In the Lime-light…

The latest wagon added to Paxton Road’s Speedlink collection is this covered lime hopper, a pre-production sample from Will at Coventry Rail Works. Thanks Will… 

I don’t pull any punches - whilst Will has gifted me the 3D print if I thought it had any shortcomings I’d let him know… and my only complaint, fed back for production models, was fairly simple; the Mosskito wheelsets I prefer to use scraped on the underside of the cross members of the chassis frame. Otherwise, a lovely print and very nicely designed, capturing the fine detail we’ve come to expect in N without feeling unduly fragile.

Paul Bartlett (who else) has some great reference photos on his website. Procor built the prototypes in 1971 for lime traffic, some were later rebuilt from long hatches to round hatches for alumina from Blyth. I had seen photos of single wagons in Speedlink trains to Mossend - excuse enough for one in the collection.

A primer coat showed a few bits needing tidying up as the tanks are otherwise smooth, then a light brownish grey was airbrushed. Detail painting of buffers and axle boxes followed, then gloss lacquer before the decals (supplied) were fitted and sealed with satin lacquer. Gently working through the motions, nothing taxing, a quiet place to absorb yourself between chores in the home. A sanctuary from the everyday - I love model making like this…

First the mechanics, weathering started with 98/33 mix - then left to dry. Later Matt 34 (white) was added for lime staining and she was finished… and then the heart and onto Paxton Road where 08761 shuffled it around the yard… a mindful reward for the quiet time invested in her finish.

Just pause a moment though and cast your eye over the photos above. Open them full screen, then stop and remember that THIS IS N. Yes, these are tiny, yet lovely. A triumph of design and manufacture by a talented individual here in the UK.

‘Modern N’ isn’t all crude couplings and pizza cutter flanges. We have semi-scale track and wheelsets, we have detailed smooth running models that ooze character, the small size can be a challenge for finesse but one that I enjoy - and the reward is how much life you can pack into a 500mm long shelf layout. You haven’t tried it yet? What are you waiting for… grab a bargain Farish 03 or 08 and some wagons and join me! Until next time more soon…

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