I’ve been quiet on here for a while whilst domestic arrangements have taken priority.
I took Cheddar to Wells in August and got married 2 weeks later (no the two aren’t connected!). Took my son to university in September, then completed a house sale 2 days later, followed by a relocation to Cardiff to the wife’s house which has also now been sold.
So presently, all my layouts and modelling stuff is either in storage or boxes whilst we wait for our ‘forever’ home. The joys of selling 2 houses to buy one and chains that have more than 3 links!
The timeline from here is a bit of an unknown but the plan is for our house to have a dedicated railway room. It won’t be large enough for Cheddar in its current end to end configuration so a lot will depend on what state it’s in when it comes out of its storage sometime next year. If it’s feasible I hope to convert it to a roundy-roundy. We’ll just have to see what condition it’s in and decide at that point. Yes, it is in store and not a skip and I’ve got over the Wells exhibition ‘experience’!
Modelling activity is limited to what can be carried out on a temporary basis without all the usual stuff to hand, which realistically limits me to wagon kits. Thankfully I’ve a few in the stash!!
To date I’ve built a Rumney models chassis for a grain wagon, a GCR D17 etched brass van kit from R&E models and a selection of whitemetal kits, these being relatively quick to do; a D&S LNWR cattle van, D&S GWR double bolster, ABS LMS van and ABS SR gunpowder van.
Currently on the go is a Connoisseur LNER twin bolster.
Next in the queue will be a David Green GWR Y2 fruit van.
Deduce what pattern you will from that assortment!
In an alarming twist, I’ve also done a Slaters D299 5 plank in 7mm and am halfway through the 10T van, both of which are quite fun and may be destined for a 7mm WCPR layout at some point in the future.
I’m starting to put down roots in South Wales, the local EM group were very welcoming this week and I enjoyed the Newport clubs open day a couple of weeks back where it was lovely to chat to Mike G of this parish.