Owd Bob Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 I now know how you must have felt NM its hard getting shut of something you liked, but a real tonic when you can replace it with something else you like better, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold vjoneslong Posted April 25, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2017 Fair enough. Looking forward to seeing all the bling added to it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 I apologise for my 'brief' answer Idris - very remiss of me My first "proper" live steam loco (after dabbling with Mamods, as was the norm back then) was the Accucraft Edrig. A fantastic engine for beginners, with its open cab giving easy access to all the controls with a good sized, single fill boiler giving a long run time. But, it wasn't much of a "looker" and I eventually bought the 16mm 'Baldrig' body kit. Fast forward a couple of years, and the Baldrig (along with an Accucraft Mortimer) were traded in for my Pearse "Earl" to join the Accucraft "Countess" on the W&L. No regrets, but I missed the simple, bomb proof manual 0-4-0 So, imagine my surprise when I called in to the old "Back 2 Bay 6" shop on the way to a steam up and spotted a pre-owned Caradoc for sale - it went with me to the steam up and had as much track time as any other loco Then a couple of events coincided - Accucraft released the "Leader", and I discovered the The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway in Kent (another 2ft 6in line BTW) - so, the Caradoc was traded for......... This turned out to be a real "looker", but I found it a terrible loco to run manually, needing almost constant attention, so it was swapped for my 5" loco and driving truck..... ...... and when the opportunity to own another Caradoc came up, we're back to the future 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold vjoneslong Posted April 26, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 26, 2017 Lovely engines NM. I too have been tempted by a Mortimer and Leader, but fortunately none have ever appeared at the correct price. I do like the Baldrigs, slightly better looking than Edrig. I look forward to seeing what gets done to the latest Caradoc. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 Thanks Idris, this is how the Mortimer turned out, and here's the Leader before its disposal. Hopefully some more progress on the Caradoc soon, but I'm shocked at how many of our hobby suppliers don't even answer emails or their website's "contact" messages They're obviously earning too much money to have to bother with customer queries 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Cor! what a lovely pair! I love those two loco's so much! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold vjoneslong Posted April 26, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 26, 2017 Hopefully some more progress on the Caradoc soon, but I'm shocked at how many of our hobby suppliers don't even answer emails or their website's "contact" messages They're obviously earning too much money to have to bother with customer queries Very true. I appreciate that most of them are cottage industries, but some are truly shocking. As an aside, it would appear The Lineside Hut http://www.thelinesidehut.co.uk/ are ceasing trading (its where I got my brake van from), which is sad as they had some fantastic stuff. I've just put a bulk order in of the remaining kits I need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
77philg Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 (edited) 7109147871_e2823cde64_c.jpg This turned out to be a real "looker", but I found it a terrible loco to run manually, needing almost constant attention, so it was swapped for my 5" loco and driving truck..... Was a poor loco even after the aftermarket improvements it was still poor. I think they sucked a few in with its cheap price , I know for a fact that afew never pursued the hobby after owning one of these phil Edited April 26, 2017 by 77philg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold vjoneslong Posted April 26, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 26, 2017 Was a poor loco even after the aftermarket improvements it was still poor. I think they sucked a few in with its cheap price , I know for a fact that afew never pursued the hobby after owning one of these phil Wasn't that the excelsior and not the Leader? My understanding was the Leader was (or is) a better loco, while the original Excelsiors had very small cylinders and other issues. Could be wrong though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
77philg Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 (edited) Wasn't that the excelsior and not the Leader? My understanding was the Leader was (or is) a better loco, while the original Excelsiors had very small cylinders and other issues. Could be wrong though! excelsior was the worst , The leader had issues but was a better loco. The edrig was a better improvement all round but had burner issues which aftermarket suppliers sorted out Don't forget quality control was also an issue phil Edited April 26, 2017 by 77philg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 Very true. I appreciate that most of them are cottage industries, but some are truly shocking. As an aside, it would appear The Lineside Hut http://www.thelinesidehut.co.uk/ are ceasing trading (its where I got my brake van from), which is sad as they had some fantastic stuff. I've just put a bulk order in of the remaining kits I need. Hmmm, "artistic differences" - it sounds very Rock'n'Roll Sad loss though cos they do some great models. I might also have to get a few ordered before they disappear (which of course, will probably ensure that the range continues under another guise ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 Small progress report on the Caradoc, but another tick on the "To Do" list all the same The knobs have been replaced by the regulator handles! Next job I reckon will be the smokebox, tank tops and cab roof (I might paint the cab interior as part of that batch) 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyram Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Thanks Idris, this is how the Mortimer turned out, vikky.jpg and here's the Leader before its disposal. 8714081410_e6ff4ae3e1_c.jpg Hopefully some more progress on the Caradoc soon, but I'm shocked at how many of our hobby suppliers don't even answer emails or their website's "contact" messages They're obviously earning too much money to have to bother with customer queries Two lovely looking locos. I especially like the first one - very Talyllyn Railway!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 Rooting out those photo's of old loco's turned up some more "archive" views from the line, just thought I'd share my nostalgia trip This "look-alike" is actually taken at the local club track - the Westwood & Loscoe has never had any dual gauge sections 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold vjoneslong Posted April 27, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 27, 2017 Lovely photos NM, very atmospheric. You must spend ages getting just the right shot! And the handles look good on Caradoc! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 i agree Idris! what another great set of pics'! thanks for sharing NM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 "Work in progress" report today After stripping down, de-greasing and masking, bits of the Caradoc got painted. The cab roof, tank tops and coal greedy are now satin black, the smokebox and chimney are matte black, and the buffer beams are now red at the front and black behind instead of the Accucraft 'orange all over' 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Looking very tasty - can I just ask what colour you are using for the buffer beams? It looks way better than the standard Accucraft orange. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted April 30, 2017 Author Share Posted April 30, 2017 Thanks David - the paint is from our local "old fashioned" hardware shop (and only 99p a can!) but I have seen the same brand in "Home Bargains". Fantastic coating results and very quick drying It's called 151 Spray Paint and is the Red Gloss in their range of colours. The small print on the back says 151 products ltd, The Old Schoolhouse, 39 Bengal St, Manchester, M4 6AF. If you have problems finding it, message me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Great stuff as usual NM, i've seen those 151 spray cans in most bargain and pound shops around here! i was going to ask the same question about the Red paint so thanks for asking David B. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted May 1, 2017 Author Share Posted May 1, 2017 I've used it on the buffer beams of a couple of battery fired loco's and now the Caradoc, and I reckon there's plenty left to do the beams on the 5" Planet - you definitely get your 99p worth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold vjoneslong Posted May 2, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 2, 2017 Great stuff NM. The black really suits it. Is the intention to line her? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 I'm undecided about the lining Idris. The original plan was to copy the previous incarnation, but while my lining pen is "away" I've got time to think about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold vjoneslong Posted May 2, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 2, 2017 Aye, no point rushing these things. You could always take a few pictures and then mock up several possibilities on your computer to see what tickles your fancy? I have been known to do that in the past. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narrow Minded Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 The Caradoc is a perfect "everyday workhorse" for my line - it'll take some of the duties from the Bertie, so it's striking the right balance looks-wise Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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