There's at least one person I know who should close their eyes at this point. Welds are a problem; good welds are invisible, bad welds can be seen from 50' away. To make it work I needed the later, but this would be a 'bad weld'. Lines were drawn, in pencil. A study of the excellent Peter Bartlett wagon site suggested that a common placement for the line was level with the door hinge, so that's where I aimed at. The thinnest strip I had in my pocket was 20 x10 so that would have to do. Lashings of solvent were used and hey presto! Bad welds.
Tuesday 29 October 2024
Airfix Mineral 2
Monday 28 October 2024
Not a Spitfire
Sunday 27 October 2024
More 15
Saturday 26 October 2024
Saturday Ramble
The remarkably successful Uckfield show, which unusually didn't not have me saying never again at the close. Remarkable also it being a two day show. Technically that be it. There is nothing in the book now save a couple of unfirmed enquiries, which ties nicely up with me mooting that that would be it. I may be softening a little after last weekend, but I'm reminded that this did not involve a long drive, a super early rise and was a relatively easy get-in. Now what?
As predicted, there are less shows post Covid and those that are still strong are subtly changed with many of the familiar faces quietly absent. This throws up all sorts of questions of the what if and why bother variety. There is also the every present age question. I've basically called it a day with 4mm narrow gauge; the reasons for this are two-fold: the first is the age/size/reliability aspect, the second is the steady rise of quality RTR in 009. I note that even some of the previously pure high-quality exhibition layouts have fallen into the 'easy RTR' trap with the equivalent of a Cornish branch running J15s. Yes I am old school and a bit wedded to the whitemetal kit or build it yourself mentality, not build a FR layout and run L&B coaches on it (see last month's RM piece on forcing the loading gauge down so this couldn't happen). The direction is for the minute, standard gauge and 4mm, with 7mm on the horizon for me. With three initial projects and more to follow. This is very much a tight budget way of thinking, hell-bent of only using what is in the cupboard and only purchasing to fill critical gaps in material. The 7mm may take a couple of unexpected turns, but that is the way it's headed, and this all comes under the Project 70 banner; something I had to explain the other day (!). There are two layouts on the circuit, I can take my time.
Friday 25 October 2024
Platform
Tuesday 22 October 2024
Another Jolly Jinty
Sunday 20 October 2024
Saturday 19 October 2024
Quiet 15
Without me noticing we seemed to have quietly passed the 15 year mark of the blog. I ask myself if it is still relevant to me or anyone reading it; though the numbers have dropped only a bit since there is less going on. Only there isn't. In fact if you take the last five years there has been nothing but activity on this front, with me going professional for a bit and still in part, with the ongoing arrangements with RM; four layouts and counting on that front.
Although there is less going on here now, it has to be said that the movement is firmly ongoing and there is still much to do. It is interesting how things have subtly changed since 2009, though the same supporting cast has stayed in place, notably the ever present Mr. Hill who features here more than he would like. Here are a few highlights from the early years.
Friday 18 October 2024
Svanda at Uckfield
Slightly surprisingly Svanda makes an appearance at the Uckfield show this weekend. Not surprising in its locality being only minutes away, but because it has become a mini Scaleforum of late. This suggests that a foreign layout built using Peco code 100 may not be a perfect fit. However...
Thursday 10 October 2024
Drovers Brook track and plotting
Retesting and fitting onto the existing support system recently vacated by Rhiw 2, which is now stacked underneath, could take place. Some plotting of buildings which are largely done is the current state of play with the platform next on the table. The backscene and facia may well follow. This is a slightly different approach to normal as this is not a show bird, though others may follow as part of the Project 70 process. This is constantly moving and I am endlessly changing my mind on the direction that this might take though I have forced the channel of travel buy selling bits off via Ebay; the Wood End/009 stock box being the next to hit the exit.