Friday Update: Twenty-one Eleven Twenty-five…

Well I did think it was cold last week but it’s big fleece time now in the workshop… so make sure that is a big hot mug you’re drinking, wrap those fingers around it’s warm sides and let’s go see what’s on the bench this week…

Something new! A 16mm commission, a one off (at present), a Ruston 30DL. This photo with the pen show the relative mass, big, not not massive… certainly no 7/8ths model. The model will be my usual mixed media approach - modern scratch building I like to call it. 2D and 3D design, laser cut, etch and 3D print, scratchbuilt hand made details and finishing, painted and weathered with heart to create a model with soul. 

I’m really pleased with now the chassis parts have worked out, neat fit and a nice strong frame that mimics the prototype. The chassis uses the last of my Delrin drive components but I might, at last, have a way forward on that now… I need to send some emails to follow up a lead.

The NGG16 has been back on the bench too - the chassis units are now wired up with pickups and since this photo, frames fitted and painted. That means it’s on to the part built bodywork - and a myriad of parts cut and removed from the sprue! Trying to sort through all this was rather frustrating but I think I’ve made sense of what is, and what isn’t there - and work has begun on fitting the various pipe runs to the boiler.

Beyond locomotives there has also been swift progress on Kenny Hill! Last week saw the land forms at the rear take shape, this week I’ve finished that off and added the front hill and wood former along the baseboard edge to support this, which looks great (below) all painted in soft truffle. Yesterday saw the wiring and track go down, so track painting today - all being well.

As a slight distraction I’ve been looking again at track and I had some British Finescale Code 40 on my bench for another project. I placed a rail in some Atlas Code 55 web, and it is loose, but fits. The contrast with the heavier 55 weight rail is visible, giving that feeling if a lightly laid spur or siding really nicely. Why? I have ideas for my Christmas project forming and they’re North American!

Removing the colour (above) and a comparison. Peco Code 55 rear (British N sleeper spacing), Atlas Code 55 ties front. Middle rail is Atlas Code 55, from rail is British Finescale Code 40. Interesting… more on this soon enough!

The proudest achievement this week isn’t fitting pickups to an NGG16, but instead, repairing my 2000s era Sony CD player! It’s all to easy to throw things away - it’s over twenty years old, it’s work out… etc etc! However, a replacement wouldn’t be cheap, current prices are more like a DCC sound locomotive than a plain DC! A £5 door drive belt, replaced in ten minutes, and she’s like new. I’m over the moon but the family aren’t with my noughties indie CD collection getting an airing. That ‘The Basement’ single was, I think, a promo copy my friend Chris got from Palatinate, the Durham student paper at the time… still sounds fresh today.

The sale this week has gone well - there are a few quality items left, including a lot of the books. I’m open to offers on these, but the other items are keenly priced already. If you’re interested get in touch using the contact form on the commissions page.

And that just about wraps up the week - I’m off to the NEC tomorrow to the Warner’s Festival of British Railway Modelling. I hope to see some of you there - and that we all have no trouble with cars or trains on the way! Right now I’m going to make another hot drink and brave the workshop, have a wonderful weekend. Until next time, more soon…

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