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Live reporting from Pontecarlo... Sheep Lane looking great as ever in new hooves..

Lovely work as ever Jonathan. Thanks for the links as well. The L&Y wagon kit looks very good. I will certainly be ordering one of these. A good price as well. Also the Maketis website looks like a useful website. Thanks once again. Mark

Sorry to hear this Rob. Been looking forwards to seeing this progress. Glad you've decided to take the 'quicky, layout off sale as well. Bit like Chris says don't do anything rash. I think the concept is there and it was certainly charming seeing your collection of LSWR stock. Sometimes I do wonder about the concept of a generic layout which can absorb most your modelling interests. Have a break away from it and come back with fresh eyes. Cheers, Mark

Away day to Pontecarlo.... What's not to like?!..

Thanks James for the reply.Much appreciated. Interesting what you say about the flush front Class 37 headcodes. As Rich mentioned the 37's I have to renumber are also the same Cornish trio of EW&S 668 as well as Transrail 671 and 674. It will be interesting to see if Rich's printing comes up trumps. Once more Steve at Railtec has made up the number sets and excellent 3D printed nameplates already. As an aside Dave Tailby can always make a strong case for most things?.. Cheers, Mark

The di-lithium crystals can'e take it Captain!...

I thought Budgie was with the Smugglers...

Lovely work Al and good to see some old school modelling. Like you say Dapol have not produced the Collett 93xx variant of the GWR Mogul. A good excuse to update the old Bachmann model. Last year I was given a poorly running Bachmann 93xx and set about detailing it and getting it to run. Blog entry here: For a source of detailing parts I raided Peter's Spares for Dapol detailing spare parts available for the GWR Mogul. I also fitted new axles and a cog available from Peter's Spares to improve the indifferent running. The replacement chimney came from Alan Gibson. Recently, I have acquired a Comet chassis set so it will be re-chassied eventually. With a bit of modelling like you have shown, it is certainly is possible to lift these older models to a more modern standard. Cheers, Mark

Hi James, I've been given a couple of centre headcode box Bachmann Class 37/5's to renumber. The Bachmann models have just the roller blind section of the headcode box plated over with the headlamps. The prototypes I have to model have a flat front on the old headcode box with the two headlamps. Have you come across this issue before and if so how did you address it? Cheers, Mark

Cracking work on these two Transrail Class 60's James. I'm almost tempted to have a go at one myself! Out of interest do you use Railtec ready made number sets as well as the 'Big T' logos from the same source? The weathering is lovely and subtle as ever giving that work weary appearance. Cheers, Mark

It all happens in Ivybridge...

Hi Corsair, This may be of help. https://Bachmann-spares.co.uk/category/2-branchline-steam-parts/usa-tank-0-6-0 If you have a USA Tank an easy conversion. If not pick one up from Kernow/MR and swap the body over. I did it recently with a SR version to get a BR example. Cheers, Mark

I wonder when a Transrail version will be announced by Cavalex? Certainly will be ordering one when it is announced. Preferably 60035 'Florence Nightingale'. Cheers, Mark

Brilliant conversion and build Rob. Always liked these Seddon Atkinson trucks. The snap of you in front of the Torridge Transport tractor unit brings back some good memories of living in Devon and seeing these vehicles at work. I always remember they were immaculately turned out. Looking forwards to further updates. Cheers, Mark

Very much looking forwards to it as well Tony. Cheers, Mark

Thank you Tony for your hospitality and a really good day of running trains. The Bachmann Ivatt 2MT represents a Nottingham shedded prototype conveniently. It was an almagamation of bits and pieces from spare parts box. It has the later style DMR turned brass chimney fitted. The tender has longer cab steps on the chassis as well as steps the rear of the tender chassis. Transfers from Fox and Pacific Models smoke box numberplate. Comparing your modified Hornby example to the Bachmann version highlighted the correctly scaled older 1970's version against the Barwell version. The BMW Isettas were indeed built at the old Brighton Railway Works and distributed by rail. I need to glue them down add lashing. Here's the prototype information for those interested. https://www.bloodandcustard.net/BMWIsetta.html It was great to see the Kernow Models O2 in action with their excellent Gate Stock. It ran smoothly and looked at home. They require the detailing and light weathering to be completed. However, the O2 Class does have the excellent 3D printed smokebox numberplate/shedcode plate from Steve at Railtec Transfers. Well recommended. In this guise the train would not be Push-Pull operated on the Callington branch. Hopefully it has the right disc headcode for this service? Hopefully KMRC/EFE Rail will release further BR mainland based versions of as well as BR green Set 373 with modified later style panelling. Seeing Patriot Class 45538 Giggleswick hauling a prototype length train was certainly an highlight. With regards to the Hornby crimson & cream Hawksworth Full Brake coach it was good to see a damaged model repaired and put back in to service on Little Bytham. Weathered using Valejo and Tamiya acrylics. Thanks once again Tony. Cheers, Mark

Very nicely finished Steve. Can't beat a weathering session to lift the spirits. I like the chalk markings as well. Cheers, Mark

In error...

This is looking very nice indeed Rob. Lovely potential for a good shunting session. Sorry to hear about your Guernsey disaster... If it's of any help Peter's Spares are the Dapol spares stockist. Always excellent service. They are listing a Guernsey bodyshell as available but out of stock currently. https://www.petersspares.com/p/Dapol-115515-b4-oo-gauge-body-4s-018-007-guernsey-176-southampton-docks-green If you drop them a line I am sure they will come up trumps. They may be able to help with the guard iron as well. Sounds like a period of adaptation with your health. Good to see you persevering mind. Hope things start to improve over the forthcoming months. Looking forwards to further updates and that distinctive Sheepy Style... Cheers, Mark

I am detailing an Hornby Q1 for a good friend but it appears to be missing the side tender cab shutters on both sides. Would anyone have some going spare? Please PM me if you can help. Cheers, Mark

Cracking snaps Alex... The third shot down has the air of a Ben Ashworth shot. No trees were harmed either! Cheers, Mark

I have used Deluxe Materials Perfect Plastic Putty to fill fine holes on models including the bunker line on the Rapido/Model Rail 16xx and buffer beam infills on the Hornby Sentinel and the Bachmann Class 03's with good effect. https://deluxematerials.co.uk/products/perfect-plastic-putty Easy to clean up as well with no sanding involved. Must admit I am not planning on doing this on my pair of Bagnell's when they eventually arrive. I would imagine the aftermarket boys such as RT Models will produce an etched buffer beam overlay to help those not intent on using tension lock couplings. Cheers, Mark

Here's my Class 22 I'm working on. It has had a few coats of brush applied Kleer. I have replaced the illuminated headcodes with black Plasticard/black insulation tape and Fox headcode letters/numbers. Sealed with Kleer. Note the Forest related headcode blinds. Cheers, Mark

Looking forwards to seeing these hoppers weathered. Again, along with the Herring ballast hoppers very much part of the Forest railway scene. On commission Alex...😉

Merry Christmas Alex. Very nice indeed. I wondered when we would see a Class 14 appear on LD. I presume its from the set with the three Dogfish ballast hoppers? Look forwards to seeing some more diesel hydraulic action. The Dapol Class 22 is a very nice model as well of a type found working on the Forest lines. Cheers, Mark