NHY 581

Morning Alex, Shaping up nicely for SWAG ! Rob

Ahem.....cough.......With all due respect to Sir, Sir needs to prioritise.....USA indeed...! Damn those colonials ! They won't have Vietnamese Coffee cake you know.... most likely no Courgette and cream cheese muffins or Welsh cakes and definitely no pastys. Good God man ! Have you taken leave of your senses ?

Morning all, This weekend's featurette focuses on Bethesda Siding, the Cameoesque Creation of our very own @Captain Kernow To quote Tim ( who explains these things far better than I can )...... "Bethesda Sidings’ represents the goods yard of Capel Bethesda, using the road bridge that carried the lane to Penybont over both the goods yard connecting line and the main line to Rhayader as a scenic break. The layout is goods only and a variety of typical W.R. motive power will be used, such as pannier tanks, 14XX tanks" ( and no doubt other suitable BR motive power ) " As the layout is set in the post-November 1962 period, trains from the Vale of Radnor Light Railway are authorised to run over BR metals from Vale of Radnor Ground Frame into the goods yard, so a variety of industrial and light railway types will be available" Rest assured, we shall be treated to a veritable smorgasbord of seemingly improbable motive power courtesy of the inspired choices made by the Kernow Motive Power Procurement Committee......you have been warned....... Another example of how a small ( 4ft 6ins long ) perfectly presented layout can be so very entertaining both at home and when taken out to an exhibition. Rob.

Paul, just re read the above. One thing, see the photo in my original post and your proposed amendment to remove the works plate. No so. Still in place, certainly in 1927 so in that respect, I'd leave it there. And wheels, should they be lined green ? Rob.

Fran, my apologies. Missed the above. Living proof that I cannot multi-task and read an e-mail. Thanks , Paul. Comprehensive as ever. I'm looking forward to the "revised" decorated samples. Only question is that of the buffers. In the image above taken at Battersea, they do look a tad tapered..... Rob.

I've just received the email regarding the decorated samples of the forthcoming P class and have a couple of questions relating to examples I have on order. First up is 325 in bells and whistles Wainwright livery. I have to say, this looks to be a different green, based on the images in the email. Now this may be the reproduction of the photo but it looks brighter and at odds with the earlier runs. The green should be darker. In addition, the lining seems to be missing the lighter green between the red and gold lining. I appreciate these are samples but it looks wrong to my eyes. Here's 178 from an earlier batch. Secondly, A556 in Southern lined green. I can't see any images of this in service with polished brass dome and safety valve thingy. Is this a preservation livery ? Here's an image taken from Klaus Marxs' The Wainwright P tanks ( Runpast Publishing ). F.R Hebron's image, as per caption, depicts 556 in 1927 at Battersea and this must be relatively soon after being painted in Southern Green as there's certainly a photo showing it still in SE&CR Grey in May 1926 at Redhill. I mention this as if these are errors, they can hopefully be corrected prior to production. Rob.

Sorry Tony, when I said vast majority, I meant in the context of those so inclined to purchase factory fitted sound locos. Rob

Sorry, that's not true. As an example, the Accurascale Class 37 is exceptional straight from the box. In addition, the recent Bachmann releases, such as their 9F and Austerity 2.8.0 are pretty good, as is their 94xx as is their Class 24/Class 25 on the subject of which, the Sutton Locomotive Works equivalents are again, exceptional. Rapido's locos are also well thought out with their Hunslet and 15xx, for all it's troubles, both make a nice noise. DCC is as hard as the individual makes it but these days, it is very easy to buy a decent RTR factory fitted sound loco and be satisfied with it. If however you feel compelled to tinker then carry on. It is after all a subjective subject but if you think you can do better, tinker away. Remember, things are improving all the time but to make such a sweeping statement regarding the poor state of factory fitted sound locos is wholly inaccurate and somewhat misleading especially for someone who may be considering moving into DCC Sound using RTR fitted models. They are more than good enough for the vast majority. Rob.

Thanks Will. Good to know and yes, your images correspond to "Type 1" as I call it. Your top image seems to be of the Neilson crane tank and that has the plate on the cab rear. Despite the angle, the text does appear to be high up within the panel which makes sense as this was not an Ashford built loco. Same with the A1, No.633. It built by Kitson so again, not an Ashford built loco so no "Ashford Works" beneath the SE&CR. Rob

That's interesting, Fulton. I approached Light Railway Stores some time ago regarding some plates to be informed they wouldn't be in a position to produce custom orders. I'm currently corresponding with another producer with a view to these being made. The colour scheme I have is white lettering on a Vermillion background. In conversation today with another SE&CR enthusiast, and pooling our respective research material, it does look like there are two types, which I designate as follows Type 1 plate. SE&CR lettering only as per Bachmann's RTR C class. Note this lettering should be slightly offset as in higher up on the plate for reasons that will become readily apparent as per below.. Type 2 plate. SE&CR lettering with TEXT beneath, NOT simply a line below the SE&CR as some have depicted. Text reads ASHFORD WORKS and the words are below the E and C respectively in caps. This style of plate was affixed to locos built at Ashford Works. If not built there, then the text below the SE&CR was not present and accounts for the SE&CR lettering being offset as per Type 1 above, leaving a gap courtesy of the vacant lettering. The third type seems to be the initial castings and has a more 'florid' type face which was peculiar to the E and C respectively. Pretty certain all these plates were cast metal possibly brass though given that they were introduced in the midst of WW1, would they have used brass given it's main use at the time was in the munitions industry....? Later maybe but happy to be corrected. Rob

Plus one for a D1. Excellent subject. Rob

Thanks Bill. I did have a look on your website. Rob

Sad times this morning at Chateau Sheep with the news that Dave Myers has lost his battle with Cancer. He and Si as The Hairy Bikers did so much good to promote two wheeled travel here and abroad and together they combined two great loves of mine, food and motorcycling. Never met him but he and Si became good friends to so many of us via their many adventures over the years. God bless you, Dave and may you now rest in peace.

Morning all, I'm trying to locate a clear image of the cast SE&CR plates fitted to the bunkers and cabsides of locos in the wartime/austerity grey livery and which were also seen on ex SE&CR locos in early Southern days. A line drawing/diagram or a clear image of perhaps a plate which has preserved would really help but to date I've failed to locate one. In particular, can anyone confirm what was below the SE&CR lettering ? Some, such as Hattons have a horizontal line beneath. Others have nothing. Also, I'm thinking white raised edge and lettering. Thoughts ? Rob.

What year ?

+1 for PVA. Woodland Scenics stuff also dries matt so no tell tail gloss edges to name plates etc. Rob

PM sent. Rob

Narrow planet will do a custom plate but just be patient. Rob.

Yes. It's usual for Bachmann to return bodies for exclusive editions to the commisioning retailer. Rob.

That's quite sweet.

Bachmann Spares department may also have stock. https://Bachmann-spares.co.uk/category/1-branchline-diesel-parts/class47 Rob

Understood.

No, I've not suggested buying at retail cost at any point. No need to manipulate my words. Rob.

Jumping back in here, I can see the points being raised by BBR as valid, tinged with frustration rather than confrontational. I have to say, despite assurances to the contrary, this does appear to be a bit of an off load to the retailer. Rob

Thanks for clarifying that. Rob.