Tempus Fugit - Pete Insole's workbench oddities and other things

jonte

Western Thunderer
Hello Pete,
Yes... it’s very interesting - and encouraging - that so many of us feel able to open up on here. It indicates that WT is a place of comfort and safety - as well as a repository of some fine, fine, modelling!

I wonder - without presumption or being too generalist - if we are prone to these bouts because we are more introverted than most. Like I say, I don’t presume, but I know I am.

Anyway, thread hijack over. Here’s to better times. And the weekend!

Cheers

Jan

:)
 

Tim Watson

Western Thunderer
I have just received the Volume 1 of “London’s District Railway”. I have never been a follower of the LT lines, but I must say it is a fascinating and beautifully presented book, enhanced by it’s cover.

Tim
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
I have just received the Volume 1 of “London’s District Railway”. I have never been a follower of the LT lines, but I must say it is a fascinating and beautifully presented book, enhanced by it’s cover.

Tim

That could be me writing those very words, but for the fact that my copy has not yet arrived (was hoping it would be here today) :)

Tony
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
I now find myself in a three deadline jam; which is about as far as I can reliably count anyway! Each demands the same level of priority, so not really enough time to sit here and post...

Therefore, just a quick shout is all I can manage this morning. I will endeavour to follow up with the rest of the story later...

District Railway, volume 2 has been announced, with an image shown for a quite a while now - so it may be opportune to air it here.

View attachment 109079

The thing is, in one of those moments of utter silliness, I solemnly promised to submit - for the first time in 13 years - some pictures for this year's Guild of Railway Artists, Summer exhibition at Kidderminster !!

The problem? All that I have to show, that is eligible anyway, is this, plus the previous, thankfully already framed up, "Vol. 1" !

Only one more frame, but double loads of labelling, ear-plating, catalogue photographing, special packaging, then form filling, fee posting and transport to "Kiddy" to arrange before selection day next Saturday then...??

Gulp !!

Pete.

Hi Pete,

Do you plan to go to the selection and or the opening? If so I look forward to meeting you at one or both. We have an early start tomorrow to head down to the selection .
 

Peter Insole

Western Thunderer
Hi Rob, it never rains.... The "shared" car failed it's MOT yesterday! Nothing major, just awkward and expensive. My own little Fiat failed last year, and while stored, has gradually had all the faults rectified - as and when I could afford each item. One of my sons suggested it might be a good idea to book it in. At 12 o'clock today, it failed! Nothing major, but just damned awkward and expensive! Then this afternoon my inkjet printer packed up when I tried printing the labels and catalogue photos for the show!

I have arranged with Malcolm Root to meet him early in the morning and he will bring the two District Railway pics over to you at Kiddy.

Alternative arrangements have been agreed for the 17th, so wild horses etc., should not stop me from coming to the grand opening!

Looking forward in hope of seeing some old friends, and meeting you too!

Pete.
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Hi Pete,

Sorry to hear of your car woes, I had mine back in January so I can sympathies with your pain. I will look forward to meeting up with you at the opening.
 

Peter Insole

Western Thunderer
I hope everything went well with the Selection and AGM at Kidderminster today.

Before continuing with the "Shenfield interior problem theme", here are a few more happy memories:

306sf8_stratford station, down gidea park train at platform 8, july '76.jpg 306sf8_stratford station, july '76 100.jpg 306sf8_stratford station, july '76 102.jpg 306sf8_stratford station, up liverpool st., july '76 362c.jpg
The locations would be almost impossible to identify now, but at least one object in the last picture survives for posterity:

That particular, distinctive, original, LNER design derived lamp fitting at the 6/9 car stop on the Up platform resides with me. I doubt very much that I will ever get "planning consent" to hang it up anywhere in the house though?!

It doesn't look very big does it? I was even more surprised by it's weight when I picked it up from the old station Parcels Office!

Pete.
 

Peter Insole

Western Thunderer
Thanks Rob, and congratulations to Chris too!

My main concern was whether the day went well for everyone else! I sincerely hope that the GRA are happy with a good turnout for the fortieth anniversary exhibition as well?!

Pete.
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Thanks Rob, and congratulations to Chris too!

My main concern was whether the day went well for everyone else! I sincerely hope that the GRA are happy with a good turnout for the fortieth anniversary exhibition as well?!

Pete.

Hi Pete,

There were 80 pictures submitted for selection and just over 60 were successful so there should be a good range of styles and mediums for people to view or buy.
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
I had a framing session this evening (not exactly the best time to cut mounts after a busy day but I got away with it) - just a print, but a nice quality print :thumbs:

The fireman's backward glance seems to draw you into the picture - which is clever because it makes you feel as if you are actually there, by the fence.

Ironstone tramway.JPGWhats he up to then.png
 
Last edited:

J_F_S

Western Thunderer
Lovely print!

There was a 'Chuck' cartoon in the Model Engineer about 60 years ago - very similar image except the engineman's pipe was producing 10 times more exhaust than the engine chimney!
Those were the days ...
 

Giles

Western Thunderer
Absolutely lovely - I want it! But I think the thing I love best about it are the spectacles.......
 

Peter Insole

Western Thunderer
Thank you all for your comments!

The picture is indeed a "blast from the past" - and it feels a terribly long time ago that I did it!

Out of curiosity, I had a look online to see if there was any evidence of what happened to the prints...

And found this:

zsa 1991 Irchester narrow gauge museum 41680_orig.jpgzsa 1991 Irchester narrow gauge museum 130841_orig.jpg
(both images copyright, shown for illustrative purposes only)

A big surprise was also seeing this one again...

zsa 1991 Irchester Narrow Gauge Museum screen capture Youtube.jpg

The latter is not a print, but the original artwork!

All were at the Irchester Narrow Gauge Museum - the group that the original pair of illustrations were done for in the first place.

It is just possible that they might still have some copies of the print available - or at least someone might know what happened to them?!

I must admit that while it was nice to see the second image, like seeing an old friend again - I am deeply disappointed to note that the image has been severely cropped - indeed a large, and significant amount of the original artwork has clearly been hacked off completely - in order to fit it in the frame!

It is possible of course that it might have been accidentally damaged around the edges, and this was a salvage operation. I rather suspect it was more a case of someone thinking that the loco was more interesting than the crane - or anything else come to that!

The original picture showed both - plus the pit and all the interesting shadows cast by the same across the whole scene!

Still, at least I should be thankful that what's left of it has survived to date I suppose!

Pete.
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Pete. Is it possible that the rest of the original is hidden behind the mount? I must admit to being guilty of having done that to a print, but never to an original. I have to say (as I have previously) to do anything to one of your originals is desecration. To a very small degree I feel your pain. One of my photos has been used in two publications without specific permission and without my knowledge. (The subjects were of passing interest to me and the contents viewed on a stand at York Exhibition). I had previously supplied a CD of photos to the editor and said use could be allowed, but there is a difference between "could" and "will"!

My images are, I recognise, of no financial value but I'd have been more than satisfied to receive a free copy of each of the publications.

Brian
 

Peter Insole

Western Thunderer
It might not be appropriate, but I am too tempted to reply with a bit of "heart on sleeve" confessions:

About two years ago I had a breakdown - or rather an all too obvious episode that marked the culmination of a steady decline that had been happening for some time. Back then, I was referred to the local mental health services. Despite my frequent claims recently that I was feeling well enough not to require their services, they have said "No... we are quite happy for you to remain with us"!

Last Thursday, my wife and me had our usual, once a month, "face to face" meeting at a local coffee shop (a very pleasant and relaxing environment) for informal chatting. The dear lady that runs the group unexpectedly declared a particular interest in "Art", and asked me if I would care to submit some of my work, and perhaps do some demonstrations for an exhibition that she is organising!

I suddenly found myself feeling deeply anxious about that proposal, and refused.

The only way I could explain my response was to say that "I have put all that previous stuff away in a cupboard, and locked the door for the time being!"

"Want to talk about that? she replied.

"Nope! The key is staying in my pocket thank you!"

"That's fine... but I think we are getting somewhere now!"

Thinking about it, I guess that is why I have been concentrating so hard on the little railway - to the exclusion of all else - simply as a way of staying safe and maintaining a reasonably "even keel"?!

Baby steps I suppose, (?) but I did feel that a response to one of my old pictures being posted on this thread was a polite and decent thing to do for such good and respected friends.

I am still feeling deeply uneasy about many reminders of the past though, perhaps especially the more recent events leading up to my illness, and profusely apologise if my reluctance to "open up for normal business again" causes anyone disappointment or distress.

Regards,

Pete.
 

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Oh heck.
I wonder now if it might have been better had I not posted the picture of the Irchester Peckett?

I wanted to show you that I had indeed got around to mounting and framing it - I only did so on this thread instead of by PM because I had a hunch that others would delight in seeing another example of your stunning work.

I should perhaps explain that I came across a photo of the Peckett print through my interest in ironstone railways and so contacted Pete to enquire if he had any idea how / where I might look to find a copy.
He informed me it had been made into a print for/by the Irchester Ironstone Railway Trust but that he might still have an artist's proof somewhere.
I was most fortunate to be able to acquire this from him.

So my sincere apologies to you if it brought back unpleasant reminders of the past.
 

mickoo

Western Thunderer
"That's fine... but I think we are getting somewhere now!"
She's right, acceptance that there is an issue is the first step forward.

I've been to many dark places, even had my leg over a handrail 30m on a crane once, I've still no idea why I stopped to this day.

Later I realised I had to get away from that environment, not just the bullying and poor management that sent me to the dark places, but the ready ease of access I had to do some injury.

Every time I see pictures of the Port I have mixed emotions, I miss the ships and machinery badly but that's coupled with a deep seething anger at the culture that drove me away. I was good at my job, very good in fact, but I'll never go back to maintenance engineering ever again.

I closed that door firmly, left everything there from the past 37 years and three companies, training notes, certificates, awards, tools, everything and walked out with nothing, because I knew that if I took something there was always the risk it'd lead to second thoughts.

I only speak to my father about it as he worked there as well and knew the culture, he 'understands' everyone else just looks at you blankly and thinks your a bit of a drama queen.

Sometimes baggage is better left at the claims dept, carrying it around is just too much of a chore/millstone ;)

My therapist sagely said 'be who you are, not what others expect you to be'.

No replies necessary, just to say you're not alone.
 
Last edited:
Top