Sunday 19 March 2023
Poster problems.
Thursday 16 March 2023
Dury's Gap running
In a effort to take stock, I ran a few things around Dury's Gap. All went well and I note that the motive power for this now numbers five; not something that I particularly planed, but a bit of a Topsy situation. It was originally designed to be a 'one-lift'/one day exhibition layout to fit on a table in the same way that its predecessor Morton Stanley had done. The reality is that outside factors meant that it has only appeared twice at local events before the 2020 lockdowns and there is nothing in the book for it in the foreseeable future. Though it is lined up to appear in RM at some point.
This throws up a couple of questions: firstly is it worth retaining it to fulfil its original purpose, or is it past it's sell by date? Secondly, as I quite like it, would it be worth converting it to act as the start-point of a home system? This would be quite final as it would mean hacking away the box structure and therefore rendering it less exhibitable; or rather, non-exhibitable.
Monday 13 March 2023
Post-show
Well that's it done, Rhiw Mk 2's debut; and of course its final showing. To this end I was half tempted to take the offer of a sale halfway through the day.
There was much chatting with old friends. The old being important as I noted that with lockdowns stealing two years I hadn't seen many for quite a while and everyone seemed, well.... older, limping, greyer. Although, as can be glimpsed here there were some very young attendees, the overriding age was not just 50+, but 70+. And although I don't fully drop into the gloom-ridden spiel of some, the signs are there that all is not well on the exhibition circuit and age may well be a factor. I may expand on this later.
Highlights for me were Alan Monk's Czech TT micro and Charlie Fox-Wilson's On30, both proving thought provoking, and the diorama from Giles' caught my eye as it echoed the possible direction of the next project. Note that its possible to spot parts from Airfix kits in most of his work.
Thursday 9 March 2023
Rhiw exhibition Sunday
Saturday 4 March 2023
Rhiw: first exhibition
Wednesday 1 March 2023
Svanda in Continental Modeller
So overwhelmed was I with John Crane's D&HLR article in this month's Continental Modeller that I completely missed the plug for Code 100 track the page before, featuring Svanda. That was until the eagle-eyed Mr. Hill pointed it out. At least Steve Haynes has got the billing at the foot correct. Though with my ex-Peco proof-reader head back on, I think 'clips' should be slips. Another good reason to rush out out and buy a copy.
Just when you think the Norwegian layout is sleeping, it pings up again. It really is due for an upgrade and a relaunch. Show invites for it anyone?
If you've enjoyed this rambling rubbish, show the love and splash out on an Americano for a starving muso. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chrisford2Q