Theo C. Cupier

ASDA at Frome still have a County (with wobbly cab). @Smiffy2. I wasn't going to bother with the LN, but I could pick one up for you from WHSmith in Warminster, assuming they still keep to their track record of taking a reasonable stock of the GBL issues.

Had a tinker with the un-powered bogie for the GBL Western today, just to try a few ideas. This is the state of play so far. Trial fit using the GBL moulding and some Hornby wheels from the Gas Cupboard. Plain disc instead of four hole as they weren't in stock. Only two wheelsets fitted and no pickups yet, but I think it will work. Will have to grind off the pin-points too.

At long last, I've managed to make a start on turning the GBL Western into D1007 Western Talisman. Having robbed one of the two motor bogies from a PIKO MAV M61, with a little fettling, have got it installed into theGBL frame. Bogie moulding not fitted yet, and need to source some wheelsets for the unpowered bogie, as the ones I have are too small.

@ spet0114 I have a Butler-Henderson going spare, if you still need one.

@Smiffy2. Yep, I could probably mess up another Western, if you want to cancel your subscription before the 47.

Smiffy2, I think I was waiting for a Type 4 from you. (As swapsie for the N class, 22 April)

WHSmith at Waminster had one J39 in the partwork dispenser when I called in there this morning. Not tempted by this one, so left it there. As an aside, was on holibobs in Yorkshire last week and went into a WHSmith in a shopping arcade (Prospect centre?) in Hull on Tuesday 9th, and was surprised to see three J39s already on display.

The Sainsbury store at Trowbridge had a single Western on the shelf when I called in earlier this evening. I resisted the temptation this time.

Been up in the loft to unearth my LIMA Westerns, at least, two of them, I was sure I had a green version but can't find it. Here's the GBL Western Courier on the right of Western Enterprise and Western Gladiator. I may be tempted to repaint a GBL body into Western Talisman, the first Western I encountered, idling in the bay platform at Chester, having worked via Wrexham on a Birkenhead service. This was sometime in the mid-sixties, before it had the battery box incident and came to grief at Ealing. Be nice to get some bargains now like the sand version, it hasn't seen the light of day since the early eighties.

" Do let us know what "original" you think the clone is based on - Hornby, Lima....or the dreaded Trix? " Sorry for the delayed reply. I'm pretty sure it's a Lima clone, as stated by previous posters. My Lima Westerns are all in the loft, so haven't done a direct comparison.

Happened to be in Warminster earlier this morning and nipped into WHSmiths. Disappointed to find the partworks dispenser was devoid of GBL mags, but then noticed an assistant scanning a newly delivery. On enquiring, found it contained twelve, yes 12, GBL Westerns. They now have ten in stock after my visit, although I may be tempted to return later.

70805 with 70804 to the rear at Westbury yesterday. 70808 with an unidentified 70 to the rear is at the extreme right. Of course, I was really there to watch 70000 depart for Kingswear with the Dartmouth Express.

WHSmith at Warminster had three in the display this morning, all seemed to be pretty straight. Only one left now, as I picked up an extra one for my SiL, who is modelling the S&D. Thank goodness for auto-save, I thought I'd posted this at 09:45.

Apologies as this is slightly OT, but related to a post from Smiffy2 a few pages ago. I visited our local transport show earlier this afternoon, and found a chap in the car boot stalls had ten of the d'Agostini locomotives for sale at a reasonable price. Picked up two, but not sure what to do with them. If anyone is interested in them, please drop me a PM.

Smiffy2, PM sent.

Had to go into Warminster this morning, so nipped into WHSmith while I was passing. Still had four Ns in the partwork bin. All seemed reasonable, so I chose one to be liberated.. I don't particularly need it so it is available if anyone can't find any in their area. Took a look at previous purchases in my loft as well, resulting in a Mallard, Coronation, Compound, Butler-Henderson, and a T9 all also available.

Sainsburys at Frome had a single GBL N on the shelf this evening. Not the best example, the cab leaning backwards at an alarming angle, leaving a huge gap at the top of the firebox, so it stayed where it was.

WHSmiths at Warminster had four 'N's in the partwork display late yesterday afternoon.

WHSmith in Trowbridge had two Scots this afternoon, but no sign of a B12.

Sainsburys at Frome had a single B12 on the shelf late last night.

ASDA Frome had a single Scot left on the shelf this evening.

Two Scots in WHSmiths at Yeovil this afternoon, not in the partworks display, but in a cardboard box ( shipping box?) on a step of the stairs to the upper level.

Called into WHSmiths in Warminster this afternoon, to find six Scots in the partworks display. After much pondering, I eventually decided to leave this one .

Mass exodus from Westbury? Noticed 70802, 803, 804 and 810 passing through Trowbridge tonight at around 18:30, heading in the Bristol direction.

@Smiffy2 The Rocket I saw in Sainsbugs, Frome had gone by this afternoon, but I did manage to snag the last one in the ASDA store at Frome, although it is separated from the backing card. Happy to swap for the 4MT if it's still available.