Commission: Isle of Wight repaint in OO…

This EFE Rail model has been handing around the workshop for a few weeks waiting on the etched nameplates from Custom Nameplate Studio…

They arrived a week or so ago and are a lovely finishing touch. The model, OO gauge, was an interesting comparison to the Alan Gibson etched brass EM gauge model that overlapped in the studio. It showed just how good an injection moulded model

Could be, but equally, how dead in slightly inhuman the perfect paint finish was…

Luckily in this instance that want to stay and she was stripped down and repainted in lined BR black. I used some Fox N gauge loning as it is a touch overscale in N, and I used to use it on my OO narrow gauge models but I fear it might be a touch too fine on this example. Hopefully it be attention to neatness balances this out though. Fox also supplied the bunker numbers and boiler bands - as well as the crests.

The gloss black finish was relieved by some detail painting of buffer beams and metal work, and after the etched plates were fitted a dust of satin lacquer tied this all together nicely. Re-assembled I also fitted some real coal in the bunker.

The result captures the character of the prototype, a model my customers father stood adjacent to in an old family photograph. The purpose here not a mm perfect recreation but a prop to stir the memory - something hand finished, with love and a passion for the subject and thanks to a supplied copy of the photo, a connection to the subject. Hopefully that will come through when it is presented as a gift - I enjoyed bringing this idea to life, if I can help you in any similar way I would love to explore your project with you. You can get in touch on the contact form, until next time though, more soon…

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