Friday Update: Twenty-five Four Twenty-five…

Another week, another Friday Update; with predictable repetition we find ourselves poised to delve into a few of this weeks projects and hint at a few others, busier post holiday and with preparations for the book launch well in hand, an exciting time...

But we won't start with a commission - rather a gift. I'm creating this model for my friend Chris in Canada - this humble Bachmann DCC Sound-value Alco S2 shell is destined to find use on his current 'layout' muse, the 'Claremont Industrial' - a project whose roots are firmly in N but have found their place in HO scale. Currently 35 (his Alco) is in the deadline needing a little maintenance, but since my own Bachmann chassis now powers the RS32 this shell was just sitting here and I have offered it to him to breathe a little Hilton and Mears magic into the project. Whilst the Bachmann model is basic with no grab irons or separate detail the moulding is crisp and the handrails are nice and fine - I've just gone with a basic repaint here - after removing the footboards. The finish is basic enamels, the faded markings were applied and removed with a thinners wet brush. The radiator is based on the real 104, the HMLX tags are of course somewhat fictional. Next time you see her will be across the ocean...

 

The main 'commission' focus this week has been this rather unusual project - a 'might have been' GWR 2-10-2t! Working with my customer we have a basic specification set out and a whole heap of donor parts and models to draw upon. The work stands at right, at present - we have: Hornby Railroad 9F chassis with motor mount removed (will fabricate a new one), Hornby 42xx cab, rear footplate, buffer beams and front pony, Hornby 28xx cylinders and motion plus rear pony and finally, Lima King boiler and footplate. This thing is huge, but hopefully once in primer, the various parts will become a coherent whole. I'm enjoying the process, reminds me of the Liliput U class I converted many years ago, let's hope the finish will be as neat!

Not pictured, the large scale Ruston are lacquered and about to go into weathering - as are the 16mm GVT stock. I've also been working on another layout design - and to prove its not all micro layouts here, another room sized adventure - exciting to see that and work with Gary on it...

Personal projects abound this week - with a little more free time outside of the holiday. The trio of cement cars that arrived the other week are in the shop - the UP/CNW pair are now painted and finished as Ballard and Wantage cars (left) with custom decals. The GT car (right) has been faded - all three now need weathering. I'm hoping to have this done before Rail-ex in May, when I will be helping Paul out with Maple River again and we'll have some cement traffic on the quayside in the 'modern' era.

After last Saturdays post I hinted a pair of Farish 03s may be on the cards - and here they are... in their British Industrial Sand 'whiteness'. One has already been stripped and modified, and the process for 'lowering' seems workable so the other will head into the workshop this weekend and I'll share more in a separate post on the process and their progress! 

I've also received payment reminders for the Revolution IHA steel wagons (I ordered 3). When they arrive it should only be a matter of time before the 66, and then thoughts turn more fully towards 'Modern Goods' - an exciting layout building summer awaits!

We'll wrap the updates up this week with a few shots of Coalbridge Street. The structures have received some paint and glazing. Next up are details (gutters, the door, a few signs, perhaps a trash can) and the interior of the mill building - probably just some black paper for now - so it is practically ready for it's public debut at the book launch.

The weekend is the last of the girls Easter holiday and I suspect Dad Taxi will be invoked several times. That's ok, it gives me permission to work on my own stuff and perhaps tick off a few more 'before this event or that event' jobs. The weekend's blog posts are written already too - which makes things easier... some plans for tomorrow and a Hilton and Mears for Sunday.

I've begun to work on the third Companion (any submissions welcome) and plan to co-create this one with Paul MP to give me a bit of a hand with the composition. Oh, I should mention - the third Compendium is moving forwards too - perhaps a month or so from being ready for print (so if you'd like to reserve one then by all means get in touch, usual arrangement, £15 UK delivery, overseas at cost, limited production run of 50 copies).

I would also like to gently remind readers of the various other ways to support my work, detailed in the footer. I create something here every day, rain or shine because I enjoy it - but more, I know how many of you stop by daily to see what is going on. If you can spare anything, even just one coffee, then the support would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

I think that's about it - so until next time, more soon...

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