Friday Update: Twenty-eight Two Twenty-five…

Hello and welcome to another round up the weeks happenings here on the bench, in the workshop bathed in real, not liquid sunshine this morning. Enjoying the company of two dogs, the sofa is more inviting so join me for a coffee and let’s take a gentle look at what has been happening…

Headlining the bench are the last of this batch if Hudson GoGo tractors in 16mm/ft (1/19) scale. I’ve built three his time, and there is one final batch planned for the summer. This pair are now finished, their weathering complete - and I love how the rust and dirt transforms a ‘scale model’ to a characterful, artful, interpretation of the prototype. If you’d like to reserve one of the final run then get in touch, price is £1200 which includes everything you see here including hidden on board rechargeable Lipo battery and Locoremote.

Even larger are the 7/8ths (1/13.7) scale Ruston 44/48s. Four of these are currently ‘in production’. This is the most progressed example - posed outdoors on the line, but as it’s 45mm it’s just sat on the roadbed of the tramway. There is laser cut acrylic, etched brass, 3D printed acrylic and nylon along with a sprinkling of parts from some smaller suppliers in this build. They’re hand finished too, a lot of the final work is old fashioned scratch building. Once wrapped in grey primer they all blend into one, hopefully giving the character of these ex-Air Ministry beasts! This batch is sold out and I’m not doing another - but would consider future one off builds.  

Evenings this week have found a calmer mind finding a little more headspace for Modelmaking. Denton Road is progressing slowly and I’ve begin to flesh out the right hand side station scene with styrene replacing the card mock-ups. There felt like a gap in front of the overall roof / office on top of the station so this 1960s ‘temporary’ structure feels like it fits the bill - mocked up in paper. The idea here actually may be to paint the infill panels in pale blue rather than brown. We’ll see… still a lot of detail to add to this, the station and alongside the track but I love the character and balance in this small micro which belies its tiny size.

After musing in last week’s Friday update about the connection between he poetry pamphlet (and it’s Lofi partner the ‘zine) and my own Compendium - alongside the deeper reflection that Modelmaking isn’t just physical art, but could be poetic too - regular reader Jonathan posted me a surprise - a copy of a real poetry pamphlet he had compiled. This was a revelation - and a beautiful surprise. A revelation for it was the first time I had read poetry since school - if I’m honest I found that element harder going - listening to it being read on ‘The Verb’ it feels very natural, trying to find the rhythm (or not) yourself is harder. Reading vs listening also different… I enjoyed the challenge. A beautiful surprise and along with the last few days of sunshine perhaps the opportunity to bed in some of this positive energy and mindset I have fought for and found, thank you Jonathan.

This Rice-esque pose was taken this week using my phones timer for the updated ‘Commissions’ page of the website - somewhat staged it does show a lot of how I work here - surrounded by inspiration and my own creation, by memories and familiar tools, sat in my Dad’s old chair alongside my Grandpa’s MRJ collection… layers if your peel back the veneer of an otherwise almost false image - truth and reality lie just below the surface,

Beyond Denton Road I’ve not done any layout work - but whilst energy for last Saturday’s N scale barge float idea has faded a little it hasn’t vanished. Tempered more by the reality of space and the comprimises and ranking I have to give my decisions and dreams. Posing the Microtrains N and Kadee box cars does give me a real sense of the space though, imagining the scene… whilst I accept I couldn’t entertain it in HO I am left wondering just how I’ll feel about this North American journey in the smaller scale… we will see if that question is enough to drive us through the creative process. Never the less, it has already been rewarding, sharing the scale and energy with my good friend Chris whom is also building an N scale layout using the same track and similar models at present… just across the Atlantic!

Those that follow me on Instagram or Facebook will have seen this image last night, accompanied by this commentary:

Un-necessary but relaxing. 

Mindful even. 

Craft allowing headspace to unwind after a full-on day. 

Scratchbuilt brass brake gear on a Chivers N scale fish van. 

It’s fiddly form created from fine brass wire and hand tools a muse, a train of you’ll excuse the metaphor, to a more peaceful place where calm could wash over me once more.

 

Its creation followed a busy and demanding day taking my youngest daughter shopping in Chester. We took the train, at her request I might add - always so familiar and comforting, every time I step foot on one I remember how calming I find the experience. Classic 158s too, still a feature of the Holyhead/Birmingham route and a wonderful ride. She got what she wanted too - so a successful trip.

Wrapping up this week I have another small layout up for sale. This time it’s 009 (or equally H0e). A Mosslanda with just single track and a European vibe - although the sign is removable. The casework includes a socket for power and control and a fiddle stick allows the train to leave the scene - but be stowed away when not in use tucked down behind the cameo box. Lighting can be left on as a display even when not in use… £150 (or reasonable offer) plus postage. Get in touch using the form here, email via my Facebook (link on Commissions page) or the forum messenging systems. 

The weekend - it’s nearly here - and I have no pre-conceptions over what I’ll get up to but will aim to enjoy some modelling, some real trains and some books - perhaps the weather will encourage a trip further afield, hopefully good coffee too! I hope you can find the same, but until next time, more soon…

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