Mulberry Modelling Works

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Bexhill
Mulberry Modelling Works

Making big kids dreams come true, creating bespoke model railways and assembly of kits to order…….
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My apprenticeship in the modelling of railways began some twenty or so years back, and I’d be inclined to say it’s an on-going vocation, as I’m of the belief “you learn something new in every model you produce”, be it modifying an RTR item, assembling a kit, or creating a model from scratch. Up until 2010, I’d been modelling the light railway scene of the Great Western in 4mm scale for quite some

years, and became rather well known on the exhibition circuit for this, my last layout being "Pudley Lane". A change is as good as the rest though, and now model the industrial narrow gauge scene in 1/35 scale. Never a modeller pigeon holed for specialising in a particular field within the hobby, I'm something of an all-rounder, turning my hand to whatever is required to get a model finished to a standard I’m happy to put my name to it. Prior to setting up MMW, I’ve had experience of working within the retail side of model railways, as well as working alongside Nevile Reid at Scenic Model Railway, based in West Kent. The Mulberry Works itself came to fruition after the frustration of trying to find employment, yet having very little success in the recent economic climate. Previously employed as an electrical engineer assembling control panels and such like, work within the industry began to be contracted out to overseas companies, and those still producing in the UK weren’t able to provide anything in the way of either job security, or decent salary. Many friends had been suggesting I do my modelling for a living, and after giving it some thought, here I am. Also, with none of us getting any younger by the day, I felt it time somebody younger got in on the act to try and keep the trade going……

14/10/2024

Backwoods Miniatures On30 lumber crane - this was a project that I never got to complete, after the customer became short of funds…….a great shame, as it was an interesting build.

04/10/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/xoVKQAzivYrwabGS/?mibextid=WC7FNe

A customer asked me how much it cost to do this job....
I answered him: $ 1500
He said: So expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?
He answers me: $ 800 maximum... That's a pretty simple job right? !"
- For $ 800 I invite you to do it yourself.
- But.... I don't know how to.
- For $800 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $700, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want
- It seemed right to him and he agreed.
- But to get started: you need tools: A welder, grinder, chop saw, drill press, welding hood, gloves etc...
- But I don't have all these equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
- Well then for another $300 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.
- Okay, he says.
- Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work
- But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, give up my tasks.
- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
- That is? What is this?"
- Bureaucratic, tax, vat, security, insurance, fuel etc.
- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!
- Do you have them? You can do it to me before?"
- Okay!
- I'll make you all the material you need. Truck loading is done Monday evening or Tuesday morning you'll have to come by 6 loading the truck. Don't forget to be on time to avoid traffic jams and be on time
- At 6??? Nope! Too early for me! I used to getting up later...
- You know, I've been thinking. Y ' all better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the $1500. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.

When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations
Critiquing the work of others based on pricing is not fair. The fees I would charge for a similar task are considerably higher than what is indicated here, but the emphasis lies in the principle rather than the specific amount.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.

20/09/2024

So. just as I'd literally finished off this sweet little thing the other year, the Bachmann model had been announced, but I'll leave you all to decide which you prefer.
This however, isn't just any old 4mm scale Hunslet, this is a Hunslet that's been lovingly crafted by hand from a Backwoods Miniatures etched brass kit here at Mulberry Works, and then painted & lined by the talented Chris Clark.......

20/09/2024

And so, another project I'd finished for a customer last year. This is Sharp Hawthorn 2-4-0T "Northiam", from the Kent & East Sussex Railway, assembled in 4mm scale/16.5mm gauge from a Roxey Moulding etched brass kit, yet modified to represent it in it's guise as "Gladstone", for the Will Hay B&W movie "Oh Mr Porter".
Now, those that know me personally will be aware of the frustrations I went through when it came to painting this loco, as I'd originally gone to the effort of putting it into the blue livery of the KESR, as it would've been. But, upon telling this to my customer, he then informed me that he wanted it in black, as it was in the film. And so, as you will see from the photos here, the customer is always right.......

12/08/2024

For some time now I've been meaning to upload these photos for you all, considering it's a project I'd completed it a few years back, plus I keep meaning to sort out an article on it for the NG&IRM Review.
So, here we have the ex-Bowaters Manning Wardle 0-6-2T Chevallier, assembled in 4mm scale narrow gauge/009 from one of the Backwoods Miniatures etched brass kits. This was one of those labour of love projects, and something of which many said would be a challenge as the chassis is somewhat complex. I'm unable to take any credit for the paintjob though, as this was a task undertaken by Chris Clark, and what an amazing job he did, too.......

01/08/2024

At long last, the 4mm scale 009 Talyllyn passenger stock, along with pair of Corris brake vans, have now been completed, and near enough ready for shipment to their customer around on the other side of the globe 🌎. I’m rather pleased with the finish on these, as the weathering of passenger stock is never an easy one…….

29/06/2024

A little sneaky peak at what’s soon to come out of the Works…….these are currently being given a light weathering.

I realise things have been a bit slow going of late, as it’s taken me a while to get back into the swing of things after the move back to working from my home, along with one or two health issues. I’m gradually getting around to dealing with orders though, so do bear with me.

I’m also in the process of going through editing the images of projects from the past year or so, as not had chance to do so and realise there’s some items you’ve never had the opportunity to see the finished results of…….

21/05/2024

Just incase any of you were wondering, I am still here, it’s just been taking me a while to adjust to this working from home malarkey…….

22/02/2024

Just a little Thursday morning chuckle, and to let you know I am still alive 😉

30/01/2024

A sneak peek at the new workbench currently being fabricated for when Mulberry Works moves back home next month…….

31/12/2023

Well here’s a little something to end 2023 on…….I only just managed to get this little fella, or should I say girl, finished and off to its customer before closing doors, as I ended up rather poorly again in the week leading up to Christmas, hence why I’ve been a bit quiet of late.

Some changes are afoot during the next month or so, as the works is moving back onto home territory, but more of this news in due course…….see you all in 2024

30/11/2023

Having completed their assembly, the 4mm scale Talyllyn and Corris stock is now in the paint shop.
Those with a good eye may spot the extra details I’ve fabricated and added to the coaches…….

16/11/2023

Let’s play, spot the difference…….😉

07/11/2023

Action on the workbench has been a little quiet these past couple of weeks, as I’ve been a little poorly, but I’m gradually getting back in the swing…….

16/10/2023

Apparently, my client is going nuts for these…….I’ll try sort some more pics out in course, but just thought I’d give you a little peek 😉

02/10/2023

Just on a little break at the moment, up in Suffolk, and came across this…….

15/09/2023

The De Winton, now in it’s primed state…….

10/09/2023

Another video of the De Winton, running on the test track…….

Address

Bexhill
TN401JA

Website

http://mulberryworks.co.uk/

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Videos

Another video of the De Winton, running on the test track…….

Progress is occurring with the latest commission, here at Mulberry Works. I reckon the majority of you will be able to tell what it is…….

Here we have a little Tuesday Teaser.....

Branchlines Eagle chassis on the Mulberry Wprks test track.....

The two Coffee Pots were recently out-shopped from here at MMWorks, though I’m still going through the editing process of the numerous photos I took of them, so they’ll be appearing soon. In the meantime, here’s a video of the chassis for the Backwoods 4mm NG “Chevalier” kit, undergoing some running tests on the bench.....

One of the Eagle chassis’s, on the running in track (the pot of solder paste is to help adhesion).....

The 4mm scale DeWinton is now on its black livery, and has had a coat of lacquer, before going ahead with hand painting all the assorted parts such as the buffer beams and pipe-work.....

And here we have the Eagle chassis being put through it’s paces on the running in track, here at The Works.....

The chassis for a GEM 009 "Dennis" (Grafar donor with the kit of additional waggly bits), being trialled on the running-in track at Mulberry Works in readiness to go off to the customer...... www.mulberryworks.co.uk