ben racey

I did say I was awaiting the lottery win..... Richard.

I've always thought going for the 'commuter' market from Keswick was a mistake - as there isn't really enough of that sort of demand to work. The biggest 'industry' in the area is tourism, so why not a heritage line? And if it's something different that hasn't been done before, how about a 3 foot 6 inch gauge line to give something a little different? 25NC, RR15th Class or GMAM Keswick - Penrith, yes please! Still awaiting the lottery win though. Regards Richard.

Great photos, awaiting the full report from my parents, who were somewhere on the train too! Regards richard.

Already gone, that was quick! Regards Richard,

If anyone is after a 'C' for £8.99 plus postage, then please PM me. I've extracted it from the box and given it a look over, but don't think it's suitable for what I had in mind - conversion to something Irish - but if it can find a good home, that'd be good! Regards Richard.

A copy of the drawings would be most interesting! Are they broad / narrow gauge locos? There's quite a few drawings of the narrow gauge engines floating about(Continental Modeller / WJK davies covering them extensively), less so of the broad gauge engines.... Regards Richard.,

Picked op one of these this week. Long time listener, first time caller as they say on the radio! Couldn't resist this one... I'm looking at a conversion to a GNRi machine if I can, or maybe something CIE, we shall see - I'm currently looking at options! One thing that struck me is whether anyone is contemplating the single 'S' class conversion shown in the accompanying magazine, it might be an interesting project for someone! Regards Richard.

Wait 'til September this year, and New Street should look a whole lot better..... Regards Richard.

Interesting! Could be worth another visit to see a deltic there - went last year for the crompton, was a good day out! Regards Richard.

Ta for those kind words! Was getting kind of nostalgic for the Changchun days over the weekend and dug out some of the papers/photos - I may even have restarted a long stalled project for a RM pacific, will start a separate thread on that if there is interest. The shapeways PX48 / C4 are also my designs. The PX48 has worked well, but the C4 has suffered from a lack of proper drawings - that really is currently a stalled project! Most of my stuff was pretty basic to be honest, at the time there wasn't too much available, so you could get away with... a lot! The new rtr stuff is so nice(pricey of course!) that it really is now on a different level, I'm sure your layout is really going to look the part - the fiddle yard looks superb, do keep the updates coming! Regards Richard.

Only the one as far as I know - my little loco shed layout 'Changchun'. It still exists, in store in dads garage, but has't been exhibited for a few years now. Teamyakima project coming on leaps and bounds, watching with interest from here! Regards Richard,

You could use a bullant? That way you'd get the right wheelbase, wheel diameter and a very nice running chassis. I've a couple of these under some irish engines, and the work very well. Regards Richard.

Don't forget the rather impressive steam locos, especially the immediate postwar 464,475,477 and the 498 class - the early series are a particularly impressive beast, as you can see from my header! (this was taken on the cd plandampf at luzna nad rakovica, I think I can still hear this departure.....). The museum there is well worth a visit. Sadly I've only had time to build a 477 to date, but the others are very much on the 'someday' list.... Regards Richard,

40044, thanks for the facts on this, thats great and shows the power of the web! Regards Richard Regards Richard

There's two in the former Northwich yard: 1. A SNCF four wheeled flat wagon. I think these were used to convey anti-knock compound from Plumley to the continent. Not sure when the traffic ceased, but it must be by the end of the train ferry in the early 90's - and the plumley plant closed before then as well, I think. As I pass it in the morning, I often wonder if they're still looking for it. 2. There's a grampus as well, which is now getting well hidden by the usual collection of silver birch on the north side of the line. Regards Richard.

You can use White detail for the frames from shapeways, and it seems to work fine - certainly for a couple of 4-6-0 tanks I've done. If your budget will stretch, i-materialise will print you them up in brass - though it's going to be pricey if you do. Regards Richard.

£185. Fair. Both compared with other european NG steam locos, and the size of the market, I'll be saving up. Regards Richard.

No problem, happy to help! Look forward to seeing some photos, and maybe a key dimension or two to work to! Regards Richard.

Following the thread - very impressed with the progress so far, looking forward to seeing your interpretation of a PTG tour... having done a few myself! The lamp posts would work very well as a 3d print, happy to draw them up for you if you've a decent photo? Regards Richard.

Hi guys, Been watching this thread with interest, and have to say, I think this is great news. Here's why: Having seen a fair few 009 layouts, the 009 members shop etc, the thing that strikes me is the number of L & B 2-6-2 tanks (or indeed other outside frame 2-6-2s), which are running round on minitrix inside frame chassis - I think it's clear that the demand for a L & B loco is there from these, as well, of course, of the number of kits over the years for them that these have been built from - but producing the outside frame has always been tricky up to now, leading to some dissatisfaction and perhaps some suppressed demand for these locos at a good enough quality. I would note that I don't agree with the majority of kenton's points - but the light weight of leading and trailing trucks can lead to problems - good track (not always what you want to portray of course!), and some weight are essential - I hope Heljan succeed at this. However, by going for the L & B locos it allows Heljan to cover Yeo, Exe, Taw and Lew(yes, with detail differences) - in the various liveries, lets say L & B and Southern, so eight varieties , the new build Lyd (in several liveries, the other new build - Yeo now getting underway again (?), the L & B loco Winson Engineering built for the japanese theme park...(ok maybe that ones a bit out there - but plenty of modellers in Japan of course!) - operable both on models of the L & B, and the ffestiniog Rly, oh and those modelling brazillian forestry railways of course for Lew... so 13 different flavours of loco? Not a bad variety to go at, and one matched by Heljans previous business model in the 00 diesel market. Heljan have been brave enough to cover a variety of BR diesels, often one offs, in a variety of liveries - of course with all the major BR diesel classes now 'done', perhaps 009 offers them another avenue to build upon. I think it's unarguable that the L & B is one of the most popular narrow gauge lines in the UK, of course I don't remember it being open originally - but I've bought a few books, been to the preserved line... with the coaches and wagons, I can see some of these coming my way in due course as well. I think the really good bit though, is my first point. If carefully designed, what would preclude Heljan, if this is a success, from using the chassis and outside frame components, to follow up with other outside frame narrow gauge locos in 009? I'm thinking firstly of the VoR 2-6-2 tanks?, - playing to a Heljan strength in BR blue (well, maybe that IS just me.....!) perhaps Russell or the WLLR locos?,I've no drawings to hand for those, but I do for the following - the 0-6-2 tanks, on the campbeltown line, Argyll and Atlantic - driving wheelbase and rear trailing axle look pretty good for these, and then whilst we're at how about ER Calthrop and JB earle on the L & M - coupled wheelbase is 1mm too short on these - I wouldn't argue with that? I think it's a canny move, and allows Heljan the flexibility to develop some further exciting models if they're clever about it. For this reason, I think that the idea of a generic model doesn't work - if they're good, they've a generic chassis on their hands which they can modify to produce some of the most popular UK narrow gauge locos. If a generic model is what's wanted, there's plenty of those around from either old supplies of eggerbahn, misc. european narrow gauge diesels or plenty of Liliput 0-6-2 tanks - many 009 layouts seem to run one of those....so a 'star' model for your 009 layout wouldn't go amiss. Here's a final thought, the coupled driving wheelbase of an NGG16 garrratt, is remarkably similar to the L & B locos; Heljan have history with garratts! :-), though of course that'd be a bit of work.... As you'll have gathered, I think it's to be greatly applauded, and cannot wait to get one ordered and delivered. Regards Rich.

Hi Mark, As we discussed at the weekend, really nice work and great to chat - good to see you've started a thread on your vans, look forward to seeing them develop! Regards Richard.

Many happy runs on various PTG tours and along the algarve. Sadly portugal, just isn't what it used to be railway wise. Where did you manage to get your 1400 from? I've been looking to get one but with no success! Regards Richard.