TrevorP1

I had no idea it existed either Phil when I did my County. It would have made life so much easier and the model more correct around the cab. Regarding the boiler I found a Hornby 8f body on eBay and butchered it for the firebox. It’s fits quite well and it’s an awful lot better. I have no idea if the Hornby chassis will still fit if you do this because I used a Bachmann Modified Hall chassis accepting the small size wheels as ‘due for new tyres on the next works visit’. I’ll try to find some photos.

I’ve had the same Grange experience as you Tony, also on other locos from Hornby. I once owned three Hornby Granges but I became so frustrated with their various foibles that I stripped them all down to produce two ‘good’ ones. One of the latter has now begun to make ominous grinding noises… Perhaps I should have built some kits! Perhaps these models are like washing machines and TVs - thrown away when they go wrong. An anathema to those who read this thread of course!

Can't tell you dates etc Phil but mine was the first 'modern' (not split chassis) rendition of Bachmann's Modified Hall. The bogie is wrong as you say, plus the platework immediately under the smokebox saddle and also the sides of the smokebox saddle. The errors are quite obvious when you know what you're at. When using the Brassmasters kit you loose the front body fixing but I never found this a problem. I believe Bachmann went some way to putting his right on later versions but TBH I didn't take a lot of notice because I had put mine right.

I purchased mine from Squires a few years back, it was about £10 I think. I’ve just looked and there is no name on it…. so probably from China but it is sturdy. Doesn’t get a lot of use as you can see! A sharp blade is essential - I used something about 50tpi. I’m no expert but it worked out fine, just take your time.

Missed the mention of the Brassmasters Modified Hall parts earlier. Yes, I did one a while back and found it very good. Sold the loco on (for other reasons) so sorry no pics from me either unless there’s one somewhere on my Burngullow Lane thread. You need a good piercing saw but that’s the only proviso from me.

Sorry to hear about the health problems Tony but that’s an interesting read nonetheless. Whenever I see a Southern L1 I always think about the Tri-ang version from my childhood. Oh how I wish I had it now!

John, I've heard of a case where a delivery driver (not DPD) photographed some goods outside a persons door then collected them up and made off with them. With the growth of on-line shopping that's something to think about. We've never had a serious problem but I'm pleased we have a doorbell camera - not the answer to everything but surely a deterrent for the tiny minority who are dishonest.

Another vote for Railtec transfers. Always excellent service and Steve is very helpful. No connection, just a satisfied customer.

Never in the field of model railways has so much froth been generated by so many over an announcement of a (possible) announcement.... Fun though! 😀

Re headcodes for the Brighton - Plymouth I guess it was a case of ‘what the book says’ and what happened in reality were two different things. I’ve seen a good few pictures of BR(W) local trains in Cornwall bearing the headlamp code for light engine.

On page 60 of 'Memories of the Withered Arm' by Peter Barnfield there is picture of a Mica (meat van) being attached to the 3:13 at Wadebridge. The author was travelling on this train and he describes the van as "reeking of fish". Madly I've just thought of Rapido or Accurascale developing a 'smell unit' for our goods trains...

If you have access to Amazon Prime both of the pilots are on there. One is simply called 'Doc Martin' and the other 'Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie' . Both good entertainment but the Doc has a very different personality, in fact he's an amiable young bloke!

Carol reckon’s I would make a good stand in - a grumpy old *** with a scruffy little dog!

We visited and stayed in Padstow a few times in the very early 1980s. One day after Christmas in 2021 we paid a quick visit and to be honest we both wished we hadn't. Fully appreciating the local people need all the income they can get, I'll just tactfully say Padstow not for us any more. Mevagissey is our 'go to' harbour these days but please don't tell anyone..! A winter walk across the cliffs from Port Isaac also takes some beating.

Yes, there were vans of perishables attached to the 3pm ish departure from Padstow. I believe that was known as ‘The Perishables’ as well. Interesting to see how all this followed on combined with presumably, traffic from other places.

Beginning to get into the realms of OT (like we do 🙂) but as we're here... In researching my Father's war service in Burma I discovered that any voyage which took in the Indian Ocean or the Arabian Sea was also subject to the risk submarine attack from the U boats of the Kriegsmarine and the Italian Regia Marina. An Italian vessel, Leonardo da Vinci was particularly prolific claiming 19 Allied vessels - including two American cargo ships - before it was finally sunk by the combined efforts of the destroyer Active and frigate Ness. My Father's convoy passed through Leonardo da Vinci's hunting ground but fortunately wasn't spotted.

About 5 or so years back there were a couple of articles in Steam World about spotting on the western in the Exeter area. Turned out it was the day of my first childhood holiday in Cornwall and in my cop book those very same numbers are written in a slightly different order in my 7 year old handwriting. I can only guess I got them at Exeter or Plymouth. Small world? It’s tiny!

How about: The Elephant ?

Modelu for me if you can get on with fitting the bullseyes. I usually loose one and end up using a spot of silver paint. Modelu lamps usually slip over most lamp brackets except the chunky old Bachmann ones. A useful tip is to go over the bullseye area with a spot of watered down glue and glaze. It doesn’t show and stops the bullseye coming off.

I stand to be corrected but for the LB period I would suggest a Siphon would be unlined crimson. Any ‘changeover’ brown livery would most likely be long gone (or very tatty if still around) and very few vehicles if any would be maroon. As to the colour of the ends that could be another can of worms but I’d go for black.

No, no, no! Everyone knows a Big Boy wouldn't be allowed over the Royal Albert Bridge!

Whoops! My finger has just slipped and I’ve bought a copy… What have you made me do!? 😀

A definite ‘like’ vote from me on that one Graham. It’s what good many, including me, do on kit built wagons.

Terracotta? Coal would be for fuelling the dries.

I'd settle for an N class without armour plate smoke defectors and horrible tender coupling that's not permanently in full reverse... I've dealt with the smoke defectors (Silver Tay models on EBay - excellent) and tender coupling but I'm blowed if I can see how to easily deal with the valve gear. The trouble is once you've seen it you can't 'unsee' it!