Friday Update: Twenty Two Twenty-five…

Welcome to this week's Friday Update, we've seen 1deg C to 13degC in less than 24 hours as well as a plentiful mix of trains both in real life and on the workbench. Grab a coffee and join me for a wander through the comings and goings...

Leatown’s latest arrivals. Kevin Wood photo.

Yesterday I shared a lovely photo of Kohlenbachbrücke that now resides with David (of Renfrew fame). Today I'm pleased to share photos from a few customers, the first of which is above - Kevin kindly shared a glimpse of his latest weathering commissions (the wagons haven't even appeared here yet) on Leatown! I'm hoping we can get his layout along to my book launch at The Titfield Thunderbolt later in the year, a collection of my own models and those of my customers sounds a great chance to share the new book and meet many of you in person.

The week has been largely focused on large scale models - the most complete of which is this 'Mylocosound' Valdora in 16mm/ft. I was asked to finish and paint this - a lot of the work had been done by my customer but it has seen a lot of effort to get the smooth surfaces shown here - the tabs and slots needed a lot of filling and smoothing but the results are worth it. Hoping to have this wrapped up this week so I can get back to the Hudson GoGo tractors and Ruston 40/44 next.

Jorge Cortes photo.

The second of my customer photos is this from Jorge in the USA. He commissioned me last year to finish this 009 plantation diesel, shown here on his fledgling layout. It's always lovely to see my models being enjoyed in their new homes, thanks for sending this in Jorge.

I mentioned large scale models - the GVT brake van is ready for paint having had the last of the details and couplings added. Up top this 'Perfect World' kit is lovely (although the extra detail I've added has really finished it off) but the comprimised under frame is slightly disappointing. I've added truss rods and some rivet head detail - hopefully this, once painted black and in shadow, will trick you into thinking there is more modelled then there is! Here, it is interesting to compare the Hudson GoGo, which feels a massive prototype and really burly actually isn't very big at all - both models are to the same scale!

 

The Ruston 44/48 project is now above the frames and the prototype parts have led to production orders! The bonnets are being assembled and the fuel tanks and cabs now need finishing and detailing. The gearboxes are from Dean Goods models and the tractor seats are from Model Earth. I'll use my own Ruston cab controls to finish things off in side the cab.

97304 visits Traeth Hafren. Stephen Lawrence photo.

A week or so ago I advertised my 97304 and inspection saloon for sale. They sold quickly and were bought by the new owner of 37418 and Traeth Hafren! Stephen not only shared my love of small layouts in N, but he is an accomplished modeller. His threads on RMweb show the art of the possible - as always lovely to see my creations in their new homes!

We have seen some brighter, albeit colder mornings and here is a photo from earlier in the week, Tuesday I think, when I took the dog for a walk before cloud rolled back in - the light can be wonderful here in the valley, especially this time of year. Seeing scenes like this before your eyes warms the heart, it feels like spring is on the way. Look at those glistening rails too, witness to the weekend previous DMUs back on the railway!

 

I enjoy listening to The Verb on Sundays, a great radio program on Radio 4 (also available as a download afterwards through BBC Sounds). Last week hosted a discussion about train journeys - and more, about 'zines and pamphlets rather than books. Fascinating cross over in my mind, the artist in me sees my own work as a way of expressing something. Compendium was created because I was stubborn and wanted to make it - perhaps not suitable for mass consumption, testing the water, more personal and therefore I can take a risk - the parallels to poetry and to the 'zine culture very strong. Poetry was not an art form I had considered relating to my own relationship with trains, with model railways. Perhaps I shall give it some more thought?

Something Canadian arrived this week too - and small too... an N gauge Atlas S4 in CP Rail... as a man who said N was only for British modelling why have I succumbed to this lovely little things charms? Canadian Pacific was my Dad's railroad. He loved it... he loved the multi-mark, the red engines and yellow caboose against the green, grey and blue of the majestic Rocky Mountains. I am planning a shelf layout inspired by the lake operations between Slocan and Rosebery, but more on that another time. What can I say about 7113 other than, WOW. It's absolutely gorgeous - but, and this is good news, not as alluring as my British N. I still feel American modelling for me will be HO, but as a stand alone project with limited scope, I'm happy to work and learn with American N.

I'll wrap up this week with a shot that really doesn't do the real view justice. 7754 on the second of three test trains yesterday, returning to Llangollen with 3 Mk1s. The rain had just started but the sun wasn't far behind the clouds, a brightness through the layers of moisture, tempered by beautiful clouds and green, brown and greys in the landscape. Wonderful to see and hear steam return to the valley.

So that about wraps up this week and a weekend beckons. Enjoy any modelling time you can find, I'm certain I will, but until next time, more soon...

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