It’s that time of year again, when Christmas shopping, finding presents for the Grand-children, etc., mean that modelling has to take a back seat for a while. In fact, I seem to have had more than the usual number of distractions from modelling throughout most of the past year.

So, to have a bit of fun and to show that I’ve not forgotten my aim to build ‘Rob Roy’ with its train, I have placed my model of this engine, in its current state, at Trowbridge Station – with a little help from Photoshop.

It looks as though the original photo (which, incidentally, really does show a Waverley-class engine) was taken at the time of gauge conversion, so I imagine this occasion was the last BG train at that station.

I’m sure that I’m not alone in finding that enthusiasm wanes a little, when the main scratch-building tasks have been completed and all those little details, like handrails, pipes, whistles and so on have to be added. At least I can be thankful that the old GWR let me off from having to make any brake gear

Choosing the colour for painting is another task that has just been eased, as a result of the ‘new’ GWR rail franchise having decided to adopt the old ‘Holly Green’ colour as part of the new corporate image! See https://www.pentagram.com/work/great-western-railway-1/story for more information. So, I now have a specification for what colour to use for my engine:

Apart from the engine, I have a Mail coach, 3rd-class and composite carriages, and a luggage van, all needing those ‘final touches’. My hope is that the New Year will provide me with the time and inclination to complete these tasks and then, who knows, I might even find an old illustration of North Leigh from back in the Broad Gauge days

My best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to fellow modellers, hoping that many children and grand-children will receive presents that will encourage them to take up the hobby.

Mike