Prometheus

Look forward to seeing your photos. A better chassis/motor combination would clearly benefit this model but I have to say that this one runs remarkably well given its origins. Tony

No, this is one of two that I have. This one was purchased at least five years ago for, I think, £45 new. The other model I have is an original '80s release. There are usually plenty on eBay. Tony

Thank you MGR - my Christmas card list is getting longer and longer. Thanks, worth knowing - I wish I'd known that before ! Tony

Thank you Dave - I appreciate your comments. Good luck with your's ! Tony

Thanks all for your comments and interest. I did think about using a Bachmann chassis in place of the Hornby one but did not have one to hand nor could I find one from the usual source at the time. The other issue was wheel spacing: with the Hornby body designed for the generic chassis, the splashers are pretty much in line with the wheel sets. The Bachmann chassis suffers slightly in this respect [although it is, undeniably, a better runner]. Tony

Compromise abounds [particularly the lamp irons and brake pull rods] but a pretty ex-works result. More photos and commentary here [and paeans of praise for 'Klear'...]: http://srmg.org.uk/detailing-hornbys-ancient-opencab-pannier/ Tony

Their 57xx-type Pannier has always been pants but the 2721 half-cab, as mentioned above, could be usefully retooled: it's always been sort-of attractive, but does need a little dimensional attention. Tony

I would imagine that the original moulds would need substantial attention if they are to be reused for re-releases. Even though this tank must have been 40+ years old, a lot of the castings were already mis-shapen and showed a very poor fit with gaps and seams abounding. But maybe they were all like that anyway ? Whatever the case, building these now is a real labour of love! That said, there must be hundreds of boxes of these kits lying around, unmade, if eBay is anything to go by. Thanks for the appreciation. Tony

After months of bending, fettling, substituting, filling, binning and contrapting, and no little swearing, a Keyser 57XX Pannier. This came with castings [i'll use that word loosely] to build a tank in the 97XX series, but I have backdated it to 5701 by adding parts of a surgically-adapted Mainline cab. Faults abound, but all things considered... In case you ask, Gibson wheels. The originals were shocking and bent onto the axles. Nothing fitted anywhere of course and the pick-up arrangements, as supplied, were completely unbuildable. It runs, but not too well yet [noisy]. That will be sorted in due course. Tony

Would 'slightly foxed' do instead ?! Tony

It's a good deal less tatty ! Otherwise I'm not sure that it does. But others with greater knowledge of the bluebell loco will be able to advise. Tony

Some detail photos and a brief review for those who have not seen this delightful model. http://srmg.org.uk/news-blog/2016/4/17/review-oxford-rail-00-adams-radial-tank Tony

Thank you Stephen. I thought that that may have been the cause of the problem. It's not my model so I can't fiddle with it but I'll pass on your comments. Tony

A query, and please do forgive me for not reading back through 63 pages to see if there is an answer in there somewhere...... I had an opportunity to examine the latest Adams release this afternoon and noticed a traction issue. On the flat it was competent enough: on inclines it struggled considerably however. On closer examination I noticed that the rear driver did not touch the track, sitting a fraction of a millimeter too high. I suspect that this may be a consequence of the rearmost wheel set sitting perhaps a fraction too low, lifting the driver very slightly, but I cannot confirm this. Has anyone else noticed this ? Tony

In due course, in due course. 'Twas an observation rather than a complaint. It'll be done at the same time as the roofs are weathered. Tony

A few more... Bogie detail is superb. Droplights perhaps just a shade too red though ? Seems churlish to criticise it for that. Tony

I also like the larger GW Peter, but it didn't suit the timeframe for this one. Tony

Restored and detailed Siphon F. or link to build http://srmg.org.uk/restoring-a-40-year-old-keyser-siphon-f-kit/ Tony

Not powder but flakes I understand ! Tony

Yes. No more self-criticism ! I've just read this through end-to-end and apart from admiring the outcome I was fascinated by your ingenuity. This was always going to be a challenging build and you have acquitted it magnificently. Tony

Apologies - I have only just seen your post. I will thank the author for you tomorrow. Best wishes Tony

I think I'll call it a day after this one: three are quite enough... The roof treatment is quite incorrect for the livery I know. I just wanted a little variety. It'll be toned down in due course. Although pretty and quite interesting, it'll always be what it is, a 40 year-old Keyser white metal kit with all of the concomitant shortcomings that follow: coarse, simple castings, poor fit and colossal weight. However, with just a few simple additions it has turned out quite nicely and has, I think, some real period charm. Tony

This seems fairly typical I'm afraid - certainly £375 upwards from what I've seen. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-Live-Steam-00-Gauge-MALLARD-R1041-Brand-new-in-original-packaging-/331745962298?hash=item4d3d99a93a:g:CnoAAOSwwE5WWxox Tony

A club member provided this review of 'Skarloey' recently. http://srmg.org.uk/news-blog/2015/12/23/review-Bachmann-skarloey Tony

It's astonishing what these are selling for now, or maybe it isn't given what's involved. I seem to remember that there was a time, briefly, when these could be picked up very cheaply. I've seen the live steam layout at a number of shows, it's entertaining and, as you say, that smell... Tony