Kruger Cowne client Ruth Hinks creates chocolate locomotive masterpiece
9th September 2015
A giant scale model of the famous Flying Scotsman train made entirely from chocolate is set to melt the hearts of railways enthusiasts when it goes under the hammer to raise money for a children’s charity.
Sponsored by Morrison Construction, the highly-detailed ‘lo-cocoa-motion’ has been created by UK World Chocolate Master and Kruger Cowne client, Ruth Hinks, after Scottish Borders Council (SBC) asked for Ruth and Cocoa Black to develop something special to celebrate the re-opening of the Borders Railway and raise funds for Cash for Kids.
Weighing in at more than 75kgs of high-quality chocolate, it took three master chocolatiers 400 hours over four weeks to perfect the sweet-tasting steam train using techniques such as casting, carving, moulding and polishing chocolate.
The 1:17 scale sculpture contains over 400,000 calories – the equivalent of 750 individual chocolate bars.
The Chocolate Flying Scotsmanis encased in a display cabinet to stop it degrading, made its first public appearance at Waverley Station in Edinburgh to mark the inaugural weekend of the Borders Railway on Saturday, 5 September.
It will now go on display at various events and venues and will eventually be put up for auction. It is hoped the unique culinary masterpiece will attract bids from railway and chocolate enthusiasts across the country and raise a tasty sum for the children’s charity.
Provided it’s stored correctly, the chocolate version will remain in perfect condition for a minimum of 2-3 years.
The Borders Railway officially began operating on Sunday 6 September 2015, providing regular train services between Tweedbank and Edinburgh calling at new stations at Galashiels, Stow, Gorebridge, Newtongrange, Eskbank and Shawfair.
Tracey Logan, Chief Executive from SBC: “We wanted to do something special to celebrate the opening of the Borders Railway which is why we originally asked Ruth Hinks and her team at Cocoa Black to create this work of art. We are delighted with the result – and are looking forward to seeing it admired over the coming weeks.”
Ruth Hinks from Cocoa Black explained:“The Flying Scotsman is an iconic symbol of the nation’s railway heritage. In creating The Chocolate Flying Scotsman, we hope to rekindle the beauty and romance of Scottish rail travel. It’s difficult to gauge the market value of something so unique, but the successful bidder will most likely have a specific interest in trains or art and with the money going to Cash For Kids. It will hopefully generate a significant sum.”
The Chocolate Flying Scotsman will be on display at Waverley station, Edinburgh on Saturday 5, Sunday 6 and Wednesday 9 September.
