7mm **** Parkinson's - Occasional 7mm Workbench

[James]

Despite many 7mm items for the NRM and a good few unfinished projects of my own over the last ten years this the first model for my own personal use I have finished! Wagon by Dapol, filth and load by me.



I've modelled in P4 since my teens, I'm 41 now, but I find handling larger scale stock much easier now - I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's in July 2023 so thinking very much for the long term.



I have something GCR in mind when we move in a years time.

My attitude is F*** Parkinson's so I'm very determined with this long term project.

 

[Pencarrow]

Sorry to hear that James but the F*** Parkinson's and making the most of what you have rather than feeling sorry for yourself is to be applauded.

Nice work on the 16T.

 

[James]

Sorry to hear that James but the F*** Parkinson's and making the most of what you have rather than feeling sorry for yourself is to be applauded

I've probably had a few days feeling sorry for myself!

It helps I have great support from family, friends and work - my manager has gone out of his way to keep me working. I'm Network Rail's only signaller with Parkinson's. With medication I'm still working, driving, providing and modelling, all positive stuff. Cricket is no longer possible though.

I'm taking a pragmatic view of future modelling - just so things can continue to be achievable.

Nice work on the 16T.

Thank you

Just need another thirty or so!

 

[john lewsey]

I wish you well James and look forward to seeing your work
John

 

[James]

I wish you well James and look forward to seeing your work
John

Thank you John

 

[James]

Just need another thirty or so!

Well, parts for another three wagons!



No wheels but at £39 I couldn't resist - Parkside 1923 RCH mineral wagons to join the queue.

 

[James]

A little bit of modelling for me tonight, I bought Parkside kit for Southern 12T van via eBay last week, £21 Buy it Now! Bargain



I'm not happy with the join between the vents and the ends so that needs attention but more effort will be needed with the roof, the fit is awful!

 

[James]

A longer term project is this -



Which will become, eventually, 61824 -

https://flic.kr/p/2qHkFpb

It was a birthday present from my dad last year - definitely a 'project' as it has clearly been dropped at some point.





It's no worse than I rebuilt before...

Post in thread 'National Railway Museum Workbench' 7mm - National Railway Museum Workbench

Mechanically sound although I think it needs a better gearbox than it currently has. It has milled frames and milled motion. Cat iron wheels too. I think it might be an ACE kit.

The paintwork is poor and the lining is awful so stripping back to bare metal is the plan.

 

[simond]

I’m in

 

[40057]

I've probably had a few days feeling sorry for myself!

It helps I have great support from family, friends and work - my manager has gone out of his way to keep me working. I'm Network Rail's only signaller with Parkinson's. With medication I'm still working, driving, providing and modelling, all positive stuff. Cricket is no longer possible though.

I'm taking a pragmatic view of future modelling - just so things can continue to be achievable.



Thank you

Just need another thirty or so!

I’m sure your approach is right.

My late father had Parkinson’s for 23 years starting in his late 50s. His main hobby and interest was gardening. Several years after diagnosis, and with obvious symptoms, he took on an extra allotment. Everything was more difficult and took longer. But he still did it. It’s all about mental attitude and I think you have got that.

 

[James]

I’m sure your approach is right.

My late father had Parkinson’s for 23 years starting in his late 50s. His main hobby and interest was gardening. Several years after diagnosis, and with obvious symptoms, he took on an extra allotment. Everything was more difficult and took longer. But he still did it. It’s all about mental attitude and I think you have got that.

I like your father's approach

I hope I've got right attitude - just keeping going is my plan. And enjoying life too.

There's a degree of managing expectations I feel; it's no bad thing really. We're planning on moving once my wife, Kerry, qualifies - she's training to be a psychotherapist currently. Two requirements for the new house, room for all our books and a decent railway (or room to build one).

It all needs to be to a standard which is achievable long term. So...

• 0 gauge rather than S7
• Don't aim for the Nth degree of detail on everything
• Embrace good RTR
• I don't have make everything
• Accept help
• Enjoy it!

The last two can probably be applied to life in general too.

 

[40057]

I like your father's approach

I hope I've got right attitude - just keeping going is my plan. And enjoying life too.

There's a degree of managing expectations I feel; it's no bad thing really. We're planning on moving once my wife, Kerry, qualifies - she's training to be a psychotherapist currently. Two requirements for the new house, room for all our books and a decent railway (or room to build one).

It all needs to be to a standard which is achievable long term. So...

• 0 gauge rather than S7
• Don't aim for the Nth degree of detail on everything
• Embrace good RTR
• I don't have make everything
• Accept help
• Enjoy it!

The last two can probably be applied to life in general too.

That looks a good plan.

I have always remembered the inscription around Elzevir Block’s backgammon board in the book Moonfleet by J. Meade Falkner.

‘As in life, so in a game of hazard, skill will make something of the worst of throws’.

My father certainly made the best of his circumstances.

 

[76043]

I think the first four has been my approach for years now. Saves a lot of time I don't have too!
Tony

 

[James]

A little bit of time between the IPL and tea.

Solebars fitted but not without a good degree of fettling. I've never been keen on having to spring the solebars into place, it makes checking the fit of parts much more difficult. All is now square and setting.

 

[James]

And it's on wheels!

I really don't like Parkside's suspension system - I glue it up solid! During fitting I made sure the bearings are positioned to eliminate side play. If assembled according to the instructions you'd have around 2mm side-to-side slop. Combined with the side play with finescale standards and it would be ridiculous!

 

[simond]

I believe I have a solution…

see my workbench!

SimonD’s workbench

But… Loss of registration - looks bang on in X but has lost 1 - 2mm in Y And whilst the engraving is nice, the cut, using yesterday’s test settings and new mirrors, hadn’t cut through Weird. (And thanks to @Giles for the brick s#!+house!)

www.westernthunder.co.uk

 

[James]

I believe I have a solution…

see my workbench!

SimonD’s workbench

But… Loss of registration - looks bang on in X but has lost 1 - 2mm in Y And whilst the engraving is nice, the cut, using yesterday’s test settings and new mirrors, hadn’t cut through Weird. (And thanks to @Giles for the brick s#!+house!)

www.westernthunder.co.uk

That is a rather neat solution!

 

[James]

Disappointment yesterday, nearly got a part built LNER B1 on eBay last night, outbid with a second to go...



Brake gear now beginning to take shape.

The mouldings do require a bit of tidying, there's more flash than there should be. Getting though.

 

[simond]

outbid with a second to go...

Set your maximum bid, and wait and see. EBay will bid automatically for you, up to that amount. And earliest bid wins if they’re the same.

Sometimes the snipers win, sometimes they don’t, but if you don’t win, it went for more than your maximum, so that’s ok.

 

[AJC]

Set your maximum bid, and wait and see. EBay will bid automatically for you, up to that amount. And earliest bid wins if they’re the same.

Sometimes the snipers win, sometimes they don’t, but if you don’t win, it went for more than your maximum, so that’s ok.

That’s the approach I use, saves irritation and disappointment all round. Mostly.

Adam