Saturday 15 July 2017

Triumph Model H Motorcycle

Anyone who read our Cliddesden layout article in March 2016 Railway Modeller magazine may recall I alluded to a cameo scene recorded in Edward Griffith's book of the line that I had yet to model for the layout. With Cliddesden scheduled for exhibition again in January 2018 (details to follow near the date) I decided to take time out to create the scene.

It concerns a motor-cycle, delivered to the station for its new owner to collect. It was 'borrowed' by the Station Porter who took great pleasure riding it around the countryside for a week without the owners permission. The Porter arranged for a green flag to be placed in a tree giving the all clear and a red flag if strangers were in the vicinity.

I do not know what type of motorcycle or which period this story relates to. I chose a Triumph Model H, which was in manufacture from 1915 to 1923. The 'N' gauge model was 3D printed in plastic but being so small with few details you would not recognise it as a model H but it does have the style of early motorcycles. The Porter is modelled using a wire armature and Milliput epoxy putty. He is shown leaving the Goods Yard for one of his jaunts.

Can you spot the green flag?

David