End of ‘N’ era? (N part 72)…

Do you remember when I worried if I could think in N scale? Whether my mind would allow me to see, compose and create models in this smaller scale? Over the past few years I have deeply enjoyed the adventure, tipped over the edge by Chris. Today I find myself strangely unmoved by British OO - perhaps the transformation is complete?

Bachmann and Farish Mk1 BG with a Pilot V5 pen.

On my bench sits a pair of Mk1 BG models. The OO part of the collection for my weathering book, the N a feature of my Lochdubh fleet. Both lovely examples that capture the prototype well. This opportunity presents a moment of reflection. Through the years after the first Canadian logging models were created to the early experiments with a Farish 31 and British Finescale code 40 track I have explored and experimented finding solutions to perceived problems and proving to myself that N scale cameo layouts can be half the size of their OO brethren. Practically this is an important point…

Do the same in less space for less money.

Emotionally however, I have been surprised by something. I return to it here on occasion, there is a deeply magical energy, a marvelling at the miniaturisation and distillation of well known and loved prototypes to this tiny size, perhaps realistically the smallest practical modellers scale? Holding and handling these toys excites me in a way that I don’t find with OO…

This is a personal journey, one I’ve shared and encouraged others to follow, but nevertheless mine. Each problem and solution has built upon the energy I feel for the art of the possible, today I think in N! (luckily for my customers, I have not lost the ability to think, work or create in other scales too!). 

More than that, I feel in N.

I’m excited about projects here that I could never consider in a larger scale, as well as the Mosslanda shelf series exploring smaller scenes in short order. For now, it works. In future, rather than ‘graduate’ back to OO, I can imagine building that branch-line I’ve always wanted. N gives me the freedom to create a railway in the manner that resonates for me…

And I will continue to share my experiences, in all scales. Now, is it time for a coffee?

Until next time, more soon…

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