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Hi all, Here's a look at the proposed six wheel full brake that we've designed. We propose to add 2 full brakes (with different running numbers) to each livery already announced. Again, we'd love to hear feedback on this as it is always useful. Cheers, Dave

Afternoon all, I've made some amendments to the drawings based on feedback we have received so far and would be grateful if you could let me know your thoughts on these. Changes include: lower beading, removed brakes on centre wheels (6 wheel) and altered compartment spacing. 4 wheel 4 compartment Original Amended 4 wheel 5 compartment Original Amended 4 wheel brake Original Amended 6 wheel 4 compartment lavatory Original Amended 6 wheel 5 compartment Original Amended 6 wheel brake Original Amended I've also included a view of the various ends which I know people were interested to see. Cheers, Dave

1990 at Peak Forest for this afternoon with 37s and 47s. Four photos are from a visit from April, one is from August. Peak Forest 37425 shunting 19th April 90 C14387 Peak Forest 37687 shunting 24th Aug 90 C15291 Peak Forest RMC shunter 19th April 90 C14417 Peak Forest Class 47 ICI limestone 19th April 90 C14388.jpg 47594 Peak Forest 47441 l e 19th April 90 C14391 David

...whilst the nearby ramshackle Bedford crew bus ticks over

For those still decrying the generic nature of these models, the ship has sailed. Hattons have clearly looked at their options and decided that for a reasonable low risk return on investment it is better to create a generic set of coaches at a reasonable price which can look fine on any model railway but at the same time not be an accurate representation of any particular company beyond livery. If they went down the pick a company, do one model accurately and then stick random non prototypical liveries on it the chorus of disapproval would have been massive as would the calls for 'Why didn't you pick my beloved pre-grouping company which I know has more modellers than your chosen prototype' Simply put, they would never win and there would be more disappointed people than happy modellers.

Ahh, RMWeb doing what it does best. Something that I've found, since starting my own business, is just how many experts there are in my field willing, indeed eager, to offer advice on what I should be doing. I find it strange that almost none of them operate what would clearly be a far more successful rival operation. Funny old world, ain't it?

This holier-than-thou attitude, that making things is more fun than buying them, has bedevilled this hobby as long as I have been a modeller, and I'm almost 71. Many of us aren't very interested in building kits per se, still less scratch-building. We want to run realistic layouts with reasonably authentic trains, preferably to a timetable. Whatever gets us to that goal before we die is likely to sell. Hattons seem to have some idea about us.

Morning all, Thanks for the continued feedback. I'm going to be looking in to a variety of things moving forward. One of these being the potential of adding a full brake to the range. I'll be sure to post back once I have any more information to share. Cheers, Dave

Jack here is about to demolish the redundant relay box..

Another of these shots where I had just plonked the camera down temporarily, and then quite liked what I saw through the viewfinder. Then it is back under the roof. Number 7 is still some distance away, as is the pilot on the Down side, which is doing something with a van.

Last few days has seen work on the 6 wagons I got from Swindon. Look OK but need a bit more attention in a few places. All six together, just need to make S&W couplings from them....

When I posted the blog link on Facebook last night it invited me to add a donation link for a charity. I chose LOROS, thinking that we'd get about fifty quid. Just checked and the total is £130 and climbing. Thanks to all who have added their contributions.

As I've said a little while ago, I read all your messages of support but at the moment I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and rather then miss relying to some, am globally thinking you all for your support, thought, messages, prayers. Knowing that you're there is important and very, very comforting.

Radiotherapy tomorrow https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2019/10/09/sandys-treatment-day-295/

Photos (by Ian Rathbone) of two W1 models I have built, Ian seems to have gone with the lighter shade. This one is 4mm from the SEF kit. This one scratchbuilt in 7mm scale, the boiler casing is probably the most difficult forming job I've ever done. The trailing axles are in internal pony trucks, one as designed, the Cartazzi axle on its equivalent radius - I have tried building radial axlebox arrangements but haven't found them very reliable, they either tend to stick or are too slack to keep the wheels at the right angle.

Which is completely understandable. We are certainly here for you at this difficult and challenging time.

Morning All Thinking of Sandy & John Overcast but dry. Had a bad day yesterday the post went into cyber space, had a ton of house work to do then clearing out the garage loft I caught my foot on one of the roof trusts and ended half way down the hatch head first dinking my shoulder, back and hip all grazed and bruised this morning I was lucky I managed to pull myself back up untangle myself from the ladder climb down and got some medicine to calm the nerves Hic ! Today I will not tempt fate and do anything apart from some food shopping I'll probably get knock down by a trolley the way some of these sweet old ladies charge around the store. Mike are you going to Aldershot this weekend ? Must get on enjoy your day B.Atered-Ansore

Good morning everyone The sun is shining and the sky is a bluey grey sort of colour! Breakfast has been consumed and once Sheila has finished a few small domestic tasks, we will set of for Withington Hospital, where her appointment is. We’re expecting to there for a good few hours, so we’re both taking something to read, though I doubt Sheila will be able to read anything once the first of the tests has been started. She isn’t looking forward to any of this, never mind the actual surgery, but then you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs! Thoughts still with John and Sandy. Enjoy the day, back later.

Our thoughts for John and Sandy. Andy and Dee.

Ey up! After our evening meal laat night we walked to the oldest pub in Scotland..the Sheeps Heid. Very nice. Her indoors was so impressed we are booked in on Thursday for our evening meal. Today we are off sight seeing and will meet up with Gabe at Howies for a tea time meal. Fingers ( and toes) crossed that Sandy can get some more pain relief John. I think a big (gentle) hug from all ERs is in order. Muggadecaf to drink then...breakfast. Carpe Diem everyone, make the most of every second of the day! Baz

I Googled Southern Tool Van to see how close Hattons' proposal was but they seem to be way off...

Re the shooting incident in Halle, the attackers attempted to enter the synagogue and deposited explosive devices outside the building, according to new findings. That and the killing at the kebab shop does kind of suggest a right-wing background, I’m thinking. Flippin‘ell...

A'noon all. Crikey is the thought of the day after a number of gunmen (at least two, apparently) killed two persons on the streets in Halle using submachine guns. One assailant seems to have been captured while the rest are still in the open, reportedly headed for Leipzig. Police have asked residents to stay inside and several schools ended lessons early, I am reading. Elise's staff meeting tonight has been called off and the Festival of Light, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the DDR revolution of 1989 and intended to take place tonight, may be in jeopardy too. Thinking of John and Sandy, as also posted elsewhere. Be safe, all!

Sorry, I think you have not quite grasped my point. Neither the execrable Hornby 4-wheelers nor the new Hattons coaches represent accurate models of specific prototypes. However, the Hattons coaches appear prototypical, i.e. they actually reasonably represent the appearance of coaches of that era. The Hornby coach is not prototypical. It is not realistic in any way and does not represent at all accurately how coaches of the period looked. If you don't want a nice model of a generic coach because it does not match any specific prototype, fair enough, though it might be fair to add that, given the economics of production and the current evolution of the market, I suspect your RTR choice for this era is a generic coach or nothing. To dismiss these coaches, as one contributor sought to do, as no better than the Hornby 4-wheelers, seems to me to be wildly unfair and to display a lamentable lack of discrimination! BTW, I don't use Photoshop for the purpose you suggest. My points in relation to these models, and I have had several, are based on the extent to which they represent generic features of coaches of the period depicted. Naturally the scope for such comments is relatively limited, and I think Hattons have done a very reasonable job in relation to their stated objectives. EDIT: As to the era, that explains some of the crudeness, but certainly not the solecisms of the Hornby design, and consider the Triang clerestory, a far superior body for a generic panelled coach, which is why it has been justly beloved of bashers and bodgers over the years, whereas the Hornby 4-wheeler is best forgotten.

Morning all from a sunny Charente. Much positive news from the invalid this morning. She has got some art stuff out and started doing a picture. Also after I had done the ironing we have just had half an hour with Beth on one of the wheeled appliances in the new bathroom. We've been marking out where grab rails and taps etc are to be fixed to the walls. At least we dan now visualise the interior. Paul the builder is going to be doing the exterior during the rest of the week if the weather cooperates then start on the interior. If Beth had been having a bad day we would not have been able to accomplish what we have. This afternoon I'm off out to get a tyre sorted on Beth's car. Thoughts very much with John and Sandy. I hope that the care really helps. Also that Barry and Mrs O have a good meal with Gabe. Jamie

Yes, I forgot that, that’s the ONLY item that is item of swimwear that is compulsory

Agreed, but what it might do is give the manufacturers a better idea of which pre-group company is popular enough to justify accurate models. There's every chance Hatton's could inspire someone else to take things further. Look what Hornby have been stimulated to produce since Bachmann threw a rock into the r-t-r pool with their BR Mk1s. Many in this hobby are (and always will be) primarily loco collectors for whom coaches aren't really much more than "scenery on wheels". Hatton's have clearly identified a target market, which must include such people These coaches will undoubtedly qualify as "better scenery" so should sell well on that basis. What these coaches represent for such buyers, is provide something that looks so much more "model railway" than "train set" when set alongside the diabolical Hornby 4-wheelers they are probably using at present. What's better, generic pre-group r-t-r coaches that "look the part" or no r-t-r pre-group coaches at all? That's probably the real choice, at least in the short term. John

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple hare, A good nights sleep of 4 plus 2.5 plus 1 with very little gaps in between. As of yesterday my Dad is back in hospital, not for his breathing, which they finally seem to have the right collection of drugs for, but for the pain from the inoperable lump in his chest (because he's otherwise too ill). oramorph just isn't doing it any more. We have power on, But I haven't been to the lab yet to see whats happening down there. Yesterdays work went well, but I seem to be very tired. I should get the resistor boxes finished today as the major system is now on it's several hours of a knob turn follwed by a button press on the computer every fourty minutes. Knob turn... this one... Clear skies this morning but Ben the I'm scared of the dark Collie still wouldn't go down out of the house lights, no moon to light his way.. Time to... wander down to the lab and power up all the computers.

Good morning one and all I see that my rant about prescriptions has produced some reactions. Let me explain that my beef is not about the facility to transmit prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy but the decision that mine should be sent in this way having been taken without my being asked or told first. The surgery lies about halfway along a short walk from my home to the pharmacy and I often combine the meds trip with other business. It is no hardship for me to walk and heaven knows I need the exercise. It seems that Mental Health Awareness Week got off to an interesting start. Apparently there is a website called Every Mind Matters and a promotional video, fronted by the Cambridges and the Sussexes and scripted by Richard Curtis. When the video was shown, on channels that I do not view, the website was overwhelmed. This is unfortunate for the website but must be good news in that the campaign is reaching its intended audience. What we need now is a way of keeping the issue in the public eye without complaints of campaign fatigue – a tall order, to be sure. However well targeted the publicity is, someone will miss it and that someone will be one of those who is most in need of support. Warm thoughts to John and Sandy and best wishes to all Chris

I understand that Beta was technically better but.... Sony was a little tight with the licencing, so The other companies developed VHS and Put it in a bigger box with a bunch more tape in it so that it played longer. Laymen looked at the recording length rather than picture quality. Beta retaliated with thinner tape but was matched by VHS; there was no way round the larger cassette box. I'm still trying to find my Beta machine which I haven't seen since we moved.

Bloomin' heck - that's next month! Where on earth did the year go? And yes the Saturday sounds good, must look at the thread to check the time - i wonder if more than a couple of us will turn up this year?

Having visited some of the cemeteries and the museum at Ypres, you get a new respect for life and the sacrifice of those who remain there in silence.

Just had a message from Aditi stating that she is about to go shopping with her mother. Aditi has always been slightly envious of those women who have lovely mother-daughter shopping expeditions. I did think about replying “be brave...” but just said enjoy lunch out. Aditi replied that that was likely to be a cup of tea. Tony

Cap? "I watched her do over 300 metres as I was walking to the car!" I'm not surprised.

Good evening I will be at Warley but in high demand as despite doing demo two other layouts are keen for my occasional attendance so Spoons is likely to be out of the equation. Looking forward to doing demo though. Tonight it's been beer o'clock on Harveys Old. Andy, I hope we won't be having that much snow but the broom will be ready incase we do

Evenin' each. Much rugby watched and enjoyed. Wales fans must have been sweating for a while. Ears have been lowered (by The Boss) as things were getting a bit tufty. That's five minutes of my life I won't get back. It's surprising how much insulation value there is in human hair having had mine reduced from 5 to about 0.5mm! I might have to dig out the woolly hat if temperatures drop any more. Track has at last been ordered so hopefully in the next couple of days I can really get to work. Still not sure about the Aldershot show. If, as is possible, the England v France match is cancelled then I will go on Saturday. If not I will try for Sunday. I believe a decision on whether the games will be played or possibly moved will be made tomorrow. Currently testing a Californian Malbec. I think it needs more testing. Cheers S. Ampler.

I think it is a great idea from Hattons. I understand all the posts about accuracy etc, and I like my models to be as accurate as possible, but what I think everyone here is forgetting is that we are a very small slice of the model railway purchasing public and on the whole 'model' rather than play at trains. I would guess the vast majority of potential purchasers will be of the "wow, they look good" or "what coaches go with my loco" fraternity rather than "the beading is wrong" brigade. Bottom line is no one is making you buy them. If you don't like them there are plenty of kit providers out there, Hattons target market isn't you.

I just noticed the shooting incident in Halle has made the Beeb now, too. Tram and bus services in Halle have been suspended until further notice. One victim was reportedly killed at a kebab shop and the other near the city's synagogue. Eyewitnesses report the gunmen to have been wearing police or military style tactical gear. The Festival of Light is expected to take place, however.

thoughts are with John and Sandy. Not a lot to report from LBG, work carries on as ever. Hope Bob81C recovers from his accident, and doesn't emulate his namesake any further

Good morning all, Firstly thoughts with Sandy and John, Q's Dad and anyone else suffering today. It's a bit grey outside but sunny spells are forecast along with some showers. Much rugby to watch this morning, one game just finishing with an expected result then Scotland face Russia and Wales are up against Fiji. If the Super Typhoon causes games to be cancelled at the weekend apparently they will be treated as scoreless draws and each side will be awarded two points. This means that England and France would still qualify but with England winning the group. If Scotland's match is cancelled they will be eliminated, assuming Ireland beat Samoa on Saturday. The F1 could also be affected but of course all this pales into insignificance compared to the potential dangers to life and buildings. Time to take tea to The Boss, Have a good one, Bob.

Back again we have power on in the lab, the others had switched the computers on, so the major system is already up and running. I'm measuring the dual 10G ohm box first, as there are less people around likely to walk in and upset the measurements.. I see hear (Hare) Norwich is in the news with some council houses winning the Stirling prize. Basiclly the winners are what in the past were two up two downs with added lots of insulation. Though these days relaid out as a 1 down kitchen lounge, and 3 up as they've squeezed in a bathroom upstairs.. Just think of all those terraces they demolished, that could have won a prize with loads of insulation added..

Good evening everyone Well I never got anything done in the garden today, because the weather changed and it started to rain. So it was a case of plan B, which was carrying on in the cellar. I gave the under stairs pullout drawer a light sanding on some of the edges and then repainted them. I also drilled and mounted the handle, so now it is all ready to be installed, this will probably be Thursday. After dinner I made a vanilla cheesecake before a short rest and then heading off to Salford Quays for swim. The water is definitely getting colder now, 15C was tonight’s temperature, (but it felt a lot colder than that) which did slightly effect my timing, as it took me 37 minutes to complete a mile tonight. However, there was a young lady in the water, wearing just a swimming and doing butterfly stroke , I watched her do over 300 metres as I was walking to the car! Tomorrow, Sheila has an appointment to see an eye specialist about her up coming cataract operations. Her appointment is mid morning, but she’s been told that she’ll be there between 2 - 3 hours, as they have lots of tests etc to do! We also have Ava, Evie and Max coming round for tea later and I should also be on the school run, if we’re back in time, so that’s goodbye to the whole day. Thoughts with John and Sandy Goodnight all

Latest pug bash. A LMS pug running plate and cab, with a Smoke Joe boiler. The chassis is a Dapol Pug kit whilst I save up the cash for a Hornby Pug donor. The decals are from a Dapol Evening Star 9f kit. Just waiting for a set of name and number plates from Narrow Planet and need to add some handrails.

Our phone line is down (probably just wet rather than adversely affected by gravity). This means that although you can place and pay for orders on the website, we will only intermittently see them or be able to process them using a back up system until it is restored. BT haven’t yet told us when this might be. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

A wintry scene outside this morning. About an inch of snow last night but it melted on contact with the roads and it's warming up quite quickly now . It will probably all be gone by this afternoon. I've lit the shed's wood-stove but that might have been a mistake. I may need to strip down to go in there later. Sean the Sauna taking the shorn Shona for a walk.

Shamelessly borrowed from Facebook

Morning all from the boring borough. Thoughts with John & Sandy. I can't begin to imagine what they are going through. Makes my dodgy joint problems quite trivial. Little of note to say. We're contemplating Warley this year. Haven't been since 2005 when some rucksack swinging tw@waffle managed to smash the uv lens filter on my camera with one of the rucksack's metal clips. I came very close to kneecapping the f**k*r. If we do go we won't be meeting up in the 'spoons as we refuse to give any £ to Timmy the brexit Martin. Besides festooning his bars with propaganda, he quietly removed all social media from his bars. Our local 'spoons suffered as they ended up cancelling many of their fun nights since they couldn't promote them properly. The local footie team suffered as well since the bar could no longer promote their footie specials. (beer, burger, ticket) Fortunately one of the new micro pubs has stepped in. As said on twitter #neverspoons. Time for work and some coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. I seem to have all the get up and go of a banana slug this morning. enjoy the day.

Exactly what he said. Nothing more to add tonight.

Records or "Vinyl", which is the buzzword these days, is having an upsurge in these parts with shops actually selling both new and used. I'm sure glad I kept my radiogram and cassette player, which I'm glad to say work perfectly. I have too many good records and cassettes to toss or ignore. What is better, there is now a demand whereupon a few years ago, you couldn't give them away! Brian.

A quiet moment at Bleat Wharf.