Friday Update: Four Seven Twenty-five…
The weeks are literally flying by; it’s been incredibly busy here this week yet I don’t seem to have achieved anything. I enjoy these brief moments of reflection as much as you do - a chance for me to recognise the work completed and the steps taken towards realisation…
The custom etched plates for the ‘what if’ GWR 2-10-2t arrived yesterday, so I’ve mocked up the position of these and the decals - settling on this arrangement. Fitting these today should see the model given a protective coat of satin laquer and finished by this time next week. Equally, another model nearing completion is the 16mm Kerr Stuart - whose decals arrived this week and plates (along with those for the 009 Dolgoch) are due imminently. It will be good to get these models off the bench and into their new homes!
That said I’m keen to create another magazine, something we’d all be interested in reading, in owning… a similar physical format, but perhaps more of a traditional format - still emotional intelligent writing, inspiring photography and modelling but from a varied group of friends and fellow modellers. Hopefully I can get some advertising support for this would be more magazine like which will help drop the price… if you’d like to put your name down for a copy (expecting about £10 posted, UK) or to take out an advert (£30 half page inside cover, £70 rear cover). Aiming to print about 100 of this first edition…
With the news that Rapido are working on an MLW S13/RS23 I dug out my old Kaslo S13, the first resin kit I built upon my rebirth in North American modelling a few years ago… this runs on a Bachmann S4 chassis but wasn’t a great running example so I’d stripped out the drive and was running it with my SW1500. This news had me yearning to run it again so I’ve repaired and rebuilt the transmission but the reasons for its withdrawal sadly remain. A surging in the speed, it actually increases speed to step 6, then slows and doesn’t get faster until 10… which is a little idiosyncratic but more of a problem when slowing down! Any suggestions other than replacing the chassis, let me know. If it comes to it, I’m sure I can find a cheap donor on eBay…
The definitive example of that feeling is Lametton Halt (above) which to me seems to never really progress yet pausing here long enough to enjoy my childhood 14xx and auto coach on the layout I can see not only the promise of what is to come, but the hours of work that have been expended to get here… the scene is shaping up nicely and all being well I’ll have time to start on the greenery this week with foundational Woodland Scenics flock and coarse turf applied to the landscape as a base for the static grass.
Meanwhile, whilst working on a new commission, a GER Claud Hamilton in OO gauge (you can see the CAD on the laptop and drawings on the bench) the third Compendium arrived. It is always rather wonderful to receive the first of anything in print, the ‘I made this’ never diminishes - initial pangs of anxiety over its heartfelt and slightly introspective content allayed as I spent time with the pages… recognising instead a journey, through darkness to hope with a smattering of modelling thrown in too… This has become a very personal publication and the third marks the last installment - in this form.
A few new video presentations this week… I filmed a one take 15 minute operating session on Coalbridge Street, reflecting on the weeks progress on commission works and thoughts on what comes next… I also share another soundscape, this time aboard the Class 14 here on the railway - recorded in the cab on an authorised cab ride a few weeks ago when running during the Bluey weekend on Glyn shuttles. A great experience, and wonderful to be taken back by putting it on the stereo whilst doing some commission work.
We’ll wrap things up this week where we began, with Lametton. This 1.2m cameo is really exciting, it’s form coming to life infront of me - and so so close to the sketches and illustrations. I love my job, today we’ve described kit builds, scratchbuilds, CAD design, magazine and print design, photography and video and of course, writing here… what a variety, and all creative.
I am always humbled by the support through Buymeacoffee or Donate here on the blog, I write because I enjoy the process but recognise that many of you enjoy your time here and are happy to ‘throw a few pence in my cap’. If you haven’t seen the links, they’re in the menu at the top of the page and Imwouod appreciate anything large or small you feel able to contribute.
The weekend sees the ‘Classic Transport Weekend’ descend on Glyndyfrdwy and with it extra trains, beer at the station and the chance to go and photograph and enjoy the experience - if you’re here let me know and I’ll happily meet you. I’m planning a trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog via the Conwy Valley line next week too, happy to join anyone who’d like to come along - get in touch about that too… otherwise hope you enjoy the weekend whatever it brings for you - until next time, more soon…
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Hi James
ReplyDeleteWell, in spite of your declaimer at the start you seem to have achieved much this week. Perhaps not having completed work might be the answer, but you seem to have some good stuff in progress and look forward to seeing how they develop.
Was surprised and delighted when Compendium 3 dropped through my letter box this morning. The articles include ones I enjoyed reading on the blog - great to have them in print. As you might imagine the American articles resonate with me, but I also enjoy the philosophical musings and agree with much of them.
The thought of a James Hilton magazine is attractive and would certainly sign up for that, and if I could help in anyway let me know.
Enjoy the weekend - it looks as if you will have a good one.
Best regards
Alan
I'm glad Compendium 3 has arrived - and hope you enjoy it over the next few days... and thanks for the support and offer of help with the magazine. We will see what happens...
DeleteLametton Halt is coming along nicely James. Am looking forward to Compendium 3 arriving, it's not here yet. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom - let me know when it arrives
DeleteI meant to say that I'd definitely like a copy of any railway magazine you produce James, please let me know when you need a down payment please.
ReplyDeleteI'm not asking for payment in advance - my hope is I can get the price down by asking advertisers for some help in that way... but thanks for the kind offer of support.
DeleteI'd be interested in a copy of a new magazine, and maybe even as a contributor if I ever get me pizza finished. I'd like to see something along the lines of MORILL or the one that came after, Railmodel Digest. High quality, interesting articles, and a little food for thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul - I suspect this won't be that sort of magazine, but I do have a longer term plan for something in that vein along with Paul MP - that is a more organised and serious offering, so will need shaping up - whereas I'm thinking a follow up to Compendium will be a little more informal... would love to see anything you're happy to contribute - thank you.
DeleteHi James, I think you've already got a note of my interest in a new magazine. In other news, I've just been giving the new Compendium a first read and it really is superb. You are focussing on aspects of our hobby that rarely get mentioned but are why so many of us are involved, and I'm very grateful for that. Like many people, I spent decades in quiet denial about my interest and even now I'm careful who I talk to about trains, railways and model railways. However, to be able to say honestly that I like all this stuff and to feel that there are others who have the same engagement - both cerebral and primitive - is great. I do like the cover; very bold to offer such a quiet, under-spoken image. And the account of the two 37s on the Cambrian line is great too. Well, I don't want to detain you too long, but I hope you keep on making these special publications available. And finally, yes, it had something of the good poetry pamphlet or magazine - open, non-aligned, both immediate and reflective - but unlike some poetry, immediately comprehensible! And if your new magazine ever needs a 'railway poem editor', let me know! Very best, Jonathan
ReplyDeleteJonathan that really is very very kind - thank you for the appraisal and I appreciate your opinion especially with your professional background...
DeleteI will indeed keep working on new things - I can't decide if the next thing will be called Compendium still, or something else... but it will be slightly more railway modelling focused and collaborative.
I will be in touch with your offer of 'railway poem editor' for I think that would be a lovely addition!
Delete