Waveydavey

26s would probably have got the empties as far south as Tyne but there wouldn’t be the traction knowledge to work them south from there. There could, of course, have been a driver kicking about at Tyne who had transferred south from Scotland and still knew them but it’s a bit of a stretch.

The leading class 20 is vac only so if the tanks are air brake the van would be required. Looks like a mix of tanks so a cripple trip sounds good to me.

We’re getting a bit off topic here. The Lima bogies are a bit lacking in height of the main sideframe but their main issue is they are not the correct pattern for a Met Cam. On mine I’ve used the early black DC Kits bogie sideframe which are a fair representation of the prototype. Some people like the Hornby 110 bogie frames but I find they are just as compromised as the Lima ones but in different ways. Back on topic. The Craftsman and Heljan jumpers aren’t much cop but as they go under the buffer you don’t see them much. Until someone decides to do an accurate set 31A’s idea of making your own is probably the best and cheapest solution. David

You don’t need to replace anything much on the Lima/Hornby 101 chassis. Just cut out the bits of the box that shouldn’t be there and make good with a few bits of plasticard to give some depth. I’ve also added fuel tanks and changed the exhaust pipes to unrefurbished pattern. If all that sounds too much like real modelling a dodge that Jim Smith-Wright has done on one of his Met Cams for P4 New Street is to paint the bits of the box you don’t want to see in a darker shade so your mind is tricked into not seeing them. David

I’m back in Scotland next weekend for work too Mike. Much further north than last weekend.

After far too long moving at a glacial pace things are starting to move forward due to receiving an invite to an exhibition next year. I wasn’t very happy with the MERG servo mounts and controllers so these have now been replaced with the excellent Megapoints controllers and their recommended U section aluminium section mounts. Cassettes have been made for the fiddle yard, a back scene has been fitted and I’ve started work on an over bridge for the Stirling end of the layout that will represent an abandoned wagonway from the Earl of Marr’s mines. I’ve also come up with a name for the layout. With Terry and Simon Bendall having Longcarse West back on the circuit I couldn’t really use Longcarse West 2 or anything similar as a name to avoid confusion so I’ve decided on Clackmannan Goods as a suitable moniker. Photos to follow when there is something worthwhile to show.

S Kits were at the DEMU Showcase exhibition in June. I bought an ESSO TTA walkway etch from them. They don’t do the inter webs so you’ll have to order by phone or post.

How do you get the Ultrascale wheels (which have a 2mm diameter axle) to work with the Hornby gear muffs which use smaller diameter stub axles?

Yes they do.

I'll also give Richie Porte the kiss of death by saying I think he's got a good chance this year.

I'm fairly certain this, or a very similar building, is still standing in the old Ironmasters district.

A very nice model but I'm finding the bogies to be rather frustrating. They are a beautiful moulding with brake shoes set back from the bogie frame but they have been designed to take 3' (12mm) wheels rather than the 3'7" (14mm ish) that they should have. There is also no room for EM/P4 wheels although this will only bother a small minority. When you add to this that the buffer height is already on the high side it's going to take a fair bit of head scratching followed by actual modelling to get these models sitting about right. David

That mk.2 Capri suggests a later date than 1971. I'd think 1974 would be a better guess.

Indeed Tractor. Phil had a 24 with the C front end at Scalefour North a few weeks back. I assumed it was already in production and so was quite surprised to see it on the wish list.

I find 66s to have a pretty poor ride. Sadly that's all I drive nowadays. 60s by comparison were like a magic carpet. And far nicer all round.

Yes. 27001 and 27024 both ran with TOPS numbers in green in 1974.

Down at Grosmont yesterday on a DMU related matter I was able, with permission, to gain access to 24032 and measure the height of the cab windows. The glass area of the centre window is the same as on a 25 at 345mm maximum high x 690mm wide. The driver and second mans front windows work out at 560mm maximum high x 610mm wide which compares to my previous measurements of a 25 at 625mm maximum height x 615mm wide. So there you have it. Class 24 cab front windows are 65mm shorter in height and a midgies narrower than those on a 25. And, needless to say, I completely forgot to measure the width of the 'nose'.

Hi Ian, Would the peak kit be suitable for the original Bachmann class 40? It has the same four wheel drive bogie as the peak. Cheers David

And how many years has the upgrade kit been in the pipeline Mike? Are we up to ten yet?

1966 to early 80s ish for the original vac braked leaf sprung Motherwell Bridge CO2 tanks. I believe the suspension was changed at the same time as the conversion to air brake but can't confirm this. The lagging and bodyside cabinets appear to have been changed around the same time too so to all intents and purposes a completely different wagon. I did a model of one of the early batch a few years back using a couple of Lima HO tank bodies spliced together on a shortened Bachmann TTA chassis. Cheers David

I'm fairly sure the architecture of the Hornby class 50 bogie is similar to that of the 31. If you could broaden the scope of the project to include the 50 you'd make me a very happy boy. Cheers David

Brian Hanson at Shawplan has the 27/2 grills measured up and has them in the 'to do' pile. The more people ask him about them the sooner they'll appear.

Although I'm a P4 modeller my only involvement with 4mm class 31s is in EM for Roundtrees Sidings so I'd be interested in seeing an EM version of your chassis.

Something to bare in mind Mark is that old car exhausts were generally of a smaller diameter than modern ones. My old 1956 Morris Oxford had an exhaust about one inch diameter with only one small silencer. It used to rasp like mad on the overrun.

I was fairly disappointed with the 7mm version. So much so that having decided to buy three in United Molases livery I changed my mind on seeing one and decided to keep my money. I've got my fingers crossed that the 4mm version will be a much closer approximation to the real thing. A couple of Esso liveried class A tanks and 'many' UM liveried class B tanks will go very nicely on the replacement for Longcarse West.