Friday Update: Twelve Nine Twenty-five…

I had forgotten what a bad head cold is like until this week. No getting away from it now, my head is a stinking mess of mucus and my body aches all over. I hope you all manage to dodge this one, but I suspect it came from the kids, so probably not…

This means I’ve not got the capacity for my usual sort of Friday update, but hopefully, we’ll manage!

In the workshop this week I’ve been with the paint and a few jobs have been transformed with colour… the big Bagnall being the prime example. This has included airbrushed crimson and hand painted red, black and metal shades - decals next! This is the Railway Mania kit, and I’m very impressed with it, so far!

The Alan Gibson Isle of Wight 02 is primed, and I’ve fitted the pickups and drive - I’ll let the primer fully cure over the weekend before moving onto green… lining is going to be tricky, but I like a challenge!

In last week’s update I shared that I was sending the C2 chassis off to Sven at Tramfabriek… well it’s back, and it is transformed. This is now a smooth and powerful drive, and refitting it under the body required only a tiny modification - the result though is a characterful locomotive, teetering on those tiny drivers just crying out to stretch its legs somewhere… it’s last run was probably when it visited the Isle of Stoner, back in 2022.

I had a tip off last weekend from John in the DMU group that the rare sight of a 6 car green set were replacing the lunchtime steam service… I nipped down to Carrog between showers to capture this ‘historic’ event. This weekend sees the 50th celebrations here in the valley with a special service today, and over the weekend. I’m sure the railway would appreciate your support if you’re able to visit.

September is marching on, and I must cut wood for the new shelf layouts, especially with both Coalbridge Street and Denton Road reaching a natural state of completion. That said, if I can’t shake this cold I’ll be taking it very easy! I hope wherever you are, you escape the lurgy, and until next time, more soon…

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