or commission myself (or indeed another builder) to take things forward. Get in touch if you’re interested, prices from £160.

As Victory marches closer I’ve stripped one of the engineering samples down so I can consider methods for our own cab conversion kits. We’re planning a Lambton cab as well as some etched overlays for the GWR riveted tanks. It may also be possible to design other bodies for similar large 0-6-0 side tank locomotives using the chassis and boiler. We will see, however, it’s exciting to think that you’ll all be holding your own models in the not too distant future!

Finishing off this week, a second version of the locomotive print is married up with the right first time tub and chassis, what you see here are the first two items in a new narrow gauge Planet Industrials range. The locomotive uses an N gauge Percy chassis with the cylinders removed, and represents a ‘generic’ but scales Huwood Hudswell 0-4-0 locomotive. The mine tub is freelance but inspired by details of those at Ledston Luck, and runs on a inside framed chassis with brass bushes. Both items are now awaiting their prototype etched metal overlays and details, and although I’ve really enjoyed designing these items it is Steve who is really excited by the prospect of a real gritty ‘modern’ narrow gauge layout!

I’m not looking forward to the heatwave at the beginning of next week, after a month of poor sleep and worry over Janey’s back plus all the strain of running the house I’m in need of a good holiday, oh well, at least the summer means a little more of a lie in, once the kids finish. This weekend should see some nicer settled but less oppressive heat so I will try and enjoy the garden, the Llangollen railway and some cold beer! I hope you all have a good weekend too, watch out for news on the Motor Rail kit and see you again soon…