81A Oldoak

It does run through Peco Setrack points without difficulty on DC. However, for DCC running, I would rewire the points to ensure there was no possibility of a short circuit on the open switch rail.

Andrew, I have attached a photo of the EP coupled to a Minerva OPEN A wagon on a Peco Setrack Curve. It runs smoothly through Peco Setrack curves. Mike, A selection of headcodes will be printed on the instruction leaflet. The running lights will not be wired. Yes.

Alastair, We will look at the lifting T slots as part of our review. The frames are moulded plastic overlays attached to the die-cast chassis block. We used the same techniques on the GWR 57XX/8750 o-6-0PT and the Kerr Stuart 0-6-0T locomotives. Regards, Chris

Minerva is pleased to report that the first engineering prototype (EP) of its 0 gauge RTR Class 14 0-6-0DH locomotive has been delivered for assessment. The project is running about 3 months late due to the Covid-19 situation. We are pleased with the general appearance and detail of the EP. The cab interior is fully detailed and the model will be wired for the Plux22 DCC decoder. The EP weighs 1.15kgs and runs smoothly through Peco Setrack curves. Some minor changes will be required. The photos exclude the push-fit headcode lenses, which will be supplied loose to enable owners to fit headcodes of their choice. The locos will be finished in the British Railways two-tone green livery and a sheet of Railtec decals will be supplied enabling all members of the class to be represented. We hope to have the model available in the autumn of 2020, subject to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Prices are DC £290, DCC-fitted £345, DCC sound-fitted £415 and carriage is £9 per loco. Order forms are available on the Minerva website https://www.minervamodelrailways.co.uk/ Please contact Chris Basten or Chris Klein for more information.

Indeed. I shall be in the market for several of the Ellis Clark Presflos. They are being designed by Nikki Wilkes. She is a superb designer and gives me confidence that this will be an excellent product and a very good price. Usual disclaimers. Chris K

There is nothing wrong with rivets, provided they are used for joining pieces of metal rather than counting.

Foil or rapier, sir?

Me too. It will look wonderful on everyone's layout. Thank you Rod. It's not perfection: a coat of paint and a layer of weathering can hide a multitude of sins. Regards to you all. Keep safe, keep modelling. Chris

I've just looked at their website. Some useful items thereon. Chris

Well, after many years of waiting Evans-the-Shed finally organised a reunion of Welsh 0-6-2Ts at Cwm Bach. The gathering of this Welsh Trio includes 38 Rhymney Railway R, 5661 GWR 56XX and 373 Taff Vale A. All three are built from kits. 38 and 373 are Dragon Models and 5661 is JM. Chris K

Thank you all for your kind remarks. The secret ingredient is Humbrol Matt Enamel 147 Light Grey. Regards, Chris

This is my first completed weathering commission for the Minerva 0 gauge Blue Circle and FERROCRETE cement vans. The customer is happy and so am I. CK

Well, after seven years of periodic effort I have at last finished the Dragon Models Rhymney Railway R Class 0-6-2T.. I shall install DCC sound at some point. Regards, Chris K

Rich, It took a couple of attempts on some redundant sample Iron Mink bodies to get the weathering to my satisfaction. It was tricky because they were dark grey. I'm working on a FERROCRETE van with a heavier application of the rust wash. I'll post a photo when it's finished, but before then I must complete an Airfix 1:48 Spitfire Mark XIV to show off to my grandson in the USA. Thanks for the order. They are flying out. Regards, Chris

The small boards are vents, which you can fit as shown in the attached photo.

Rich, The weathered van is a custom job. We don't do, and never will do so-called factory weathering that more often than not resembles a drive-by shooting with a can of Halfords aerosol paint from a Lambretta. My attempt uses matt white enamel with the smallest smidgeon of green over the top of a light rust wash that has been run into the strapping and around the rivets. The whole lot is then finished with a dusting of MIG concrete weathering powder. Regards, Chris

The Minerva Blue Circle and FERROCRETE vans are available from stock on the Minerva webshop www.minervamodelrailways.co.uk We also take orders by telephone and email. Please note that sales of the cement vans are very brisk and because of COVID-19 restrictions it will take longer to dispatch orders. Regards, Chris Klein

With the production versions of the Minerva Blue Circle and FERROCRETE vans arriving today, I have experimenting with weathering on one of the decorated samples. The result is attached. Regards, Chris K

Rich, The pallet is scheduled to be delivered to our storage facility in Penarth today. The models will then be sampled for quality and when we are content we will open the webshop for online orders sometime this week. We are also happy to take orders by telephone, email and letter. We will probably open up the Every individual model is removed from its box and examined for quality before we pack and post it. Kind regards, Chris K

Chris Basten and Chris Klein, the proprietors of Minerva Model Railways are both safe and well. We live 150 miles apart making self-distancing simple. We do not employ any staff and keep a certain amount of stock at our homes. Consequently, we are able to fulfill orders received via our webshop, email and telephone calls for as long as the post office remains open and is allowed to carry on trading. We have reduced dispatches from daily to twice per week in order to minimise travel and contact. The Blue Circle and Ferrocrete cement vans are scheduled to dock in the UK this week. So far, there are no indications from our shipping agent that the importation and distribution process has been restricted. We therefore hope to be able to open the website for sales after easter once we have completed our final quality checks. Development of the Class 14 0-6-0DM continues and we have seen photos of the first test shot of major components from the moulds and dies. However, work in China remains disrupted due to continuing C-19 travel restrictions between China and Hong Kong. Delivery is not expected until late summer or even early autumn. Some items of stock are very low. We have fewer than a dozen of the GWR 16" Iron Mink vans remaining. Some of the GWR 57XX/8750 pannier tanks including the GWR plain green locos without insignia and the BR versions with no top-feed and the lined green Peckett 0-4-0ST are very low in stock. I hope this helps. Feel free to call either Chris Basten or me at any time. Regards, Chris Klein

Well the Welsh Beastie has reached Cwm Bach on a test run following a general overhaul at Caerphilly works. This Rhymney R Class 0-6-2T kit was bought from Dragon Models at the Southampton MRS show in 2013 and has been under construction intermittently ever since. It is powered by an ABC Canon motor and gearbox. The chassis is fitted with beam compensation. The remaining tasks are to install DCC equipment and, of course, weathering. Regards, Chris K

Thanks Paul, The backscene needs renewing and that may be job for later in the lock-down. Regards, Chris

Huw Morgan, the porter at Cwm Bach, tries to come to terms with what would later be described as the white heat of technology. W25W has replaced the regular 64XX autotrain, which has failed. Number 6437 faces a major overhaul to find the fault and The district superintendent does not know when she will return to service.

Manning Wardle KING GEORGE (a Minerva conversion) prepares to go off shed for the start of the day's shift. Evans-the-Shed seems to have spotted something between the rails or, more likely, is still feeling the after-effects of the celebrations following Wales thrashing Scotland (again) at The Arms Park. Chris K

Minerva Model Railways and the Corona virus. As Directors and the sole staff of our company, we take our responsibilities for the safety of our customers and ourselves very seriously. We have examined the issues that we are faced with and have decided that, for the foreseeable future, we will continue to supply models by mail order to customers. Currently, we are self isolating and being 150 miles apart, think that this is sufficient. We have access to postal services, and take all precautions to avoid infection from others and ourselves being spread. Although we have very low stocks of some models, we hold reasonable stocks of others, and, whilst we do not know how long this emergency will continue, we will endeavour to provide the great level of service that Minerva has built up over the years. Minerva's models are only available directly from us and any model bought from a different source is a secondhand model. The online shop will continue for as long as possible and we will remain at the end of a phone, so even if you just want to chat, please don’t hesitate to call us. Keep well Chris B and Chris K www.minervamodelrailways.co.uk