Friday Update: One Five Twenty-six…

Just a four day week, combined with a post-show funk where my mojo has waned means it feels, to me, like heavy going and slow progress this week - but when I reflect upon the content I’ve just uploaded here, perhaps not too shabby, all things considered. Get yourself comfortable and we’ll take a look…

The two prototype kits were warmly received over the weekend - with many of you keen to get your names down for them. They’re both ‘modellers’ kits so the basics are provided but you can go further - as I have done here with the pipework on the Manning Wardle. I am hoping to pick up some RT Models parts to check - and ensure their supply - before this one can be made available on pre-order. The Sentinel however is pretty much good to go, so I think may become available first. I’ll share news here when I have it, or keep an eye on the LRS and Pi social media feeds.

Taking a look at commission work there have been a few small custom 3D design and print jobs - a set of Manning Wardle tanks and smokeboxes (above) for an 009 project for a customer and below, a recreation of a white metal side frame in 3D to allow my customer to finish off a set of 3mm scale cement wagons.

If you have a custom job or idea and want to take advantage of my multimedia approach I can offer a mixed 2D and 3D design and supply of etches and prints - get in touch to discuss your requirements. 

On the bench this week have been a pair of Barclay for make over - both re-creations of previous commissions, but still great fun. It has been too long since I worked on this Hattons / Accurascale model. It is well proportioned, heavy, low geared and runs beautifully. The Pi cab conversion opens up a wider variety of prototypes and it was great to see one again - if you’d like me to help create a specific prototype I can design and source custom lining and markings to recreate and industrial prototype. Get in touch to discuss your requirements and see if I can help.

Back to larger scales again and a trio of Slaters WDLR skips are on the window sill (!). These are clever injection moulded kits but getting smooth running is a real headache as there is such little clearance between the frames. It is almost impossible without some weight in the wagons so I’ve added some self adhesive wheel balance weights as a load for this purpose! We’re getting there - and this trio is to be joined by a Simplex from the same stable shortly.

Photo James Robards.

I caught up with many of you at Narrow Gauge South last weekend which was lovely. A wonderful opportunity to talk and hear about your own projects and plans - as well as answer questions and encourage you gently on your own journey. It is always nice to receive photos and James (above) promised to send me this - remember these yellow PXA wagons? Equally, Greg (below) sent me a photo of the Pannier he picked up from me last week on his layout. I love seeing where my models end up, and of them being enjoyed. Thanks both!

Photo Greg Sloman.

The show… what can I say? A good day. Quiet-ish but busy enough to keep us entertained. My first for sometime and I enjoyed it, and even managed to learn the iPad and card reader to take purchases! Lovely to talk and encourage many - but a personal reflection that our traditional ‘modellers kits’ perhaps have had their day as the hobby and scale move towards high quality plonk on bodies and ready to run? Components, wheels, couplings and custom etching is strong - kit sales less so… perhaps people just don’t make things anymore? I’m grateful to Paul for capturing something of us in action (below) with Neil surveying his wheel collection (right in blue) and Steve deep in Shopify analysis (left)!

Photo Paul Steedman.

The journey home on Monday became something of an epic adventure! Arriving with plenty of time at Portsmouth harbour it quickly became apparent that nothing was moving… a signalling failure I was told, so I took my first lucky decision and tried my luck with a bus to Portsmouth and Southsea station. Here I found more carnage and not many answers but trains were moving. My GWR train was stuck, and the next one was perhaps looking to turn back early - would it make it to Portsmouth…

It disappeared from the system - I took another lucky decision and jumped on a SWR service one stop up to Frattom where I found it about to turn back to Cardiff - jumping aboard as the guard closed the doors I had made it! A pair of 158s too… mind these are not TfW 158s! The ride is good and comfortable but the seats are rubbish. We lost time and ended up late into Newport, meaning I missed another train… so wearily climbed aboard my 197 to Ruabon arriving home two hours late but happy to have made it. The railway worked well, despite the chaos and I was yet again struck by how efficient our public transport system is despite its Victorian complexity.

Refurbished SWR 450s lined up at Portsmouth harbour going nowhere.

My 166 for Cardiff, but stuck and cancelled.

Killing time at Newport, marvelling at how many GWR expresses come through this station - as well as the heavy steel train (pictured).

Today I should be heading back to the bench for more progress on the IoW etched kits - along with weathering those Barclay - so next week will be more progress on new things. Always change here, and so even as I ponder what exciting project I need to tackle next, to challenge this feeling of treading water, I’m reminded of how lucky I am. The weekend approaches, take care of yourselves and until next time more soon…

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