MarkC

Jol, You're correct - put it down as a senior moment... Lovely kit, mind, and what a variety of parts to allow construction of any of the 4 varients of BTP, IIRC Mark

Hi Nick. A few parts have been badly soldered up, and others are twisted. Nothing I've not seen before. It just adds to the build time. Mind you, I once bought a part-built Bradwell Barnfield BTP - the cab & rear tank/bunker had been nicely soldered up, but inside out! Now THAT took some sorting out, plus the need for a new profanisaurus! My wife, aka "the long-haired Admiral", was both shocked and impressed... Mark

I'm thoroughly enjoying this excellent build, as I have an eBay <rescue> Norton J25 kit approaching the top of the roundtuit pile - and rightly so, as J25s were regulars on Scarborough & Whitby pickup goods services... ...but I digress. I wasn't convinced that everything was in the box, and reading through this thread seems to confirm this. I'm away from home until June, so can't check until then, but I think that the build should be a steady enough job. Great stuff, Nick 👍 Mark

Hi Brian Many thanks for that. Will have to be an email enquiry, as I'm at sea until June... Cheers Mark

Good morning, all. Some time ago there were discussions in this august thread about 3D printing of 4mm scale figures from photographs, which were a consequence of Tony himself appearing (in 4mm scale!) on one or two layouts. For some reason I can't seem to find the references; the reason I'm asking is that I would like to do a similar thing on my layout as a tribute to an elderly relative who loves the area my layout represents. Can anyone recall said discussions, & direct me accordingly please? Thanks in advance, Mark

It's always a worry. I'm just back on the show circuit after a few years' absence. Have experienced the leaners, finger pokers and, on one memorable occasion, an <entitled person> who actually lifted up a kit built locomotive WHILST IT WAS MOVING... ...I fear that one or two folk in earshot that day had their vocabulary expanded, & not in a good way... Mark

Romford produced 9/32" dia axles, both plain & knurled, for direct fitting to Triang chassis when rewheeling them, Cap'n 😎 (And Markits still do, AFAIK) Mark

77014 - truly one that "Got away". She hauled the very last revenue-earning steam working on the Southern - a Bournemouth-Weymouth parcels on the evening of 9th July 1967. Presumably fire then dropped at Weymouth shed and it was all over... Mark

I'm suspecting that she failed, spectacularly? 🤔 Mark

Chile did the same - I witnessed some very hacked off Merkins who had just had their dabs taken using ink, when I arrived at Santiago from Miami, back in late 2004. IIRC they were charged $20 'visa processing/issuing fee' - cash only - too 😄 Mark

AKA (very) basic "Chittagong thunderboxes" 😁 Mark

There are plenty of shows where both 'box shifters' and traders of second-hand stock can seem to outnumber layouts; York is one that to me has always bucked that trend. Long may it continue to do so 👍 Mark

I will indeed, Mike. Yes, I suspect that print quality may well be partly a result of what printer is used for individual prints. Sadly RL got in the way of much modelling my last leave, so no further progress was made with the Clayton. Hopefully next leave will be more productive. Mark

I picked up a copy on Saturday too - a quick flick through was fascinating reading, including a note that at least one line's services were saved because, by introducing railcar operation, operating costs were sufficiently reduced to justify service retention. A side effect replicated in the 80's by the introduction of Pacers, of course... Mark

I've got a Craftsman Class 02 shunter kit in my roundtuit pile - or I might just sell it, as it certainly doesn't fit my present modelling region... Mark

Hello Mike The body I got is pretty good, tbh. Here she is today - she runs, but will need a bit of weight adding, in order to run better. Paint job & underframe detailing to complete too. Mark

A reminder - South Shields show this coming Friday & Saturday. First outing of the layout in over 11 years 1pm - 8pm Friday 9th 10am - 5pm Saturday 10th Salvation Army Hall Wawn Street South Shields https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/event/y2024/26425-SalvationArmySouthShields_Exhibition Cheers Mark

A small, but well established show, and for a good cause. Fingers crossed for the weather... Salvation Army Hall Wawn Street South Shields. Friday 1pm - 8pm Saturday 10am - 5pm https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/event/y2024/26425-SalvationArmySouthShields_Exhibition Cheers Mark

The "home maintenance team" scumbags are at it again... +447492682548 The b*gger had one of the thickest accents I've ever had the misfortune to try & decipher too... Have reported it via 7726 & blocked it. Mark

Thanks again, Chaz. Yes, you're correct about the trailing bogie. As for weight, obviously if I don't have to add any, I won't. I suspect that the power bogie is heavy enough, and hopefully the trailing bogie is heavy enough on its own to not require additional ballast. We'll see how it goes. I won't be hanging any tail traffic on it, so fingers crossed... Yes,it is an interesting model; I have seen at least one other one; that was completely scratchbuilt. With these 3D printed bodies now available, maybe this build will inspire others to have a go. Cheers, Mark

Thank you, Chaz. The power bogie is compensated & scratchbuilt, with Gibson coupling rods, Romford wheels, High Level gearbox & Mitsumi motor. The trailing bogie is from Nucast Partners. Mark

Update on progress on my Clayton A visit to the paint shop, interior fitting & glazing await. Mark

Hello Janet Thanks for the update on your Dad; please pass my best wishes to him, and my thanks to you for your efforts with his wonderful kit range. Kind regards, Mark Coultas

Hi Clive Thanks for the warning! Great modelling there. DMUs I either have or require 4-car original Derby Lightweight 101 - 2, 3 & 4 car sets 4-car 104 105 - 2 and 3 car sets 108 - 2 and 3 car sets 110 124 - without the buffet car, so a 5 car set. (although I will build the buffet with the rest of the set anyway - because I can! 😁 Cheers Mark

That looks to be a bargain, tbh. Surprised that it's still available at time of tryping this... Matk