decauville1126

Aha! Now that seems why my Portrait1 worked on Windows10 as my laptop only has USB2.0 ports. I loaded the software from the cd that came with it. I must admit the process for doing the firmware business was very daunting.

And then asked, after completing the paperwork of course, whether they might like a glowing reference.....

Way back in time there were "error" Models of Yesterday coming direct out of the back door of their factory such as different paint colours, canopies moulded in different colours, etc. I also saw some Triang (pre-Hornby) bodyshells shot in clear plastic but never knew if they were back-door-to-order or test shots of some sort.

Just acquired a Portrait 1 off ebay and despite reading horrific tales of having to do all sorts of firmware things to get it to run off Windows 10 have found that it works straight off! No idea how to check if a previous owner had done any tweaks. All I really want to do is some self-adhesive white vinyl lettering for 16mm SM32 models and some tiny white lettering, or even a paint mask, for a 4mm diesel. After that? No previous experience so I think I'm in for a long learning curve but I did manage to cut my grandson's name successfully!

Very popular location for Manchester-based band photoshoots.

Buy a cheap gash etched loco/wagon/whatever kit from ebay and practice on that. You'll learn very quickly and at very little cost. Also cheap etched kits/bits can be found at local model railway exhibitions and swapmeets. Don't rush!

There are drawings in one of the Simplex/Motor Rail & Tramcar Co books, and a chap has already done a 3d printed one available on Shapeways. There are some simlarities between the Simplex and Honeywill/Kent Construction/Hibberd models but also many differences!

I think it may have been because at the time Hull was one of the few transport museums around that could offer a place to such items, rather than having some local connection.

Mine (P4) also suffers from the wheelies and nosedives due to the single-axle drive. Just like over-enthusiastic motor cycling! I spent a long time experimenting with weighting in various positions but never reached a satisfactory solution. But there is no doubting the character of the loco, and if wanting to portray a bashed-about example then it, and Mike Edge's later model, are good starting points rather than the Hornby one. That said, the Hornby version is a superb runner and I managed to convert one to P4 relatively easily. At the time of it's release the Impetus one was a welcome delight and can still an hold it's own against the other versions when well built.

PM on it's way.

Although not to hand, I think there may be a drawing in the Armstrong Whitworth Diesel Pioneers book by Brian Reed. Also High Level Kits have done a lovely 4mm kit - again I have one, somewhere.

It looks like the one that I rode on in Brighton when they had a demonstration line there in front of the Theatre Royal. Many bodyshells were, I think, modified and swapped. I seem to recall there was some published info a year or so back trying to unravel the identities. Does it have a chassis/running gear or is it the bodyshell only?

109 copies of this Dutch/Belgian magazine from way back. One or two slightly rippled, but mostly reasonable condition. Free to a good home but collect only from Littlehampton, West Sussex. Might also be able to make available for collection from Cardiff later in year. If no interest within 1 week then off to recycling! Peter

And suddenly it looks like it should! Excellent. Might I ask what paint you used? Sprayed all over or just over the ends?

A quick livery query if I might. I went for the BR black/silver option but can't find any references to the silver roof having black ends over the cab. Plenty of pics showing all-over silver roof, especially in the Southern Way special on these locos. And pics also seem to indicate the roofs becoming grimy greyish in service. I'm thinking of repainting my roof all-over silver so do wonder if anyone has already done it successfully, if so what paint did they use as I'd like to avoid a crinkly reaction. Thanks.