Blandford1969

Totally have felt that and for years achieved nothing. I was my now 10 year old a couple of months ago saying 'dad what are you actually doing with all this stuff' that helped me. Like you I feel guilty for doing it and then worried I will miss something that needs attention in one of my Facebook groups and that destroys hours, no probably days. Do you find the more you do the easier it gets?

My mojo has been mixed. Having finished one reorganisation we are now working on another which always weighs on me despite it not being my decision, nor can I alter what may or may not happen. However that feeling of good people may end up out of work always bothers me. I have had knock back after knock back on looking for a new job, although finally one I thought was ghosting me has come back for a second interview this week and invited me back for a third in a couple of weeks to meet the General Manager. I have even managed to do a little bit of modelling. Perhaps foolishly it was working on a Brassmasters Fowler tender chassis. I nver thought building the brakes could take that long. Even though they are great. I had a boast in the week that rather than owing tax, I will even get a very small tax refund. A couple of little chinks of light. Hope everyone else is doing ok at the moment.

I did look Drawing 16694 is the self trimming tank to suit GC frame referening D49 rebuilds. However 16940 is a self trimming tender for the D20 from March 1947, which does tie in with when the changes were made. I will have a punt and try to fin out how much it would be to get a copy of the drawing. This is the only one in the Darlinton catelogue which is for a D20 tender.

More that with a Pannier the seat is to the side of the reverser and in most places the reverser is in the way and the seat is so low down you cant see out over the tanks. With the Praries again the seat is so low you can't see out.

The small bits we can see do look more GS than NE. Unless there is a drawing we will never know for sure.

Does that mean drawing 404 is of one of these tenders?

You can't sit down and drive a Pannier or Prarie and see out. Yes you can sit when driving a Manor , Castle, Hall etc. Again Panniers and Praries are not really suited to a fireman sitting down as again they cant see where you are going. On the bigger engines they may have sat down. They are small and not the comfortanle to sit on in motion anyway.

Thanks for that photo and detail. Its always the way where you draw something and then somthing else comes out. One of those cases where I will be happy to redraw. That piece seems as you say to come right to the very front of the drawbar.

From looking at the best photos I could find manipulation to get it about square and then lots of comparing lines and angles this is what I got to. In terms of the filler it seemed to be about the size and height of one on a Q6/7 etc. From conversations elsewhere the front bulkhead is basicly a NE one like a B16/Q6 etc. The sides by the way are the same lenght as the original tender body. Hope that helps.

Is that just the ones which had been released, or does has there been any progress on the Q7?

I have been looking at this modified tender too. I have managed to find a near side on photo and then do a very basic drawing. I will scan it and post it tomorrow. Not sure if it will help but it might

Sadly not , all in BR days. As for the tender capacity plates, will have to check.

It gets alot of use. Lets face it scratchbuilding may be slow but it really is satisfying Best wishes Duncan

Going back to the whole ready to run / kit debate. Sometimes I can see why it is just easier. You will be aware I have multiple projects on the go from all sorts of areas, just things I like. Its a way of coping with my own anxieties and they progress in a glacial way with my mojo. However last weekend I finally got on with making the corner pieces for a 97xx. The bunker is ok its just the way the photo seems to have come out. I checked. In doing it I learned why some of the GW bunkers I have looked into while driving have a bit let in on the curve. Its easier. Anyway here you go . I also found that the only way to attach them was to use a strenghening rib over both bits, like the prototype. The photos show the order, trying to cut from one bit of brass in 4mm is very, very, very hard. Doing them took about 1 and a half hours. Meanwhile the D20/2 has been put onto the footplate and now needs cutting prior to fitting the valences (I know backwards for many)

Cheers, I will look that out.

Where did you get the brake valve from it does not look like DJH.

With the way prices are rising for ready to run, kits are becoming less expensive in real terms. It just sadly seems so many want everything doing for them, but in doing so miss out on the pleasure of saying 'I built that' and that each is unique to us.

A quick flick through photos of the later batch certainly supports them not having breathers and therefore no scoop. The only views of 7/8/ and 9 I have showing the rear all show a dome. However we know tenders swapped around.

Here is the drawing And the file is attached as well. Hope they are of use Stanier 262 tanks details 1.xlsx

Hi Keith, Thanks I will dig it out along with the drawings I prepared and re upload

From memory TV hopefully by the end of the year.

Lots of us too. You really have to be thanked for ever in starting the project which has grown.. When it first came some drivers mocked it saying it would never happen. Something they will be reminded about when it takes to the rails. My bits may only be small in measuring bits on 80079 which were common but no drawing existed and preparing some basic drawings, but at least I can say I did a bit. Hopefully by then we will have services from Bridgnorth and being a class 3 will be perfectly suited to the slightly smaller trains starting from there so it will not have to go to the south end, lol.

The pipework around the lubricators ie a work of art!

The 2857 group have followed the 4566 group in moving to a trust so that the challenges the pig faces can be avoided. I'm not sure the pigs future is uncertain. It will just be much delayed whilst things are sorted out. I hope certain things now in play might help to resolve those issues. Both those groups were raising money at Kidder towards working towards having more money to put forward for overhalls. The company now only owns Gordon - there are certain covenants in place which prevents its sale and Hagley Hall. The Babby aka Hinton Manor is owned by the Charitable Trust. All the other locos are owned by individual groups or individuals. The challenges are the ever increasing costs of restoration of locos. That being said the railway overall is in a better financial position than it was this time last year. Less paid staff and heads of heads of heads means we are making more headway. Its not out of the woods yet, but moving in the right direction. On the plus side 4150 should be finished this year with 82045 not far behind along with TV from its intermediate overhaul and 7802 with its new cylinder.

It was the last day of the pgs boiler ticket. Its been incredible and such a great loco. None of us know when she might be restored again as there are complications with some of the shareholders having passed away and stories of the children of one wanting the engine selling to 'get their money' It needs alot spending, for a start is a complete new set of tyres!. I'd love to drive her again in my lifetime but who knows.