What's next?

Of course, I am always thinking about what I can paint next!

High on my list of French subjects was a 241P, the post-war 4-8-2, based on PLM practice and heavily influenced by Chapelon's ideas. I did that last year ('Mountain Scene'), and it nicely coincided with the emergence, later in the year, of the refurbished 241P17 from Le Creusot. I also painted an Est Mountain ('Black Beast'). Maybe I have neglected further Est and Ouest locomotives, so I’d better get researching and see what inspires me.

A 240P would be nice also, as would a number of older French engines such as the PLM 4-8-0's or, even older, a Crampton. There are so many lovely old French engines, many of which are seldom portrayed or modelled.

Then there are British locomotives. I remember the Fowler 2-6-4 tank locomotives, speedy and quite elegant - under the filth! And, certainly, I must paint another A3 before too long.

From the USA, a New York Central Hudson was also on my list. They were beautifully-balanced engines, and I painted one speeding along the 'Water-level Route' by the Hudson River ('Hudson by Hudson'). I think a Southern Pacific 'Daylight' on the California coast would make a wonderful picture.

Certainly, there is no shortage of possibilities!