Behind the Backscene

In the penultimate instalment of Behind the Backscene, green-fingered Richard Proudman reveals his love for Leicester Tigers, Formula 1 and the Great Central Railway.

1 What is your earliest railway memory?

Seeing ‘A4’ at Loughborough station on the Great Central Railway, our local heritage line. I would have been only four or five years old at the time.

Sir Nigel Gresley

2 What is your most memorable train journey?

A round trip on the North Norfolk Railway – it was just a regular weekday service in October, but for me it was the start of a memorable weekend away with my dad and brother to celebrate Dad’s 70th birthday.

3 Do you have a favourite railway station?

Rothley, being born and bred in the village I couldn’t choose anywhere else really, could I?

4 How did you get into the hobby industry?

I have always been a keen railway modeller and applied for a vacancy at Bachmann. Although I didn’t get that role I was later approached by David (Haarhaus) to join the Bachmann Collectors Club team.

5 What did you do beforehand?

I had previously worked with a professional modelmaker, but just before joining Bachmann I worked in the local hardware store, which I guess inspired the Scenecraft model of Proudman’s Hardware!

6 Have you ever built a model railway?

Yes, along with the statutory train set during childhood, I have built two exhibition layouts, first in ‘N’ and then in ‘OO’. Both are long gone but I started a new ‘N’ gauge layout about a decade ago which currently languishes in my parents’ garage – one day I’ll find the time for it!

7 What model or craft projects are you most proud of?

I built a Craftsman Kit for a Midland ‘1P’ of which I remain proud, despite the wonderful Bachmann Branchline model that we released recently. It had a tendency to derail but this was resolved with a simple tweak during an exhibition I was attending with my layout. It’s on permanent loan to my dad now, as I seldom have the opportunity to play trains anymore.

8 If you could build your dream model, what would it be?

A scale model of another Great Central Railway location, Swithland Sidings.

10 Who is your hero?

My nan, who is sadly no longer with us, and whom I miss greatly. She was disabled and only had the use of one arm but still managed to undertake most things from gardening to baking, as well as helping to look after me and my brother quite a lot during our childhood.

11 Where do you find your inspiration?

All around me, by observing people, places, and events. Nature has perfected many things and so the natural world can be a great inspirer too.

12 What motivates you most in your job?

Seeing our products being enjoyed by our consumers, whether at a show, or photos/videos in magazines and online (just as long as they’re not being used on the carpet!)

13 What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

I became a father for the first time a few weeks ago. The sleepless nights are certainly a challenge, but very worthwhile nevertheless.

14 What has been the best decision you’ve ever made?

Not buying a house… Being young and impatient we were desperate to buy our first house and almost bought elsewhere but (luckily) our offers were rejected, which meant we were still in the market when our house in Rothley came up for sale.

15 If you could change anything about the hobby, what would it be?

Oh, there are many things! But one is the perception of a small minority of consumers that because a product was released yesterday, it must automatically be inferior to a product released today. As with many things in life, ‘newer’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘better’.

16 What was your big ambition as a child?

To be a vet.

17 If you had a time machine, where would you go?

I’ve never fancied time travel, to be honest.

18 What’s your hidden talent?

It’s so well hidden I don’t even know myself!

19 Do you have any strange quirks that you’re prepared to share?

I feel like I am one big, strange quirk most of the time, but we all are really, aren’t we, and I’m comfortable with that.

20 What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

21 How would you like to be remembered?

As a proud man, having lived a life of which to be proud.

I feel like I am one big, strange quirk most of the time, but we all are really, aren’t we, and I’m comfortable with that