Friday Update: Three Five Twenty-four…

I swear someone has hit fast forward, how can it be Friday again already! If you’ve not gone one already, now is the time to make a hot drink (a good strong coffee for me please) and if you’re feeling like a treat, a biscuit too - let me gently guide you through another week here in the workshop…

We’ll move off with a return to 009, narrow gauge and the top right hand corner of Wales. This pair of brake coaches have been shown here before but are edging ever closer to completion. Representing Van 10 of the FR (Dundas kit) and the Pickering brake (Robex - Shapeways) on the WHR they have been finished in an approximation of their 1930s condition. The decals shown here are from my own custom artwork, and those on the WHR brake especially look superb, I’m so glad I didn’t go for something off the peg. These were copied from photos online, and I’ve assumed the lettering was white shaded black, always tricky with black and white photography. If you’ve got something specific you’d like me to recreate then get in touch and we can discuss your requirements.

Meanwhile, I’ve been painting track and ballasting this week and Rushcliffe halt is wired, tested, and the track ‘complete’. The next stage is more scenic and I’ll start with the platforms and road bridge to rough in some of the man made form before blending in the natural shapes. On smaller cameo scenes like this where I’ve established the composition via illustration this somewhat chicken before the egg approach is easier to physically contend with, obviously larger more ‘scenic’ layouts might traditionally require a different approach. My layout design service starts from £180, get in touch if you’d like to work together to draw up something specific and unique to your interests, passions and constraints.

This ‘Talyllyn’ has been smoothed and tidied up with the smoke box door replaced as this was missing. I have custom mixed a green to represent the early preservation period, and will be adding lining in the coming days. It is always interesting refinishing older models, preserving some element of the original builders hand whilst producing a smooth and consistent finish. Hopefully this will look a lot more complete in next weeks update!

From rough sketch to completed illustration this composition of Llangollen diesels will soon break cover for an event this year - for which I have designed and illustrated the posters. From my limited knowledge it sounds to be a superb event so keep the first weekend of June clear for now! This was a voluntary project, but if you’ve an event, logo, poster or brochure needing some design work then do get in touch and we can discuss how I might be able to help you out.

The garden has mostly slumbered all week with the weather turning a little damp, but the G-series has been refreshed and charged for the season, so a little gentle run up from the wharf to the mill was in order. This diminutive model was scratchbuilt in laser cut acrylic, etched brass with 3D printed details and resin driver. Packed full of character, it’s one of my favourites.

Inside, the Scottish ‘Speedlink’ project, the result of that mental stock take a few weeks ago, progresses nicely. The Distillers CO2 tanks (top) are from 3D prints on Shapeways, finished with Rail-tec decals and some prototypical ‘odd’ weathering. These were seen regularly out of Cameron Bridge, on the Leven branch. Meanwhile, the molasses tanks (bottom) are from N gauge Society kits running on Bachmann TTA tank chassis. These are quite tricky to build without showing their size as the four pieces that form the barrel are moulded styrene and there are significant gaps on each joint. I took my time to make sure they were square and filled and smoothed the tanks before detailing up with the etched parts. Weathered heavily (but not as heavy as some got in reality) they were seen at Cambus junction for the distillery at Menstrie. These models have tested my patience and refine my hand with trying to achieve a ‘Revolution’ or ‘Farish’ type finish on a kit, which I have found strangely satisfying. 

Whilst these are definitely Scottish examples, I was also keen to try mating one of the N gauge Society chemical tank kits to a pedestal underframe shortly to be available from Will at Coventry Railworks. The Albright and Wilson TTBs were similar, so I’ve finished this third tank in that livery. It has required kitbashing some of the elements on the tank top from etched fencing in the bits box and the A&W and Phosphoric Acid decals are more I’ve designed and had printed, combined with those in the NGS kit it’s ’close enough’. Lacquer next, then once it’s mounted on the chassis I can add the ladders and weather it, here tanks looked white the mess in photos I’ve found on Paul’s website.

As the bank holiday approaches thoughts turn to a long weekend and what I can do to find some headspace and recharge, I do feel that despite all the meditative tasks I undertake through commission work, that I’m desperate need of a proper rest, a holiday perhaps? Fat chance on an artists salary, so I’ll stick with a few days away from your work, lost in books, a bit of gardening, walks, the railway here and a touch of my own model making too - oh and perhaps some switching on Beaverbrook too… I hope wherever you are you can enjoy some downtime as well. For now, until next time, more soon…

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