For years, people have asked questions such as “Why don’t you make parts on your injection molding machine?” or “Why don’t you make such-and-such a part on your CNC milling machine?” The fact is, I don’t have any such tools. Even if I did, I lack the skills to use them. So, to put to rest any misconceptions, I asked my friend Yevgeny Kushnir to take photographs of the studio where I work (and play, sometimes!).

In this photo, you have just walked into the 12 x 14 foot room. That’s about 3.6 x 4.2 meters. As you can see, the layout is high enough that the computer, filing cabinet, and other items fit comfortably beneath it. The scanner, printer, and CPU (named “Data Central” by a former spouse) rest on a table made by my late brother Richard from a hatch from an old sailing vessel.

You can see a row of parts cabinets – some on the floor, some on the table. The ones you see are only half the total number of cabinets. These are used exclusively for business-related parts – Zavod1, KubikiRSR, Proletarian Series, and others to come in the future. You can see on the right a row of assembled 2TE10U diesels.

If you ever wondered where your models were built – this is it! It’s my late father’s drafting table, pushed partially underneath the layout so as to take up less floor space.

Another shot of the work table. I’m not sure why Yevgeny took this photo, but I’ve learned to stay out of his way and just let him do his thing.

And now a REALLY scary photo – for the first time on this web site, a photo of yours truly, sitting where I read and reply to your emails!

So that’s it! As you can see, no machine tools (oh, yes, I forgot, I do own a Dremel motor tool). Just hand tools, a wooden work table, and parts -- lots and lots of parts. A modest space, average tools, and a certain degree of neatness. It’s an average place, for an average guy.

And I wouldn’t trade it for all the glories of the world!

Chris White
Red Star Railways