Introducing number 9…
A few months ago I sold my Farish BR blue 08 - yet here we are looking at another blue 08? So what was the point, am I going mad? Could I just have renumbered the old one?
I enjoy, no it’s more than that, I recharge and so rejuvenate when working on model locomotives and rolling stock. It has become second nature, the craft elevated to intuition so that whilst engaged in the act I am completely at one, at peace. Calm mind, clear head.
That explains, in some small part, the parade of models that grace my personal workbench. Their current focus may be N gauge, the subject British Rail in the 90s but the heart and soul remains mine.
So 08710 is here because I enjoyed it. Yes, it’s the 9th here, and it won’t be the last. I bought a Kernow ‘St Piran’ for £100 or so, stripped the paint and transformed her into Haymarket’s 08710, shed mate to 08762 and 08791 - and a visitor, certainly, to Thornton - even better, trip workings to the Auchmuty branch too!
Yes, a strip down also meant I could fill and smooth the extra holes on the cab after removing the top marker light and lamp iron - as well as replace the front buffers with some West Coast Oleo examples, turned down carefully on my mini-drill. Finished entirely with Fox markings over Phoenix rail blue.
Weathering using my usual wet on wet 98/33 wash really brings out the character of the prototype and the way oil grease and dirt collect around doors and in the chassis. This thing is tiny, the photos cruel but part of the charm is the chunkiness of the coupling rods which remind us of this toy’s real size. It feels wonderful.
Crawling around on Paxton Road it has become the shunter of choice - as the latest often does… however I do have another blue one on the go - but that isn’t an 08 - rather an 09, so doesn’t count, does it… but I won’t get into that story just yet, rather, for now I’ll hope these photos of 710 excite and energise you as much as they do me - go make something your own, tell a story and enjoy this pastime. As always, until next time, more soon…
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I love the 350hp Shunter in its various forms...all too easy to dismiss as mundane, but it's pretty amazing that examples of a design that has its roots in the 1930s are still in use on the national network today.
ReplyDeleteIn my early spotting days, 08s were exotic for me, as I couldn't afford to travel far and there was little for them to do in my local area, what non-passenger traffic I saw being mostly 73 or 33 hauled (and shunted).
Newhaven had a resident 09 (usually 09012) but the first 08 I ever saw was 08803 at Reading on a school trip to Didcot.
Your model certainly captures the typical condition of those I saw back then, James, and it's good that there's a well-running model available in N. The only one I have is green with wasp stripes, for my occasional 1960s era N modelling.
Cheers,
Simon.
Funny you mention 09012 Simon… that’s my next target! When she was based at Hereford, shunting Bulmers.
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