Time Machine…
I bought this model on August 3rd 1996, from the Dapol shop and Doctor Who exhibition in Llangollen. I have retained its somewhat dubious rendition of GWR green despite working over the details several times in the decades that have followed…
She is a model of my childhood. I have a number of them, thus and my Grandpa’s Mainline ‘Dean goods’ are the favourites. I ponder recreating them with an Oxford and new Dapol model - but whilst playing or handling these old models fills me with a calming sense of self, I fear that their detailed replacements would leave me cold. So they live in boxes, their value not in finely applied handrails or seperately applied Smokebox darts - rather in memories, direct or otherwise and a connection to a simpler time where although I was wrestling with all that teenagers do, equally, I had no real worries… no mortgage, no credit card. Life was, to use an old cliché, simpler back then…
Here she is posed on Lametton halt, and the thought I keep having is, could I build a ‘period’ layout? A little like Chris Ford’s take on Roy Link’s ‘the art of compromise’ but in my hand. As realistic as I can achieve but using models and track of the period? I grew up with Code 75 track so that would be acceptable, perhaps a few Peco kits… the Dean goods would need weathering and we’d need to sort out couplings but it could be a rather lovely and heart warming example of ‘the art of the possible’. Perhaps I have a scheme already? Combe Norton certainly ticked a lot of these boxes… an old second hand Bachmann Pannier and a few wagons would be all that’s needed…
That said, my love of Class 03 and N gauge, my mind is equally considering White Hall Halt in N…
This is the return of my creative meandering, I can feel it bubbling under - I wonder what new projects and layouts it will dream up in the coming months. Until next time, more soon…
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I've certainly thought about a rero layout, though updated where it is needed to look acceptable by modern expectations. I have most parts for TAoC where I've sourced things like building kits that are quivelant to the old Protoype models. Although I do have all the Prototype kits, the print quality just wouldn't work today.
ReplyDeleteIt would be quite difficult to pull off - but I think could be good fun. I've also still got a Collett goods here - so could ring the changes in period a little...
DeleteThat's a lovely little scene on lametton Halt James. Have you had a look at Coombe Pyne halt on the Lyme Regis branch. A bit limited in variety of motive power but there are few colour shots out there that are inspiring. It's up high in the Dorset countryside, sunshine, cream teas in the camping coach...
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom - it's a lovely little layout.
DeleteWhilst my brain is in gear, have a look at Thornfalcon in Somerset, near Taunton too. I think 14xx tanks ran on that line to Chard. The station site has long since been built over.
ReplyDeleteI shall try to remember to take a look later!
DeleteHi James, I am planning to have a crack at the "3 foot Whitehall Halt Challenge" as I am fond of that location and was very inspired by your suggestion when I first saw it. I am (not so) patiently awaiting the new Dapol 14xx in order to get started as my Hornby version is not quite up to the job.
ReplyDeleteFunny Clive, I was pondering Whitehall, in N, with an 03!
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