This website is dedicated to the Project’s, Design’s and Skill’s of Greg Durrant,You will find literally “Everything From CAD Design To Carpentry & Model Railways.”

Current Status

A logical and methodical technical minded person, with a “Can Do” attitude towards life.

I have mainly been working with computers since a very young age (My first computer was a BBC Micro, so you can guess how long ago that was!) and I have had many successful years working as an IT engineer, providing user & server side support on windows & Linux based operating systems. But due to economic downturn in the UK I have been struggling to find work. But while I am seeking full time employment I have been working on this project, creating and managing this “articles of interest” website. The website based on taking an concept idea, going on to making a CAD design of that concept, then making it a reality in my home workshop. The whole process of events is then displayed in an article on the website for subscribers to view. I advertise the site on all the major social networks to create page views, this process will create an income to the website though displaying targeted pay per click adverts on the website’s pages.

My Interests

CAD Design

I have been using Dassualt Systems DraftSight since the start of April 2011, making 2D CAD designs of Furniture and concept buildings. I have also started using Google’s SketchUp at the start of June 2011, having never used and CAD products before you can see how quickly I have picked it up. I have formally worked as a IT Engineer and due to that lack of work in the UK in my area, I have been looking for other means of work that suit my skills. I am currently looking to becoming a 2D / 3D CAD designer. Any Help to achieve my goal would be welcomed. (Please get in contact if you have a role that would suit)

Carpentry

I have skills Gardening, DIY and Carpentry/Woodworking. This extends to having my Workshop in my garage, whit a big range of bench tool. This hobby started back in secondary school as I did Design & Technology Resistant materials at GCSE Level. Now this hobby extends to making all my own bespoke furniture, also I have been known to help fit kitchens.

Model Railways

Back in the summer of 2010 my passion for model trains came back to life from my childhood. This was all thanks to a visit with my partner to our local railway preservation centre, The Midlands Railway Centre at Butterly. Where I saw loads of different Model Railway Layouts. I was so impressed and inspired that I started building ‘Boddington’ my first full railway Layout.

I don’t just build a train set, I engineer a whole real life working environment to scale. Skills that I use in this process range from drafting CAD designs for the construction of the layout baseboard, to create an optimal track layout design that is based on the loading gauge specifications of the rolling stock & locomotives. To wiring an isolating electrified track system and a 12Volt DC lighting system with LEDs Lights, switches & resistors. Even though I do research on the period that the layout is based on, I prefer to build around a fictional setting to a random baseboard size, rather than a prototype from an existing real life place. As this process will make the construction a lot more challenging.

You will find many galleries with 100′s of pictures of all my creations. this hobby has stemmed from have a big interest in UK rail infrastructural design and architecture. So not being able to engineer on a real life scale, I have opted for a OO scale model for my designs.

Quick FAQ

What are my goals for this year? I want to get qualified in 2D and 3D CAD Design Level 2 NVQ
What do I use for a CMS? WordPress mainly, but i do use Drupal for more complex sites
What do I code in? HTML, CSS, and some PHP and ASP
What is my favourite 2D CAD Product? DraftSight
What is my favourite 3D CAD Product? Sketchup
What is my favourite class of train? Class 37′s and Class 08′s
Who is my inspirational engineer? Isambard Kingdom Brunel
What is my favourite architectural attraction? Royal Albert Bridge
Do I have any other hobbies (not listed on this site)? Yes, I enjoy Shooting and Walking and Enjoying the Countryside

My Quotes

“Being highly creative and forward thinking,

Achieves excellent support through good communication”

“There is no such thing as a problem, only a solution to a difficult situation.”