Commission: Penrhyn pair in 009...

This pair of lovely 009 models are almost a blast from the past. Representing Jubilee 1897 and Cegin from Penrhyn quarry they use mechanisms and kits from my re-birth into 009 nearly 10 years ago...

The pair were commissioned by my customer who supplied all of the parts he had collected apart from the Narrow Planet Barclayfication - luckily I had a few spares for this that I could re-work. The model of Jubilee had been sourced before Shapeways went into receivership. They both use Minitrains models as a basis, which in today's world of Bachmann 009 (and Percy!) seem a rare basis but they reminded me why they had been such a game changer - smooth, whisper quiet and refined, they run beautifully.

Of course, working in 009 is always a compromise from the gauge onwards - however, we're attempting to capture, distill, perhaps imbue the character of the prototype in these miniatures. Yes, Jubilee 1897 shouldn't have those flycranks nor a cab full of motor - but she looks right. The ROBEX print was well conceived when released and still stands up to today's resin prints - I'd go further to say these Shapeways prints often can be better - they are brittle, but more structurally accurate with less droop or twist than you see in some resin models.

Of course, this isn't as she came! I have dressed her up with the injector pipework, lubricators and whistle based upon period photos - which do a lot to improve the visual appearance. In addition I've replaced the couplings at my customers request and squeezed a tiny ZIMO DCC decoder into the cab. Lining is representational - using the Fox N gauge mixed traffic is a compromise on colour but it is so lovely and fine that I think it's worth it -I've seen people use the correct shades, but apply the two colours on the wonk - the beauty of the N gauge lining is of course the red and grey are a consistent distance apart which helps keep things neat. There is a lot of it on Jubilee, and fiddly too - these photos are cruel enlargements - but I'm happy with how she turned out. The finishing touch are some etched plates from Custom Nameplate Studio (through Light Railway Stores).

Second of the pair is Cegin - using a Minitrains Bohler model with the old Narrow Planet 'Barclayfication' kit which consists of the cab, chimney and clack valves. The result is a bit of a caricature for Cegin - as the boiler is too large and highly pitched, but she runs well - the kit was never intended to represent the Penrhyn pair per se, it fact, I've done a wide cab version which works well for the Irish peat locomotives actually - anyhow, back to the model in hand, the biggest surgery here was to remove the sand dome!

This is plastic but has a hole with a screw in it in the centre which requires careful gluing, filling and smoothing to get a passable boiler curve - important as it is so visible. The result though does go someway to capturing more of the character of the Penryhn pair. I added wooden beams on the buffer beams and RT models couplings along with some levers and pipework along the boiler. The cab requires the donor model floor modifying, and I took the opportunity to remove the lubricators and their 'footplate extension' from the moulding too, a bracket was formed in brass for the end of the slide bar. The cab then should slide down into place - and I glued this so I could fill any gaps - this does make painting an interesting challenge with masking tape, but the end result is worth the faff!

The model was lined with the same Fox N gauge decals and plates again came from Custom Nameplate Studios. The same DCC decoder is hidden in front of the motor inside the open cab.

It has been an absolute pleasure to work on these models and remember the wonderful mix of kit and scratch building that was so appealing when I began work in 009. The energy from building these models has fuelled another kit from me - but more on that on Friday! In the meantime, I still have a little capacity this side of Christmas for your kit building commissions so do get in touch if you'd like me to work on your own model and bring your dream model to reality. Until next time, more soon...

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