rope runner

Has there been any further news on this or have KR reconsidered? Paul A.

I have consulted my copy of "Peckett & Sons Ltd: An album of official photographs" by A. Smith and can safely conclude it is a trick of the photography and a shadow (or lightening of the lower half of the loco to show detail, done post-shoot) , this effect is doubtlessly reinforced by the change in lining style with a black background. An identical effect is seen on the official images for Wks no. 907, 925 , 959, 1055 and 1217 etc in the publication - and probably others, I stopped looking after that. Paul A.

The loco is evidently not photographed "as new" but on the other hand it has clearly only been out-shopped a few years prior, evidenced my general cleanliness and state. The livery is leaf green, lined yellow on black backing on the upper portion of the cab. The green infill being a completely different shade on the model is something which I'm afraid is not correct to my mind - and if indeed this is "fresh" paint and the rest aged or faded (extremely unlikely) then that is not represented on the model. An additional thing to note is that the plate affixed to the cabside is not a standard Peckett works plate for this period. It is also not a rebuild plate, as these were smaller. Copyright for the photo will be the NRM, better to link to it than post direct... Paul A.

I'd be very interested to learn how Hornby arrived at the livery for this most recent Peckett. I've handled the print of this at the NRM while looking for a photo of a NG prototype, the darker upper cab side honestly just looks like a re-touched photo and there's no examples from the colour photography world showing that Peckett's had different shades of green on their locos at the same time. Paul A.

Let's be honest, nobody can say that. Plenty of examples where limited editions or items have appeared again in all walks of life - there's no contract to say this and just like a bands "farewell" or "final tour", there's no substance to it. Paul A.

Hi Marc, I will be in the market for a set of parts once you have drawn them up. Feel free to PM me when you are ready. Thanks Paul A.

Blimey. There are some truly crackers ideas on this thread and I think we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief that the finances and investment choices of Hornby are not in the hands of some on here! Expect another industrial loco this year or next. Indeed, maybe even two (one diesel, one steam) No new or retooled wagons last year and so I expect we'll see some this time around, one modern image and one earlier. Paul A.

We're very quick to jump on the one-man cottage industries sometimes regarding wait times or communication but we've not been very good historically on RMweb with noting where excellent service has been received. Parts ordered Saturday and arrived Tuesday. Well-packaged and sensibly priced postage. Can't ask for much better than that in my view. Paul A. (a repeat customer, repeatedly)

PM sent Mike

Ultimately David I think both routes you've suggested will be expensive or time consuming (or both). The added complication here is that we're talking about models nobody has handled yet - I would say it's questionable whether the PI Kerr Stuart will have sufficient clearance behind the crosshead for P4 without surgery (or indeed, an etched chassis). Paul A.

"Ready for production" notably different from "in production and due Q1 2021" Paul A.

Which prototype Marc? There were a few Barclay designs with 12'' cylinders. Paul A.

PM sent Andy, thanks

This is excellent news. A couple of queries regarding the prototype choices: Will the model of Oxfordshire Ironstone HE3716/52 "Alex" have the correctly modified buffer beams with buckeye couplings? Notably she didn't have a coupling hook. Looking at your livery samples the frames and sandboxes were also crimson on her too, I believe. In addition, would there be a possibility to offer the model of "Jacks Green" with separately fitted etched name plates along with the name "Ring Haw"? Both locos wore identical liveries and worked together at Nassington Quarries topping and tailing trains out of the pit. Both are also preserved (Ring Haw notably in operational condition on the NNR). I'd like both and I expect a few people may be in the same boat. Paul A.

Hi Ian, It's a water softener as seen on several S&L Minerals locos stationed north of the River Welland. Stablemates AB2306 DENTON and AB2139 SALMON were also fitted with these along with a few locos at nearby Harlaxton Quarries in South Lincolnshire. As far as I'm aware AB2350 BELVOIR is the only preserved loco which still carries one of the S&L type, though AB1931 BSC No.2 is equipped with a fairly similar one at the museum. Paul A.

I will dig out the details for you. They're waterslide transfers. Paul A.

I've heard of broad gauge before, but... Paul A.

Hi Simon, I've made a set of etches to convert the DJH 0-4-0 kit into AB2138/9. If you're interested in a set just drop me a PM. Paul

You will struggle for older drawings as a sizeable portion were destroyed in an effort to douse fires caused by incendiary bombs dropped on the works (RS&H by that time) during WW2. This is why only a small percentage of Kitson & Co. and Manning Wardle drawings survive, RS&H having inherited the goodwill, drawings and patterns during the inter-war years. Paul A.

I had a pop at this a couple of weeks ago... If anyone has one they'd like silly money for (but not that silly) please PM me... Paul A.

You will find a prototype for everything in industrial railways... Photograph taken towards the end of steam at Buckminster, South Lincs. with 15'' loco AB2314 of 1951 SEWSTERN in attendance. Paul A.

Several have been rebuilt in recent years - though I agree, this bo bo thing is looking more the likely candidate. I'd have thought the Hunslet more logical, personally. Whether there is the demand for a modern bo bo industrial shunting loco with very limited geographic appeal is rather more my point (and others it would seem). The Golden Valley Janus seems to be very heavily discounted by most retailers nowadays and this is a prototype which has a lot less going for it I think it's fair to say. Paul A.

To be fair in the comments section of the video the owner does go on to say that the "chip" was faulty. I may well get an EFE one if the price drops during sales etc Paul A.

Oh dear, I do hope the prototype choice is not as niche as many here are suggesting. If it is as per the above then I don't predict good sales at all... My prediction/logical choice would be a standard 0-6-0 Hunslet DH, perhaps building on the research done by the N gauge society for their model. Paul A

The two I am familiar with are 3' 1'' (actual) in preservation and down as 3' 3'' as delivered by the maker from works list. As I discussed with Corbs, later publications appear to have "error carried forward" for some locos on both cylinder and wheel dimensions from the early IRS pocket book series! Paul A.