george stein

Anyone doing the Big Four era will appreciate that stable. Now for a cattle dock .

Very helpful article. Would add one comment. Having built several Slater's PO wagons, I find that the Parkside-Dundas NEM mounting block (PA 34) when used "as is" with the Hornby NEM pocket (X6354) and a Kadee # 18, it hits the Kadee height gauge exactly with no modifications required. So, while the main article comments about changing the PA 34 may be appropriate if retaining the traditional UK hoop/hook couplers, if you wish to use Kadee couplers, don't change the PA34 mounting block. Oh well, a second comment: painting the interior; use light grey enamel base, let dry, wash with brown acryl, let dry, then light wash with dirty black/brown/coal, etc. Looks like dirty, faded wood. Hope the Slater's re-issues continue to supply the end door handle. The Slater's kits are/were really nice.

Good luck with effort. It's an especially thoughtful touch to have included color options appropriate to BR & the Big Four. Wish others might follow your lead.

and, writing with some annoyance from the USA, just received the re-leased Hornby set from Hattons. Alas, the bogies are incorrect - totally! How Hornby hopes to compete with Bachmann and the energetic Dapol is a great mystery if they can't get the right wheels/bogies on a well-known coach!! B-t-w, Hattons advises sitting tight until Hornby announces what it plans to do to rectify the error.