Thanks for your comments gents

I have been scrolling through my list of engines to see what I have for Penstemon and think I have certainly got enough to begin with. I have two of the rather questionable Hornby class 2721 pannier tanks as well as the more recent Bachmann 57xx and 8750 so that’s 4 pannier tanks. I also have 3 Bachmann 45XX’s which are ideal for a layout set in Cornwall. I have a 4575 from Bachmann too but I don’t think this modified 45XX was as common. I would like to add a 455 Metro Tank at some point to pair with an autocoach and that should just about cover it. All of these engines were sheded at either Truro or St Blazey in 1934 so are plausible on the line.

I suspect my 43XX is a bit on the big side for humble branch work although there were many sheded in Cornwall and my Hall’s, well….

South East Finecast do a brass kit of the 455 but I need to do some more research/ask the fine folk of RMweb if the kit is suitable to represent the Cornish engines. It’s all a question of cab’s – half or full?

http://www.sefinecast.co.uk/Locomotives/New%20and%20Revised%20Loco%20Kits%20Page%205.htm

So engines I seem to be good for. I think I will be good for wagons too, but its coaching stock that offers the most challenges. I plan to use the Hornby B set coaches (Diagram 140?) initially until I can successfully build a bow end set (Diagram E129) from Comet and have a go at the ratio 4 wheeler kits. I have thought about getting one of the old Hornby Clerestory brake 3^rds and seeing if it can be tarted up too. Following the tradition of older stock working their way down from mainline to branch line and then to workmen’s trains, is it plausible to see this venerable coach on a Cornish branch line in the 30’s?

So no real RTR coaching fix, at least not to modern standards but room for some ‘skill improvement’ both in modifying RTR, plastic kit building and when I am brave enough – brass etch.

D.