Jol Wilkinson

If you buy them to run on a layout then the packaging is rather irrelevant - other than for safe transport. However, this may be a further example of a product that is aimed at the collector market or to satisfy those who get the most pleasure out of buying and owning things. Who will be first with an "unboxing video"? There's an opportunity for you, Tony.

According to the Brassmasters website, they are still available while parts stocks last. They don't however appear in their price list but suitable grovelling will get an definitive answer. I had a chat with John Redrup today and asked if he has a Precursor kit. Despite his preference to earlier period locos, he did plead guilty. We also discussed several items that are "under development", including one LNWR wagon kit that is just now in production. I don't have full details yet but will put something on the LRM New Kits thread when I do.

Hi Philip, that's the best version of a LNWR Coal Hole I have seen. What make/kit is it or did you scratchbuild it? It has one more "bay" then the Townstreet version on their website. Intentio already produce laser cut 7mm Northlight wall panels which are based on the LNWR shed, so hopefully a 4mm version and full kit will follow. Jol

Philip, this is a MMR kit, a mix of ply and laser cut card. I wasn't previously aware of the Townstreet Coal Hole which only appears in the new models section. It isn't referred to as a LNWR model and while the tank is more accurate than the MMR kit, the rest isn't, nor does it include the coal "chute" in the outside wall by the coaling stage. The MMR kit is, I think, more adaptable than the Townstreet version. I am following the dimensions set out Jack Nelson's LNWR Portrayed. I have also been studying LMS Engine Sheds, Vol. 1 - The LNWR. None of the kits available for Northlight engine sheds are near enough to F W Webb's design but I understand that anothe company is starting work on one. Jol

An update on London Road. All the track was nearly finished but a development has added some further work. Having finished the plain track running lines I decided to get the Steam Shed area done before I started the wiring. The rails leading to the loco shed were laid, on the assumption I would have to scratchbuild it. I then stumbled over a laser cut kit for an LNWR Coal Hole and also discovered that a Webb Northlight Steam Shed kit is in the offing. So a quick rethink and I ordered the Coal Hole kit, but found I will have to modify it as the track spacing is too wide, the tank is wrong and there isn't a coaling facility for locos alongside the shed. This was done by pushing a wheeled tub onto a gravity operated, pivoted chute and tipping the tub up above the tender/bunker. I have drawn a template for the revised Coal Hole footprint to work out the track alignment spacing. It is the white paper rectangle at the top of the picture. The second track from the left with the unstained sleepers will have to be lifted and another point installed. The new line from this will run alongside the left of the Coal Hole so that locos can be coaled from the chute.The track from the left side of the point in the foreground will slope up at 1 in 30 (as the prototype did) to feed the coal wagons into the building. The track from the left side of the further point will lead into the coal hole so that engines can be coaled directly from a wagon. This shows the Cola Hole design. The raised track will enter from this end and extend for a short distance beyond. The kit appears to have been designed with RTR (Hornby?) track spacing in mind and is therefore too wide, as is the raised track section. However, is shouldn't be too difficult to adapt. The tank will need scratch building to reflect the LNWR design. However, it will be put to one side until the new track is made and installed and the rest of the layout wiring is done (this board is already wired as far as I can go).

Hello Peter, the post on the LNWR Whale tender for the Precursor was on "LNWR London Road - Locomotives and rolling stock" thread. The photos are still there although later ones aren't. I usually archive kit instructions in a folder but the ones from the Precursor kit aren't there. However, I found a set in the box for a BM Experiment 4-6-0. This was part built by a late friend, Tony Osmond. I have attached scan of the single page of instructions. I also have another unbuilt Experiment kit with the Whale tender conversion, so will probably sell that one.

Offered as new but without guarantee or any form of liability at £280 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145218745404?epid=19058472566&hash=item21cfb6343c:g:8m8AAOSwYD5kyA8I Still available from Locomotion/NRM for £220.

Petrol vapour needs oxygen and a spark to ignite it. Electrically operated fuel gauge senders were contained in the tank and in olden times had a metal coil that a wiper moved over, a potential cause of a spark. However, in the presence of fuel vapour but without oxygen, didn't cause a fire. Most petrol and diesel engine car fires occur from a wiring problem, which usually means a short circuit. The trim materials used in any car are often very combustible.

ICE cars have very little fuel when leaving the factory/ Equally, I imagine BEVs have little charge in the batteries. It is a question of production costs. However, the BEV evangelists and the ICE aficionados will present whatever argument they think supports their beliefs.

I rather doubt it but this may help. https://www.lbscr.org/Models/4mm.xhtml

I have built a number of MERG kits, including Servo4, Servo1 , Servo1R and the relevant setting Boxes. I have had no problems and prefer the remote setting boxes, rather than having to press buttons and count LED flashes to set things up. If you want to use ready assembled units, also take a look at Heathcote Electronics. The Retford signal servo mounts from MSE are also very good.

I don't think the model is from an LRM etched kit, so they can't advise what could fit. I would suggest contact Branchlines with the width between frames and inside the body, for advice on what would fit. A Mashima 1024 motor (if still available) with a Branchlines gearbox (but nor with Romford/Markits type gears) could fit and would give good running. With Romford wheels, it should not be difficult to remover with the driving axle to fit a new motor/gearbox.

A customer has sent a couple of photos of the LNWR D20 Small cattle Wagon. They went to John Redrup of LRM but I was copied in on the email. These are courtesy of John Lingwood.

I believe John has been away attending a family wedding. I think he should be back in a day or two.

Works for me John, both on an Android phone and a pc running W11.

BBC online news article today. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66222554

As it is some years since i retired from the car industry I can't recall the procedure that existed at the time. However, this may be of interest, Vehicle safety defects and recalls: code of practice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-on-vehicle-safety-defects-and-recalls/vehicle-safety-defects-and-recalls-code-of-practice

As is usually the case, getting consistent ,accurate information on such issues through the internet isn't straightforward The interested parties, scandal mongers, armchair experts and politicians.will always quote whichever statistics supports their arguments.

Gentlemen, (I use the word lightly), I stand corrected. A look at this site is interesting, particularly the multiples of some locomotives, which gives the other companies of the Big Four rather more. Preserved Steam Locomotive Listing (onlineweb.com) Generally I don't follow what the RTR manufacturers do, but the few locos for my area of interest - the LNWR - are preserved prototypes, all two of them! No matter, there are kits covering the majority that were built.

There isn't a preserved K2, so given the RTR manufacturers/commissioners past record, I would think you will probably have a long wait.

Hand built points, such as the P4 ones on London Road invariably have live common crossings (frogs). As a result, and with the benefit of compensation or springing, locos like this LNWR Precursor Tank run through points without a problem. This one has pickups only on the driving wheels, fitting pickups to the bogie and pony truck wheels wouldn't be easy. The Mashima 1626 motor doesn't have a flywheel and runs on DC. I believe this supports Tony W's view that the basis of good running is down to getting the basic mechanism operating properly.

He is listed on ebay as a "business seller". I wonder if he pays business rates on that part of his property he uses asa a warehouse for the 200+ items he has in stock? Likewise does he declare his revenue as income to the HMRC?

"Has anyone else attempted model railway panning?" As in "to criticise severely"?

Tony. this is cropped from one of the photos you took of London Road at the York show in 2018. Four short and one medium.

Well done with the saddle tank. Some modellers struggled with it which is why John at LRM had the cast resin version produced and added to the kit.