jimwal

Three of us enjoyed the gala for much the same reasons as you did. The 'reserved compartment' a definite plus, the only downside being restricted to the one train rather than the usual hop off and on different trains. As I believe all but two carriages were BR types it mattered less. Referring to the incident above, I presume when it stopped suddenly just after departure. We were on that train and were taken by suprise. We learnt later that the signal had been returned to danger before the loco had got past it, hence the abrupt stop. Maybe the sharp sound of the 7F had the signalman thinking it was going faster than it was, it certainly sounded good on the banks!

It is the correct length and height but is too wide. The Mainline/Bachmann and Hornby 50' full brakes are correct width. I noticed the difference and checked with drawings which confirmed this. This would be why John had to widen the fish van floor.

Built this well before the Bachmann model was announced. The incentive was a preserved one nearby with roller bearings. Certainty not an easy kit! Numbers etc and paint details to add.

Have you broken something already?

Had another look as you have mentioned it, its on the 'Bob's kit shop' page on Ebay. I found the just the kit via a search using the photo title. As I have those parts in stock its ok.

Ordered! Could not see any reference to two versions so just ordered the version shown, Regards, Jim

Well done Richard! A big hurdle overcome. That brass must be softer than Richard and me were believing it would be,

Realised there is more than one thread on the go. I posted this on the other salmon thread and not seen a reply. Any further thoughts please?

Getting there Clive! As you know two others rebuilt some of those so if you rebuild yours so will it be a B16/4? Then the variations are unique to that sub-class!

Looking at that last image, you won't need to worry too much if your coaches don't sit nice and even with each other!

Richard, I spoke to Keith earlier and we discussed this but I had not seen your last post with the fresh images. Can't add a lot to be honest, the drawing appears to be a 'diagram' produced for the operating departments. These were invariably light on detail and as noted elsewhere can have errors. Going on the vents that does appear to be the bow end as you say. Could it be a diagram was issued for a rebuild? That is to say maybe the gangway was added later. This happened with some Midland brake thirds with no gangway at the brake end. Hopefully the weather will let us get together next week. Look forward to seeing progress! All the best, Jim.

Keith will expect nothing less!!

Good to see you as well Richard. You answered Keith's requests and more with the railcar and 2-4-0T. They all looked very good in the flesh and worked fine. Well done! Bring some works in progress next week.

Keeping the wagons rolling on this otherwise passenger line here we have another tube wagon. It represents an LNER dia199 wagon with no doors. The Ian Kirk kit of the LMS wagon shown earlier formed the basis with buffers from Lanarkshire Models and springs/axleboxes from Rumney Models. The brakeshoes are 51L, the levers and vac pipes are ABS (I think!) whilst the brake linkages are mostly Ambis as are the axleguards. The axleboxes probably should be the LNER open front type rather than the BR version for the late '50s early '60s.

A much older model, a 3H LMS design coke hopper. This was built in the seventies as one of six. They suffered from exhibition travels, the plastic has become very brittle. Clive will remember the long freight trains these featured in we operated on the club layouts at shows.

Now we've got wagons rolling on here Clive will expect to see something from me. A recent build, LMS tube wagon straight out of the Chivers bag. Good to see these kits coming back.

Just caught up with this on the 'virtual exhibition' link. I noticed that the EP displays ratchet tensioners on the sides. These would be inappropriate for the fifties period. I assume they are part of the casting so wondering if you were looking to do a version without them?

That is a complex looking bogie stretcher Richard! but you've managed to cut another one. The pivot holes in them look nearer 6BA. Whatever size they are they need to be fairly close fitting otherwise your coach may yaw about sideways when in operation. I've used various sizes of screw, larger sizes work better with plastic floor/underframes. This is so the pivot can be fixed to the underside rather than being just loose, again to improve ride quality. With your brass build soldering a screw in place with the head inside, fix any spacers underneath to get the ride height correct, add the bogies and a nut on each. Leave the nut loose from the bogie and retain it in place with a drop of glue such as UHU. This allows easy removal of the bogies should the need arise.

You're getting there Richard. Slow progress is better than no progress. What am I doing you may ask? Relaying bullhead main line track with flat bottom, recycling the bullhead for sidings and adding points to a previously pointless layout.

Parts like those 'V' hangers are common to many rolling stock vehicles. You may have a broken one in another build project or kit. A good modeller throws nothing away! I think you may have a way to go with the alphabet . . .

The handbrake wheel is mounted in the front corner of the cab on the secondman's side. That is the left side looking at the picture above

Some years ago I had a similar problem with a Hornby 'Castle'. After removing the motor from the chassis I found it to be seized up. Gripping the worm and holding the motor I was able to free it up. I can't remember if I needed to use pliers to hold the worm initially, but be sure to protect the worm with a wrapping of card if you have to. Once freed, a bit of oil on the motor bearings and it was fine.

Talking of the model items here those vents look to be two different manufacturers products. The larger ones may older tooling. Generally roof vents were the one size on the same vehicle. I would be inclined to use the bigger ones on the coach and keep the smaller ones for a four or six wheel vehicle. Jim

Parkside underframes from H & A models. The 3H parts are getting pretty brittle now going on how some of my wagons are losing bits. Most of the older plastic kits are suffering the same though.

Afraid I've got none that shape Richard! Clive's the expert with layered plasticard roofs.