Geoff_E

It is quite clear from the photographs of the vans on the Rails website that one (2025) is darker than the other (12067). I have a 2025, which is what I suspect wainwright1 has as well. Geoff

I asked Rails about the darker grey a week ago. They replied "Regarding the colour of the wagons, as and when we get any information regarding that decision I will be sure to pass it along to you." I haven't heard any more yet. Best Regards Geoff

As Europas are a current topic, I thought I would post a picture of mine. It's a Special, sold by Len Street of Chelsea, and first registered in early January 1973. When I bought it for £1850 on Ist September, 1975 I became the third owner. It originally had the Brand Lotus alloy wheels (the spare is one), but I don't know when the Wolfrace wheels were fitted. Having collected it, I was driving south over Westminster Bridge when I crossed another blue Europa going the other way - GKN 47D. Other Lotus/Europa followers will understand the significance of that. I must now confess that the picture was taken in August, 1986, just after I had changed the chassis, and it doesn't look like that now. It is in the garage needing a lot of TLC, especially the bodywork. Geoff

Received my 488 today and would endorse all of the good things said about it. It runs smoothly and quietly, and the level of fine detail is exceptional. I particularly like the shaft from the reverser extending below the running board. Unfortunately, however, it has not been all plain sailing. On removing the loco form its large, bomb proof packaging the hook from the tender coupling fell on to the table. I wasn't surprised by this as I find the hooks on current Dapol couplings fall off for a pastime. The lampiron on the top of the smokebox was leaning at an angle, and closer inspection showed that it had come out of its mounting hole, and was only held in place by the handrail. A firm, careful push put iy back in place and it seems to be reasonably secure. The dome seemed to be a bit wobbly, and simply came of in my hand. Nothing broken, just not glued on very well. Nothing major that can't be easily fixed, just a little bit irksome to find this on something costing £200 and which in all other respects is an outstanding and high quality model. I am mightily glad I bought one. Geoff

Model Railway Direct are showing 19 in stock £162.00.

Alex, First of all, I must admit to a large degree of envy. The loco is looking very good. I can't claim to any great knowledge of Southern locos, others will know much more than me, but as you have modelled the loco with the Bulleid modifications as applied to the Nelsons, (visually, the large diameter chimney and raised sides on the tender) I believe the only 'authentic ' colour would be unlined black. As a Southern Railway loco it would be with black Sunshine lettering, as a BR loco with a BR crest. Additionally, by this time I believe it would have been fitted with smoke deflectors and the snifting valves on the smokebox removed. All the pictures I have seen of Nelsons with the modifications are like this. Also, the smoke deflectors would not have had the outside steam pipes protruding slightly at the bottom as on unmodified locos. The picture posted by Corbs on 17 January of his model is a good reference. Best Regards Geoff

On the subject of cylinders and steam pipes, I've had another look at the drawing in the Haresnape book I referenced earlier and compared it to the one for the Nelson. It is essentially a 4-8-0 Nelson, with 4 cylinders of the same size and the outside steam pipes towards the back of the smokebox and outside cylinders. The outside cylinders are also slightly angled as shown in the painting. This is the arrangement for the original cylinders. I do not know what the arrangement for the Bulleid cylinders is , and it would be a matter of speculation as to whether the 4-8-0 would have received Bulleid cylinders. However, it is 3 inches longer overall than a Nelson and the boiler pressure stated is 200 psi rather than the 220 psi for the Nelson. Although the drawings are small, not to the same scale. and not fully dimensioned, I would hazard a guess that the smokebox on the 4-8-0 is a bit longer, the extra length being between the chimney and tubeplate. This could be to keep the cab, blastpipe, etc. in the same relative positions because of a longer chassis. According to the text, the 4-8-0 was a 1935 proposal for a standard heavy goods, although the notes for the drawing say it was for Kent coal traffic. However, the length of sidings and running loops on the main lines limited the length of trains to loads that could be handled by the S15, and so the idea was dropped. Best Regards Geoff

The Ian Allen book Maunsell Locomotives by Brian Haresnape has a small General Arrangement drawing at the top of page 15. It gives the driving wheel diameter as 5ft 1inch, with an equal spacing of 5ft 8inches. It also gives the spacing between the leading driving wheel and rear bogie wheel as 7ft 0inches. The bogie appears to be the same as the Lord Nelson. Best Regards Geoff