Pugsley

Yes, I agree, the entire area is metal sheeted. I think that is bracing there - if you look just to the left of the hinge on the far right, I think you can see the same bracing for the other side.

The effect on the strapping is superb! (As is the whole thing).

Brilliant!

Don't be, it's quite straightforward once you get into it. Bullhead is well catered for from C&L, flat bottom is a little trickier in as much as the pre-machined rails aren't available, but still achievable. I built these for my, still unfinished, layout: You can either use Templot, or C&L sell templates for standard sizes. I'd recommend Templot, it allows you to design whatever track layout you want, reducing your reliance on standard sizes.

Loving the Blue John!

I believe that they're fabricated Y27's.

Nope. But you're getting closer!

Mikkel is the closest so far I'll leave this one as a mystery, until the next update, when it should, with a bit of luck, look more like what it's supposed to! Mikkel - It doesn't leave much time for getting things done which is, I think, why my projects always take longer than I think they should

Possibly not the best catchphrase to use these days , but I thought I'd start the next 7mm scratch build project with a little quiz. Although there's still a lot to do to the Cargowaggon Twins to turn them into an actual model, rather than a collection of bits, I wanted to get another project under way in the design stage. I find that after a day at work, I often don't feel in the mood to do some actual modelling, and there's a good chance that I could cock something up through being tired. Hell, there's a good chance I could cock something up anyway! So, an hour or two of slaving over a hot computer seems a more realistic proposition of an evening, and it's much easier to rearrange virtual items than it is to rectify a physical mistake. So, ladies and gentlemen, I give you this: It's very early days yet, so I will be very impressed if anyone can guess what it is. Not so impressed to give the winner anything, though, so you'll only have the satisfaction of being correct, which can be very satisfying This is going to be a slow burn project (aren't they all!), so don't expect updates too regularly...

There are a couple of good pictures in the Wagonload book by Paul Shannon (in the Rail Freight Since 1968 series) of the ends of these wagons, on pages 55 an 57 (I can't post them here for obvious reasons. Comparing these to the picture above, the roof might be curved a little too much, but not excessively so, but it does look as if the areas above the doors, between them and the roof, are a bit too deep. That might be why the wagon is a bit taller than it should be - it's probably only 1-1.5mm, just a bit difficult to correct.

Dunno about the US, but they seem to be spreading in Canada. At one point I think there was only one roundabout in the whole of Nova Scotia, the Armdale Rotary, but there's a few more these days: http://novascotia.ca/tran/roundabout/roundabout.asp

I'd hazard a guess at a 57.

Thanks for the photo, cromptonnut. I think they might be a little bit too rounded, looking at this pic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan700/6631618809 But then, looking at this one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/15038/7943658094 perhaps not. The overly thick strapping on the end doesn't help the comparison, though. I'm definitely going to see if I can get one in my mitts on Sunday, though.

A bit, that car was a beaut (as well): http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8180/7946829672_24bccf565d_o.jpg Billy Gibbons was into his custom cars, I think Cadzilla is my favourite: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/17/ec/b6/17ecb6a39c046fd38b3bd28339d35d22.jpg I want to build a British 'rod one day, oh for more time, money and a bigger garage!

Could you post some pics when it arrives, please, including the all important end shot.

Oooh, I'll have to see if I can acquire one at the forthcoming Bristol show for assessment.

They are Donelli PD350 single line relayers. They work on rails laid to the outside of the four foot - here's a video of them (or a similar type of gantry) in action: That's an interesting wagon that they're on, in BR days they were usually transported on Lowmacs.

It could be because the ETH index of the 37/4's wasn't high enough to supply the needs of the full sleeper train, but that is pure speculation on my part.

I have - I met him at Railex a few years ago.

I think they're only unreliable if not maintained correctly. AFAIK, if the correct coolant is used and changed at the correct intervals, they're not as bad as made out, much like the original V8 in the Triumph Stag.

I knew that the Windsor and Hantsport line was currently mothballed - I went and had a poke around Hantsport last September. It's the connection from Windsor to the CN line at Windsor Junction I was wondering about. CN were trying to abandon the line early last year: http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/644183-cn-seeks-windsor-junction-line-operator I can't find more information anywhere on the 'net about what actually happened, unfortunately I didn't have any time to try and find out while I was there in the September.

Good luck! It would be a shame for the railway to be lost. Heading a bit (lot) further south - do you know what happened to the Windsor Junction to Windsor line? That was due to be abandoned early this year (I think, or possibly last year). Again, that would be an unfortunate loss.

I'm starting to change my stance on these - the main body doesn't seem to come far enough out. I reckon the edge of the doors should be more or less level with the projection from the buffer beam, which is the mount for the door runner. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan700/5813299477/sizes/l https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan700/5813295957/sizes/l https://www.flickr.com/photos/hmillington/2038727520/sizes/l Edit - maybe not: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eagle50043/7585454046/sizes/l I think I'll have to see one in the flesh before making a proper judgment.

Agreed, but that can be easily sorted with a bit of filler - the biggest thing is it being the right size and shape!