hayfield

I have a couple of Cotswold/K's 42xx/72xx whitemetal kits to build along with a couple of etched brass sheets for said locos to build a hybrid loco. Recently I obtained a 7mm etched kit Oakville/ Wagon & Carriage Coy kit, the way things are going the 7mm kit will be built before the 4mm ones I have a big box of spares, what does it look like ?

Usually if not always I politely decline offers even if they are way over the starting bid (certainly not if below) as I feel its not fair on those watching and waiting till the end of the listing intending to bid at the last moment. My one fear of this action is to discourage the modeler who desperately needs the part. But to maximize the sale value I always try to end the listing early on a Sunday evening. But I must admit to starting prices close to the items value so rarely get requests/offers.

Quote "As I am 80 this year I have finally decided to retire. So with immediate effect Nucast at Forest Row has ceased trading. All of the stock of the reissue kits I held is being passed to Brian at Branchlines who is not closing down. The future of the Nucast range has not been decided yet and is currently on hold. The moulds and casting machines are now in storage. We are unable to provide any spares or special orders from the range, or produce more stock. Please contact Brian on 01373 822231 as he's currently experiencing email problems.2 I either missed this quote or misread it, its a very sad day where the range has been put on hold again, I totally understand Dave's position and as well as thanking him for the dedication and service to railway (and car) modelers I wish him well in his retirement But a range we thought was being brought back into circulation, now has an uncertain future again. Personally I think its sad these kits are not readily available again, lets hope a solution to the issues can be found

Two of my Springside locos are box-less and as I had a sheet of lightweight 1/8th ply and a bit of 9mm ply. I took them to the workshop and cut them to the required size Simple but joints were decided on 9 mm bottom had sides and ends pinned and glued to it The plan was to have the top and top of the front side hinged Not either been on Amazon or gone to B&Q yet for light weight piano hinges and clip Clip catch(s) needed on the front All seems OK the inside vertical joints will get some quadrant beading for greater strength. I forgot the exact length measurement and could have been 1/2 to 1" shorter for the 45xx I decided to settle on 4.5" width and depth. I will put foam padding in and go from there, but the width could go down to 3.5" . I have looked at Pannier and 14xx which need a box 9.5" long box 4.5" height is fine, width 4" or 3.5" The sizes for width and depth were based on Springside cardboard kit boxes

This loco is an eBay find and came as you see it, its a 7mm kit build I am hoping that someone can identify it for me please I know I can get some missing parts from NGTrains I do have some part used etched detail parts including the roof As for the chassis at worst I can make a simple bar frame chassis Thanks in advance

I am afraid to say I have no idea about either the RTR or collecting (RTR) side of our hobby. But kits and kit building is another story, my knowledge mainly lies in 4mm scale and now learning about 7mm. I would not know a good buy in the RTR/collecting area and thankfully no one has asked me to assist in disposing of their stock. I buy to improve my own collection or find parts to assist in building kits I have. However I am getting much better at letting things go that I don't need, in fact selling these unwanted items actually is much appreciated by like minded modeler's who actually want/need the items I don't require and reduces the cost of my modelling activities My last job lot allowed me to sell off unwanted items at starting prices far below what I would list my own items I want to dispose of, in fact made the items I wanted very cheap (for once). The bulk of which has now gone bar a few items, which hopefully will have totally gone in a month, probably with the exception of 1 item I don't need but is so rare I will not sell it off cheap These are 32mm 0 gauge track gages, the top two are very similar to the Brook Smith P4 track gauges, which in themselves are not too common, but I have never seen them in 7 mm scale. With the inception of Templot plug track the need for gauges is very limited, but to a track builder like myself I would only want to let them (the two black ones) go to someone who would treasure them as I do. I seem to value them far more than anyone else.

I enjoyed seeing the station in the flesh, an excellent model. Thank you

Departures from the UK outside this country carry the same risk whether by passenger train or by air. I agree incoming flights do differ by country of origin. As for the different methods between Le Shuttle or ferry I agree with abd968008 reply

Double standards ? We used Eurostar last year and we passed through security and French passport control very easily and quickly, just like any international airport with the exception that on Eurostar you can take bottles of liquid with you The return journey was much the same in Paris other than both French and British passport controls If anything we were treated better than we have been treated at airports.

I seem to remember as a child anyone who had employed a poor craftsman or brought a dodgy item said they had a bit of bad luck and got on with life, Now we have a mentality of sue for anything we don't like. 7 years ago we had an extension built, after 2 or 3 months we had to part company with the first builder. If we lost money it was in the low £100's not £1000's. As it was a question of the builders cash flow a clean brake was the cheapest solution Now if said builder failed to honor the contract through no fault of yours, in my opinion out of sheer good will certainly a partial refund if not a full refund should be fourth coming. The one contentious issue is the kit being incomplete !! was that true and were you asked to supply the missing parts ? If you only have paid a deposit and the builder supplied parts was what its cost wort it, secondly how much is it costing to rectify incorrect work ? I do agree with chiefpenguin, sometimes its far easier just to put it down to experience if you are not out of pocket by much. Good will does go a long way

A good visit to Alley Pally yesterday and I was able to obtain all the main items I required. A really good show, with some excellent layouts, plenty of different interests covered, and it was very busy so hopefully financially worth doing. Two disappointments very few traders selling parts and tools, lack of specialist traders. Good to see lots of demonstration stands but I went in that area at lunchtime. It was nice to get a free BRN mag but the show guide lacked the usual layout descriptions, but as usual both free parking and courtesy bus from carparks. A big thanks to BRM and I guess the model railway club for an excellent show which was well run and more importantly is well worth going to Whilst I brought a few more bits these are for the kits in question. Thanks to Squires, H&A Models and those on stand 42 (electrical components where I got some thin and flexible wire for the plunger pickups 10m for £1.50 Also you can see a 12ba spinner. Another good find was an 1833 Mishama, unused for £10, I declined the gears and gearbox despite being a name I recognized it had a plastic worm.

There are no reasonably priced hotels near St Pancras, We have booked one of those mentioned and its coat us £180 for the night. You are right to stay overnight, last year we had an 8:00 start which meant leaving the hotel just after 6:00 We have a lie in this year as our train leaves at 9:00. Do pick either Travel Lodge, Premier of other large chain. We had a less than pleasant experience in an dear smaller hotel last year very close to the station

Not if you measure rail head to rail head which was quoted earlier and to what I was replying to. The coach is to 4mm scale, narrowing the gauge will move both lines closer together. As said using track center lines would be far more accurate.

The trouble is the rolling stock is 4mm scale but 00 gauge track is 3.5mm scale. Thus in 00 gauge the rail is 1mm each side too far in. for 00 gauge you have to increase the 6' gauge by about 2.3mm. Even in EM gauge us under gauge. Still the 6' way is the minimum

I had been looking for the 3 parts which make up 112 (steam brake cylinder and support). then realized it had been built and had the piston rod broken off, as was the crank on part 105 ( brake shaft ) The first job was to drill out the old piston rod and replace it The piston rod made from brass rod and some whitemetal scrap was cut to size for the brake crank The parts fitted, the length and size may be incorrect, but under normal circumstances will not be in view Painted dirty dull black which is drying matt Another job ticked off

Firstly can I say these are super detailed kits with high quality castings. They do differ from 4mm whitemetal kits in the way they are assembled where the main part do not necessarily have joining tabs, and I guess owing to the size of the castings may have to be made in several pieces. Also probably because I have been taking over part built kits not until recently twigged how the instructions work, as you have several A3 pages of schematic diagrams and a few A4 written instructions I brought these two kits 2 years apart, one builder being excellent at soldering, the other very good at assembling using glue. Both builders seemingly struggled with with the chassis. The messed up kit (14xx) which was the first kit I brought had an excellent chassis, but a body build which had to be seen to be believed. I doubt the chassis was built by the same person as the body In my opinion the front footplate must be soldered, all wheels are Slaters. All in all enjoyable kits to build Thanks again for your insight in the build process

Tonight's fettling The bottom part of the cabs rear wall stuck in place, each cab side are in 2 parts, the joint was soldered from the inside and gap on the outside filled Tidied up the blemish on the boiled, now smooth to the touch. The smokebox casting is a bit speckled, so am giving it a light sand to smooth The gap between the cab rear wall and cab floor has been filled with Milliput, now waiting for it to harden to enable me to smooth it. All done whilst watching West Ham

I never quoted any country or operator, good to see you state its an option.

adb968008 I have read elsewhere its the lack of border staff or Eurostar unwilling to pay for them at Ashford and Ebbsfleet There is more car parking space at Ebbsfleet than St Pancras so that is a red herring, its more of transport from other stations / bus routes / taxis or friends picking up I understand just before covid signaling at Ashford and Ebbsfleet to enable trains to stop. Its the usual French reluctance to loose their monopoly, which I believe will change in time by commercial pressure

In some ways quite true, but with turnouts it can easily be smoothed out, With a diamond the important thing is the distance between the Vee tips, only 1 vee in a turnout

only reduced or waved landing and handling fees for the airline. = subsidy You won’t see anything like that at the likes of Geneva, or any of the London airports. Said Irish company uses secondary airports I don't know how they get their fares that low, what I do know is regular complaints about additional charges etc, so unless you follow prescribed procedure to the letter and only have hand luggage, few end up paying £25 each was My daughter has a friend in Switzerland and went to see her for the weekend, also ended up paying £25 for both flights, but only hand luggage which other than the extra clothes she wore on the flight everything else was in her hand luggage, however everything else the passenger has to do.

As I need some 12ba washers and 6ba cheese head bolts and nuts to finish this part of the chassis build, I am just tidying up loose ends. In this shot garden wire holds the motor in place, much better than the elastic bands. Runs smooth both ways. There was a gouge out of the boiler, which was easier to feel than see. I thin down Grey Squadron filler with Liquid Poly and leave overnight to set hard, this makes a better bond to the main parts Sanded down, but still a bit low in 1 place to the feel A second application now drying Another job to remove then replace the lower rear cab wall as the lower edge could be seen in the doorway. Something which was annoying me. I also think I will attach a flywheel for a bit of delayed action First coat of Prussian blue on the cylinders for the Manning Wardle, I think the loco will look better in this shade of darker blue Now as I await parts I will read the body instructions and plans to understand what goes together in each stage and perhaps group the parts into build stages, I am also waiting for a missing part which holds the G bracket of the motion, giving it far more strength

Whilst you are probably right, you will have more chance if you do than do nothing There is another review underway about increasing numbers by 50%, and with less and less space needed for administration I am certain the required space can be found even if it means relocating or loosing some retail space. Just needs someone with a bit of vision and being deaf to the neigh-sayers. Before someone gets off with the time taken to turn the trains around, they should get advice from F1 teams. Simply where there is a will a way will be found. And yes I do use Eurostar and believe its a great asset which should and I think will be used more

Re the low cost airfares, I believe its down to subsidies given by the local governments to promote tourism. lobby your local politicians to equally support rail travel

The faint hearted may have said a disaster occurred, the plastic worm decided to have a melt down. As it happens not as much of an issue as perhaps feared. I need to phone Graham at Springside as I need a set of steps for this loco and a couple of parts for the 45xx. I told graham of the issue and he said the kit comes with a metal worm not a plastic one !!! Clearly the previous builder had issues building the chassis and one being the meshing of the gears, and replaced the metal gears with this plastic one. Still if nothing else its pushed me into ordering the parts I required I enjoy building models and especially rescuing something that doesn't work. I think this kit has probably cost me less than £40 for the instructions and missing/broken parts, I brought this kit so well its not an issue having to pay a few £'s more especially when you are improving the model I do hope these builds encourage others to have a go, the loco kit second hand market is very popular but do be careful. Unless the listing or seller states the kit is complete do think carefully about its value. This is the third or fourth incomplete Springside kit I have brought, so have a clear idea of the possible costs. Most importantly if the company is still trading and the owner is happy to supply instructions and parts, the kit is much more valuable than one which is discontinued. Southeastern Finecast is another good supplier of parts and instructions. And only base your bid on what you can see. I tend to base my bid on "if its not worth building, how much can I get for the parts " Have an exit strategy. Don't get carried away On a positive note Jazz of this parish has been extremely helpful in giving me advice on both fitting Slaters crankpins and the fitting of their wheels. its a great hobby we enjoy being in with many very willing to help others. Thanks again Jazz most kind of you