Grampus

Brilliant! 🤣 Sadly, that had simply not occurred to me - all the funnier, given how rarely I pick up a soldering iron in anger! Certainly appears to have done the trick for you. Cheers, Paul

Thanks for sharing the details of your crane build, warts and all. I think you should be really pleased with it; it looks very good indeed. I, too, have the crane and the conversion kit stashed away (somewhere) against the unlikely eventuality that I will get a round tuit at some point! I was particularly impressed with your clever idea for a jig to help with assembly of the pulley wheels: so simple - I had been wondering for a while how to do that. In fairness, soldering is not my weapon of choice. 🙂 A question if I may, please? How did you manage to avoid soldering the pulleys to the metal elements of the jig whilst you were working? Any issues? Best wishes, Paul

Brilliant! Thanks for the additional shots of '031. I can almost hear her; just needs clouds of blue smoke now! Cheers, Paul

Great pictures again, thank you. My personal favourite is Hoover 031 on ballast. Really captures the scene at the time. 🙂

Steve, thank you - interesting to note the precedent elsewhere. I am looking forward to whatever comes next. All the best, Paul

As a long-time Traction reader (I have all 280 issues to date) I am saddened by the impending demise of the magazine in its current, stand-alone form, albeit somewhat reassured to hear that the essential 'Traction' content will still be available, just in a different form. Nothing stays the same for ever: all things change, which doesn't have to be a negative thing. I admit, I do share the reservations of others regarding the prospect of merging a publication aimed specifically at diesel and electric enthusiasts with a railway modelling title which seeks to reach a much wider demographic, but I remain open-minded and will await the first such issue with interest. Finally, I would like to offer a huge, heartfelt 'thank you' to all who have brought us 'Traction' over the last 280 issues for the enormous reading pleasure I have derived from its pages - hence why I have kept them all. I've never missed an issue, even when abroad for long periods (my wife dutifully bought them and stacked them up for me pending my return!) Throughout its existence I have always looked forward to the next issue and devoured every edition avidly from cover to cover, which is more than I would say for most other titles. All the best and good luck with the transformation. Paul

That really does bring the loco to life. Enough weathering to make it look workaday without overcooking it. Very nice indeed. All the best , Paul

'Heritage collection'!???🤣 Yikes! We are so blessed with footage of the period via DVDs and the Internet that it still feels (to me) contemporary, even though I know it's for the most part, long gone. 🙂 No matter - great modelling is great modelling, irrespective of period and I enjoy it all, contemporary or 'heritage'! Long may it continue

Fabulous - that looks really good; and very much at home. Just lacking a 'Pines' headboard!

'Modern' (!) traction at BW...brilliant! If only..........🤣

A great layout, irrespective of whatever stock you chose to run, but I must say I am thoroughly enjoying the current retro look back to when trains appeared rather more like I remember them! 😃 Thank you for sharing - happy New Year! All the best , Paul

Such sad news. I, too, enjoyed chatting with Ken only 2 weeks ago at Caistor show, where he was once again exhibiting 'Lapford'. I won't claim to have known Ken but having chatted to him on numerous occasions at shows various over the years, I always enjoyed those conversations: in addition to being a talented modeller he was friendly, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and encouraging. Definitely one of the 'gentlemen' of our hobby. I'm glad I was able to share with him at Caistor just how much his modelling, especially 'Lapford', had inspired and encouraged me in my own meagre efforts. Rest in peace. Paul

What a cracking video. Really enjoyed it - thank you for sharing. Nice to see the subtle changes as you continue to add detail. Paul

Very pleased with my copy. Found last night whilst foraging in my local supermarket. Looking forward to settling down for a proper read in the next few days. I do hope you have enough material to keep producing more of these volumes? I find them absolutely invaluable. Thank you. 🙂