de Selby

Here are a few pictures with the "lid off" showing the arrangement of the motor / gearbox and also the (no longer cosmetic!) inside motion. I was glad of the extra width afforded by 21mm gauge to fit all the motion in. There's a small brass pin (the end of which can just be seen in some of the photos) which fits through a hole drilled through the axle, thus engaging the motion. It can be removed, disengaging the motion so that the chassis can be tested without the motion. The coreless motors recently introduced by High Level have been a bit of a game changer - while not exactly cheap, they are very good motors. They are smooth, powerful and small, so it is feasible to fit them vertically in quite a small firebox. In this particular loco a Roadrunner gearbox is ideal. For other engines (depending where the wheels and axles are placed in relation to the firebox) a slightly longer gearbox such as the Roadrunner+ can be used. Alan

I haven't posted anything on RMweb for quite a while, but here are a few photos of a loco which I completed recently. It's a C.I.E. (ex-MGWR) 650 class 2-4-0, the rebuilt version with the Inchicore Y Class boiler. It is built from John Mayne's etched kit. It's built to 21mm gauge (although for the photos it is posed on a 00 gauge layout). Wheels are Alan Gibson (S4 profile) and it is powered by a High Level coreless motor and Roadrunner gearbox on the rear driving wheels. In a particular fit of masochism, I decided to see if the cosmetic inside motion in the kit could be made to actually work. This involved adapting Brassmasters components from their 4F motion for the eccentrics, cranks, connecting and eccentric rods (although in reality the "cranks" are cunningly disguised cams). The slidebars were those provided in the 650 kit and crossheads, piston rods and valve rods were made out of brass rod /washers /bits of scrap etch, etc. Most of this effort is now concealed behind splashers, springs and footplating, though I know it's there! If there's interest, I'll take a few pictures of the chassis and post them here. Alan

I'll see what I can do - I haven't posted much for some time, so it would be a good project to cover. There are a few things I need to clear out of the way first though. Regards, Alan

That's really excellent, exactly what I needed. Now I know what all those little bits are for! Thank you so much. I suppose I'll have to build it now................ Regards, Alan

Thanks Andy, that's excellent news, a copy would be much appreciated. Regards, Alan

Would anyone have a set of instructions for the Jidenco / Falcon Brass (LK72) Highland Railway "Clan Goods" who could send me a scan or photocopy? I've acquired one which is missing the instructions and it would be useful to refer to them even though they are likely to be fairly basic! The instructions should (probably) also include a diagam of the various etches identifying the parts, and a line drawing of the locomotive, both of which would be very useful. Any assistance greatly appreciated. The example of this kit which I have seems to have had a "challenging" previous existence. There were various bits missing, although there are also duplicates of some parts. I have now either acquired or made most of the missing pieces. Should there be interest I could post some photos on the "Kitbuilding and Scratchbuilding" section once I start building it. Thanks, Alan

No relation that I am aware of! Personally I prefer the river names, though the engines carrying these had the smaller Fowler style tenders, at least in NCC days. The Worsley etches are supplied with the larger Stanier style tender. The choice of 103 came (if I remember correctly) from the description of her in "NCC Saga" as being a crack engine which was generally employed on the most important jobs (at least at that point in time). I have got a second set of Worsley mogul etches for a locomotive only, with the idea that I would build one of the smaller tenders to go along with it. Alan

Thank you for the comment. 103 was named "Thomas Somerset" . Thomas Somerset was the Chairman of the L.M.S. Northern Counties Commitee at the time (he was also the M.P. for North Belfast).

Well, just a few hours left now, and all we can do at this point is wait! Plans have been finalised, rotas drawn up, lunches ordered & food for refreshments bought. Fingers crossed that all proceeds to plan..... Hopefully see some of you at some time tomorrow! Regards, Alan

Looks good! I'll look forward to seeing it "live" tomorrow. Alan

We have had a last minute addition to the traders - Modelux will be attending, with some of their range of kits. See below for an example. Regards, Alan

The Exhibition Programme can now be downloaded (PDF) from the Website: http://www.cambridge31a-mrc.org.uk/exhibition.htm Regards, Alan

We are putting the final touches to this year's Cambridge Exhibition. I've reproduced the details below. As always, RMwebbers will be very welcome. Feel free to make youselves known to me (or indeed any other 31a club member). We have some excellent layouts coming this year, along with many of the usual traders plus some new ones. There's a wide variety of exhibits, so there's likely to be something to appeal to most interests. Hope to see some of you there. Regards, Alan Edgar 31a (Cambridge) Exhibition Organiser Cambridge Model Railway Exhibition Saturday 6th April 2019 Sawston Village College New Road Sawston Cambridge CB22 3BP There is a Large Free Car Park at the College Open from 10.00 to 16.00 (last admission 15.30) Admission Adults: £5.00 Children: £2.00 (Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult) For any group with 2 or more Children, one child will be admitted Free Children under 5 are admitted free There will be refreshments and light snacks as usual. Web Page: http://www.cambridge31a-mrc.org.uk/exhibition.htm Directions: http://www.cambridge31a-mrc.org.uk/directions.htm Layouts confirmed: Cromer High - 00 - BR (ex GER), 1950s Ballyconnell Road - 3mm Scale - GN of Ireland, 1950s 4000 Yards - Area 5 - SM32 WW1 War Dept Light Railway Torrecastle Viaduct - N Gauge - BR - Blue Diesels in the South West Clone Line - 00 - Present Day (Ex-GC) Friday Bridge - EM Gauge - BR 1960s Wisbech & Upwell Tansey Bank & Hobbs Halt - OO9, Freelance Squaw Falls - N Gauge, American Hungate Sidings - 0 Gauge, BR late 1960s Diesel Era, East Anglian Branch Fleebight Wharf - 0 Gauge, London Docklands 1950s - 1970s All Cars Stop Here - 00 Gauge Hong Kong Tramway Margaret's Mill - 0 Gauge Shunting Layout Crickey, It's a Shed - Tramway, inspired by Crich Museum Motley Liveries - 00 Gauge, Freelance Jiggerful Junction - 00 Gauge, Vintage 3-Rail And the following Societies: Cambridge Model Engineers - Large Scale Ride-on Trains The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust The Battle of Britain Locomotive Society Supported by the following Traders: Joe Lock - Pre-owned Locomotives, Rolling Stock & Accessories Keith Hadley - New & Pre-owned Locomotives, Rolling Stock & Accessories Model Scenery Supplies - All the Items You Need to Build Realistic Landscapes. James Green - Artist - Railway Paintings by Award Winning Artist James Green. Trains 4U (Peterborough) - A Great Range of New & Pre-owned Locomotives, Rolling Stock & Accessories Great Eastern Transport Films - Railway & Transport DVDs Classic Baseboards - Traditional High Quality Model Railway Baseboards for any Gauge Dingo Servo Mounts - Lasercut Aluminium Mounts for Servos: Perfect Linear Motion for Points and Signals Great Eastern Models - New & Pre-owned Locomotives, Rolling Stock & Accessories Laser Cut Railway Models - Laser cut kits - Platform Canopies, Signal Boxes & much more Justin Case - A Range of Storage Containers for Your Models & Other Useful Items. Checkrail Model Railways - New and Used Models & accessories in N, OO and O. Paul Gray Models - 00 Gauge Models for sale. The 31a Club Sales Stand will also be present

It's a real shame to see such damage to what seems to be a good model. However, it is probably not as bad as it looks at first sight. I would echo Sandy Harper's comments above: front platform should reattach easily. The cab side can probably be straightened by careful finger tweaking. The tender bulkhead and smoke deflector could prove more of a problem - it can be difficult to straighten brass and remove all the creases once it has been bent like this. In the case of the tender it would probably not be noticeable once the bulkhead had been repainted. If the smoke deflector cannot be fully straightened, there's always the option of replacing it - both Comet and Jackson Evans make etched deflectors which would suit (the latter now available from Phoenix Precision). I've made several of these Coronation kits including a couple that were "rescue locos" in a much worse state than the one you have. They do make excellent models, so if it was me, I'd certainly try to come to some arrangement with the vendor and then repair the loco - particularly if it runs well. You seem to have been lucky (?1?) that the maroon paintwork & lining appear undamaged. If you decide to try to repair I'm happy to advise or try and answer any questions you may have (and there are plenty of experienced modellers on here who can do likewise). I may possibly have some spare smoke deflectors left over from one of the kits which I have built - I will have a look through my spares box. Regards, Alan

Thank you for the comments. Here are a few pictures of some of the layouts last Saturday. I did take my camera, but as I suspected did not have a lot of time to take photos myself. Thanks to Ian Beresford for these photos. General view Hobb's Warren Hobb's Warren Airfix Oakham Airfix Oakham The Wagon Works Victoria Beyton Bridge Beyton Bridge Motley MPD Norton Wood Norton Wood Neely Neely

Well, I have just finished putting together the last of the welcome packs for the Exhibitors and Traders so I think everything is now ready for tomorrow. A Guinness beckons after which I'll try and get some sleep before tomorrow's early start. If anyone comes along with a camera and takes photos of the layouts we would very much like to see them (posted here, for example). I will be bringing a camera as will a couple of the others, but whether any of us will have much spare time to take photos remains to be seen. Hopefully see some of you tomorrow! Regards, Alan

Less than 24 Hours to go. A point worth making is if you come to the exhibition, be sure to visit the various classrooms along the corridor from the main hall. There are quite a few layouts located here this year, indeed we had to book an additional classroom to fit them all in (there are now 3 classrooms used). The usual 3D jigsaw puzzle/nightmare of trying to fit the various sizes of stalls, layouts and so on into the available space has led to most of the trade stands being in or around the main hall. Regards, Alan

Looking forward to seeing this layout. But then I am biased! In other news, I have made the exhibition programme downloadable from the club's website here and here if anyone wants more details on the exhibition. Regards, Alan

This year's Cambridge Exhibition is nearly upon us and I am in the midst of the usual last minute preparations. The date is Saturday 14th April 2018, open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (last admission 3.30 p.m.) The venue is Sawston Village College, CB22 3BP (easily reached from junction 10 on the M11) Free Parking in the college grounds. Website: http://www.cambridge31a-mrc.org.uk/exhibition.htm As usual, RMwebbers are very welcome, feel free to make yourselves known to us & have a chat. Some further details: Features: Working layouts in gauges "N" to "O", Trade Stands, Refreshments - Tea, Coffee, Light Snacks Wheelchair Access. Layouts confirmed: Neely- (N, Present Day) Motley - (OO, Freelance) Norton Wood - (OO, Finescale) Beyton Bridge - (OO, LNER / BR) Jiggerful Junction - (OO, Vintage 3-Rail) Victoria - (EM, Parcels Side of a Terminus) Airfix Oakham - (OO, Vintage Airfix) Bedford Road Diesel Depot - (O Gauge,) Hobbs Warren - (O Gauge, BR (E) Loco Shed) A Horse that Goes By Steam - (Working Diaorama) Sutherland - (N Gauge, American) The Wagon Works - (O Gauge) And the following Societies: Cambridge Model Engineers (Live Steam Rides) Holden F5 Group Supported by the following Traders: Joe Lock - Pre-owned Locomotives, Rolling Stock & Accessories Keith Hadley - New & Pre-owned Locomotives, Rolling Stock & Accessories Bob Pearman - Books, Magazines & DVDs Model Scenery Supplies - All the Items You Need to Build Realistic Landscapes. Layouts 4 U - Model Railway Lighting and Unique Hand Made Scenics Great Eastern Transport Films - Railway & Transport DVDs Classic Baseboards - Traditional High Quality Model Railway Baseboards for any Gauge Finescale Buildings - Download, Print & Build. Designed for Model Railways & Street Scenes. Great Eastern Models - New & Pre-owned Locomotives, Rolling Stock & Accessories Laser Cut Railway Models - Laser cut kits - Platform Canopies, Signal Boxes & much more John Dutfield - A Wide Range of Locos, Rolling Stock & Associated Equipment. Justin Case - A Range of Storage Containers for Your Models & Other Useful Items. Checkrail Model Railways - New and Used Models & accessoroes in N, OO and O.

I think you just need some simple ground rules: 1) Anyone wishing to post negative comments about a layout on Social Media must first bring along cake. 2) They must divide the cake into two equal portions. 3) They must give the portions to the layout operators. Then they can half their cake and tweet it. Hat > Coat > Voom!

Category: Kitbuild / Scratchbuild. 4mm Scale, 21mm (5'3") gauge. The Great Northern Railway (Ireland) VS class locos of 1948 were based on the V class Compounds of 1932, but with simple expansion and other developments to suit the post war environment. My starting point was the Studio Scale Models kit for the V class which provided components such as boiler, cab & frames. Many other parts had to be made from scratch, including the running plate, cylinders, valve gear, smokebox and complete tender. Full details are here. The model has certainly been a challenge. Various boundaries duly pushed!. Thanks to all who have given encouragement. Alan