Friday Update: Six Two Twenty-six…

Another week of almost non-stop rain, low cloud and dark damp days. I’m not moaning, it’s part of living somewhere beautiful like this - and it makes me really appreciate those crisp blue skies that we occasionally receive. Inside might be dark and miserable but in the workshop there is plenty of variety, so grab a drink and let’s take a look at the bench this week…

After last weeks 31s (and a SLW 25) this week has seen work start on a Bachmann 25 (seen here alongside mt own example). It starred out as the same model - and I’ve replaced the headcode blind with domino’s and removed the cab numbers for a new identity. This model is replicating another example based on period photos - which show a white mark on the cab roof - I took this to be paint peeling from the fibreglass but I might be wrong - anyhow, I painted the roof off white with the airbrush and then scrap painted BR blue back over this to match the pattern in the photograph - the window frame also picked out in silver at the same time. The buffer beam detailing replaced the Bachmann pipework with Hornby from a 31 at my customers request, Heljan Class 47 ploughs and Scale-link ‘Smiths’ screw link couplings. It’s going to be great fun bringing this one to life once I’ve renumbered her…

Great news this week, the long awaited NGG16 etched plates arrived - and have been fitted to this Backwoods kit. A while in the making, this model is looking superb and just waits a coat of satin lacquer now before I can add glazing, coal to the bunker and call her done. Notice the cab plate is two colours too - red outer black inner, a touch I wanted to replicate and worked well. Interestingly I’ve a pair of NGG16 to build this year already, from the Michael Tucker kit - so it’s going to feel a familiar prototype!

A little larger is the 7mm narrow gauge model of Dolgoch. The lining and detail painting is complete, decals for the crest are in hand - next up are plates for this, on order as always from the excellent Light Railway Stores! This model now features a smooth and powerful coreless motor and should give many years more service for my customer after this refresh.

It is always nice to see photos of my models and commissions in their new homes. A pair of photos for you this week, first an 08 from my own collection, now living in North America along with a few of my former models including Traeth Hafren! 

Stephen Lawrence photo.

Secondly, one of the Minitrains commissions from Monday on it’s temporary home - longer term plans are for a mining themed shelf layout, but it is lovely to see it being enjoyed in the meantime.

Claire O’Connor photo.

The first of the Rapido models sourced for a customer arrived this week - and this was just a straight source as I don’t offer weathering and customisation in British N. The Class 46 is a lovely thing, well detailed capturing the bulk and mass of the prototype nicely and it crawls out of the box. Great stuff, and I hope more ‘modern’ to come from Rapido - anything air-braked would be of interest for me…

If you’d like to pre-order a model with me, you’re supporting me through the sales margin I make, and if you then want customisation services I commit to turn these around within 7 days if a models arrival (assuming no custom etched products are requested that can extend this if not sourced early). All of this is explained on my ‘Rapido’ page here on the blog, take a look and get in touch if you have any questions. 

Finally, a quick look at something for a new project - this is one of those tiny LEDs - I’ve managed to thread one wire down a 0.5mm capillary tube and solder the other wire to the tube itself… these will form the heads of a series of N scale ‘street’ lights for a concept layout that is only operated in the dark… more on that when I can, but, a recent reflection is that I should embrace the spark of creativity wherever and in whatever form it takes… a Mosslanda beckons…

Some small mercy here, just as I finish typing the weather looks to have marginally improved. It’s still raining but the wind has dropped a little so I’m going to get the big dog out for a walk. This weekend should see a chance for me to unwind a little and perhaps recharge - for it is the last before half term! Thank you as ever for your attention, interaction and from a number of generous individuals, support through ‘buymeacoffee’ and donate - it is all much appreciated and I recognise how much people value being able to stop in here and find something new to read every day, it is an honour and privilege to be able to continue to offer that - and long may it continue. Until next time, more soon…

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