Early Tracks
Dan’s fascination with model trains began at the age of 13, nurtured by visits to model railway shows with his father. Starting with basic kits and home layouts, his passion quickly outgrew hobbyist circles. “It was about getting a feel for what was out there,” Dan recalls, “starting from simple kits and working my way up.”
His breakthrough came in 2010, when he met a model kit manufacturer at a show in Telford. One conversation led to another, and soon he found himself joining a local group of enthusiasts who met weekly to “play trains and have a catch-up.” This informal community provided the perfect launchpad for Dan’s development.
Building a Craft
A pivotal connection with Trevor Cousins of Mercian Models brought Dan into the world of pre-production model building. His role involved assembling prototype kits, identifying design flaws before models went into full production. “It was about finding any problems and reporting back — really honing my skills,” he explains.
Another mentor, a retired schoolteacher and full-time model builder — further encouraged Dan. From 2013 to 2017, Dan worked with him on a, building kits for customers and improving his technical proficiency. “I was learning on the job,” he says. “Very grateful for his guidance.”
A Career is Forged
In 2019, a Facebook conversation with, a professional model painter, opened new doors. Dan, who builds the models but doesn’t paint them, began collaborating with the professional model painter, taking on overflow projects when his workload became too much. This informal partnership blossomed, referrals from several new clients being sent Dan’s way.
Dan’s work involves turning sheets of brass into fully functional models — cutting, soldering, assembling, and wiring them, including motors and mechanical parts. “You basically start with a box of bits and end up with a fully running model, ready for painting,” he explains. Each build is unique, with older kits often revealing unexpected quirks.
Pandemic Boom
The COVID-19 lockdowns proved a surprising turning point. With hobbyists stuck at home, demand for Dan’s work surged. “People were suddenly keen to get their projects built,” he says. What had been a side gig became a viable business almost overnight, and the word-of-mouth referrals kept growing.
Social media also played a role. Occasionally posting in Facebook model forums, Dan found that admirers of his work would reach out directly. “I’ve never had to advertise,” he says. “It’s all come through community and connections.”
A New Chapter
Then came the biggest change of all — redundancy. “This time last year, I was laid off for four weeks,” Dan shares. “In that second week, I started thinking seriously about the future.” With a growing backlog of model work and encouragement from colleagues like Bill Morgan, Dan made the leap.
“By July, things were still uncertain at my old job, but my decision had been made for me. I had to take the plunge. ” Since then, he’s built a career on his own terms, working flexibly and finding fulfilment in a craft he loves.
Back on Track with support from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Living with cystic fibrosis, Dan knew self‑employment would have to balance income with health. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has been pivotal. Through its Enterprise Grants programme and dedicated self‑employment mentors, the Trust checks in monthly to review income and expenses, flag funding opportunities for specialist tools or a future website, and — crucially — provide a sounding board.
“I’d recommend them to anyone with CF thinking of starting a business,” Dan says. “My mentor support makes the whole venture feel possible.”
The Trust’s guidance, coupled with Universal Credit’s self‑employment coaching, has allowed Dan to pace his workload around treatment routines, schedule mid‑week “social steam‑days” for mental wellbeing, and even factor in daily canal‑side walks with the family dog.
The Bigger Picture
Today, Dan builds primarily in O gauge — one size up from the classic OO gauge found in many home layouts. “A lot of people move to O gauge as they get older,” he explains, “easier to see the parts and work with.” His creations are not just models but functional, precision-engineered machines — the result of years of learning, adaptation, and passion.
Dan’s story as one of community, resilience, and ingenuity. “It’s clear this wasn’t just a hobby — it became a way forward,” “Every person I met introduced me to someone else. It’s been a real chain reaction.”
From brass sheets to rolling locomotives, Dan’s journey proves that when passion meets opportunity, it can build a future success.