Since everyone else is at it I thought I'd better have a go so I fed Copilot this and asked for a snowy scene;



and this is what it came up with



It looks quite pretty until you look more carefully - not only has it downgraded the crane's capacity (and lost the builder's name) but, to add insult to injury, it's turned the steam locos in the background into a blasted weasel   

Quote from: njee20 on December 04, 2025, 08:43:19 PMI do disagree, personally I think things like 3D printing makes people more likely to do modelling, not less.

Well, it's revolutionised my model making.
Since the Club bought a 3D printer I've turned out some 20 locos and over a hundred coaches, none of which I'd have been able to completely scratchbuild - I'd tried before (in Orribly Overscale) and failed completely.
I've also found it good for making the basic structures for buildings, to be finished off with brick/stone cladding, etc. and all sorts of odd little detail parts. I could have done the buildings from card, but probably not had them turn out as well as they did.
If anything, being able to 3D print has made me do more, certainly not less.

Looks like something funny went on with the driver, too

@LASteve

Wow, thanks, Steve.  Your suggestion of using Google Gemini has me fascinated! 
Here are two examples of colourisation.



I like the very subtle colouring including the red buffer beam.  I have no idea what colour the prototype loco carried.  The second attempt was a little more problematical.



I took the above photo of 70039 Sir Christopher Wren waiting to reverse onto Carlisle Kingmoor shed on 12 August 1965.

You will note that for some reason the steam from around the front cylinders has been replaced by an incorrect smokebox design.  Now why would it do that? 

I colourised another photo of me standing in front of LNER Class J27 number 65819 at South Blyth shed on 17 July 1965.  I was wearing a grey windcheater, sweater, and blue jeans.  The loco turned out alright but I was transformed into wearing a brown suit! 

Ian

It's a joke, really. The world is mad.

Quote from: Newportnobby on November 30, 2025, 03:26:16 PMI reckon it needs a good announcement to get everyone frothing again.
It was hinted there maybe one from Revolution as Ben was at the opening of Rails shop at Sheffield station yesterday, but I don't know what gauge or even if there was one

Apologies, only just seen this.

The announcement at Rails was the OO gauge Class 180 in EMR livery, which was already offered in N.

As to other announcements; tbh we have decided to make 2025 a year of consolidation and catching up; we took on board criticism of our making new announcements when long awaited models such as the Class 66 and 313s were not here.

(Note: I don't include the Class 120 in the list above as we were clear from the start that it would take significantly longer than most models due to the scarcity of drawings and lack of preserved examples.  We are making slow but steady progress.)

cheers

Ben A.

The answer to the whole 3D modelling debate is simply 'depends'.

I have less that zero interest in it as I want to learn new physical skills, maybe learn to scratchbuild, recycle materials, slow down and enjoy my hobby.

If you want to build a perfect (or not) representation of whatever railway floats your boat using as much 3D printed stuff as you can eat, then go right ahead.

I think Rule 1 applies to your enjoyment of the hobby as well as what trains you run.

For me its getting more and more analog, slower, less exacting and simple.  Its a balm for the modern world, not a part of it, I do it to escape 3D, AI, Tech, Whatever the next thing is.

G.

'Model railways', per se, is a broad church where all should be welcome. I physically struggle to scratchbuild anything and my electrics knowledge is virtually zero, but does that mean I'm just playing with a train set? At the end of the day, aren't we all when it boils down to it.
I happen to have the disposable income to pay for what I want, whether that's something RTR or paying someone to do something for me

Boiler Work


Hello Chums

I'm fortunate enough to be acquainted with BR '4MT' 2-6-4T No. 80135, a long-time resident of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. At present she's having a 'Heavy General' repair. Lots 'N' lots of lovely work.

The boiler work is especially important because, as well as providing the power to make the engine go, the boiler's construction, maintenance and management is critical to safety. The thought of a catastrophic boiler failure in a crowded Pickering station is too awful to contemplate.

Which means it's important a new generation of boilersmiths takes over from the diminishing 'old guard' and then pass the skills down through the generations.

Here's a video I really enjoyed. A group of blokes nattering, but so much more. Their work will bring No. 80135 back to life. And an absolutely fabulous way to sit at home, comfortable as can be, and gain an appreciation of what's below the boiler cladding. And how much hard physical work is required to build and maintain a locomotive boiler the old-fashioned way. Which is, normally, the best way.

Here's the video, it's a slow watch but, I think, a worthwhile one:-





'N' Gauge is Such Fun!

Toodle-pip

John

I rather like that @EtchedPixels .

I've been listening to Molly Johnson today :