Sandy Harper

Yes Mark, We hope to have the test etches for the revised 7mm version any day now. If they prove successful then the 4mm will follow. Our popular Sentinel Y1/3 CE was showing its age (It was originally hand drawn and had a couple of dimensional errors) has been redrawn and revised using CAD) That is also awaited from the etcher. Our Cambrian Class 73 0-6-0 tender engine is in the final stages of drawing and will go to the etcher shortly followed by a new Sentinel 100hp 0-4-0 single geared engine (Fry's Chocolate Factory fame) Sandy

The 7mm version is just about to go to the etchers. If the test builds prove successful then the casting masters for the 4mm will beguin. Sandy

There is no progress at the moment as the 7mm version needs a comprehensive redesign, That is in progress now and should be completed in the spring. The 4mm version should be available around the summer of 2022. Sandy

Thanks T Mc, you have answered all the questions above for me. The Valuable Cattle Wagon and Dia, 25 Brake Van, 7mm scale, are available now as complete kits including F/S wheels. The Valuable Cattle Wagon in 4mm scale will be available as a complete kit, minus wheels, early in the new year. The Dia. 25 brake van, in 4mm scale, complete kit minus wheels, is available now.

This is the test build of the 4mm version of Walsworth Models 7mm version of the Highland Railway Valuable Cattle Wagon. Apart from a few tweaks to the drawing to make it easier to build in this scale, and the masters for the castings, it should be available as a kit early in 2022. Sandy

Continuing with the 'lockdown projects' this is a David Andrews kit for a rebuilt LMS Jubilee class 7XP 4-6-0. Only two of the Jubilee class were rebuilt in 1942 with the new larger No 2A boiler, Comet and Phoenix, releasing two original boilers into the spares pool for the remainder of the class. Further production of the new No 2A taper boilers went to the Scots and Patriots as their parallel boilers became uneconomical to repair. This model will represent Phoenix shortly after she received the 'new' BR livery of black with LNWR lining and British Railways on the tender but before the fitting of smoke deflectors. She eventually received the BR Express livery of green with orange/black/orange lining and the crest on the tender sides. Regards Sandy

Both the Ivatt and the GWR 2884 class have emerged from the final fitting out shop and ready for entry into service. Sandy

Seven Models 2884 class awaiting cab plates and coal in WWII livery A scratchbuilt LMS Ivatt class 4 (Not by me but finished by me along with the tender that is a MOK kit) Sandy

Exiting recently from the paint shop is this Peter Drummond 'Banking Tank' designed for the HR to shove the heavy summer trains up 'the hill'. During quiter times they could also be seen on local passenger and freight services. The kit is from the Lochgorm range and although a 'blow up' from 4mm scale it has been modified well to 7mm scale. The only modified departure from the kit I have made is to convert the Slaters buffers to be 'self contained' using the system described by John Birch in a recent edition of the GOG Gazette. Sandy

The little 'Jazzer' has at last got some pain on her and a bit of lining. This is how she is preserved at Severn Valley. Sandy

The Hunslet has entered the paint shop but all is not well. Two brand new Humbrol Satin Red paint tins were the consistency of porridge and no amount of mechanical or manual stirring or thinning would smooth them out. However two new etches arrived so I just had to get into the test build. The cattle van was excellent but the 'Glenbarry' tender needs some serious revision. John is on the case. Sandy

'The Lady Armaghdale'. Hunslet 0-6-0T from the Agenoria stable. Nice kit to build but I didn't like the brass. For some reason it was difficult to solder. The kit has a few issues but nothing that can't be overcome and goes together quite well. She has been built and will be finished in 'as preserved' condition. Sandy

Apologies for the Highjack Ken Reply for Doilum re Fox Transfer packs. In my experience the specific lining packs still need to be sliced up into manageable sections to make them fit correctly. I don't bother with them now and prefer to use the 'straight lining' and 'corner packs' to get a good fit for the particular loco. Regards Sandy These were both done as per above.

Hi Rambler, The 'kit' for the J54 was not quite a 'kit' in the true sense of the word. It was drawn by a gentleman who lived in Denmark and the etching tool was given to Walsworth Models to produce as a kit. Because of various issues with the etches it has not yet been marketed as a kit. The etches are ok, up to a point, but the designer had a couple of unconventional ways of doing things mainly to do with the assembly of the smokebox/tank/firebox assembly. The cab also needs some careful thought as once it is assembled there is no further access to the inside. Apart from these issues it goes together quite well and, as there are no other kits on the market in 7mm for this particular prototype, it fills an obvious gap. If you fancy building one then I recommend you have a chat with John Percival at Walsworth models who I'm sure will be happy to advise you further. Kind regards Sandy

The enforced lock down has moved the 'to do' pile along. After quite a long gestation period the Fowler 2-6-2T has finally been completed. A Sentinel Y10 A pair of HR ballast wagons Sandy

J54 ready for the paint shop.

That arrangement, especially with the smaller sized motor, looks workable. Sandy

I am so glad I have a constructive hobby that I can do indoors! The two chassis pictures are the present construction project. A GNR J15, LNER J54 0-6-0 Saddle tank. It has the wrong sized wheels on at the moment. The correct ones are on their way from Slaters. Bless them! The Ugly Duckling double cab Sentinel is now complete and awaiting a coat of varnish and the Fowler is slowly making its way through paint shops . Sandy

Sorry chaps, I have been rather remiss in not keeping this up to date with my recent builds and completely missed the Petrol Saloon discussion!! A quick resume' to catch up. I was given a pair of HR Fish Truck resin bodies and asked if I could make them into wagons? And completed in HR passenger livery with through pipes for travelling across other lines That was followed by a Y7 build for a friend in Scotland intending to build the North Sunderland Railway Dcc fitted and with the rear cab modified. I have already build one of these and described it before. A joy and quick to build. The Fowler has been hanging around the back of the workbench for some time so I decided to take the plunge and try and get it finished. I received the dome and correct chimney yesterday so that will get attached and it will be off to the paint shop. And finally, I was asked to build a HR 'Glenbarry' Class 2-2-2 in its original form before the majority of the class were converted to 2-4-0's. This is a pure scratch build using drawings from Peter Tatlows 'Highland Railway Locomotives' The story so far! Kind regards Sandy

Thanks Grahame, nice to see that the Post Office treated her well! Regards Sandy

Sorry to hear that Ken. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Sandy

Both now heading for the varnish shop. Sandy