Alex TM

Hi Bulleidboy100, I have noticed that once I buy or order something from the Collectors' Club that it no longer becomes visible to me on the site. I wondered if it was their way to prevent ordering multiples of a limited item. Regards, Alex.

Don't give up the day job!

Hi again, The KESR loco is 'Rolvenden'; there's a rumour that 'Bodiam' may soon be joining it along with a some LNW, GW, LSW and LBSC wagons. Regards, Alex.

Hi again, Various things have got in the way of modelling so no progress to report beyond now having the materials for the planned buildings. That said, I got some time to play today. Going by the number of foreign wagons, something is clearly going on at the local army depot. Somehow the Rotherbank authorities have managed to draft in help from the KESR to assist the usual SECR power. The foreign wagons (GNS, MR, NB, and a PO from Manchester): As ever, thanks for reading. Regards, Alex.

Hi again, Hadn't noticed the change of chimneys. I've just compared the models, and you're right. Thanks for pointing it out. Not sure where you would get a Stroudley chimney ... Regards, Alex.

Hi Nick C, Only just read your post. Would it be easier to begin with 32640, and detail it to suit? Regards, Alex.

Hi again, Thanks for the recommendation in respect of the thinners. I should be able to pick some up from my local model shop this week. Regards, Alex.

Hi @Right Away, Many thanks for that. Looking around there seems to be something of a consensus around using thinners. Hopefully, I'll get around to it in the next few weeks. Again, thanks. Regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, In a place I once worked a colleague came across an old home nursing book from during WW2. The game became that each morning one of us would randomly open the book, and the first word our eyes alighted upon had to be used appropriately in as many situations as possible around the office that day. My 'lucky' word was 'purulent' - fifteen years later it continues to pop into my head for no apparent reason. (Left that place shortly after the game began.) Regards, Alex.

Hi Martin, Not played with one in a few years but, if I remember correctly, mine just needed the usual running in period before being a reasonable slow runner. Mine had a 6-pin socket near the front of the chassis however limited headroom meant I had to use a right-angled chip (as in the Farish Jinty). Hope that's of help. Regards, Alex.

Hi folks, I watched both of today's games, but it was the later one that confused me a little. Both Sweden and Ukraine seemed to be playing in IKEA colours. Regards, Alex.

So good they named it thrice!

Hi Scott, I know someone in the NLS map section and it was suggested to me, in a related conversation, that a nice email to them may help in a digitised version appearing (assuming they have something in a larger scale). Regards, Alex.

Hi, Have you seen the July edition of 'Backtrack'? There's an article on one of the branches of the MSLR; it's all very Pott Row. My sincere apologies - this should read 'Bylines' - July 2021 - pages 352-359 - Haughley to Laxfield Branch. My apologies to anyone who has been looking for the wrong magazine. Regards, Alex.

It may be too late for them to try ....

Hi again, In a similar vein to my earlier post, the following should tell you all you need to know about the people I 'work' for: At present we have two 'divisions', known for short as FI and FN. From the end of the month they are to be united into one, known as FA. This means that from the 1st of July we will have a head of FA! You really could not make this up. Regards, Alex.

Hi folks, Clearances: I once worked for a local authority that created a bus station where the bays were too small for any of the buses on the road at the time of design. It also built a goods unloading bay at the rear of a shopping mall, the height clearance of which meant that no HGV trailer could be unloaded without it rising enough on its suspension to wedge it between the road surface at the concrete downstand above. Acronyms: A friend was once involved with the abortive attempt to create a university college in Fife with campuses in different towns. Each campus would be known by a different four character ID; the first three would be for Fife University College with the fourth being the first letter of the town where it was located. One location was Kirkcaldy; the management didn't see the problem until it was spelled out for them .... Hope that amuses you. Regards, Alex.

Hi, It would need a renumber too, as 31556 didn't gain a late crest. The following link shows her working at Hodson's Mill in 1967, still with the early crest. https://www.flickr.com/photos/93456400@N04/14768728309 Hattons published a list showing which body variations applied to each of their first twelve releases: https://hattonsimages.blob.core.windows.net/mediaimages/PDetailMatrix.jpg Hope that's of use. Regards, Alex.

Hi Jim, The low-level station, in particular, reminds me of one of your earlier designs for a certain model railway group. Is 'Allenshaw' sitting at the same level as the loco shed and suburban station? Thanks and regards, Alex.

Hi everyone, I have just acquired one of the above kits, complete with chassis. I know that the class were reboilered during their life leading to a revised dome and chimney. Can anyone tell me which versions come with the kit, i.e the original Homes D class fittings or the later (Reid?) ones? The answer will guide me in terms of potential livery application. Thanks in advance for any help. Regards, Alex.

Hi John, As with others I missed your original posts. These are great work, and it's good to see that the art/science of kit-bashing is still alive and well. The tankers, in particular, are impressive. The shade of blue looks good; what paint did you use for it? Thanks and regards, Alex.

Probably, but with the replacement chassis and detailing it really looks the part. The B4 works, but I think the Peckett version truly nails it. Either way, both versions are great pieces of work.

Hi Rob, Many thanks for the details. I'm looking to try one of the shelves for the next boards. Regards, Alex.

Even better, it's a slice of haggis and a slice of square sausage fried and served in a morning roll (cob?). Garnish with brown sauce.