Commission: Dawson Creek in 009…
This is exciting! I have loved building this commission and have been itching to share the finished result with you all since it left for its new home a week or two ago…
It is interesting to see just how well 009 works in this ‘Lack’ shelf space - in a way I had conveniently forgotten for whilst HO and N have become a strong muse, my yearn for the narrow gauge never entirely subsides…
This is Dawson Creek. Not quite the Dawson Creek I sketched out last October, nearly a year ago now, but nevertheless inspired by and in tribute to that scheme.
The layout you see before you has been moved from Northern Canada’s Yukon to the banks of the river Tees… as a result we’ve swapped desolation, pine trees and tin shacks for… well desolation and tin shacks…
The model features a river side wharf and a decaying narrow gauge tramway, built to serve the building of some industrial concern and now marginally profiting from its demise. The exact nature is somewhat opaque, much like the views across the marsh.
We’re visiting on a bright but bitterly cold winters day. The small ramshackle collection of buildings providing shelter from the harsh wind, held together by human ingenuity and a recycling spirit with no budget for paint let alone repair materials.
The small station and office used to see a regular workman’s train to connect with the passenger ferry that called at the wharf. Today its waiting room, sheltered by some old corrugated iron sees little patronage. The tired tin engine shed, some say recycled from an old Methodist chapel, still hosts a locomotive overnight but the driver who built the greenhouse sadly passed many years ago, today it lies empty.
The small black smith’s still operate out of the shack on the wharf, repairing old equipment whose owners can’t afford new…
Whilst in reality all of this crafted from a story and a sense of the place from years absorbing industrial and narrow gauge railway history. It is all very James Hilton!
Practically my usual cameo box has been constructed in ply because of the extra strength required due to the open ended presentation. The fiddle stick is hung from one end in a tres-Rice style. Structures cobbled together from Wills and Ratio kits in such a way to feel familiar, as if you’ve seen this place in an old photograph - but also, by a little coincidence a little ‘Rice-esque’ too - perhaps after spending 6 months reworking his cameo title rubbed off on this project.
I have a lovely feeling from this project, this whole commission. Working with Claire has been a pleasure and the result a collaboration of her story with my imagination. If you’d like to work with me on a project, large or small then get in touch to discuss your requirements and explore what is possible. In the meantime I hope you’ve enjoyed this tour, there is a video which details some of the methods and materials used; I’ll share that later in the week.
Until next time, more soon…
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Of all your NG layouts, I have to say this is the one I really like.
ReplyDeleteThank you James. It is probably my second favourite… but the backscene especially has worked incredibly well…
DeleteMorning James,
ReplyDeleteI started with the original Dawson Creek plan and then read this post. It's amazing where an idea can take you. What a superb little layout, I can almost feel the wind whistle around the buildis and down the quay. Time for a thick wooden jumper and a huge mug of coffee!
Great stuff and an entertaining morning read. Take care.
Buildings! Oh I loath auto correct...
ReplyDeleteWoolen too! I’ve had to adjust the post several times as I was finding the same there - I often compose these on my phone with the dogs in the morning.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning James. Really gives that feel too of a windswept, chilly afternoon.. brilliant
ReplyDeleteRoger.
Thank you Roger, it is a lovely place to visit… but bring a hat!
DeleteThis is such a really lovely piece of modelling, James. I would say it has surpassed even Iain Rice because it is so restrained, so pleasingly uneventful, if that makes sense. There's enough room for imagination and - as you would say - the story that needs to be told. It has certainly convinced me that composing a very small 'essay' (as Rice would say) in 009 would be a good distraction now my main layout is just about done. I shall have to work on my 'story', but I'm hearing a locomotive from a long way off, finally puffing into view and then quicky disappearing to be heard for many minutes afterwards. Let's see what I get, but thank you for the continued inspiration with layouts like Dawson's Creek. Good to see you on Saturday as well. Best, Jonathan
ReplyDeleteThank you Jonathan - good to see you too, and hear of your 009 plans. I look forward to seeing where the distraction takes you... a Wills 'tin chapel' is a good place to start.
DeleteGreat result. I could never imagine someone else building my own layout or cameo, because I believe it's only through the ensuing artistic striving, sweat and tears that it truly becomes your own, but it's nice that people have the choice.
ReplyDeleteEach to their own Ian - whilst the craft is my own the story is a collaboration. I think it is nice to see something like this as a piece of art commissioned by someone who values the artist as well as the story they're trying to portray. It was a great deal of fun, as commission builds always are...
DeleteThis is a stunning layout! As I've said already, those buildings are lovely and in fact the whole scene looks stunning, fantastically atmospheric. Inspiring stuff as always!
ReplyDeleteThank you - very kind!
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