Prometheus

Is anyone able to post illustrations of each end of one of these Toplight Slips? I have not been able to find anything on-line to advise clearly re. details and fittings. Also, would the centre drop light frame at each end have been painted black like the rest of the end or left in mahogany? Many thanks to any who can assist! Tony

I'd probably not make changes to a mint / boxed Lord of the Isles such as your's, not because of the financial value issue but, rather, because such a model will be relatively scarce in that condition and the original aesthetics can be enjoyed. It would also be a conversation piece. Do as suggested - and as I did - and obtain a playworn example to work on instead. Mine is below and it enjoys a sedate but pleasurable second life! The brass work cost a bomb however.... Tony

I could John, and I may have to, but I was just wondering whether adding a very small neo magnet would obviate the need. Tony

I recently acquired a poorly repainted early 2-rail HD 8F to restore and repaint in the style of the scarce Wrenn WD 8F. Why pay up to a thousand for one when it can be done for under twenty quid?! The finished model is shown below. I have a query about its running however: it runs well but its clean and lubricated half-inch motor does get a little warm, which suggests that the magnet, probably original and now the best part of 60 years old, is beginning to weaken. I have some quite small neo magnets, would attaching one in an inconspicuous place to the original magnet be likely to improve the overall magnetism, or is it likely to just cause problems? Incidentally, the transfers are one of Railtec's excellent commissions. Many thanks Tony

As has been said, caustic soda - a strong mix - usually does for the paint on HD mazac models. In fact the only paint it wouldn't touch for some reason was that on a Wrenn Castle: I had that bead-blasted in the end. Tony

Swansea Railway Modellers Group will be opening its doors to the public for the first time since 2020, with a full takeover of the Gordon Moore Centre, home to SRMG and Friends of the Young Disabled. September 18th, 10:00am-4:00pm. Parking via Cwmfelin Surgery car park, disabled parking also available. The map in the link shows exactly where we are. All welcome! https://srmg.org.uk/2022-club-open-day We look forward to seeing all who may be able to attend. Tony

A fair few cuts there.... Tony

If I may, a couple of Airfix Autocoaches are being used to create a Cambrian Railways 6-wheel Observation Car. The project has stalled, but only temporarily as life got in the way. It's about to resume..... It'll run on a Brassmasters' Cleminson inner chassis. Tony

And possibly, if your train stopped at Taunton, an ex-CR/LMS 12-wheel ‘Taunton Brake’ through coach from way up north. tony

Heard today of Gary Brooker’s passing. Say It Aint So….. Tony

This is extraordinary and thank you, all, for your time and effort. I started off with just one poor photograph....... That's pretty much the same with my modelling I'm afraid! This is becoming more complicated by the hour, but I'm not ready to give up yet. I was sent this photo of the interior which may be of interest. Unfortunately I have no way of crediting it as the origin is unknown. Clearly there is no intention to breach copyright but I shall remove it if it is felt necessary. Appreciate all of your comments and links. Tony

Thanks for this, Chris. What is fascinating is the amount of contradictory - or at least not entirely accurate - information one gleans depending upon the original source. A wee bit of a minefield for anyone contemplating this as a build unless they have cast their net fairly far and wide and can then make a reasoned decision re. dimensions, etc. We'll see where this consideration leads! I'm not put off, but still need to think carefully about it. The photo I have referenced, and the April '65 MRC information [ordered], should be influential though. Tony

Fascinating! Many thanks for posting. Tony

I cannot post the photo as it will be in copyright, it appears on p71 of The Cambrian Railways: Portrait Of A Welsh Railway Network (Christiansen), and shows one of the two in GWR days. Ignoring what looks like a small area of plated-over paneling and evident roof ventilator differences, it is the size of the windows which appear to be the greatest difference between the phot and the drawing. The drawing shows three sizes of window, with those at each end being different from both each other and the four in the middle. The photo seems to show a only difference between the pair at one end and all of the others. In the photo, the single end window seems to be the same size as the middle ones (even when allowing for perspective). This is what made be wonder whether or not there were subtle differences between the two coaches. Finally, the MRC article states that its coach was converted from a single third class donor vehicle whereas the book maintains that its coach was formed from two such coaches. If both are correct then slight differences might well be expected? Tony

That’s extremely helpful. Thanks. I’ll put up the photo when I find it again. thanks again. Tony

The Cambrian ran two of these interesting vehicles from Mach to Pwllheli and they passed for a while into GWR use. They measured 37’7’’ but I have not been able to find any drawings with measurements to advise whether this was buffer-to-buffer or over headstocks. Can anyone advise please? incidentally, I have found a number of useful photos and also a line drawing of one. Unless the two vehicles had some slight dimensional differences, the line drawing is not wholly in accord with a broadside photo, particularly with regard to window size. I have also found an auction photo of an Exley-type model (manufacturer not given), attractive but way out! Thanks. Tony

Just build them for the pleasure of it. Don’t worry about the layout! Tony

Of no help to you I’m afraid, but I remember reading a review for this kit in the Muddler and the only real criticism was the difficulty which modellers would experience when forming the handrails. For that reason, I renovated a rake of Wrenn Micas, flawed, I know, but en masse fairly convincing! Tony

Just completed and probably half-a-century old, a £15 purchase a year or so back that had been nagging to be concluded. The self adhesive sides had held up pretty well except for just a little shrinkage on one. The roof was hopelessly warped however and hot water wouldn't shift it an inch. Superglue has held it flat however. I added etched door handles and grabrails to lift the extremely flush sides and the lettering and branding is by [the excellent] Railtech. The whole unit is extremely free running. Why bother at all? Well, only because I didn't have a Collet PBV and didn't fancy attempting a brass one. I also rather like 'heritage' modelling..... Tony

For me, this just didn't deliver. I got annoyed by her constant flippant comments and was disappointed that more time seemed to be spent with 'attractive' millenial-types than those for whom van living had been a way of life for many decades [and exploring their reasons for being there and continuing]. An opportunity to look at a nomadic way of life was lost I think. The real star was the countryside of California and Colorado, although we didn't see too much of that really, either. It ended up a just another short travelogue, something which others do rather better. Tony

I think that your's will be rather better than mine, which is slowly working its way to the top of the pile.... Tony

Thank you for the offer Jamie, but I have found some useful photos. best wishes Tony

Absolutely - a good soak in caustic will remove the green icing and probably help dismantle the body, too. I'll keep the GW bonnet and so should really then remove the Westinghouse equipment. But it'll probably stay because I quite like it. It will need some comprehensive re-plumbing though as , in its current state, it is terrible. Thanks again. Tony

Thanks for that - helpful. Any thoughts about the safety valve issue? Tony