So! It is that time of year again when everyone gets very reflective and looks back on the accomplishments the high points and the low points of the last year…….
Well for other part of this dynamic double act the year well and truly has been a roller coaster ride.
James has made known to wider world that earlier on this year at the age of 39 he has been diagnosed with the very early onset of Parkinson’s and he is now in the process of getting the right medication that will slow down the hand and arm tremors that make his arm and hand painful to the point where it has become a struggle to write at times with a pen. That said he has a massive high point and that was in September on what was the hottest day of the year. Mr Wells tied the knot to his partner Kerry in a lovely service held at his local church in Cherry Burton conducted by a crazy Irish Vicar who loves curry! The reception and after shenanigans were held at an idyllic spot in Wolds not far from Driffield and it was a beautiful day with the most beautiful weather the thunderstorm! in the evening was better than the lights the DJ had for the disco!
The Happy Couple being showered in confetti…. Mainly by Our Lass!
As for the modelling side well when he has been up and able to be doing some. Mr Wells has managed to build the 1st building for West Halton Sidings this being a LNER Concrete Plate Layers Hut (Small acorns and all that) he has continued to finish off building his Judith Edge kit Janus and that is looking smart. He also finally got his hands on his long awaited pre ordered Accurascale 37 that will be tinkered with as being renumbered and so on. Mr Wells gave the model a fair review regarding its best bits about and its short comings and he seems happy with despite replacing the windscreens with Shawplan etches. For me I think ill go with the Bachman offering it its one job I hate is having to take a razor saw and mess around with Shawplan etches on the front of a 37!
So, me then! Well, I have suffered this year with a serious lack of interest or enthusiasm. I am not sure witch it is to be honest I think I managed 2 days in the summer when I busted out the enamel paints and weathered up 2 Cavalex MGR Hoppers! This along with seeing the Cavalex 56 did give me a little inspiration and got the old creative juices flowing a bit and I busted out my drawing pad sketched out a colliery project that I wouldn’t mind tacking at some point or maybe even do as a side project to this one who knows? I have purchased a few lovely Ready to Run wagons this being the chemical tanks produced by the boys at Revolution Trains these are stunning wagons and Rapido Trains VIX and OAA again two stunning and well produced wagons. I know Hornby already produce these, but these really do knock spots off the Hornby offerings.
How sexy is that!!! Getting a bit giddy about my pre orders arriving!
So, with 2023 slowly fading into 2024 we hope the festive break has been kind to you and relaxing as it should be and we would like to wish you very prosperous 2024 and hope you achieve everything that you set out to do and more!
For us I hope we finally see track laid to plywood! And the layout starts to be formed into what we want it to be. I Hope that we get the never-ending procession of SPA wagons finished off but for me the most import thing is to get the bones of the layout done so we both can see tangible progress being made.
I hope the medication that Mr Wells is on kicks in and gives him the mobility and dexterity back in his arm and hands and that it slows the onset down of this terrible illness.
For me well I hope I get my love for the hobby and the railway in general back again and I start doing more modelling let it be kit building or weathering stuff up as I have a fair bit to get through and I hope I create my 4ft Diorama alongside West Halton before my colliery project….
Anyway, I’d just to wish people reading this a happy new year and hope you have a brilliant 2024 and beyond.
James S & James W
West Halton Sidings 