Work is progressing well on my first model railway 'micro' layout representing a steam branch line terminus. There are many crossovers between the two hobbies, especially around the scenic work. All wired up and running just fine at slow shunting speed I'm finding it incredibly rewarding. A few shots so far.
Something of a milestone for me to hit 1000 (currently 1.1k) subscribers on my modest YouTube channel which focuses on painting model soldiers and nothing else! I enjoy the level of engagement and number of comments and the process of making the videos is far easier for me than typing blog posts. Views on the blog has fallen away dramatically over the last couple of years and now averages just 50 to 60 views per post. That said I will continue to update the blog as it's a great source of reference material of past projects and something of a 15 years 'hobby diary' to look back upon.
Latest video uploaded this week below (currently 1.9k views). I know it's not all about the stats, I'm enjoying the process so I'll keep on going.
This week, more painting for ;Old John' and those Epic Warlord Celts in close up.
Peninsular Napoleonics for Mark (18mm AB) & 12 bases of Celts for Leo (Warlord Epic 13.5mm)
Keeping busy here, currently painting more lovely AB Napoleonics for Mark and first batch of the 75 Epic Ancient strips for Leo in the US plus still adding to the Space Hulk figures for David. A few photos below.
Also started a new channel for the Branch line terminus model railway that is now well and truly underway bringing many fresh challenges such as electrical wiring, soldering and buildings card building kits etc. It's called 'The Painting Pensioner' should anyone care to take a look. Early stages but a nice way to document a new project.
YouTube - N Gauge micro layout.
My very obvious error was pointed out to me by a YouTube follower, I had glued the wheels on 12 ACW limbers onto the wrong axles! Not sure where my brain was when I built them but these things happen and I have even had a couple of messages saying they did the same thing. Funny enough customer Noel had seen the photos and when I sent him the video link he said had I not pointed it out to him he probably wold not have noticed it. Of course all corrected now and ready to be packed up and sent back to Noel in Ireland this week.
The next two weeks I'm back painting for Mark Lodge, more Napoleonic Peninsular cavalry starting with the 2nd Light Lancers, 8 figures and unusually for AB Figures the lancers are one piece castings while the officer and trumpeter the traditional horse and rider. Today it's onto the 26th Chasseurs - 10 figures. Gloss varnish as requested really helps the colours to pop.
I'm gradually going back through the blog pulling together images from old projects for a series of videos on my YouTube channel. This is the latest, the Bolt Action project from about 7 years ago or so, as usual great fun putting it all together but I no longer own a single piece of it!
Next up will be Flames of War then 15 years of 6mm painting.
I was watching the latest video from of a group of Urban Explorers I follow on YouTube last night and in the cemetery of an abandoned church was an interesting memorial which had the battle honours of numerous Napoleonic and Crimean war battles upon it. There also seemed to be a Highland Bonnet above the Waterloo honour. I'm guessing it's possibly a brigade memorial? I would love to be able to give the guys a bit more information so can any of you guys help please? Around the three minute mark you will get a close up of the memorial which fascinates me!
On a wider note these guys are very respectful of the abandoned sites they visit and never remove any property or enter anywhere by force. This fine old building shows clear signs of vandalism including stones through the lovely stained glass windows.
