Looking back on 2018, it would be easy to despair about the amount I didn’t accomplish on Pembroke. Two floods put a damper on things (so to speak), and many non-rail projects also ate my year.
However, the singular achievement of the year came on January 1st of this new year, when I pulled the first insertion-cast pilot wheel from its mould. This part marks the development of two major new skills – turning and casting. More importantly, the wheel represents the freedom to build any railway model I want.
[Cue dramatic chord and evil mwuh mwuah mwuah ha laughter.]
The combination of a metal tyre and centre with cosmetic spokes cast in will enable me to make pretty much any wheel I can draw. Not that I need them, but Boxpok and other exotic wheels are completely within my ability now. Okay, some cross-shaped spokes will require me to learn how to do two-sided moulds, but really that is a small increment from where I’ve come.
So, I do not despair about the progress of 2018, but look forward with anticipation to 2019!
Happy New Year one and all!
Pembroke:87 