Tony Wright

This was donated at the Stamford show last weekend. It's a K's Stanier Mogul, minus a few bits and pieces. I'll fit a motor and get it going, but there's no tender. Does anyone have a spare Fowler tender with coal rails, please? If so, please PM me. When the whole thing is finished, I'll sell it - with proceeds going to CRUK. Thanks in anticipation (any reasonable fee paid for the tender, of course).

Good morning, That's a lovely job you've made of that Rapido W&U carriage. The whole W&U set is rather splendid................ A bit of detailing, a touch of weathering and there you go...................

Another ECJM/ABS L1.............. It appeared to be professionally-built/-painted (though its Portescap was locked solid and the Gibson drivers had shifted on their axles, so it didn't run). Builder/painter unknown, sold (to someone who'll fix it) on behalf of a widow.

Thanks Keith, I'd forgotten about the ECJM/ABS L1 and V4 having fold-up chassis........... I built/painted the ECJM L1 when it first came out (well over 40 years ago?), modifying it to make one of the contract-built locos. It only became 'realistic' after Tom Foster weathered it, many years later. I sold an ABS one on behalf of a widow. Of course, things move on, and I even.............. Modified/renumbered/detailed/weathered a couple of Hornby RTR L1s, though not for myself. Who'd build an L1 now? I never built an ECJM/ABS V4. However, I've run a couple (builder/painter unknown with regard to the one above). Eric Kidd's work (bottom right). I don't think the V4 below is from an ABS kit......... Probably scratch-built, with a Hornby tender? Regards, Tony.

Thanks Mark, I agree entirely that 3mm is a builders' scale, and all the better for that in my view. I'm not sure if my perception is coloured by 'prejudice', but so many layouts I see at shows these days are populated by RTR items (especially diesel-/electric-outline, particularly the rather hackneyed - in my view - TMDs). Granted, I couldn't build anything 'modern image' to the incredibly high standards available RTR these days, but I find it rather refreshing when I see the creations of the likes of Clive Mortimer (who regularly posts on here). I know not all can build motive power, and even some of those who can will (sensibly) exploit RTR locos, thus saving time for other projects (for which there is no RTR equivalent?). I know I've done that (not with locos in this case) by obtaining over 90 RTR Mk.1s for Bytham's trains (altered, of course), thus freeing up my time to build the Mk.1 types which aren't available RTR or the likes of Thompsons and Gresleys. I don't think it's a case of RTR v kit/scratch, just a personal preference. Things which have been made have a personal 'story' to tell; they're creations rather than possessions/acquisitions. I think that's why 3mm appeals to me (though not to build in it, it has to be said). Stuff like the following cannot be bought RTR................. Ballyconnell Road - correct Irish 5' 3" gauge in 3mm! Anyone ever made a 'Jeep' RTR? Heybridge Wharf. Martin Gentle brought along this 3mm B1. And John Sutton brought these 3mm locos he's made. Regards, Tony.

Good afternoon, I doubt if I'll ever think in any scale other than 4mm. I've built very little in N Gauge (2mm FS is way beyond my limited capabilities), bucket loads in OO, quite a few things in EM and about ten locos/items of rolling stock in O. S4/P4 is also way beyond my 'pay rate' - I'll never acquire the necessary skills. 3mm then? As I stated, my first foray into the scale. That chassis is to 12mm gauge, so there's not much space for my style of pick-ups, especially around the spring detail. At least it has brakes (yet to be added), which is something many 3mm bods happily omit (it's something I used to not bother with many moons ago, but I'd rarely leave such essential details off a loco chassis these days). It's been my privilege to photograph several wonderful 3mm layouts down the years - those no longer with us; the Gentles of this world and the Bossoms, as well as those still active - the likes of Mike Corp. In many ways it should be the ideal scale, though Hornby's adoption of TT 120 doesn't seem to have been universally applauded. Still, at least it's the correct scale/gauge relationship. 12mm gauge in 3mm scale is 'worse' than 16.5mm in 4mm, isn't it? Regards, Tony.

Good afternoon Robin, I didn't really notice them, I'm afraid. I left Howard Smith to do his videoing on Little Bytham while I attended to something else. I think Clive has summed them up much better than I ever could have done; I really know very little of such things. All I really did was put some of them back in their boxes after Howard had finished. Regards, Tony.

Good morning, Most (if not all) of the Crownline/PDK locomotive kits have an etched, fold-up nickel silver or brass chassis. I've built several (including the following), all with complete success with regard to running............. The painting/weathering is the work of Ian Rathbone, Geoff Haynes, Tom Foster and me. Regards, Tony.

More progress on the 3mm Jinty......... Motor/gear installed and wheels on. Rods on (nuts held in place with thick paint, for now). The two above pictures show the chassis resting on.................. Pages in this little booklet, produced by the 3mm Society; very useful in all scales/gauges. The body fits perfectly now.

Of possible interest................

Late last year, readers might recall, I was given a 3mm Jinty to build................. The frames were a doddle to erect, being mainly a single fold-up etch. I fitted extra spacers to hold the pick-up pads. Drivers are a self-quartering push-fit, but the fit is incredibly tight - so much so that, in starting to push one wheel on to its axle, I snapped off the steel crankpin! All looks well, but I'll have to cut the front of the frames off, up to the guard irons, otherwise the chassis won't fit into the body. I've yet to assemble the slim-line drive, and I'll report accordingly. This is my first venture into 3mm modelling, and I imagine it'll be my last; it's just too small!

Delighted to say that the pannier has sold! That makes a grand total of £100.00 going to CRUK for the five 'budget' items I worked on (two locos and three items of rolling stock). Rather more than I paid for them! Thanks to all who've bought them

The 'power' of Ws! The Finney tender has sold immediately, for more than asked! More to the CRUK fund.

Many thanks, Though I have a spare one which I can fit if required; it just looks better without it, but I take your point. Regards, Tony.

I have a donated Martin Finney A1/A3 GNR-style eight-wheeled tender kit in 4mm for sale (thanks Andrew). I'm asking £30.00 for it. Anyone interested, please PM me.