Dava

Commendably innovative design, drive, features, delivery, price, all invite (favourable) comparison with Heljan. If 'Kestrel' can sell then a whole class of 44 locos in this range of liveries (no static ETH option!) should do well. I'm more of a shunter man myself, so future J66-69 or 03 will be of greater interest. But this does make the Heljan 05 look pricey. Deserves to succeed, Dava

Very much looking forward to seeing the progress and trains running at Nottingham Dava

I have not been in the shop for a few years but when I worked in Sheffield in the 80's it was a haven of chaotic delights with myriad books, mags, models & had not changed too much a few years ago. I never left empty handed & sometimes found what I was looking for! I dont recall the name of the guy who runs it but he has a laconic sense of humour, Sheffield has some good indy shops. Dava

News reports on the Hinckley Point EPR indicate increasing uncertainty over if & when it may be built, the delays & cost increases to the similar designs in #109 dont inspire confidence. UK Govt could end up being stuffed either way on this one; maybe best to think again? Just as well the remaining AGRs have been signed off to trundle on for an extra few years. Dava

So yesterday I went a-shopping at the G0G Spring event in Kettering (first time in two years), armed with a list. Duly returned with, amongst other items, parts for various loco projects - axleguards for the battery electric loco (next on the list), a motor-gearbox combination for the Drewry 04, and 14mm wheels for the 'Yorktown' Peckett which I plan to build at some stage. And, for some reason, 12 yards of previously owned flexitrack. I passed up on the chance to acquire either of a couple of rather sorry L&Y 'Pugs' requiring attention, but did happen upon a nicely built brass NER K Class, or Y8 as it became in LNER days, at a reasonable price. I have a Y7 in the 'kits to build' box but had always fancied one of these as just about the smallest LNER steam loco, so a purchase was quickly made and it traversed the test track twice, one in each direction. Off came the body when it came back to the workshop for a clean. The motor has a 5 pole armature so it may be a Romford Bulldog or similar, not an X04. Then the layout had to be set up for shunting trials, which were most satisfactory. It will require minor attention to the paintwork, and numbering as LNER 560 in due course. An enjoyable day out. Dava

The Kerr Stuart Victory is a big beast and possibly an odd choice but will have a Welsh/GWR following. I hope it works out well for them. Dava

I liked the idea that the Tube stock was introduced in preparation for the Portsmouth-Ryde trans-Solent tunnel project, linking IoW to the Southern commuter network! Dava

No need. It is apparently well known that 4'8.5" originates from the width of a horse's arse. Though I dont recall the Douglas horse trams were narrower gauge in that respect! Dava

I certainly will, Neil! Dava

I'm planning to build a battery loco in 7mm scale similar to EE788, the Stafford works loco. The drawing in #6 is helpful but prints out at around 6mm/ft. I've worked out the sloping bonnets were the same size on most of the BE and electric locos, but the BE ones had taller cabs as there was no panto on top. Before I scratchbuild I make a cardboard dummy first to check the sizes, proportions and windows are OK, usually I make adjustments from this. Here is the dummy, the bonnets are slightly narrow on the footplate, the cab will be the same width and the end windows will be larger. I just need some chunky axleguards from Kettering next weekend, 2 gearsets from Ultrascale, and ready to go. For comparison here is the WD one which ran in Bedfordshire & later worked at the Ind Coope brewery in Burton, this had larger end windows than 788. This came from the Industrial Railway Society. Dava

Bought Hugh Llewelyn's Diesel Shunters (Amberley) on Amazon marketplace for $8.70 inc post, frankly I wouldnt pay more and the latest Modern Locos Illustrated (03 & others) is much better value. It looks like the guy went for a walk round Long Marston scrap sidings and thought "I can make a book out of this!" Lots of mistakes and duplicate views of the same preserved locos. Fine if you like scrapyard condition Gronks. He never heard of FC Hibberd Planet locos as they are omitted. Generally best avoided. Dava

For which thanks Andy, and I hope to be at your Weston on Trent show in November. Dava

Its exactly a year since the ice fall and wrist fracture which kicked off this microlayout project and thread. So I'd just like to thank everyone who made suggestions, replied, liked the posts, or just visited for your support as it was much appreciated, especially whilst in Canada last year. Its another busy time at work without much modelling - just a card mock-up of a battery electric loco - but hope to be back in the workshop soon. Coxheath Sidings may even make it to another small show. No offers yet! Dava

The best 3D printer is one owned by someone else? Pay as you go seems to make more sense Dava

Standard gauge light railways are of course great fun in 7mm scale, I'm on my second layout in 4 years and the Terrier (and the Ixion locos) are ideal motive power. I suspect the Beattie well tank was the third planned Dapol loco. I'm susprised they have not announced a GWR 14xx 0-4-2T. But I suspect a lot of people would like a r-t-r 03 or 04 diesel to run diesel era. But if you want 4 wheel coaches, you'll have to build them or mooch around the second-hand (as I did) because there is no sign of any r-t-r items! Lets see what is announced at the G0G event on 5 March.... Dava

Good luck with those points! Gauge carefully. Dava

See today's pictures of the semi-HST running on the GCR(N) http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/99474-great-central-railway-news/page-6&do=findComment&comment=2202633

After the excitement on the GCRN seeing the prototype HST power car, http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/99474-great-central-railway-news/page-6&do=findComment&comment=2202633 It was back to the workshop for the first time I've done any modelling in two weeks since the Mickleover event, firstly for some brewing therapy and then to see if the errant P class tank could be persuaded to run. This loco has had a chequered history since being bought as a bit of a dog from GeeDee models four years ago, then totally dismantled, stripped, reassembled, given a MSC motor and drive, but never running acceptably. One of the root causes has been the Gladiator spring pickups which have been very difficult to adjust for reliable operation. So off with the side rods, out with the front wheelset, then pickup adjustment and cleaning the scale on the wheelbacks. Having seen this the trailing wheels came off for a clean too. Once reassembled, it does run better but rather too fast for my liking (a 1:34 gear ratio). It will have further test running and at last have a driver fitted. Coxheath Sidings is stored in its two sections at present so the other half is on its side behind the loco! Dava

The GCRN has been operating prototype HST power car 41001 and three Mark 3 trailer cars this weekend (backed by a class 73!). The power car, owned by the NRM and restored by Project Miller, and the trailer cars newly restored by the 125 Group, are seen at a chilly Rushcliffe Halt this morning. They have done a very good job and it serves to underline that the front line service of the production class 43 units on the Midland Mainline and other operators will be ending over the coming years, and their moves to preserve a full train in mainline working order are very worthwhile. The train will be moving onto the Mid-Norfolk Railway for April and Bo'ness in July, so ride the train next weekend whilst you can. www.125group.org.uk Dava

Andrew, Would you post the dimensions on here please, as I'm planning to build the battery version? I've come to the conclusion they were pretty much the same except the battery version cab was a little higher. Thanks, Dava

MLI 217 is the long awaited Class 03 - but with the SR/GW/LNE/LMS early prototypes and predecessors of the standard EE 350hp deign also featured. Shunter heaven! Follows 195 on the small shunters (inc Drewry 204hp 04 which did not get such extensive coverage as this) & 202 on the 08/09//13 classes. Much recommended and if you dont have an 03 you will want one. Will help with your detailing & weathering projects! Dava

The Mountsorrel project has won two annual & special Heritage Railway Association awards! Well deserved - so soon! What's next? Dava

Silver shovel job? Dava

Alf Ludlam is doing a talk on Lincolnshire branch lines next Wed 17 Feb i7.30 pm in Lincoln The Louth-Bardney, Horncastle-Woodhall Junction and Firsby-Spilsby lines. http://www.slha.org.uk/ Meet the great man & get your books signed! Dava

Interesting that on these cold nights Ratcliffe is shown as inactive yet it is emitting smoke & condensate as usual! Dava