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Recently I received some of the GW open wagons and when opened one was missing a brake lever. I emailed Rapido and Dan replied within a day asking if I was happy to receive spares and fit them myself. I replied that was quite satisfactory and he arranged to post them out. I had also purchased from Oz Ebay a Hunslet loco. When this arrived it was fitted with a DCC decoder, but no blanking plug in the box, and was also missing a buffer. I sent a further enquiry as to whether these could be supplied, offering to pay this time as the item was second hand. A day or so later I received an email that all items had been sent from the UK. They arrived today with no charge and have been fitted to the loco and wagon. Great service from Rapido Dan, above and beyond! Much appreciated. Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=769513391942009&set=pcb.769513435275338 Very well done to all concerned! Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

Just glancing through EBay, and there is a tranche of early model 8Fs all at 99.50 with free postage, here is a link to one, just look at the seller's other items. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335340550025?epid=1872203085&itmmeta=01HV3PPE8JPYMX2C11NQ3QQT0C&hash=item4e13dab789:g:DLoAAOSwEN5mFRpX&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwFEgj7zJebmFKGbBGSY%2BuTrN8DVvzoypyT9fZsSsFHcMEjdxzG9LLYjllX9PRJ34gMe%2B3aaWPqQL69XUqO4hhChDFaY2qmLO06vOnFuZUdN4mehw%2F7JjRS4ZC76WD4mxJXb6yY9dyDKQ74yfh7jsTbzn3s5Rk%2FzT9nRsZ%2FhLwZixOoEPTi%2BLitmFGP6wMuMROgiaWGBSSxD4n5u0wSXeMlmYixP8o7EJbzd12C53zIRjp%2FepQDN%2FArzMBT2p7ckSlA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8Lk2fbYYw Just realised they are from Gostude no less! Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

Always glad to help!! The photos are very cruel as they were taken in harsh summer light, in reality the model is very nice indeed, and as far as I know, the only way to get to a 419XX! Hope this helps! Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

Exactly David, new prices would be 200GBP + and would the improvements be that noticeable? I would have 6 to replace!! The old models still hold their price on Ebay. Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

You over there might be cheered by this over here? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-05/extinction-rebellion-jailed-west-gate-bridge-melbourne-traffic/103551058 We don't mess about! From Oz and proud, Peter C.

I always had a soft spot for this class, 41900 was allocated to Tewkesbury near the end and we regularly visited that place when I was a lad. However, 41900 never showed her face. I have wanted a model of this class, but I am certainly not skilled enough to accept the challenge you have. I did find that CDC Models released a 3D print to fit a modified Hornby M7 chassis. Here is the result... The modified Hornby Stanier driving trailer to go with it! Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

Very few responses to iDs question on Whovian companions, perhaps the members of ER were either too old or too young to be interested in said charmers? Me, centre of the target zone, and my dream companion was Jo, played by Katy Manning, who was companion to Pertwee's Doctor. Miniskirts and knee length white boots, and always climbing stairs or ladders, with the doctor close behind, (lucky sod!). She also did a 'glamour' shoot in the magazine 'Girls Illustrated' after her TV appearances, pictured with daleks, (and not much else!). I found out much later in life that she lived in Perth WA. However, at my (all boys) Grammar School, one name trumped all the Doctors companions as a target for adolescent yearning....Valerie Singleton! Cheers from Oz, with a wistful smile at the memories, Peter C.

PM sent Graham. Cheers, Peter C.

Having received my replacement etched sides today in Australia, thanks gentlemen, any thoughts out there on the best way to attach them to the model? I have a couple of ideas myself but would welcome other opinions. Thanks in advance, From Oz, Peter C.

See this: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/276328146767?epid=18012347701&hash=item405670e74f%3Ag%3AhMkAAOSweuxlxxF~&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwPLos7FQjdcg4z12Sr23zs0Ly7Cn4AHDrmwDqA5T4RIsfjq1yNnJ%2FggprZ3WlE9jLTNKRr4Lx86T11ir33sY%2Fno36G%2FlTsn1e4qR6tQToHh1PRRAGYFiTVo%2FAEFXqi9r0f4vSxTnjbFadNrNdOx1vU1q4gzE5%2BXneDEBo73m0khuAkbjfXq7FtgFOwtTWvv4Sb8CqGcGMaxrLZceGsfe2iapADzi5kgwiicA%2BZb9i5kbcjDbbPFno%2BAiFDNSNtXoMQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR_TZ-fiyYw&LH_Auction=1 For those seeking TriAng Blue Pullman coaches it may be worth following Oz EBay, as they quite often come up here. A lot of sellers won't post to UK and postage for a single item can be quite expensive, but if you can find someone in Oz to act as a warehouse and then combine items it may not work out that prohibitive? At the moment exchange rates are favourable too, $A1 = 0.50GBP!! Cheers from Oz, Peter C,

Would like to see the Steam Days article. Hope this helps!!! Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

For interest, details of the 107mph run are in an article in the August-September 1990 edition of Steam Days, narrated by a friend and fellow West Australian who was firing on that Xmas Eve! I had forwarded this thread to him. Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

I was issued with a new 2004 Ford Falcon as a work vehicle, (Vixen Red, 1BOZ 288), and it was a magnificent car. Obviously built with love and care in the middle of the week, the engine was mated perfectly to an auto transmission and was an absolute joy to drive. My call roster included some country work and the Boz just eat up those long country drives in a quiet and unflustered manner. Cruising at 110-115 kph the engine ticked over at around 1500-2000 rpm on the flat, when hills were met a barely discernable downshift meant speed was uninterrupted. Economy was also very good for a large comfortable motor. It could shift as well, on a long country run on a very straight section of road with excellent visibility I enjoyed showing my son the old Imperial 'ton' (160 kph), and then accelerated smoothly to 220 kph, no bother at all with excellent handling. As you can probably tell, I still miss that car and, in the face of today's bland, bloated SUV world, would have it back new like a shot! Its replacement, when I changed employer, but took the majority of my client list with me, was a new 2010 Kia Sportage. A nice enough vehicle in its own way, but the auto box ratios were totally out of sync with the engine output, and it would hunt up and down the box at the slightest deviation from perfectly flat. Consequently, fuel economy was much worse, despite having a smaller motor. Good old Aussie Fords! Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

My green 20002 is also a derailer and I am in the same quandary as Rick. I have contacted Kernow and they have explained their returns policy to me, and I am mulling over my next action. The fact that I live in Western Australia also has some bearing on the matter. A shame, as the model is very very good otherwise! Peter C.

I have a large box of sows' ears, and a full order book for silk purses. What is your address please so I can send them immediately? Given what you have done with these MTK kits you are just the man I need! Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

I'll just leave this here for you then..... https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/Stoudley-designed-locos/Stroudley-Tank-engines/Stroudley-Terriers/i-MZVjcdP Hope this helps!😜 I keep looking myself, haven't had 'O' gauge since I was seven years old! Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

I arrived in Western Australia in 1974, and quickly found a supplier of Railway Modeller, which was by then three months after the UK release date. Hattons were my first choice for orders from the UK. You would see something in the ad in the Modeller, (already three months old) write to Hattons for a quote including post and packing, receive that, then go and get a sterling Postal Order at the post office, post that back, then 7-8 weeks later the models would arrive, carefully wrapped in brown paper and string, always valued at two pounds for Customs purposes! Farewell and thanks to all the Hattons employees past and present for your excellent service, and may you prosper in the future. We will not see their like again. From WestOz, Peter C.

Chrissie Amphlett....MMMMMMMMMM Cheers from WestOz, Peter C.

There does seem to be an increasingly vocal demand for 'new' versions of relatively recent releases, duplicating an existing model, whereas other quite numerous types have yet to be modelled. In the past quite major improvements have been made with updating, the Bachmann original Patriot was light years ahead of the existing Hornby model, and I had no hesitation in replacing examples in my fleet. The Bachmann 9F was totally different from the Hornby example and again purchases were made. However, for example, with the new Hornby Black Five, other than the Caprotti variant is it significantly better than detailed models from the new tooling? I have the Caprotti on order, but my existing examples from recent tooling are safe! The 78xxx was very welcome and purchases have been made. If Hornby had offered an updated Ivatt LMS Class 2 mogul, the boxes would still be on the dealer shelves, I'm happy with Bachmann example. I cannot think of any steam outline models released since, say, 2002, that I feel could be improved upon sufficiently to make me retire my existing models. I realise the Accurascale 57xx pannier releases come into this category?, but with the variants they are releasing they really can be classified as new different prototypes. A new previously unmodelled prototype steam loco is more likely to get my interest and order in than an "all new" Stanier 8F. Think County 4.6.0., SR K class 2.6.0, Fowler/Stanier 3P tank, Raven B16, Standard 77xxx (to be all things to everyone!), rather than another rebuilt Scot, or G.W. Hall. Please note I have confined my thoughts on this matter to Steam outline models only, other forms of traction different parameters seem to apply. Cheers from WestOz, Peter C.

This is for sale on Oz Ebay at the moment. Any thoughts, observations, comments? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/325921724046?hash=item4be272d68e%3Ag%3AplkAAOSw7nxldJ0v&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwAV%2FegT09gQ36i52YT0mAmBs1FkQvUbizxG6qe3aytmNAcYlKId6U6cLTD5ZIamzrPNrupaO0w52qKJp3%2B0t9FkfT1XBtShMyhQaE%2F9khb84LOrTGl4nBvnkmgSHA5UG76aHPhXYUpd3wi6HOC2m7Bro7UdeQSkba0JN7Z%2BCFllluhwf%2FZTV%2F9QylrQkU%2FMu1nrw%2F7en3k7eOG5S0uW9TK0BAoqc0rFqpyAuTHSjV4qjEwm4riww6aTeiu7CpUgNhg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4L5k8-WYw&LH_Auction=1 Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

Cheers from Oz, Peter C.

Interesting commentary on classic modern Aussie cars compared to their newer rivals when in the bush. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-26/commodore-falcon-remote-communities-popularity-bush-mechanic/103233808 The last paragraph is particularly telling! Cheers from WestOz, Peter C.

NSW and Victoria were and are a Mecca for steam and heritage traction fans. It also helps that there is a vast amount of freight on the rails. My (adult) son and I were in NSW in September for a Rail Heritage special that was cancelled. Nevertheless, a few hours at Metford with often four trains in view was a sight for sore eyes, I recommend it even now! Thanks, Johann, for showing me what I missed, the Eastern States are a long way away from West Oz! Cheers, Peter C.

Hi Barry, Not too much modification with the Peckett. I picked up a relatively cheap black one from Oz Ebay and it started me thinking. From memory the chimney was shortened by cutting it in half and filing judiciously measuring by eye! The cab rear was moved on to the buffer beam top to increase the cab size and the rear cab panel cut to shape from 20 thou plastic card. the cab roof was extended again using plastic card, although in hindsight the Dapol 'Pug' kit may have provided a better solution to the roof and sides. The large cab shutter was made using 10 thou plastic card with brass wire handrails. Lampirons were added front and rear. The most difficult part was moving the boiler top furniture to the correct places and styles, the safety valve and tank filler leaving holes in the body which required filling. Vent pipes and other 'bits' made from plastic rod. The bell came from Bachmann parts USA, fortunately I purchased three which has allowed me to do other models. Where did you get your bell from? Smokebox door handrail replaced with a straight one. Sprayed with Tamiya semi-gloss black from a rattle can, Narrow Planet provided the etched plates, Fox the transfers. I used a late crest as I had a good colour picture of the clean loco in this livery. In hindsight I should have gone for early crest to give a more elastic timeframe. The picture below shows the cab rear/roof. Hope this helps, as I say, the third bell is earmarked for 1144! Cheers from WestOz, Peter C.