david.hill64

They do look good. How did you fix them?

Thanks for posting these: please keep them coming!

It might be chilly at the top: take a hip-flask!

Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day out.

I too worked on Taiwan High Speed Rail. THSRC's engineers insisted that the rails had to have UIC metallurgy, even if they had the JIS60 (if that is the correct standard) profile. The job was further complicated because the civil works had all been designed and constructed to UIC standards and some very long 200km/h turnouts were installed to facilitate the skip stop operation that was planned to get the service frequency up to the expected levels. The Japanese did not have a design for of these long turnouts, so switches and crossings were sourced from Germany with Japanese rail profile. In the end the limitations of the Japanese compound catenary overhead system and pantograph design limited the speed on turnouts to 80km/h, so the system has not been able to take advantage of the high speed turnouts. In the end I think that even the Japanese engineers were impressed with what was achieved on this project.

I wonder if this was to do with insulation? Insulators suitable for 300V will be smaller and lighter than those rated for 600V. For a tram the rails have to be at earth so the overhead must be at working voltage, just like electrified railways. I did read about problems with stud contact systems where horses could depress and energize the stud with their hooves leading to unfortunate consequences, but perhaps this is an urban myth. I have really enjoyed following progress of this build. I remember trolley buses in Derby, Reading, Cardiff, Walsall and of course Bradford most;y seen as incidentals to train spotting trips in the 60s. When going to Leeds for my University interview in 1971 I did take a trip to Bradford for a quick ride on a trolleybus. My only experience in the UK. I also remember seeing what I think were ex LT trolleybuses near the railway station at San Sebastian Spain in 1973.

No picture, but I remember when the news went round the Tech Centre at Derby that a Deltic was on its way with a dead Peak heading for Derby Works. Must have been in 1980/1. In the offices of Brunel House we heard the beast before seeing it, even though it was running on one engine only. I wish I could remember which one it was.

It's on my 'will I - won't I' list at present. I thought that the body changes to the Brassmasters kit were feasible and I was planning to use the Comet LWB chassis. Still pondering this one.

I suppose that 01 002 (and possibly 01 001?) were unique in having the Lion-on-Wheel emblem and a TOPS number. Great photos.

Ah! Lucky to have the spare! I wondered if anyone produced it. I know that DJH do for the Duke and standard 5 models, but didn't think that they would supply components. I remember the Crownline conversion but was drifting away from modelling and never bought it. Pity. Impossible to have too many Black 5's on a layout!

Looking forward to seeing it. I thought that these two were much better looking than the earlier caprottis, though I never saw them. Actually I cannot remember seeing any of the caprottis though I can remember seeing 44767 at Edge Hill in 1967. Where will you source the valve gear?

The crosti 9F looks as good as it is possible for one of those beasts! I can still remember seeing 92028, but in rebuilt form. Which ABC gearbox did you use? I'd like to try the normal 9F or the Crosti. Thanks! David

I have an unmade Brassmasters kit that includes the following in the instructions: "Wherever possible, spares of small component parts have been included to allow for those which refuse to be parted form their hiding place in the carpet." Priceless!

I use the gravity rivetter: I like it a lot as it is easy to get consistent sized rivets. Here is a suggestion for etched kit manufacturers who produce etches that need to be punched out. Please include somewhere on the fret a test section where you can practice rivetting to set up the correct drop. If you are also going to use part of the fret as strip material, include half etched holes so that they can be used if needed.

Well you have a very good looking model and can be pleased with your efforts! Santa was very generous this year and provided the bits for mine. 10 Black 5's seems entirely reasonable! I have three Comet Caprotti's (one of each variant) and the DJH kit to make yet. I fancy a couple of Brassmasters variants too. 44686/7 are also on the wish list. I know that there was a conversion kit available some years ago. Comet's website shows how someone has used their Caprotti kit as a base for the high running board version: it looks very good.

I agree that it will be difficult to see the difference and it gives me a problem of what to do with the smokebox. I'll find a way! Actually will need to check other dimensions too: is the running plate 4" longer if the cab etc are moved back?

Great to see this model: it's prompted me to make my first post! I am plucking up courage to start my own model. It will be based on the Brassmasters loco and part welded tender kits but with the long wheel based Comet chassis, Gibson wheels and of course the Bill Bedford etch. I also have some Comet Ivatt tender detailing parts. To be completed in OO. I have all the bits. I am near the finish line with a DJH/Piercy O gauge B1 kit. If anyone is interested I'll post some pictures when it is done. After the marathon of building this model I will probably go for something small and quick(ish) - the Brassmasters Deeley 0F - before starting the Stephenson.