Down on Beaverbrook: Back home…
I have felt a bit ‘lost’ in my own modelling in recent weeks. Cutting off the enthusiasm for ‘buying shiny N gauge things’ as irresponsible I find myself floating amongst a world of inspiration; books, models, layouts all around… yet nothing is drawing me in. Nothing I have is soothing this feeling of wanting to explore something new…
 |
| The CRS20 ‘down on Beaverbrook’ last night. James Hilton photo. |
In recent months Chris and I have been discussing HMLXs acquisition of some U23B and B23-7 in the early nineties. Whilst there were a pair of ex Santa-Fe out at Claremont Industrial most were Ex-Conrail units with of mixed heritage…
 |
| Santa Fe B23-7 working out of Claremont a few weeks ago, Chris Mears photo. |
We have both have moved on from our own recent North American N scale adventures and returned to HO. I didn’t have the same urge for a ‘new shiny thing’ in the larger scale. I didn’t find much urge for anything other than the odd mindful switching session on Coalbridge Street. Then a message from Chris…
“I’m currently watching Minnesota Commerial B23-7s on YouTube and thinking that distracting myself from thinking about buying model diesels by watching railfan videos of the real thing is maybe not the best strategy. Lovely way to go though”.
Then that was that… I plugged in my headphones for the full experience and joined him to an FDL overture. One video led to another, that led to day dreams of those HMLX ex-Conrail U23B which led to this…
I love this unit, it’s faded Conrail paintwork, Alco trucks and compact length (the U23B, whilst longer than the U18B were on a shorter frame than the U30, 33 and 36B - unlike the Bxx-7 which all shared the same long frame). Sounds great too… even better, whilst HO scale Atlas B23-7 are rare in the UK it appears I can pick up a U23B easily and for under £50…
More, it reminds me, I know how these Atlas ‘Classic’ locomotives perform. The chassis under my CRS20 is an Atlas RS32. It has a mesmerising fluidity in the way the trucks trace and follow the track; like a real locomotive whilst the body floats above, an illusion of mass like nothing else I own… and that’s it, purchase made - and the CRS20 runs on Beaverbrook to celebrate.
It seems as if Chris and I are both back safely in HO scale. Chris is back creating his usual crazy ‘Mears-esque’ mat of McDonalds napkins, white glue, ballast and jute and I’m running trains on Beaverbrook.
Lost and found. Exploring my mental health and well-being through model trains and friendships, shared across the Atlantic and with you all across the ether. This will be the first ‘modelling’ I’ve done for Beaverbrook since the RS23 last Autumn, it feels good to be back modifying, repainting and detailing ready to run models. Making them my own, our own, with purpose and plausible reality exercising both my hand through gentle craft and my mind with imagined adventures and faux history.
Down on Beaverbrook. It’s good to be back. 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.
Hi James, it must be difficult to avoid sensory overload in your line of work! The day job of completing other people's projects provides endless variety. Trying to find firm ground for your personal modelling must be difficult. I found volunteering on a preserved railway in the past helped me to focus on my interest in late 80's china clay in N gauge at a time when I couldn't hit the high modelling standards I saw elsewhere, which was the real cause of my frustration. Maybe a cab ride in the 26 on your local line is in order? As for shiny new N gauge things? there will forever be a Tinsley green class 20 trundling around my fictional bit of Cornwall. What can I say? The price was right and I absolutely love it! Have a good weekend. Take care.
ReplyDeleteInteresting reflection Tom. I don’t think it’s the customer models - more there is a lot going on beyond the workshop that is taking its toll - the CP Rail N was retail therapy and it didn’t work… the Rio Grande GP30 whilst lovely, I’ve no doubt, would leave me empty. It feels good to have found Beaverbrook again. My heart always lies with models over prototype.
Delete