A Garage Door, in Porthmadog

Yes, it has been a while since the last blog post, mainly because of freelance model-making work (on the Other Blog, link on the right) and the Day Jobs. Anyway, here's a garage door in Porthmadog.

Yes, we are the sort of odd people who photograph garage doors. And yet! Look at the marvelous textures, the remains of the various coats of paint which have been on this door over the years.

The rusty bolt, up against the new, bright yellow and black padlock.

Scorching and fire damage on another bit of it.

Ivy growing up through it. Not sure if other people obsess over these details like we do, but hey-ho. Anyway, should be getting back to doing other content soon, if you're the sort of nerd who likes these things. Or follow the link on the right to the model-making blog for the ramblings of a man building things like beach cafes in 1/76th scale...

 

Tanfield; Austerity in the gloom

A few more from Tanfield; recently, I (Ben) have been looking a lot at the photographs of industrial railways in the 1970's and 1980's, in the books curated by Gordon Edgar. Some very atmospheric shots of railways in their grimy heyday.

Having missed those days, by virtue of being born too late, the atmospheric conditions around Marley shed at the line gave me a chance for some hopefully-similarly grimy, gritty pics.

Love an Austerity tank loco, and theirs is very nicely turned out in National Coal Board livery.

Some greyscale attempts.

Really rather happy with how these turned out! Almost as good as doing a proper photo charter day (something this railway does quite a lot; on the strength of this visit, I might well make a return for a special charter).

 

A visit to the Tanfield Railway

We paid a visit to the Tanfield Railway in May. It was a dual visit, partly to go to a railway I (Ben) have been wanting to go to for many years, and partly a run to get some pics for magazine articles.

We nearly came here last October, but ended up cancelling the visit as we were a bit hard-up for money that month.

Wow, am I glad we didn't come in the Autumn. Way better to come in the Spring, much better weather...

Yeah this is May. The weekend before we'd been wearing shorts in north Wales. This time, we actually had to resort to wearing gloves, and getting hot drinks at each station. 

This was one of the objects of the exercise; getting reference pics of the coaches for a piece I'm doing for British Railway Modelling.

Also a fun place to be stuck in the middle of a family argument between you, your wife, and your teenagers. Ask me how I know...

One thing I can say for Tanfield, the rolling stock is gorgeous. Not a Mark.1 coach to be seen.

Some very characterful locomotives too, but then I'm a nut for industrial machines like this RS&H shunter.

The engine shed at Marley Hill was impressive; there'll be a separate post here later on the shots taken around it. He threatens.

Loved the stations in general.

At least the weather made for some very impressive atmospheric effects.

Illustrating something of the character of the Tanfield; mixed trains, wonderfully turned-out vintage industrial locomotives, and a lovely atmosphere at the stations.

Lots of useful shots taken throughout the day, which should inform a couple of projects going forward.

Sunny Spring Days on the Ffestiniog

It really did feel like Winter went on forever; I tend to feel a brightening of my spirits when a bit of sunshine lets me get some nice steam railway pictures.

"Blanche" running-round at Harbour.

Fairlie and "Prince". Some day, I'll visit and be able to get some pics of the little England-tank loco on its own... every visit since its repaint into green, I've only seen it sandwiched between other locomotives...

What a difference a couple of days made... some traditional Welsh weather, with it looking more like October. "David Lloyd George" looking great as ever.

Jumping back to the first day from this set, for a nice shot over the Cob.

 

Plas Newydd; The House

A little companion piece to the previous post; a few shots around the house at Plas Newydd.

Lovely details around the place.

Always on the look out for a nice Grandfather clock (one of Ben's relatives used to make such timepieces, so he has an eye out for one of his).

Lovely chandelier, though assume it's a swine to dust.

Interesting ceiling. 

 

Plas Newyd... the gardens

Just some pics from a few weeks ago, during a family trip out to Plas Newydd, Anglesey.

We've been here a few times, and the gardens are just a really pleasant place to stroll around on a warm afternoon.

There's a lovely walk through the woods, with lots of ferns and boggy areas.

The wilder areas contrast nicely with the more formal gardens near the house.

A lovely splash of colour in the beds.