5 C

I've spent countless hours with my head buried in one of Bob's many works on the LMS and his books outnumber those of any other author (railway or non-railway) in my library. His enormous contribution to those of us who model the LMS cannot be overstated. Essery & Jenkinson for the locos and Jenkinson & Essery for the coaches are our 'go-to' references. Thanks Bob. RIP.

There are already modelling precedents for bus depots on layouts. Kier Hardy (@Wibble) is a bus fan and Wibdenshaw featured a bus depot and workshop. Another of the EM Gauge 70's team also has a bus depot on his Shenston Road layout. A full selection from the link below (includes buses on bridges too): http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/project_roadbus.html

The fact that replacement chassis blocks and retainers are/were available from Hornby tells you all you need to know. You're right though, why this didn't cause the same outcry as the Class 31 is a mystery. Maybe because it doesn't damage the bodies like the 31's but instead just leaves you with an unusable loco. The design of the Scot/Patriot chassis block is quite poor. Apart from the motor/gear retainer, another shortcoming is the the mounting of the expansion link assemblies into slots in the block. At best they're an interference fit and are easily dislodged or become loose with catastrophic effects on the valve gear. The Black 5 from around the same period has the assembly screwed into recessed holes - a much more robust arrangement. The buffer beam damage is usually caused through storage and shipping. When sold new, the loco was mounted into the expanded polystyrene using removable L-shaped brackets screwed into the baseplate. No matter how much additional packing is placed around the loco, a rough shunt in storage or shipping causes it to shift forward and the buffers take the brunt of the shock.

I first learned this awful news on @Graham_Muz Twitter. I came on here and the amount of posts on this thread are of no surprise. Mick was hugely admired and one of the friendliest people I've met in the hobby. Like @nickwood, I first met Mick through Tim Shackleton's weathering workshops at Pendon. Our paths would cross frequently at exhibitions and it was always nice to be recognised and enjoy a friendly chat with an absolute gentleman. On a day when I've also learned of the sudden passing of my cousin, it's been a grim day. RIP Mick.

Thank you so much for doing this. The various written explanations now make complete sense but I know if I'd followed my interpretation, I'd have made a complete mess of things. 50 minutes sounds very reasonable. A picture is worth a thousand words.

What is your ledge removal technique please? I've seen several people refer to it but I can't quite work out how it's done.

Looking forward to seeing the results of the "blinging". I have three to do.

And thank you for satisfying my curiosity about how a previous generation loco looks alongside this set. Pretty good I'd say.

Like a number on here I have a fleet (well three) of the previous model blue Coronations and of course, the Comet sides and donor coaches to make up a rake. I'm curious to know how well the stripes and the colour of the previous model locos match with these new coaches. I know the lining on the new coaches is more accurate and different, having the fine blue edging to the stripes. I'd still like to build my own but as others have pointed out, the stripes are a challenge and I have an unexpected bonus landing this month...

If you're using a spray can, have you considered using something like this ? https://www.toolstation.com/plastikote-spray-gun/p55556 I find the trigger and handle give more control over pressure and grip than hand holding the can and operating the nozzle with the forefinger. In the past, I've used Upol etch primer which gives a smooth finish.

A locally built and liveried Guy Arab would certainly help place the model in the Wolverhampton area. There is a Roe bodied Corgi example currently on eBay although the price is ambitious compared to sold listings in the last couple of months (and there were a few). A legitimate alternative might be a Midland Red D9. BMMO ran services in the Wolverhampton area and had a depot at Bilston Street then Dudley Road: http://midlandred.net/depots/index.php?depot=wn Corgi D9s are readily available and can be bought for sensible money.

Bagnall's in Stafford. No trip into town was complete without a visit to that Aladdin's cave. Opposite the Borough Hall too. When the Stafford Railway Circle annual exhibition took place there in the 1970's, life didn't really get much better.

Colwich.

St. Pancras for me too. Without doubt my favourite piece of London architecture. I used it frequently in the late 1980s when it was pretty grim and its future uncertain. I used to think to myself "Why can't they do something with this?" I'm so glad they did.

I particularly liked the background music and words of encouragement!