Corbs

How did it go?

I think you'd still run into the same problem that the computer will always assume the paper is white, not transparent, and will instruct the printer to 'add to white' rather than 'build a solid colour from nothing'.

It's on the cards but very difficult - intention is to have it laser cut. Bob's cranes are resin cast but we don't think the jibs etc. would stand up to being posted. The new DD2s he's done might be an easier posting prospect, we shall see.

The bodgy 'I'm running out of patience' tender chassis was on borrowed time. The Tri-ang split axle wheels don't really like points (or pointing in the same direction for that matter) so a bullet was acquired, then bitten, then a 'proper' rather than GBL tender chassis ordered. This has enabled the fitting of metal tender wheels. At the same time the mounting screw was changed, freeing up space on the inside of the tender body. More space = bigger battery, swapping from 240mah to 1000mah. The voltage step-up and receiver are black-tacked on top of the battery. On/off switch is accessible from the side of the loco by using tweezers through the gap in the frames. Charging plug is underneath as before. Hoping this should give well over an hour of continuous running (would likely be more if I had a 3v instead of 12v motor).

Since the previous photos of Bob Edwardes' M Shed diorama didn't make it through the crash, here's some more recent ones. The older S&P cranes are made by Bob from resin castings as are the vessels.

Now we see where Load-Haul got their ideas from....

I really am quite excited for this ugly brute. Am hoping that the new chassis has a bit more weight in it, too, as the older one is a fantastic model IMO but sadly struggles with our helix when other locos romp up with the same load. Never thought I'd see Caprotti locos in RTR but now we have this and the 'Duke' 😄

Regardless of rivalry, this is a rubbish thing to happen and something the hobby does not need at all. I imagine the hole that this will have created in the stock lists will be a mare to sort out, too.

Interestingly I think the decking has been UV printed, does it have a rough/gooey kind of finish? It's a way of printing quite a lot of detail onto flat-ish shapes without loads of halftone showing. It looks like Hornby are planning to use it to create lots of wood grain effects, which could be a good way of adding detail not previously possible. In this case it might be that the source image is very saturated, maybe if they do more like this they might be able to desaturate the print, a bit like this version:

Yep there will be a resupply ASAP.

Ah, in that case, the rivets can be filed/sanded flat pretty easily, there was another type of tank which was flush along its length too. I've no idea why the different specs. as they don't happen in chronological order.

I’ll check and see if Adam is up for the welded version. Do you have a specific prototype in mind? Yep the assembly is basically the same as the B4 Avonsides we did before.

Crikey, 5 sold already. I foresee much sorting of individual handrail knobs in my future....

NEW loco body kit - Avonside SS3 0-4-0ST! This brute of a tank loco is now represented in model form using the new 3D-printed kit designed by Adam White to fit the Hornby W4 Peckett 0-4-0ST chassis. Price is £54.50 including lots of detailing accessories and postage within the UK. The first batch is for sale here: https://www.railwaymania.net/shop/avonside-ss4-0-4-0st-body-kit

Out of interest I wanted to test how mine got on with sharp curves so bent a piece of flexi and tried it with a 9v battery. Hopefully this video shows the measurements on the cutting board to give an idea of the tightness of curve. I started with it fairly tight and then kept increasing the sharpness of the curve until it derailed. This is approximate but it looked like the sharpest curve it could take was about 115-120 degrees in 30cm (ish). I also did a test using a 3.7v battery to see if mine had the 'locked wheels' effect at low voltage when the power was removed, but it didn't seem to be the case, so the flywheel must have been working, which makes me think that afflicted locos may have a tightness in them as described above.

Would the Judith Edge rods fit?

I've ordered two, hopefully they are ok, if so one of them will be turned into a Lambton loco 😄

Maybe it's warehouse clearance? They sell a lot of clothing.

Am hoping it's just a case of sticking a new plate over as I am planning for mine to become Birlstone Manor ;)

Sorry, I wrote that wrong. I meant surely the claim they made a profit would have been against the law.

Is there any evidence that the LMS really did approach the GWR to ask for drawings? I wish I could remember where but I'm sure I read somewhere this is decades-old story that has been repeated over the years but there was no actual evidence for it happening. I can't recall whether Cox mentions it in Locomotive Panorama or not. On the subject of selling locos between companies/building locos for other companies, there is an interesting case in the Highland Railway River Class, which were delivered new to the HR, an argument occurs between loco and civil chief engineers over axle loading and hammer blow, they are never used, and all of them were sold to the Caley. The claim of £500 per loco in the wikipedia page has no direct citation but it makes me wonder whether the statement that they made a profit would have been against the law? Perhaps the involvement of an outside contractor or the fact they were technically 'used' not 'new' made it ok. After all, many companies sold used locomotives to each other, so is it the building-to-order bit that is against the law?

Green I believe.

Pretty cool! I've always liked the proportions of these.

The 1400 is having an identity crisis, but if it turns out to be 1401 I imagine a few people may want to pick one up as it's a certain anniversary year..... ;)

Some nice GWR ones on the way (I heard)