Andy 53B

Hi Jamie, the casts are looking extremely good, I'll drop you a PM shortly. I haven't got round to doing anything with my etches yet, still in the middle of a Class 114, and four 4-car Class 104s! I'm using the Worsley Works etches for the Class 114 but I'm not entirely happy with how it's going gluing the sides to the body, mainly due to the rain gutter not looking right against the sides, so it'll be interesting to see how you get on. It probably won't be as big a problem with the non-DMCs as you won't have the cabs. Looks like I'd better get my order in to MJT PDQ! Cheers Andy

Big thank you to Derek and everyone at Eileen's, ordered a load of stuff on Sunday and arrived today, brilliant service in trying times, thanks very much for the excellent service, Cheers Andy

I have to admit, this is not one of mine, but one from Mick Nich. Gramophone needles, dirt cheap, used with a pin vice, really useful for scribing brass, plastic etc. but the benefit being they can easily be sharpened.

Thanks for the info Clive, I think I've got nearly as much filler on mine as well!! Not all female, but still pretty good:

and probably one of the best (photographically worst) rock photos ever taken

I really do apologise for this, is this more appropriate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsPPVtWapgE

Hi Clive, I wondered if I could pick your brain regarding DMU conversions. I'm currently converting a Lima Class 117 in to a Derby Class 114 using etched sides from Worsley Works, but I can't work out the best/easiest way to fabricate the headcode box. When you did yours, did you do it as a hollow box or as solid styrene lump, and then how did you get the destination blind fixed, Cheers Andy

Thanks very much for those Clive, they'll be really useful, it'll give me something to do cross-referencing numbers with allocations. I've nearly always live in or around the Beverley area, but unfortunately the time period I'm modelling I was only 4 and by the time I started going regularly through to Hull everything had gone blue. It's really interesting (frustrating) trying to find info/pictures of Hull at this time, I'm still trying to find a definitive answer with proof when the first Deltic visited!! Thanks again Andy

Hi Ian, I've already gone through these thanks Ian, really useful, though for my era, it doesn't really show many visiting locos being stabled overnight, Thanks Andy

Hi Clive, I came across your post whilst looking at some Class 114 conversions, unfortunately I can't help with any spotting notes for your era, but I'm also in the process of building a Hull based layout during the period 1965-68. I wondered if you had any spotting notes from this era that may help in building a picture of visiting locos other than the Dairycoates based ones, Thanks Andy

Have to agree with Rob, thoroughly enjoyable evening and good to see it so rammed, thanks very much Mick, Cheers Andy

Morning Mick, I'll be there as usual, I would recommend anyone interested in the local area to go as it's always an enjoyable evening, Cheers Andy

According to the website, he will be at a couple of Toy fairs a bit further North, maybe not a 'good bit'. He'll be at Doncaster on 30th December and Bolton the day after.

Hi Mick, excellent and informative talk, as always!! I've sent you some mails hopefully with some photos you've not seen, any problems with them just let me know, Cheers Andy

Hi Jamie, I just had to burst out laughing, I also got the Class 303 EMU cabs from Charlie as I don't think I'd be able to get the curves correct either, but I also got 2 spares as I'm sure I'll end up butchering at least one of them I have to agree with you about DMUs, I don't think you see enough of them or enough variations on green/blue layouts. I spoke with John at Silver Fox models, he was hoping to get some class104s this year using the Hornby class 110s as a basis, Andy

Sorry, hit the 10mb limit:

Hi Jamie, as promised, here are a few pics of the Worsley Works etches, if you need any more details or some better pics as these were taken on my phone, just let me know.

Hi Andy, not too sure on the copyright of some of the photos I've got, but most of them are from the Railcar website, https://www.railcar.co.uk/images/class-114/all, if you need any more info, just drop me a PM, Cheers Andy

Hi Jamie, it would appear you have already gone through the same process as I'm going through. As far as the Class 117 to 114 conversion, I'm initially looking at using the etches as overlays rather than as a pure etch as it will give some stability to the sides, even though I'll need to hack some of the windows out. The class 110 is a bit of a slow burner at the moment as each time I look at my photos I begin to notice more and more additional bits and pieces I need to add e.g. horns below the buffers, replacing moulded water pipes, the buffers themselves definitely need replacing! As far as the drive units are concerned, I've already got a replica one and fully appreciate the height issue, so I'm still thinking of replacing the existing motor with a CD/DVD motor and then DCC it to give better control. I figure for the price of the motor, it won't really be that much of a waste of money if it doesn't work out. I don't intend starting the Class 124 TPU until later in the year as I really want to get the other stack of projects out of the way first. I'm in the process of trying to get a lot of the bits and pieces I will need to make a start, so the photos will be really useful, haven't had chance to go through them all yet, but thanks very much. You've obviously made a better start as you've already got the bogies sorted, everything I've researched so far indicate that the Trix ones are to scale and the best available. I'll try and get some photos taken of the etches over the weekend so you can have a look at them.

You want to see them trying to understand a 5-day test match cricket game, which could still end in a draw!!

I really like the idea of golden point, although it will often depend on who wins the toss. I do wonder whether the reason it was brought in is for the North American market. The RFL are trying to expand in this area and the North Americans don't like draws!!

I had a quick look at the Exact Editions FAQ, it indicated that you could print an article (don't know if this is one page at a time) to PDF, which I think will be really good as it will allow you to read any relevant articles offline without having to have an internet connection .

Excellent news, thanks Andy

I was thinking of joining for the same reason, though it does make me wonder how it may affect the print sales of BRM as you are getting a years subscription included.