Friday Update: Five Twelve Twenty-five...

The rain continues most days here in Wales - anyone would think it's famous for it or something. Meanwhile, in the workshop something of a small renewal in enthusiasm sees some interesting new developments. Grab a brew and lets take a look...

So, first of all I'm designing 3D parts for the 16mm Ruston 30DL and getting them printed; to bulk out the order I dug some unfinished CAD produced at the same time as the Sentinel (more on that soon, etches due before Christmas). This is a slightly larger Porter saddle tank. It is 009 (not H0n30) to go with the rest of my DYMCo fleet - and begs the question - will I build a layout? Well... I have also ordered a trio of the 'plantation/mining tub' chassis but shortened for tighter corners... these will form the basis for a new etched body, probably of some sort of side dump car.

With the explosion of RTR 009 I wonder if there might be a market for something a little left field? Perhaps I could create a collection of 'caricature' American narrow gauge models and stock with a faux history, track plans, structure drawings? Focused on the craft, making things... am I mad? I have tried this before with both the Llanfyllin and Llangynog as part of the Peco coach commission (and which we've re-hashed with the Rapido range in 009) and 'The Wharf' booklet for the 006.5 range. It was a fair amount of work for very little return, but perhaps a passion project?

Meanwhile on the actual bench - lots of 009. I've got three Dolgoch (including this one!) and a pair of Talyllyns on the bench. These are all Bachmann / Fourdees and they're good fun to work on. All now in their main colours ready for detail painting later - and then onto decals and finishing. An outside chance they'll be done by Christmas...

...one of the Talylln models is the recent RTR release - my customer has asked me to match the colour on the Dolgoch model - but also add the handrail on the smokebox which I've formed in brass wire. This has improved the appearance quite considerably. The tank handrails would require a complete repaint, so have been left as moulded representations.

The other modelling commission in progress is Kenny Hill which looks quite different to last week! The backscene as usual, has transformed things - but the static grass and flock have really brought the landscape to life. The hand made trees are all now planted and the fence (two types of post, thick and fat, copied from photos) are all in place. Today I will make a start on the only real structure - the platform, and then we'll be very much on the home straight!

As well as some 3D design I've also found a bit of my mojo with physical model making again. A small step towards the first structure for Cwmbach - a ground frame hut, inspired by the one at Blaenant colliery, this is various bits of plasticard - and the floor and roof are removable so allow me to add glazing after painting. It will be nice to have this made as the layout progresses - and before I need to tackle the somewhat more involved colliery screens!

Finally, ANOTHER Farish 08 landed here this week - seen here out of focus (oops) with another new arrival, a Farish ZCA. What on earth is going on? Kernow had the 08 on for £89.99 last week and I'm going to have a go at modelling a Canton pet, 09013 with metals stripes and cab plaques in general grey. The ZCA will be an easier project, but with a little bit of weathering it will gain some appropriate 'revenue' load at some point... I've always liked the 'Dutch' engineers livery - I might re-brand this as a SPA, like happened after privatisation, we'll see... sorry, I'm probably rambling!

So another week has passed - it does not feel like a 7 days since I last wrote one of these - and next week is the last in the workshop on commissions before Christmas and I take a long and well deserved (in my opinion) break from working on other peoples models - and spend some time enjoying my own. That doesn't mean the blog stops, far from it, but just I won't be earning anything from customers! I always appreciate kind donations and coffees - and if you watch videos ON YouTube rather than my blog, I also make a small amount from the advertising revenue there too - so you can continue to help support me over the festive season. I do have a few more things to list for sale over the weekend - and next week I'll be offering some signed copies of my books too...

On a completely unrelated note, but whilst I remember, I'm also planning on doing a one off print run of a Compendiums for anyone who missed any of the trilogy... drop me an email if you're interested in completing your collection... I might also look at doing a 'best of' edition for anyone who missed it - or even, perhaps just another one! Sorry, I'm typing and thinking at the same time - so this has become just a dialogue of my mind! 

Back to today's business... another week done, and thank you as ever for the support. I hope you can all enjoy a weekend with some aspect of the hobby - and until next time, more soon...

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