The state of the art in N…

When I began my British N scale adventure, encouraged by good friend Paul (who still isn’t really out of the blocks with N) it was in part inspired by the quality of ‘new’ British N gauge models…

Revolution IHA wagon, box fresh but fitted with DG couplings.

It was useful and interesting to experience the Canadian N distraction recently. For with that did not come satisfaction, rather frustration. The models ran well, but were not as detailed. The stock available wildly different in quality. More, all of it felt like it rode too tall, killing the atmosphere when viewed, as I prefer, at eye level.

Here we are again then, more British N, more excitement, more motivation, more Revolution!… the arrival of the IHA steel carriers was always hoped to form the final catalyst for ‘Modern Goods’ and they have certainly met my expectations. Brilliantly capturing the wrinkled but taught covers and sprinkled, liberally, with fine detail. They’re marvellous, cute (being short) and low slung giving the impression of mass. Turning them over we see a wealth of detail, every bit the measure of a larger scale model… just pinch yourself (excuse the wheels, mind even these are finer than recent years) this is N…

Just pinch yourself, this is British N…

I find myself continuously inspired by these toys masterfully designed and fabricated by friends in China. These creations are a fuel for my soul and through them I can tell a story. There is a pure energy too, in their small size. The magic feeling of holding something so wonderful in the palm of your hand. A childlike enthusiasm yes, but as adults have a love for miniatures, we always have from the carvings of wood created by ancient man to the Class 03 from Farish. Wonder in miniature.  

N isn’t just about full length trains in a garage or on an exhibition layout, it certainly isn’t about cheaper models! No, N can offer the space starved modeller more… and the shelf modeller, as I am these days, really intimate operation, up close and ground level… just magic.

N can offer the modeller more…

Circling back to the IHA, I’d love to collect a few more should they still be available in a few months. They are frequently seen on the real railway here, shuttling steel between Shotton and Llanwern. More, the imminent arrival of my Revolution 66 (fingers crossed) will mean I have all the elements to create ‘Modern Goods’ and there will be no more excuses! 

This new layout won’t have a permanent display location, instead it’s designed for occasional home use but mainly an exhibition scheme. Whilst I can make do with stage carpentry for shelf cameo, the layout will need some more finesse in the fiddle yard sector layout than I have achieve previously so the challenge is beyond the composition and rather, the creation as a whole. One that would not have been possible without the energy created by ‘modern British N’.

Thank you Paul… when will you break cover with New Burn?

Until next time, more soon…

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