Friday Update: Thirteen Two Twenty-six…

A quieter week in the workshop but never the less incredibly exciting for a number of reasons that will become clear, so as I’m drinking my first coffee of the day perhaps grab yourself one before we get any further, welcome to the Friday Update…

I’ve taken a week away from modelling commissions. It has been busy since Christmas and it’s nice to put these to one side to work on another big project. I was going to keep this under wraps but Simon has shared the progress on RMweb earlier this week so you may know already - I’m working on a re-design and update of Iain Rice’s seminal ‘Creatint Cameo Layouts’. More than just a reprint we’re updating the layout, retaining the classic Wild Swan look but sharpening up arrangement of images, swapping out poor quality examples for new ones found as part of the project whilst staying true to the original. Beyond the contents we’ve added a lovely memorial to Iain and will be including a chapter in the cameo competition too, so an expanded as well as gently improved work. I love this book and I’m honoured to be playing a part in its reprinting. It is a privilege and I do hope you all can see the care and attention I’ve lavished upon it when it is released in this the middle of the year.

I have one of the first Planet Industrials kits available - a mistake in the ordering for a one off commission has meant I had some etches for this supplied by Steve so I ordered a few prints from Shapeways to make them into kits. These are slight seconds that have been repaired but will work fine once the etches are applied. No buffers, handrail knobs (9 required iirc) and chassis not included - originally priced at £80 this last example is yours for just £65 - drop me an email if it’s of interest.

I can supply any of the old kits as one off commissions - often for just a small increase in the original price, due to the limited nature of the run, get in touch if there is something else we used to make they you’d like!

Yesterday I was tipped off to the planned running of a ballast train on the railway - 08202 did the honours with a trio of 2 axle hoppers and a Shark, seen here collecting material at Berwyn for use on the track relay in the tunnel. It was nice to catch up with Terry and Charlie whilst loading took place, and hearing the locomotive arrive put me in mind of the Farish 08 I have that is sound fitted… all rather wonderful. Wet and miserable again mind… but we won’t mention anotber solid week of grey skies and rain and every day.

There has been some modelling too, for my own entertainment. I have finished soldering the yard lights for Night Shift, perhaps some wood can be cut for the new cameo box this weekend. I’ve also started converting a Parkside/Peco 12t pipe wagon as an ODA. These were in reality the last batch of wagons ‘built’ (modified) at Sheldon in 1983 for the MOD traffic after the retirement of the vacuum braked wagonload network. The work is focused on the chassis, and includes various scratch-built linkages and roller bearings plus a resemblance of the replacement brakes. Once painted this should give the right impression…

It will be back to modelling again next week, all being well. I’ve got some large scale models desperate for progress and more etched brass on the way so plenty of variety, however capacity still for more work so do get in touch if you’d like to work together to bring your dream project to life. Until next time though, more soon…

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