chris45lsw

There are several photos of 3-LAV sets (as they are sometimes called in Carriage Working Notices) on the WoE main line in 'Main Line to the West, Part 3, Yeovil to Exeter'. The latest I can find is 34023 plus a 3-set & utility van on Honiton incline dated 3 August 1955. Chris KT

These sets were all identical and, apart from a handful which were lengthened, never changed in formation until the SR reduced them all to 3-sets from the late 1930s. What I should have said in my previous postings was that the original formation was BTL-CL-CL-BTL where one of the CLs was a 2nd/3rd composite which was downgraded to TL when the LSWR abolished 2nd class in 1918. Chris KT

When built (in 1906-10) as 4 coach sets two out of the four had battery boxes etc. When the SR reduced them to 3-sets in the later 1930s two out of the three had b/boxes. So it's OK for one brakes not to have them but not both. Chris KT

The EFE ones are basically as built by the LSWR except they would have had Mansell wheels in LSWR days. Plus they ran as 4 coach sets with the addition of an 8 compartment lavy third which EFE are not doing. Chris KT

In LSWR days they were 4 coach sets so you would really need an 8 compartment lavy third as well. Chris KT

They're already en route on the high seas so I fear the '3's are going to be missing. Also the coach numbers of the BR versions should have 'S' suffixes. And, to be picky, 2955 in set 130 should be 2983, and 2679 in set 314 should be 2979. Chris KT

Yes, but in LSWR days they were 4-sets with an additional 8 compt lavy third not being modelled. Chris KT

It might be 'greedy' but even sticking to Maunsell R4 stock several sets were not pure 'Hornby' but had examples of '1935' stock - D2008, D2113 - with the earlier stock. And from 1956 when second class was abolished and third renamed second R1 nondescripts now classed as Open Seconds were incorporated in several W. Section. otherwise R4, 8-sets. Chris KT

Are you sure you have a Phoenix D2406? Yes, one was planned relatively late in the day but I don't recall one actually being produced. Chris KT

The 2-sets also formed through portions to Swanage for a time, as stated in ACWNs up to 1952 but according to Notices from 1953 on they were henceforth West of England only. Chris KT

No - 14/943/1142 was a Hudswell Clarke. The Hawthorn Leslie was SHT 13, GWR 974 renumbered 1144 Sep 1948. It does on the face of it look pretty similar but the filler cap is the other side of the dome. Chris KT

I don't mind packs of three but I don't really want six wagons. But to get a mixture of D1478 and D1479 to suit my period (48-61) I have to buy a pack of three of each. More mixed packs would have been useful, so it's the options I object to. Chris KT

'Fowler Locos' / Haresnape / IA has the image in lined workshop grey and says it was actually delivered to traffic in plain glossy black. Furthermore it has a photo in plain black at Derby dated 1/1/1920 ("two days after completion") of 2290 making its first trial trip. Chris KT

They are indeed the same sets (513 & 514) which had a fairly peripatetic existence after the Sheppey Light Railway closed in 1950 including a stint on the Weymouth-Portland-Easton branch. Chris KT

Yes good to see that 31741 now has a forward facing early emblem on the right as well as the left (so I've now ordered one)! Also good to see the corrected lining on 31246's cab side. 31246 was one of seven D1s which did receive forward facing late crests on both sides so is actually correct. Info from 'Southern Style After Nationalisation, 1948-1964' / John Harvey / HMRS. I'm still annoyed about my D with backward facing early emblem and still haven't got round to changing it! Chris KT

Mike has covered most, if not all, SR designed EMU stock though given the complexities and variations of the suburban units using LSWR/SECR/LBSCR bodywork probably only a selection of those. I don't think he's done any BR Mark 1 based units. Chris KT

So could Seaton which had just about the most minimal track plan possible using just five turnouts/points. Chris KT

Yes, an intriguing engine (Peckett 810 of 1900) which was never a GWR loco despite the GW safety valve. It was acquired by BR in 1948 from the Ystalyfera Tin Works which was in liquidation. It was derelict when taken over and the safety valve was fitted during the requisite overhaul. It was allocated to Gurnos and was withdrawn from there in Jan 1954. The photo shows its 'good' side as there was no nameplate on the right! Chris KT

I have 3d printed body shells for sets 513/514, from memory from Rue d' Etropal (via Shapeways). Chris KT

Yes, according to Bradley 3440 was loaned to the K&ESR in December 1941 and remained there until the end of 1949. It was replaced by an O1 in Jan 1950 when it went to Guildford. It was renumbered 30576 on 9/4/1948 at Ashford while still in Kent. It was the first of the 18 0395s which became BR property to be withdrawn, in Dec 1950 due to fractured frames. Chris KT

There was a plan to fit a Drummond boiler from a LSWR M7 0-4-4T which had, I believe, identical dimensions to the original, and a withdrawn M7 was set aside for a time for that purpose. But, of course, for whatever reasons, this sadly never came to fruition. Chris KT

Yes, must have been an S15, though I don't recall seeing any such post or article. If one altered the running plate and changed the cab it would probably look the part. But depending how particular you are bear in mind that the pitch of the Maunsell S15 boiler is 9ft above rail level while the Urie S15 is only 8ft 7.5in. A difference of 4.5in equivalent to 1.5mm in 4mm scale. Would one notice if you didn't lower the boiler? Assuming there is sufficient clearance in the Hornby S15 a 3D printed Urie loco body to fit the Hornby chassis would appear to be a feasible project. I wonder if anyone has considered it? Chris KT

They (as Compo Saloons) never ran with Restaurant Firsts after 1947, either - they always ran with four Restaurant Buffets converted from RFs in 1947! Chris KT

Set 363 was red, believed painted thus around July 1950. Initially it was lined. It was withdrawn November 1958. I understood that 373 and 374 were never red and remained malachite green until withdrawal in Oct 1960 and Oct 1956 respectively. There is, I believe, some disagreement as to whether 373 was ever BR green or was still re-varnished malachite at the end of its life. However, given that EFE have done 374 in red I will try to check whether this is erroneous or not. Chris KT

The BR steel 16t mineral wagon diagram 1/108 only has brake blocks on one side. Chris KT