The ‘unpopularity’ of N…
I can hear this photo. The ‘tractor’ idling, the distinctive lolloping burble. This model is tiny, yet in my imagination she’s huge, full size even. I’ve always thought the 37s and 50s looked ‘heavy’ with their low tapered body, hugging the figure like a pencil skirt…
 |
| I love this model. I love N gauge. |
Heavy too, a real heavyweight, the 37/7. Not bought but built, modified and crafted with a love of the hobby, the prototype and for telling stories. The power of these little toys isn’t in how many wagons they can pull but instead, how far they can transport us through remembered or imagined stories and time travel.
Yes she is N too…
N gauge. Perhaps forgotten? Written off as a curiosity at best, unworkable at worst - yet when discovered by those looking for answers, those maybe following their own version of my journey, it becomes everything. The ‘why didn’t I come here sooner’.
I’ve always liked being on ‘the edge’, looking forwards, working on what is possible and shining a light to guide others… be that in music, mountain biking or my previous career as a Chartered Engineer. Today I’m in the comforting world of my first real love, model railways, here again too at the edge. N gauge isn’t all chunky Peco track, Farish Poole flanges and massive couplings… it’s capable of a finesse, of serious story telling, of feeling larger than it really is… but a little more too… of feeling magical. I build models from the heart and for myself. However I hold a hope that by sharing my stories and their humble beginnings, that others may see there is a world beyond the bulk of O or the hype of TT:120. One with even greater potential. Welcome to modern N gauge.
With a commission modellers hat on, I am happy to bring your OO gauge and larger models to life, The finish you see here is my love of the hobby, my love of the prototype - and when we work together I ask you about your memories and help weave those stories into the result. Let me bring your dreams to life, get in touch for a personal proposal - the modelling commissions page has more details.
Until next time, more soon…
Support my work
I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any donation, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free. Alternatively, feel free to buy me a coffee.
Excellent model making James. I particularly like the fine detail, for example, the lowered cab window. I think N gauge has always been seen as an 'impressionist' scale, either packing alot into a small space (too complex and toy-like)or endless continuous runs with big scenery but not alot of operation or purpose.
ReplyDeleteMore suited to a broad brush approach. You are proving that it can be finely detailed and capable of true realism. Take care.
Thanks Tom. I tend to agree with your analysis of N. There have been greats (Chee Tor) that did both detail and big scenery. There are greats today… but it’s overlooked too often by many modellers who, in this day and age of limited space and small houses, I feel are missing a trick.
DeleteI'm definitely in the 'why didn't I come here sooner' brigade!
ReplyDeleteHopefully I'll have something to show for it this year.
Fantastic news Dave! I hope you’re enjoying yourself as much as I have been!
DeleteFor me, my only concern about N, is that the default couplings you find on RTR stock doesn't seem very welcoming to easy coupling and uncoupling...if you want something that permits that, you need a skill set I don't think I have.
ReplyDeleteWhere it comes to the models, you James clearly demonstrate that they can look a scale bigger (which I personally feel is a hallmark of your modelling skills especially); I have no problem with them looking good - they clearly can!
You’re right about couplings, but this goes for OO in my opinion as well… I’d suggest the Dapol Easi-shunt shouldn’t be overlooked. Reasonable quality and proven design, they’re no panacea as they’re quite chunky but certainly allow easy coupling and uncoupling.
DeleteA cheaper alternative (if you can get them) to the Dapol Easishunts are the Liliput version. Same NEM mount and sprung buckeye type. I recently got a 50-pack (Liliput L949121) from one of the larger German shops, Modellbahnshop-Lippe. Even with shipping and import they worked out around half the cost of Easishunts.
DeleteI wasn’t aware of these Alan. They’re described as ‘Kadee’ - which as far as I’m aware is a trademark. Were these made by Kadee or under license? They look neater than the Dapol but rise up a little, but look as rare as rocking horse s….
DeleteHave been modeling in N for many decades now, love it! Has come a long way.
ReplyDeleteCertainly has - Poole era whilst charming doesn’t do anything for me and for years, that was ‘N’ for me.
Delete