Friday Update: Twenty-three One Twenty-six…

What a week of awful weather here in the valley. Mist, mizzle, wind, low cloud, rain, darkness - it’s like some sort of winter endurance test - the dog walks are a challenge, but just working in the gloom feels miserable. Despite or perhaps because of this things continue to progress, models to be excited about, so grab yourself a fresh cup of tea or coffee and let’s take a look…

There isn’t much, from a purely commission perspective, to share this week. Beyond today’s post I’ve made a good start on a 7mm scale Dolgoch restoration and collecting parts for a couple of NGG16 projects later in the year. Here though, above left, is a commission - an 009 model using the Minitrains Porter and replacing the cab with one of my own design. Posed alongside is my own model, a larger Porter inspired by various prototypes but notably the example at Dolly Varden, adjusted for 2ft gauge. Both await custom decals which, with a little hope, arrive in todays post…

Next up, hot on the heels of yesterday’s post on Rapido OAA is the Redland conversion! I don’t know what paint Rapido use but the red won’t shift, and cracks rather than dissolves in IPA! It should be ok under the new finish. I have scratchbuilt the end extensions and frames along with the 20 ratchet mechanisms - the latter also required some modification to the lower plank of the doors - not for the feint hearted but I’m hopeful this will look the part once painted and weathered. 

Hinted at previously and now taking shape is the next Planet Industrials kit - long mooted but evasive until now, it’s my usual multi-media approach, for those who actually like sticking their fingers together rather than just painting. As Judith Edge offer a proper model, I’ve gone for a caricature of my favourite elements so it has the low roof (more attractive) and no shunter steps. The model comes with doors that allow one open, one closed, or both open (!) as the cabs were unbearably hot by all accounts. This prototype has shown up one or two small changes along with some extra parts I need to fabricate and design - I’m not rushing, as you can tell, but hopefully it will be worth the wait. As with the Bagnall DL2 this is likely to be a one hit wonder - so check in here regularly if you want to make sure you get one when they’re released, I expect around mid-year.

The other big news this week is the fourth Compendoum has arrived and as I write,  the first copies are already arriving on people’s coffee tables. I’m posting UK first, in the order they were placed - then overseas - but I’ve run out of envelopes and the new ones that arrived were incorrect and had to be returned - so bear with me, I’ll get them out as soon as I can. This new edition feels rather luxurious to me, and definitely the best in terms of design and layout. I would be interested to hear what people think though… alongside this, Ribbons is filling up with a good mix of esoteric content - its wonderful to read what people want to submit and I hope I’m cooking up something exciting for you all - no firm deadline, it will be ready, when it is ready…

So another week done, and still no progress on Cwmbach. The weekend is upon us again but I’m making no promises… I’m hoping to find time to recharge a little, I’m tired and this awful light isn’t helping. That said I’ve found Paxton Road a continued soothing influence with a few short operating sessions in evenings this week. Wherever you are, whatever your plans I hope you find something for yourself in the few days ahead, until next time, more soon…

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