Friday Update: Thirteen One Twenty-two…

It's been a funny week with a massive variety in work from finishing off layout design commissions and prepping etch artwork on the computer to wiring a LocoRemote inside a 16mm/ft diesel. We've had crisp blue skies and lovely winter sun light but more often grey overcast dark and wet with high winds last night to top things all off...

As well as work, I've been beginning to think more seriously about presentation of my various layouts at the Festival of British Railway Modelling in February. I picked up a second laptop transformer to power the lights on both cameo layouts that will be there, and I think presenting the N on top of the OO works, but on the 'table' top they're too low. Even here on some plastic storage containers I'd argue they're a little low for presentation really. I'm waiting to hear the physical size of the table tops next, to think about how this will balance with the table top layouts Mollington Road and Canal Street Wharf. I don't think I'll be taking the 009 Creech Barn as it won't be finished in time, but hopefully there will be enough for people to look at and talk with me about during the weekend. It will be great to meet a few of you there I'm sure, it's the first time I've 'exhibited' since Covid, and the first outing for 3 of the 4 layouts.

The behemoth SAR Class 91 continues, and you'd be hard pushed to detect it's meagre Bowaters underpinnings as I've extensively re-worked and detailed the basic body shell, even adding a cab interior. This week has been about making it go, and so I've wired up the supplied LocoRemote Mega2 with lights. This 'wifi' controller is not quite as tactile as a speed controller in your hand but was refreshingly easy to setup and get working. The LEDs are 2.5mm warm white and look good, illuminating strongly in the daylight and I think will be great once the model is painted. However, I'm still waiting on the custom etched details before I can move on to colourisation, hopefully in a few weeks, so for now this one is parked, literally and figuratively on the windowsill.

The final job this week has been repainting a Bachmann 20T van in a lighter grey, and weathering it along with it's box fresh brown companion. These models capture all of the character of the prototype in my humble opinion, the clear plastic used for the 'end' inserts has a lovely flush glazed effect and the moulded detail responds well to washes. Next will be detail micro painting, then dry brushing and to be finished with airbrushed dirt in the next day or so, a nice quick project. If you have some items you'd like to be brought to life do get in touch using the contact form for a no-obligation fixed price proposal.

This weekend I'm planning taking things slowly as it's been busy for the whole family back to school. Modelling wise I plan on building the signal for my Cambrian plank along with looking at options to 'weather' the track a little on the same. I'm also keen to try my hand at a small farm house I'd like to include on the larger Cambrian layout, so I may start cutting material for that, and I'm sure a walk or two will include seeing some railways, although I believe it's turning cold here (and I'm sure where you are too). Until next time, more soon...