Friday Update: Twenty-four Four Twenty-six…

Sat in the sunshine this morning, but a little pushed for time as in half an hour or so I need to be heading out to catch my train - for if you haven’t gathered, I’m off to Narrow Gauge South, via. Bexhill (and London), the. Sunday to the Isle of Wight, home to North Wales on Monday…

I’ve not been completely in good health this week either, feeling a bit under the weather on Wednesday. That said, good progress has been made on the Isle of Wight O2 kits - the bodywork is coming together and yesterday I assembled the chassis - it’s always great to get to this point, it feels as if the hard work is over (which of course it isn’t, it’s often the detail and painting that takes most time) but I breathe a sigh of relief.

New to the bench this week are a pair of Barclays in OO - one with a Planet Industrials cab conversion (still available from Light Railway Stores) and the second will have a small half bunker added on the back. These will both be black, and use custom decals to finish - it’s nice to be back here, industrial OO is a wonderful combination with so much more potential to be explored.

New ‘in print’ this week are my business cards (which are the same blue as my website, not the colour here whicu the camera has somewhat saturated) - ready for the weekend (and a few other shows this year) - it’s easier than writing down my details to those who ask! In addition my new ‘Spotters bookmark’ inspired by examples from childhood. This is all Alan at Modelu’s fault, he sent me a photo of his own from childhood, and it reminded me of the same - so here we are… free this weekend with any book purchased at Narrow Gauge South - beyond, I’m not sure, free with every commission for sure - perhaps otherwise free for the cost of postage?

A distraction this week was a revisiting of an old scheme, ‘Quart in a pint pot’ - instigated by the Class 121 in my stock box and yesterday’s branch line yearning. It was interesting to mock this up in N and realise a compact form could be squeezed into less than 2ft… one for the ‘one day’ pile perhaps? 

Photo by Terry Pickthall

Always lovely to see photos of my commissions in their new homes - Terry is enjoying his new Ruston (above) and Harry the WHR Pickering brake coach (below). If you’d like to work with me on your own dream project do get in touch to discuss how we can make that a reality.

Photo by Harry Saville

The weekend will be busy but I’ve got some writing lined up for tomorrow and will do a bit of a review of the show for Sunday, I hope you all have a great few days, if you’re in the area and fancy popping along to Eastleigh, the details of the show are here, otherwise, until next time, more soon…

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