Friday, May 17, 2013

Holiday time!

The ever observant Mrs Chas pointed me in the direction of a very interesting old building due shortly for demolition so while on holiday this week I made a start on a rough copy.  Here's the original....



And here's the copy.  Yes, I know, it's hard to tell them apart.


A few days ago, I stumbled across another lovely old building which again someone will want to pull down in short order.  I went into the shop to the front of the building to ask if I could take a few snaps.  The shop was empty.  It always is.  I know the shop. People are scared of the aged proprietor.

Me: Sorry to trouble you, but I am a keen railway modeller and would love to make a model of the old building at the back.  Would you mind if I took some photos please?

Aged P: (Fixes with stare and chews silently) You might be one of those people who wants to look around.

Me: (I wonder how to answer - it's true - I am one of those people) Not to worry, I thought I would ask. It's such a lovely building.

Aged P: (More staring and chewing) Alright then, but only one or two.

So here is one of them...


I am very grateful to him for giving permission.  One day soon this building will pass out of memory and it's replacement will almost certainly be unmemorable.

On the theme of modelable buildings and scenic ideas, I came across these in and around Pwllheli.  On the coastal path, an old farmhouse and outbuildings...


The ground frame at Porthmadog....


I couldn't resist this hut at Pwllheli Station. It's a very poor imitation of Lee's far more characterful version which is here.


And finally, this from Aberdaron.  The buildings are not so interesting but I like the way the road goes up and to the left and, where it curves, there is the church and blue sky.  Having a road blend into the back scene is something I find hard but I thought this real life example very helpful.


Well, the holiday is at an end but I post this photo, from the National Slate Museum, as a handy reference source on slate sizes.  (For an excellent and handier reference on how to make a model slate roof, see Iain Robinson's comment on his blog post here).







3 comments:

  1. Great stuff sir! Another masterpiece in the making. I looked at the pictures first before reading the post and thought - "ohh, that looks a bit like mine" and there you go and give me a namecheck :)

    Hope you had a good holiday - we're off up to the Scottish Borders at the end of the month...

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  2. That corrugated hut made me smile as soon as I saw it. A very poor imitation indeed - it definitely needs some roughing up! Hope you have a lovely holiday. Take a bit of something to model while you're away!

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  3. I've only just seen this lovely post...that building by the old shop is fascinating. If I didn't have a full order book I would be wanting to model it! It's strange how suspicious people become if you say you are a railway modeller...thanks, too for the very kind name-check.

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