Albyn

Yes. They also made figures in O gauge as well as HO I think. The Binns Road website has some photos of the O gauge sets but I've no idea whether these were identical to the smaller figures. Albyn

With the identity of some of the figures on the layout being Mastermodels, or very similar ones by Merit and Slaters, the connctions are explained in The Illustrated Kemlow Story - Including the Mastermodel Story by Paul Brookes came out in 2009. You can order a copy on ebay for £22.95 or by emailing [email protected] as Paul accepts Paypal or a cheque. Via a mutual pal I was given Paul's telephone number and had a few words with him. He only has a few copies left so if you want one get one now! The book does explain that the three firms - Kemlow (makers of Mastermodels), Merit

The Illustrated Kemlow Story - Including the Mastermodel Story by Paul Brookes came out in 2009. You can order a copy on ebay for £22.95 or by emailing [email protected] as Paul accepts Paypal or a cheque. Via a mutual pal I was given Paul's telephone number and had a few words with him. He only has a few copies left so if you want one get one now! The book does explain that the three firms - Kemlow, Merit (J & L Randall) and Slaters were all based in Wood Green in the 1950s within a few hundred yards of each other. A lot of employees were temporary and moved between the fi

Paul subsequently published a book about Mastermodels which so far I have resisted buying. perhaps i should. Most of the metal figures i own are Mastermodels but a few are not shown above so could be just not illustrated or maybe are from a different maker.....

Also thank you Malcolm for suggesting reading the article on PDH in Issue 88 of Narrow Gauge and Industrial railway modelling review. I duly acquired a back number - still available from the publisher - and found the article fascinating with details of PDH's life and why the C&M was never resurrected completely even in O gauge form after 1987. The house move meant the C&M had to be dismantled and most of it was 30-40 years old and had been rebuilt three times already. However the new bungalow had a large garden suitable for a garden railway and with the death of his mother, who had

Thank you very much for the photos. Fascinating. As a young teenager in the 1960s given some old Railway Modellers, I found Duncan an amazing creation and is still my favourite. I'm pleased Lord Craig authorised a new boiler for him to get him up and running again!

Looking at the Merit figures these three which I thought were Merit don't match. The gent is Slaters so perhaps the two ladies are also Slaters? Also of these four the shepherd, the postman and the porter are Merit but is the policeman Slaters again?

Wow what a great collection! - thanks for adding so many new photos of figures but as they are edits of previous posts they don't flag up as new posts! Thank you very much. Slaters sent their figures out unpainted with circular sprues - see attached

I think Duncan has been rebuilt as PDH removed the gears for reuse? Does it still have the vertical motor with Meccano gears under the roof or does it now have a more conventional drive unit please? regards, Albyn

If you look under the soldier section for American Western Frontier you will find the Airfix Wagon Train set too' Albyn

Mr Hancock did indeed make use of Graham Farish figures. This thread is a spin off from one on P D Hancock The Craig and Mertonford Railway. I think one of the problems is that none of us know exactly what most of the GF figures looked like. regards, Albyn

I agree with your comments about the early colour photos - fascinating. I think the early first Craig is my favourite. Much as I like the pre=grouping standard gauge locos and stock, the extra standard gauge did rather clog the main layout up a bit and lost a lot of the scenic content and arrangement that made it look so attractive in such a small space. I like the trams and the castle but some of the early photos have a nice uncluttered look. The early narrow gauge locos are also the ones with the most charm. By the time of the later ones 009 was well established and other people

Another fascinating thread! thank you, Albyn

Many thanks for taking the time to pull all these photos out or perhaps even take them, thank you, Albyn

True of course but I was referring to PDH's named characters, but no reason that they should be any different.