This is a bit of a late posting of an event that happened recently.
Last Saturday a group of us spent a most enjoyable day at a devout Great Central Railway modeller's house in Oughtibridge. After seeing Bridgehouses at Wakefield North show this year I was intrigued to go along and see his model of Brackley. On the other hand I was hesitant as Bridgehouses is far beyond anything I could expect to build myself and felt I would be way out of my depth in such company. Also being the new boy to P4, with little knowledge of things GC and being a BRWR devotee with SR leanings, I did wonder what my reception would be ....... but I needn't have worried as I was made to feel extremely welcome.
A few of the guys had taken locos to run around Brackley to run them in a little. One loco on test was a J63 which received a lot of praise. This is a loco that I was unfamiliar with but I do like the smaller 0-6-0 tanks, especially with outside cylinders. At the other end of the scale someone else also brought along a Robinson 04 which, when pulling a rake of coal wagons, looked the part and well at home running through Brackley. What I got out of the day more than anything is seeing and hearing how others tackle and solve problems. This was all helped by seeing someone else's layout in the flesh, part complete, in the nude if you like. I do find it difficult to engage exhibitors across a layout at an exhibition while they are busy operating, trying to entertain the punters, even at Scalefour Society exhibitions. I came away from the day wanting to crack into track laying on Tredethy. I was also encouraged by all the talk to start on one of my loco kits. Which one to get to grips with first is the question? The High Level 03 chassis is favourite, but I do fancy giving the Nu-Cast 16xx a go. The DJH 1366 will have to wait until I've built up some confidence and it is all to do with confidence........and after that Saturday I have a little bit more confidence to have a go.
Just about to leave for a few days up in the Lakes then back to a little more work on the Garden Project but I'm sure I will find a few hours to get to grips with some modelling, I can't wait.
I know this will not be read by the host or his wife but I'd like to publicly thank them both for the day and their hospitality. Many thanks.
3 comments:
I am so envious of you having access to so many finescale modellers around you. I see it does wonders for your enthusiasm. Me, I just have to carry on ploughing the lonely furrow. I think that's why my proto scale projects move in fits and starts. There's no-one around to share ideas with. I've heard rumours of another p87 modeller in Minnesota but thats all it is, rumours.
You're producing some fine layouts even though you're on your own..
Have you received my last couple of emails?
"I was also encouraged by all the talk to start on one of my loco kits. Which one to get to grips with first is the question? The High Level 03 chassis is favourite, but I do fancy giving the Nu-Cast 16xx a go. The DJH 1366 will have to wait until I've built up some confidence and it is all to do with confidence........and after that Saturday I have a little bit more confidence to have a go."
Well, I speak from a position of total ignorance, having built none of those kits ;-)
However, having virtually finished the High Level Pug, then I can heartily recommend both the quality of the kit, and also the instructions that Chris Gibbins has written. Yes, they're fiddly, but that is all part of the fun, isn't it?
Whichever you choose, please do keep us posted with plenty of progress reports, and don't hesitate to ask any questions.
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