"Back to the Hill"

So, final essays well underway. Hand in on Tuesday. Free from the shackles of the English degree, after four long years. There's a slight irony that has not been lost on me - after twenty two years of loving my trains, whether it was a little blue tank engine, or a giant, apple green tornado, that my dissertation would involve trains was inevitable!

I am returning to the Copley Hill set within the next week, after tying up the loose ends in Loughborough. Filming for the scripted and storyboarded Episode 17X will commence straight away.

I've missed Copley Hill - my little film-set, train-set, call it what you will. It's been such a source of comfort to me through thick and thin. The engine characters will be turning in their last performances using the current faces - I have plans in store for overhauling that part of their performances completely, within the next month. Episode 18 is going to be the one to watch - another step up from the high of Fowler's Ghost, make no bones about it!

That, and I can finally get all of my models finished that I keep saying I will!

Until next time - see you when I'm back at Copley Hill.

"On the Up"

Things are looking up at the Copley Hill Works.

I've had a few confirmations that prizes have come through (and if you are still waiting on a prize, please contact me on the Copley Hill address). My dissertation went in on time, and the rest of my work is doing well as it stands.

Episode 17X in in production - and 18 will follow shortly. The official website for The British Railway Series is having an overhaul (you can find the link in the left hand column), and overall I am just feeling a lot happier than I was earlier this month.

I've even done some painting! A D11 to show off when it's finished.

Until next time!

"Crestfallen & Dissertation Nerves"

It's been a very tiring few months at the Copley Hill Works. Last few months of the degree are hopefully going to pay off, but I've been so busy that anything I've added to the Youtube account or to RMweb/SiF/PW/LNER forum have just been occasional updates and conversations.

I'm feeling a bit depressed at the moment - the BRWS Character Competition was a great high, and having sent the prizes out I expected the prize winners to send emails out confirming they'd received them. To date, I've only had one email, and it was prompted by me asking if it had arrived safely.

Another Youtuber has advised this is normal and not to worry about it. I'm not worrying per say, I just want to know if the prizes arrived alright.

I've also uploaded two "remastered" episodes, complete with annotations, which hopefully give some extra information as to the work which into the making of the series. Neither has done particularly well, and although some of the comments have been favourable, I am not sure I will now do another.

There's also been a few back and forths behind the scenes trying to sort things like the dissertation and other related essays out, and any time I had to devote to even this blog, have gone by the wayside.

I'm tired, burned out, and crestfallen. I can only hope when the next episode (17X) appears that it's received as favourably as Episode 17 was - the last six months have seen overall viewing figures drop, partly due to a lack of new episodes (like every hiatus I've had) but also in no small part due to a lack of really being able to go for it in terms of production values.

All in all, the Copley Hill Works hasn't been a happy place for quite a while now, here's hoping things pick up towards the summer months.

Until next time.