Dan Hamblin

The Chinese imports are cancelled, this is one of the original hopper wagons that has been overhauled and given a new livery similar to the cancelled wagons. Regards, Dan

A better view up at Ruislip today. Regards, Dan

Hopper Wagon 219 at Ruislip Depot. Height to top of secondary suspension bolster is 800mm (nominal tare) and the wheel diameter is 952mm. Regards, Dan

Pretty sure the Hopper Wagons have got a beefed up version of the Gloucester bogie, which matches that on the High Deck Wagons. I'll have a look at our data sheets and see if I've got a photo of them. Regards, Dan

Just to bring my 60009 story to a close - the model was returned to Hornby and they weren't able to fix it and had run out of stock. The Bluebell shop refunded it today (very good service as usual, pre-ordered a couple of Rapido O1's). Hornby think there is a batch that may have been dropped... Managed to get Dominion of Canada from Derails, which has absolutely no problems at all. Will go well with the Coronation coaches when they arrive. Regards, Dan

Similar to what others have reported - my model of No. 93 is very hesitant to move off when running cab first but smooth as silk in the other direction. That's on straight and curved track. I'll give it a further 30 minutes running in each direction at the weekend and see if it improves. Not so bad that I would send it back though. Other than that the detail is excellent and I like the realistic subdued interior lights. Well done to Kernow for seeing this through. Regards, Dan

We've still got two 5-car D78 Stock Rail Adhesion Train (RAT) versions and a 3-car double-ender spare / donor unit on the books. Looking forward to getting RM No. 93, was such a nice experience to travel on at Didcot during their 50th anniversary celebrations. The power bogie alone is a tribute to the skill of Dennis Howells and his team. Regards, Dan

Always had excellent service from Hattons and their move into their own products in the P Class, Warwells and Genesis carriages were all fine models. Very best wishes to the staff at what will be a difficult time. Regards, Dan

Snap! Only in my case the buffer beam also broke off. Must have been the packer on the production line that day as the rest of the box is totally undamaged. Going to have to return it as the paint damage is beyond my skill to fix. The double orange lining on left hand side of smokebox is also badly applied and a bit of the paint has flaked off showing bare metal. Very disappointed considering it is meant to be a premium product. Doubly so as I bought it from the Bluebell Railway shop to help with funds. Regards, Dan

There is a gentleman who I think belongs to the Sale Model Engineering Society who has a 5" GCR 04 2-8-0 in BR black. If you search Youtube for 'Gilling Main Line Rally', you will see it featured in at least one of the films. Regards, Dan

That would be this one: https://modeleng.proboards.com/thread/11096/webb-compound-dreadnought?page=9 Regards, Dan

I'd like to think that the carriage was salvageable after the train wreck, so not impossible to imagine it being hauled by Thunderbolt. It is a lovely model, just be careful handling it by the solebar where there is a pipe running along it. The gas tank is also vulnerable as one of those fitted to my model is just hanging on by the two snapped lugs. Easily fixed with a blob of PVA or similar. Looking forward to the wagon pack and the Bedford OB next. Regards, Dan

There was a great selection of layouts on show and the BWWMRC did well to make the (seemingly) seamless move to a new venue. We had a great time sharing our model engineering hobby with the visitors, first time I've put together a display too. Thankfully lots of positive comments received 😊 CSME Display by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Regards, Dan

The Croydon Society of Model Engineers will be displaying some larger exhibits and it will be our first appearance at a model railway exhibition for many years. We also plan to have a 3D printer demonstration on our stand. Steam Test 1 by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr Regards, Dan

Please say that has put the smile back on your face! Regards, Dan

From comments elsewhere it appears 178's chassis will need a lot of work but the boiler is pretty good, whereas 323 is the opposite. The boiler off 178 will therefore be used on 323. Regards, Dan

Tsk, should have waited for next week's train when there will be a decent loco on the front 😁 Regards, Dan

Hope to make it up too, providing the trains from London can get through. I see from the website that the courtesy bus is now only from the Sainsbury's on the edge of the site. You need to get a local bus from Harrogate station to there. Regards, Dan

Had a very enjoyable cab ride on it, as L150, on the Watford to Amersham run as part of the Watford 90 shuttles in 2015. Whilst I like the Bachman version sold by the LTM, the original cab does detract from it somewhat. Regards, Dan

The Hall has a leaking vacuum brake cylinder I understand and requires the bogie dropping to get it out for repair / replacement. Regards, Dan

That looks rather splendid 🙂 Much longer to wait for prices to be finalised for the other two packs? Thanks, Dan

I'm sticking with Rapido for all the Titfield Thunderbolt models - very impressed with the quality of their NER Dynamometer car and Stirling Single models plus their ambitions with regards the Titfield range are much higher. They've followed the right process and deserve the rewards that follow. Regards, Dan

Something from Manning Wardle perchance? Regards, Dan

I understand it has given up a number of components to help keep Sarah Siddons operational. Regards, Dan

Thanks Keith, that fixed it and all running smoothly again. A lot wiser on capacitors as well Regards, Dan