Sunday, October 13, 2019

Inside a Clayton


Just a quickie today - a shot of the cut-away "Clayton" or Class 17 diesel modelin the collection of Birmingham Museum and tucked away in their store which I visited a couple of weeks ago. Click on the image for a closer look.

3 comments:

Huw Griffiths said...

WOW!!!

How long before a print article - with plenty of photos and background information (if available) - in BRM?

Although I've really liked moving locos, multiple units etc., for as long as I can remember, I must admit to finding good cutaway models like these really fascinating.

I could also imagine a lot of modellers* finding a lot of inspiration from all the details in models like these - especially the cab and engine room details.

I don't know how many readers of this blog also look at American model railroading forum sites - but, on some I'm a member of, a number of modellers* seem to take a pride in their ability to include credible looking engines in their boxcabs and any "critters" with space for dummy engines. In fact, there have even been generic engine room interior kits offered for sale to On30 modellers*.

To be honest, this is one of the reasons why I haven't yet got round to building a model AGEIR 60 ton - I'm not sure I could do justice to the subject with the information available to me.



* I know - it's that "m-word" again. There is, of course, that age old stereotype about a lot of people who read model railway magazines or post on model railway forum sites. How many of these people actually build models - when it's so much more fun to shake open a blue or red box and moan about the "disgusting lack of detail" or the "super-profits" the manufacturers "must clearly" be making from their "hyper inflated" prices, on the backs of all their "long suffering" customers?

Well, I must admit this latter suggestion is a mildly interesting concept - and there do seem to be some overpriced models out there - but there are also a number of more reasonably priced ones - and some of these might actually be available from our preferred suppliers.

More to the point, have you seen anyone being frogmarched to their local model shop at gunpoint? I haven't - and I don't think this is just because I'm due for an eye test ... .


Anyway, returning to the models in Birmingham, the fact that a lot of them seem to be of Diesel and electric locos makes them even more interesting to people like me.

This might have something to do with me being an electrical engineer - or with when I was born (mid 1960s). Whatever the score, I find this stuff addictive - and I really don't think it's possible to get too much of a "Diesel and electric" "fix".

A personal opinion, I know - but the variety of prototype preferences is one of the things that make railway modelling the enjoyable hobby it is.

Phil Parker said...

Huw - Good idea. I'd love to do a proper photo shoot on these items. I think they deserve it. Let me suggest it as a future meeting...

Huw Griffiths said...

Many thanks.

If this goes ahead, it's likely to be well worth looking out for.