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Buxton
Model Works Established 2004 |
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Buxton Model Works is now operating in a part time mode. Commissions
are no longer undertaken. Existing customers will continue to be supported.
A batch build of several Gauge 3 LNER F3/F4/F5 locomotives will be
the main activity. Further details will be posted on these pages and the
Facebook page.
Dave
Parker MEng BEng
(Hons) MIET
G4IKK - Proprietor
Dave has the
ideal start to a railway career by being born within a mile of Crewe Works in
July 1960. For his first birthday he was given a 00 gauge train set to play
with and the rest is history!! After a short spell in Doha, Qatar he moved with
his family to Brigsteer (Nr Kendal) in what was the old County of Westmorland –
circa 1964. He was lucky enough to see working steam in action at such places
as Shap, Scout Green, Tebay and Kendal. With relatives on the south coast he
also saw steam on the Southern Region, in particular the Waterloo – Bournemouth
line.
Education
began at Stramongate Primary school in Kendal and then a short period at
Heversham Grammar School before the family moved to Surrey in 1974 as a result
of local government reorganisation. He was quite keen to return to the North
West and in 1980 secured a place at The University of Liverpool to read
Electronic Engineering. It was during his time here that he became heavily
involved with the Public Transport Society, holding the position of Treasurer
in 1982. Several photos exist of him on the main LUPTS website together with
one or two stories!! Dave has maintained contact with many of the members since
that time and is a very active member of LUPTS in exile
During his
post grad year around 1985 he became involved with the Peak Rail project in
Buxton, travelling there most weekends. This was an introduction to full size
engineering and soon after graduation he began practical engineering classes at
High Peak College. The course supervisor pointed out that he had a real talent
for this type of activity. As the years went by the practical interest grew to
a point where a decision was made to leave the original field of Electronics
completely and in 2004 Buxton Model Works was started.
Dave’s
modelling activity started with 00 gauge where he built one or two white metal
kits. Once some basic engineering skills were gained he constructed a 5 inch
Gauge Simplex 0-6-0 live steam locomotive. On the full size he helped with the
restoration of 92214. Quite by chance the secretary of the Buxton Model
Engineering Society asked if Dave could build an O scale kit for which a
payment would be made. This was the first commission. Several more O scale
locos were built and sold via established traders. By the time Buxton Model
Works was officially launched in 2004 a fairly good portfolio of completed
projects was available. The first advertisement in the Gauge 1 Newsletter and
Journal yielded a commission to build a Duchess class locomotive for a member
in Cornwall. A picture of the engine was published on the front cover of Garden
Railway Magazine the ideal start to a professional modelling career.
When not
‘cutting metal’ in the workshops Dave spends some days at the Great Central
Railway where he helps in the loco sheds – one day he hopes to be firing there.
As a lifelong fan of The Shadows he’s involved with one or two guitar clubs and
now and again finds some time for Amateur Radio.
Len
Parker MBE CEng
MICE FCIHT AMCT HonFIHE
Len is based
in Elstead, Surrey and manufactures our small fittings. He spent a career in
Civil Engineering and has a railway modelling hobby which he’s now making good
use of! Many of our fittings have been
made on the machinery described by Len in Model Engineers Workshop No 145,146
and 174. The series is titled ‘Make Do and Mend’.
Adrian
Parker BSc MBA
CEng MIMechE
Adrian is
based in Turin, Italy and acts as our technical consultant. He has spent much
of his career in the automotive industry. He has constructed several model live
steam projects and is involved with the model engineering scene in Italy.
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Gallery/Home page
Last updated: 28 July 2020
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© Dave Parker/Charles Roberts 2014-2020 |