Friday Update: Six Three Twenty-six…
What a week - Spring finally arrived with several days of sunshine, although disappointingly it hasn't lasted and we were back to drizzle by yesterday tea time. Inside lots going on to discuss and share, so join me for an extended 'Friday Update'...
New to the bench this week - and practically complete having been the sole focus for a few days are this pair of Lister Auto Trucks from Hesketh scale models. They're in 1/35 scale and run on 16.5mm track - and mixed media. The resin 3D printed parts are very neat and combined with the etched and cast parts reminds me of my own Narrow Planet kits of many moons ago... speaking of which...
... the 00-12 Manning Wardle is coming along! Seen here alongside the 'biggest' 009 kit I designed, the Llanfyllin and Llangynog Beyer Peacock. The Manning Wardle is noticeable larger, chunkier. The basic concept shows it fits, the idea will be the etched cab will fold up and slot into the footplate. The 3D smokebox and tank will be separate parts to ease preparation and smoothing... lots more to do but on track for the prototype to be shown at Narrow Gauge South towards the end of April. If you fancy one, get yourself a Hornby TT120 Branch Line set now!
Every now and again I am genuinely in-awe of a ready to run model and this Kato N gauge model is sublime. For less than £100 imported from Japan it is a D51 and runs beautifully. The valve gear is so fine too, the detail well represented and robust, the finish rather nice - even in black. Made in Japan, another example of the brands skill in designing models that can be manufactured and assembled with minimum fuss, producing a long lasting yet superb model.
Alas - this will be stripped down and is due to go under a Bowaters / Avontuur Models NG15 - more on that when it arrives...
The 08 addiction continues unchecked - and this superbly decorated example arrived 'for stock' from Kernow who were selling it off for £99. I think it looks the part here on Denton Road, despite being out of the box and still sporting the chunky couplers - it may be repainted, but equally, perhaps just enjoyed in this Great Eastern inspired livery... the prototype was converted in 1992 to an 09/1 in general grey. Towards the end of it's life it seemed to gain some RFD red/yellow markings at the back of the cab by the roof - if anyone knows more about this, and if it saw use in this condition, then do let me know - an excuse to join my freight fleet...
I've finally made a start on the pair of Alco that have been hanging around since Christmas - having decided on a livery for the S1. The plan is the RS1 (orange) is going to be decorated in a New Haven livery, patched and painted for Ballard and Wantage, but with HMLX stencilled on the cab - this is DCC sound fitted and works wonderfully since I have tweaked settings on the cheap and cheerful Bachmann Sound-value decoder - I would love this to go on tour, if you have a suitable DCC layout and would enjoy hosting her when finished then get in touch.
The S1 on the other hand will be finished as ex Maine Central 954. The prototype was traded into GE in the late 70s for the U18Bs - I am assuming it was re-sold to Hilton Mears and is our first foray into terminal operations in this early period. The livery is mostly black but with yellow and red high-lights... the intention is this is a spare loco as Coalbridge Street has two exhibitions this year - Larkrail in July and Uckfield in October.
At the weekend Terry passed me two folders of old Rail magazines from 1987 and 1988. Flicking through I'm taken back to my childhood as I see colourful pages showing models that Lima went onto make and I lusted after from adverts in the Railway Modeller! Especially 73004 in NSE blue - but there are plenty of other examples... Amongst the other things of interest, my long held desire for a 27 is weakening - I know historically they were West Highland machines but some were based at Inverness in 1984 - so they might have appeared at Lochdubh - equally, if I pick 008 or 066, then they hung about long enough to join my Speedlink era Paxton Road!
Another thing that caught my eye was the mockups of the Class 60 - imagine if they'd have adopted either the high skirted look, or even more drastic, the French looking raked nose...
... sunshine and coffee outside has been a guilty pleasure this week - and refreshing my memory on the Art of Weathering as I feel the well of capacity for my own new book is becoming replenished at last.
It's always lovely to think of previous models, commissions or my own creations, in their new homes - being enjoyed and the story evolving. Inside Out recently arrived in its new home and I was kindly sent these photos of them being enjoyed... the 08 and match wagon should be familiar, both also models from my hand - and Bronwen who travelled with Inside Out, has been stretching her legs on Traeth Hafren. Thank you for sharing these Stephen.
For Sale
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| Inside Out in its new home - Stephen Lawrence photo. |
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| Bronwen on tour! Visiting Traeth Hafren. Stephen Lawrence photo. |
Magazine updates
After a lot of soul searching I've decided to open up the Compendium back catalogue to 'print on demand'. This is a relatively safe approach, as I know the quality of the product will be up to the standards I expect as the production runs were ordered through their service. Priced now at £15 each without postage (I'm afraid this isn't cheap, as they're posted from the Netherlands). You can find the first four via links on the 'On Paper' link - so if you missed out on a copy, now you can complete the set.
Ribbons is now proof read and I'm working on finalising the files for print. We've sold a healthy number on pre-order, over 25%, but if you haven't picked up a copy yet, and intend to, then it's worth placing an order because we won't be doing a second run this time.
I am looking at options to offer the first issue through the same Blurb print on demand service - if and when that happens I'll share it here.
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| Ribbons - pre-order now! |
I'm trying to make space for the ever growing collection of books - all of the below have been listed before but never sold - so this is their final call - grab an absolute bargain!
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| Sold |
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| Sold |
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| Sold |
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| Free plus postage |
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| Sold |
In addition, at the time of writing, the Turbot from yesterday is still available...
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| £40 including UK delivery. |
I do have a few other things coming up for sale, a copy of WDLR Album from RCL Publications and my Irish stock too (sadly, it's time to get real about the chances of ever doing anything with this) - but that can wait until I get some better photos! If you're interested in anything, then get in touch in the usual manner - via email (if you have it) or on the contact form, or Messenger via my business page on Facebook.
The weekend is nearly upon us - and I'm wondering which path I'll follow as I embrace the Spring, a desire to get out and see trains, meet people and enjoy the hobby? For now though, it's time to get back to the bench. Until next time, more soon...
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