garygfletcher

John O’Conner (not the one from the terminator movie). This picture is one of my favourites. It has so much in it, that everytime I examine it I see something new. The boy crossing the road, the policeman, the lady stopping the tram. Wonderful piece of art and certainly inspirational!!

I think this picture was by special permission of the manager of the station at the time for Tatler magazine. the very thought of painting it terrifies me!

I should also add, this hasn't been a hap hazard approach, this project has taken me all over the country to many museums, societies and archives. I have probably got one of the most extensive collections of information about this building around! One time I actually bumped into Justin at the National Archives by accident! Fun times! I have been incredibly lucky that such a great many of people have allowed me behind the scenes and given me wonderful insight into the history and makeup of the building!

And that brings us up to today... I decided to lay some of it out to get a feel for what I have accomplished so far and how very far there is to go!

Some 3d printed Midland Engines, they are too light and fragile - so I will use the 3d design to start an etch file instead.

This week I 3d printed the Grand Midland Hotel Roof and Facade. This now needs to be clad in tiles and then the more detailed 3d prints added on top.

On the same trip I had found a new technique for 3d printing, in the several weeks I was there I decided I would take some time to model as many detailed parts as I could to bring back with me.

A later trip to China, and another factory ended up with a great result. I ordered 50 etches for the price I was quoted for a single one in the UK.

Some bad experiences in etching in China - this was for the Barlow Roof - 2016 - this cost a fortune to get very wrong! Lots of lessons learned here about quality control and supply chain management!

Having a go at CNC'ing a Spinner back in 2015

A couple of pictures of version 1 from 2013 I think.

After many, many years of starting this project, initially in n gauge, I thought I would share some of the progress I've made having had some dedicated time during furlough. This all started as an ambition to build my sons first railway set at the age of 1, a friend of mine asked why no one ever built models of the beautiful London stations - well now I know!! Shortly after this seed had planted I went to go and see one of the first commercial 3d printers in the country, I saw 2 parts clip together during this trip and it reminded me of the Barlow roof. I purchased that 3d printer, at the time it cost as much as a new car. It wasn't very good, the prints were pretty crude. A model likeness was created and actually showed off at Sandown Model Exhibition in the new technologies section - mainly demonstrating rapid prototyping and how larger models can be constructed. After finishing this model, I sought the "holy grail" of engines to run on it, the Johnson 4-2-2 Spinner, google offered Tim Watson for that answer and I stalked him down at a model engineering show at Alexandra Palace. This was the first time I saw Copenhagen Fields - between viewing this and being very lucky to meet Justin Colson and Richard Wilson at the same meeting I was very convinced that 2mm finescale was the way forward from here on out. Years later and work taking me on trips to China and becoming a professional "maker", currently course leader of "Interdisciplinary Making and Prototyping" at Imperial College London I've now got a miss mash of deskilled technologies and engineering ahead of me to try and finish this thing off. Sadly I've left a large box of parts in the office - which I cannot now retrieve because of lockdown - but no shortage of things to do - in fact most of the thinking at the moment goes into wondering where to start and what next!

What technique did you use here John? Thanks

That looks fab Nick - where are you buying your 1mm mdf from out of interest? SaveSave

Talking about frames and mechanics I've been creating a pint rest board for some time others may find useful https://uk.pinterest.com/garygfletcher/2mm-frames-and-mechanics/

Hi sorry to hijack the thread I have seen this motor used a couple of times now, what make/model is it? thanks