2750Papyrus

Has the Festiniog hearse wagon featured previously?

I was both impressed and pleased when the 1907 RCH wagons were announced, the prototypes having been both colourful and widespread, I wonder what the level of advance order is? Could be popular if the number of retailer special editions is anything to go. If the order book looks promising, why not follow up with 1923 RCH wagons? Again, colourful and widespread with similar Big 4 versions, also scope for BR days, heavily weathered and with P numbers. In terms of coaches, I would add my voice to those calling for clerestories - hopefully, ECJS which were cascaded fairly widely in their latter days but other companies would still be good to see. And my pet suggestion is a Scammel steam railcar, with several different LNER liveries and wonderful ex-stagecoach names, but also used by other companies.

Given that the "East Anglian" train and its streamlined locomotive were introduced for prestige reasons rather than high speed, did the LNER give any thought to the introduction of similar trains to the GC section?

Ivatt atlantic...

I have noticed the opposite at exhibitions. EM or P4 layouts are often branch line termini, with trackwork running parallel to the stand axis. This much reduces the visual aspect of the more correct gauge and it is sometimes only by reading the description - or looking back on the layout when walking away - that this becomes apparent.

Even our imaginary locomotives should be designed and built to meet the requirements of the operating departments. F A S Brown wrote that Gresley's 4-8-2 was designed to meet an operating requirement for more East Coast start-to-stop timings in excess of 60 mph, rather than the 50 - 55 mph then current. This would require faster uphill running, and with heavier trains. Post-war and into the BR period, designers such as Peppercorn and Riddles seem to have abandoned the quest for higher power and concentrated more on serviceability and economy. A published comparison of A1s and A3s/A4s has suggested that express services in this period were more frequent but of 10-12 coaches instead of the pre-war 15ish. There seems to have been little published regarding contemporary operating departments' requirements, but maybe the LNER Board's actions reflected this trend?

Oops! "You're own layout"?

Well played, Accurascale, This looks to be a splendid model with scope for many different variants. I'm very happy for western modellers, but just wait till the next time they talk of standardisation...

About sums HS2 up!

A partial public service (weekday rush-hour) resumed between Bletchley and Bedford this morning.

Oops!

A gentleman is a man who can play the bagpipes, but doesn't.

Unique in appearance , very recognisable, and the most powerful steam locomotive to run in Britain. The two classes you mention are very desirable to modellers of a western persuasion but to others, look similar to a number of existing models viz Star, Castle, King, Hall, Grange, and Manor. I suspect you will see a Great Bear before the gaps in the 4-6-0 classes are filled.

Sympathies with this viewpoint. My personal preference would be for some East Coast Joint Stock. The downside is that there were differing lengths so little commonality in underframes, but long lived and cascaded down to general traffic in their later years. Suitable for use with the Stirling Single, Ivatt Atlantic and a number of LNER locos. Several preserved, so maybe suitable for collaboration with Locomotion?

The number of layouts on which it could be used prototypically, if any, must be limited, so we will all need to use rule1! Even then , I would have the same problem as the LNER with the P1, my loops will not take trains long enough to utilise the available power. The LMS version only just sits in my display cabinet, so if I do give in to temptation it will have to run on the layout. I wonder how the sound file (two three cylindered engines exhausting through a single chimney) will be constructed?

I once told a work colleague that I used to play guitar in a group. He correctly surmised that I used to play bass (right handed). When I asked him how he had guessed that, he replied "Because you're a plonker!".

Now there's a challenge...

Does look a bit like a nasty growth which should be surgically removed!

I don't think many people will want two models of no 1. My suggestion regarding selling tenders separately related to the possibility of using them behind other GN locos. Or as sludge carriers?

By coincidence, I am currently re-reading E M Johnson's book on Manchester Central and the GN Goods Warehouse. The GN built an engine shed to house its warehouse locomotives but it was never used as such. There is a story that there was concern that an over-runiing locomotive could crash through the end wall and land in the street below. They were instead based at Trafford Park, where the GN had road numbers 11-15 in a shed shared with the GC and the Midland. Prior to grouping, the GN allocation included J14 (J52) tank locos 4205/06/63 and 65. All were in lined green and were kept in spotless condition. From memory, I think a couple of J52s were based at Gorton for a while after grouping, but will need to check Yeadon when I have an hour spare.

I had to study metrology for a year as part of my college course and had it drummed into me that "precision" referred to repeatability, not "accuracy". I have to argue, therefore, that segments which are uniquely contoured may form excellent examples of engineering practice but not of precision engineering.

i have been growing a little jealous of the numerous quality models recently released for GW and Southern modellers, so I am delighted by Rapido's announcement regarding the J52. A well travelled prototype, working regularly to Southern metals and as far west as Wrexham in addition to the regular GN and CLC haunts. I am also pleased that a can motor is to be fitted. From the garden of my childhood home trains could be heard on both the ECML and working hard on the climb from Stroud Green to Crouch End. Later I attended a school whose upstairs windows gave distant views of Ferme Park marshalling yard, so J52s were well known to me. I think the suggestion regarding a condensing fitted example is a good shout, particularly if of a prototype allocated to KX or Hornsey in LNER days.