Dana Ashdown

A real wooden case would be even better!

From experience, I'm afraid it will only get worse!

Nicely done, as always. I'm in the process of turning a Tri-ang 2nd Class coach into a proper 7-compartment composite (no lavatory) by splicing in part of another 2nd. It's not accurate, diagram-wise, but it will do when finished. Sometimes I'm tempted to do more clerestories in brown, but as you say, without the lining they're a bit bland. So I fight the temptation... except I'm doing a cut-and-shut C19 in brown to go with my crimson lake clerestories (having no crimson lake paint left). I think you'll be happier with the chocolate & cream livery on the grounds that: a) it looks good, even unlined. And b) the lower centre footboards were starting to be removed during the brown period. Dana

A remarkably attractive van! And amazingly, I'm one of the first to see it. I do like the idea of the printed sides. I used paper sides to backdate two old Wrenn(?) R1 tank engines to SE&CR livery (one engine being returned to an R Class), and they look quite good. I can't take any credit for the artwork, though, as that was produced by one of the other talented RM members.

For anyone really interested in the historic background to Locomotion, I would suggest reading the following report from Michael Bailey and Peter Davison. Locomotion, as preserved, is largely a creation of an 1856/7 attempt at preservation using parts in store. There is very little of the original Locomotion in the preserved engine! https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-10/Pages from LOCOMOTION report part 1.pdf https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-10/Pages from LOCOMOTION report part 2.pdf

I had noticed this before in the earlier product updates from Kernow, but didn't know whether it was an oversight or typical of the actual Railmotors livery. As mine arrived yesterday😃, I can now say that, in some lighting conditions the black does look a bit odd. However, I haven't noticed it all that much, and the model looks pretty perfect otherwise. As to trying to paint the black on the door chocolate, well, unless you can find a true colour match, I would advise leaving it alone.

For wagons, Locomotion Models (https://locomotionmodels.com/exclusives/rolling-stock) offer Accurascale's Stockton & Darlington Chaldron wagons. Smallbrook Studio also does resin kits for similar wagons (https://www.smallbrookstudio.co.uk/store/4mm-00-Gauge-c59600964).

Probably.... but hopefully not the last!

Mikkel, Having just caught-up with your new build, I can only say that you're creating another "Masterpiece in Miniature!" I can't wait to see how you manage to set up the finished Farthing Layout.

I'm not too surprised, especially if the razor is sharp. I suppose its why they call them cut-throat razors. I bleed enough with a regular razor to ever try one of those!

That is one brilliant news stand Chris!

Just a possibility, but have you checked the book on the Saltney works? ( I don't have it myself.)

Glad to have helped!

I think the chimneys look fine, just as they are.

I have a question about the water pumps. Hornby appear to have managed to fit water pumps behind the wheels of their Lion and Tiger. However, I can't see any on Rapido's Lion. Did Rapido forget the water pumps?

Chris Cox is working on a 4mm EM scale L&B layout based on Coventry - https://coventry1839.org. The Bury frames in that scale are particularly delicate!

I'm afraid so!

I don't know if this has been noted before, but will Rapido be releasing a pre-1914 lined version?

Returning to Hornby's Rocket-based coal wagon, here is an 1830 of Novelty, based on a sketch by Vignoles. The wagon in this case is presumably carrying bales of cotton. You can see that it's a six panel wagon, like the Rocket's tender, but the bearings are inside, not outside. How accurate the details are, I can't say, although I don't believe Novelty ever hauled a train like this. (This is the link to the source of the image: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsehistory/2017/02/14/novelty-view-of-a-train-of-carriages-drawn-by-a-locomotive-steam-engine-on-a-railway/) I don't say that Hornby's "coal wagon" is an accurate representation of anything in particular, but I don't dismiss it either. At this early date, there were no standards to which wagons were being built, so no one can say absolutely that Hornby is wrong. in its choice. Personally, I think Hornby's price is far too high, but that's my opinion.🤔

Actually, Rocket's original tender was a converted coal truck, so Hornby are not necessarily wrong in this. However, the coupling hooks are rather crude, all things considered.

Mr. Price is right. I wouldn't depend on the postcard for the actual colour. It has a lot to do with the artist's own impression of the colour/tint, not to mention that of the printer or colourist. Ambient lighting will also play tricks.

It looks like the mouldings are painted black — as they should be — not brown as originally shown by Hornby. So maybe there's hope, after all!

You're safe! It's a four-wheeled wagon — the front right wheel is mostly hidden by the woman. Seeing that the wagon is outside the entrance to the pub, and there are barrels, I would guess that the wagon has just delivered the ale, and may be in the process of dropping-off bulk food, like potatoes and onions. I notice that there are also some boxes at the front of the wagon, so maybe tinned food?

Well, it couldn't be much worse than what is usually advertised as gravel; but, if the sandpaper is painted or varnished, it should be fine. I'd try testing a few pieces just to see if it would work, and if you can achieve the right appearance.

What about using sandpaper for a gravel finish? It can always be painted to a more suitable colour.