Peter Jordan

I've only just learned this sad news after a friend loaned me a copy of the latest 'Railway Modeller' where I read of Peter's passing. I got to know Peter and Ginny when I was a signalman at Blue Anchor on the West Somerset Railway for a short period back in the late 1980's, and they used to look after the railway museum there. A lovely couple - and later, when I was able to purchase some of Peter's books, I realised just what a talented artist he was. Many of his pencil drawings actually look like black & white photographs. To be able to get that effect demands a special skill. I seem to have reached that time in life when news such as this comes all too often. But I will treasure the memories of Peter through his pictures and writing. Peter Jordan Castletown, Isle of Man

Thanks for that, I'll try and source some. While I have this model in bits it occurred to me to try and paint the seats and floors to make them rather more realistic than the 'one piece' coloured plastic moulding that they are presently. Does anyone know what colours they should be? I have a book with a number of colour pictures of Southern Vectis Bristol buses in, but nothing that shows interior detail. Peter Jordan Castletown, Isle of Man

I will shortly be converting a 1:76 scale model of a Southern Vectis Bristol utility bus into an 'open topper' and I've just been looking at availability of the cream paint that I will need for the livery. Both Cherry and Fleetmaster sell the correct colour (Tilling cream) but they want a small fortune for shipping a little tin to the Isle of Man. Over here I can get hold of Revell or Humbrol colours without too much difficulty, so can anyone tell me a colour (Revell, Humbrol or other) that is a good match? Is there a cream in the 'Railmatch' range that might do? Most of those are available as acrylics and postage on those is reasonable. It's the solvent-based paints that they charge like wounded bulls for. Peter Jordan Castletown, Isle of Man

That business about the 'ironing pile' may be true, and I had that thrown at me by Paul Martin of 'EDM Models' when he tried to defend Mr. Blackham's conduct.What he didn't realise was that I paid nearly £200 for my transfers and was promised them by Mr. Blackham in three weeks from placing the order. I still have the email to that effect on file. Six months later I had received nothing except one proof by email. I think Trading Standards ought to take a look at Mr. Blackham's 'Terms of Business' because I'm not entirely convinced that they comply with consumer law. Peter Jordan

I only found this topic this morning, after I had posted a separate message to warn people against using 'Blackham Transfers.' It really is the worst business I've ever had to deal with. I provided Peter Blackham with all of the information necessary to produce the transfers that I ordered, including a full-size drawing, and paid for the transfers in February last year. I was promised that I would have them in three weeks-by September I had received one miserable proof as an email attachment, despite Mr. Blackham telling me previously that sending proofs as an email attachment wasn't a good idea because it couldn't be guaranteed that the proof would print out exactly the right size. Surprise, surprise, that is exactly what happened. Like others have experienced, he also told me he had sent proofs by post, but I never received anything. in September 2015 I cancelled my order - Mr. Blackham refunded my money promptly but then alleged that the problem was all my fault because I had been wanting him to make transfers he knew to be incorrect (untrue) and that I had added things to my order after I had paid (again untrue.)He refused to return my drawing, so in October 2015 I placed the matter in the hands of Gwynedd Trading Standards Department and yesterday I finally received my drawing back. I asked Gwynedd Trading Standards to get a written apology from Mr. Blackham, and I also requested that Mr. Blackham get me the same from Mr. Martin, but it appears he is unwilling to do this, and Trading Standards have no power to compel him to comply with my request. The case seems fairly straightforward to me - Mr. Blackham needs bringing into line and made to comply with consumer law or his business should be closed down. I have just drawn the attention of Gwynedd Trading Standards Department to this discussion, and they have told me they would be very interested to hear from anyone who has complaints against 'Blackham Transfers.' If you put' Gwynedd Trading Standards' into your 'Search' engine you will find the email address. If the people who have had bad experiences intervene in this way it may help save other modellers from having the kind of awful experience many of us have suffered by trusting this man. Peter Jordan Castletown, Isle of Man