This is not a model railway...
In reality I'm not sure I've ever played with this particular model railway, yet it remains one of my favourites. Yet how can it be a model railway without movement?
Look at this photo though... really look at it.
Spend some time here...
Whilst nothing is moving, nothing is happening, there is plenty implied... Just imagine... The sound of 26010 idling as it pauses in the headshunt with an empty fuel tank, stationary, a momentary pause whilst the turnout is changed so it can drop it on the rear of the Inverness passenger train. A young man searches quietly for something in his bag whilst waiting for the bus that will take him, via the ferry, to Skye. Is that the distinctive note of its engine coming along the high street now? The yellow ice cream sign catches our attention as it gently waves in the wind - making that rusty squeaky noise they always do...
Yet nothing has moved. Nothing has been played with. Whilst creating and constructing this lovely model has been a great deal of fun it now provides a quieter and more mindful muse - a place to visit, to find yourself and imagine too, the lapping waves and crying gulls...
Lochdubh. Possibly the best non-model railway I've ever made.
Until next time, more soon...
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Hi James
ReplyDeleteAn interesting piece of what is clearly not just a model railway but a model of a railway. Having the ability to change the scene ad another story appears is like looking at the real thing between shifts and a valuable influence on the mind
Interestingly today in The Observer Magazine there is and article on the mental health benefits of model railways AND you get a mention at the bottom of page 44 for your mindfulness blogs
Have a mindful Sunday
Best regards
Alan
Thanks Alan, indeed, a valuable calming influence.
DeleteThe mindfulness aspect of the blog is what keeps me coming back each day to the blog James. The furthest north I've been in Scotland was Stirling. You can almost hear the seagulls calling and the distant hooter of the Macbraynes ferry on final approach to the dockside. Superb. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom!
DeleteThe Observer article Alan mentioned can be read here: https://observer.co.uk/news/first-person/article/model-trains-are-my-meditation
ReplyDeleteI shared this on my Facebook yesterday. Didn’t realise it was going in the print edition too…
DeleteI've always maintained that a good model railway should hold your attention without any movement, or even without any trains present. The trick is, I think, a decent and consistent standard of modelling, careful composition and a believable setting. And not being afraid to scrap or remove anything that jars, even if you have just bought it/spent 3 weeks building it.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks Paul, that is a good way to put my emotional connection into a more tangible description.
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