Clarky1000

Got my 73 from Tower in BR Plain Blue this morning I think it looks great - captures the image of the real one perfectly as far as I can tell - as Derby chap, it was only on trips South that I saw them - but i did spend part of my apprenticeship at Eastleigh in 1985 - just as they were painting them in Large Logo Well done Heljan - A beautiful model I was boring and numbered it as E6012 - from a photo at Clapham in 1969 Lovely - lots of really delicate parts though - only got the Vac Pipes to fit for me1 G

Thanks for that Steve I've learnt something there! Best wishes G

I got my Large logo Blue one yesterday. Looks very nice to me and there was nothing broken. One interesting thing is the head-code panel Heljan supply a pair of panels with lamps and a pair with sealed beams, so that you can "pick" whichever suits your particular chosen fleet number I looked at the excellent class 47 website and they all (at least up to 47441), appear to have had the lens type at No. 2 end and the sealed beam type (with black rubber seals around the lenses) at No.1 end. Does anyone know why BR did this?? G

Looking at the new Dapol Conflat A, I think it would be a perfect start for conversion into a Denflat E, that Swindon used to transfer engines and transmissions to depots. I can find Denflat E pictures (Paul Bartlett's excellent site has a few), but none show that actual deck of the wagon from above I assume that the planking was removed on these vehicles when the engine/transmission mounting frames were fitted, but can anyone throw further light on this? Thanks for any help!

Need to get rid of the roof periscopes and most of the end steps though!

Fabulous Ellis!

My pleasure I fitted them both with MM1 Drophead Buckeyes rather than keeping the Screws They certainly look the part.

I've had two Motorail ones Very pleased with them. G

Thanks Simon That's excellent! Cheers! G

Can anyone tell me what the "(S.M)" lettering on the end of a Standard BR Carflat - below the 90 MPH lettering - means? Thanks Graeme

As my railway is focused on May 1970, it is my understanding that neither the Vac braked Mk2s or Air Braked Mk2As as represented by the Heljan model would have carried Inter-City lettering at that time. Hence my request to Tower Models. G

Hi Global According to Michael Harris' excellent book; "British Rail Mk2 Coaches - The Design that launched InterCity, " Page 60 says; "(taken from the minutes of a BR Passenger Board Meeting of 1970) As from September 1970, new Mk2 (type vehicles) were branded "Inter-City" on the bodysides and the marking was extended to Mk2A and 2Bs two months later." That would suggest that it was either very late build Mk2Cs or from Mk2D onwards that were the first to be built from new with that lettering The book most certainly shows brand new Mk2Cs at Derby Litchurch Lane in 1969 without Inter-City Branding G

I've ordered spare parking brake cylinders from Gaugemaster just in case. I have plenty of spare chain ............just in case! I'll do it as soon as they arrive G

Yes, of Course Will Do G

Thanks fellows! I shall have a gentle go at the brake cylinder!!! Very best G

Thanks jcarta I'm sure you are absolutely correct The problem is that the 50 (and the 37/4) have chains which other Heljan locos don't. I want to know if the brake cylinders pull out to allow the frames to be slid off as you say - without damaging the chains Thanks G

Can anyone help me and advise how best to get the bogie side-frames off a Heljan Class 50 (so I can paint the wheels) without damaging the parking brake chains? Any help gratefully received! G

Lovely pic of 6891 I used to live in Risca, - just a little further on towards Newport Empties goung down the valley from Ebbw Vale, but I'll bet she sounded good! She looks ex-Works! G

Thanks Jonny It is ambitious, but to be honest I'm far more interested in building it than running it! There would be a lot to do for just me, but I think each bit could just be operated in isolation I've worked on the railways all my life and there are a few of my friends who have agreed to help. ............not least with the electrics! I reckon 15 years and I'll have cracked it!! G

Overall Scheme 1 plan square = 1sq ft

I'm planning on retiring in 3 or 4 years and adjourning to the loft. Its 32' x 18' and I've planned out a layout based on a much reduced Bristol. Bath Road Depot, Malago Vale Carriage Sidings, Bristol East Yard (much reduced in size) and a couple of the platforms at Temple Meads. It will take me a long time to complete, but I've been building up the fleet for a long time, so I thought I'd start a thread! Any and every comment is very welcome.

That's all been a great help chaps! Thanks very much Given all your info, I shall go for 6875, 6885, 6892, 6975 and 6979 G