SM42

I've just checked the next 4 kits I will be building (13t open. Palvan and two insulated vans) and non have anything like that in the buffer bodies. certainly a real pain It may be useful to contact Slater's about it. I appreciate that there is some distance between you and Matlock and any solution may take some time. Andy

Hmm. Not had that one yet. Certainly not on the 7 sets of buffers I've put together Worst I had was what can only be described as casting sand in the buffer body. Easily cleaned out Maybe just a rogue one you've got there I'd perhaps try a round needle file. Andy

There is a picture of a Tube in Ale traffic with extra planks in Larkin's Working Wagons Vol 2 1974 - 1979. Slightly different to the one on Paul Bartlett's site, being BR rather than LNER design. Andy

It's even smaller when the phantom is approaching from an upstairs bedroom window and on a previous landing attempt there was a serious undercarriage malfunction. Land a two wheeler on a 30 degree glide slope is much harder than it looks. Andy

The nice bit is that many of them are available (some more available than others) as kits or RTR or from cross kitting. You have a good chance with many of the vans, opens and 16 tonners I've got too many wagons that are too early for me beause of this and other books. I don't think many fit into the TOPS era. I now have green diesels and steam locos as a result. Andy

Another hunt in the archives (to avoid tidying the house whilst Mrs SM42 isn't looking) has found a 4 vent version (diag 1/250) in normal van traffic in 1969 and in bauxite. Now the caption, which I accept may be a little off the mark, states that they were taken off meat traffic by 1964. If they went into general traffic by then as well can't be comfirmed Quoting one of the Larkin books - Wagons of the early British Railways era 1948 - 1954 (usual caveat about taken the written word as gospel) "neither batch saw prolonged service in meat traffic, the diagram 1/250 vehicles particularly. Both types could be seen in ale traffic and the diagram 1/251 were also seen in fish traffic." The latter not in blue spot traffic. Now considering some were still being ordered/ built in 1954, and they were not in prolonged use for meat traffic, On the face of it, by 1960, they would be in traffics other than that for which they were built. After this the trail in my limited library goes cold. In terms of white, carmine or bauxite, the white seems to have lasted quite a long time (but rather distressed, see previous reply above, that was in 1969) and there is at least one late photo that appears to be in bauxite with the white showing through but when this repaint occurred is lost to the mists of time. On the whole I think that a couple in Ale traffic wouldn't be out of place for your time period. The non vents possibly in white, the vented you could possibly go bauxite with. The next question is when did the side vents start to disappear. Choose your prototype carefully. Andy

Well last night the Nechells Grand Prix was in full swing between 10pm and 4am on the north side of Brum I'm glad I wasn't out on the roads in that area and it sounds like many have a new layer of rubber on them. I was half expecting to have to drive around the debris on my way home from work this morning. Andy

A hot air balloon was floating above Worcestershire this morning before 6am. Didn't expect to see one this year so it was a pleasant surprise. Andy

Did a similar thing to the OP, only this was with a wooden cased Hifi speaker from the top of the bookshelf. The small occasional table that broke its fall came off worse. The speaker works, the plastic decorative front broke off but easily repaired. The table? A careful positioning with the damage (triangular hole) towards the wall and a strategic house plant hide what damage couldn't be fixed by a bit of swearing and laminate bending and flexing surgery. . As for Torper's wagon. I think a new set of wheels would do the job, either that or a repaint into S.C Ruffy livery. Andy

I've had a look through the library here and the earliest I can find is a 4 vent version in bauxite in Ale traffic in 1965. It is allegde in tyhe caption that they had all been similarly converted / repainted by then. As for no vent versions there is a late 60s picture of one in white in the company of fish vans and the speculation that it was running with some non fish form of inuslated traffic. I'd say you could justify both Andy

Kidderminster shed had a triangle too for turning locos. Bewdley, Hartebury, Kidderminster. Andy

The one I spotted was half the speed muliply by 1/10th the speed (braking distance) plus the speed (thinking distance) So 30mph is 15 x 3 + 30 =75 70mph is 35 x 7 +70 = 315ft so 200mph is 100 x 20 + 200 = 2200ft Probably the same maths written in different form. Probably a lot less as would only have to shave off 130mph (975ft) to match your speed Andy

I was really hoping Alex had an older model and a D1667 would have been perfect and so easy to convert. At least there is a kit available for a D1667 and we know they were still plying their trade in the early 60s. Alex, you'll find that book a treasure trove of wagons photos from c1960 - 1976. Be careful though, it may lead to a rash of wagon aquisitions. Andy

Hi Alex, The book was published in 1977 by Bradford and Barton. I was lucky to find it second hand. I have had a quick browse through some other general steam books and wooden undeframe wagons were in evidence in freight (mainly coal) workings in 1962. Whether these are 10 or 9 footers. who knows? Quite possibly end door wagons too The LMS open Wheatley refers to has a steel underframe so possibly a 17' 6" , 10' wheelbase. Essery has the D1666 as 17' 6" body. I have no idea what the Bachmann model is tryng to be. Possibly a D2157. I'm sure some LMS experts will know. Agree on vac fitting the van. Andy

That LNER six plank image is in the Larkin book "Pre nationalisation freight wagons on British Railways." Photo is by Don Rowland. It is captioned as being at Currie, Mid-Lothian, 1960. The caption makes no reference to what is was being used for at the time, but makes general comments about repairs with steel channel and such wagons ending their days in engineering or loco coal duties. In this case it is noted as unpainted except for the number panel, although the steel work looks like it might have once hosted paint Andy

Mrs SM42 just gets "your bum looks big all the time". She doesn't ask anymore as she has learnt one of the man rules: If you think you are fat you probably are, don't ask me. Mind you I'm a glutton for punishment As to question 2 the answer is simple Which one? You can then make a point of looking at the woman in question as she is now obliged to point her out or if you are lucky, she'll just descibe what she saw. Andy

Have you tried Titfield Thunderbolt bookshop. https://www.titfield.co.uk/index.htm They appear to have some of the Larkin books and I can recommend as a satisfied customer. As to that LMS open, if it's a scale 17'6" long then it can have a new underframe. BR bulit some very similar wagons (diagram 1/034) which bears more than a passing resemblance to LMS diagram D1892 or 2034 Ok, not a perfect match but passes the squint test. I notice you may do an industrial layout. Where better for old wagons to live out their last days than as internal users in an industrial complex Andy

The LMS 5 plank may be suitable to be converted with the aid of a 10' wheelbase steel underframe if you can find one and assuming it's a 17' 6" body . That would get a few more years out of it into the 1960s. Andy

The simualtor guard's compartment looks reasonably accurate from photos, but I suppose the guard's bit didn't change too much over time. What's in one now was probably in one when it was built, except perhaps the seat may have been changed and unless it has been re-purposed by the current owner to store crisps and pop or other accoutrements . Andy

Running a rule over the Cambrian kit comes in at 38mm wheelbase. That's in 4mm / ft Andy

You could always contact the Network Rail archive askthearchivist@networkrail.co.uk They may have something lurking in a dark corner somewhere. There may be a fee though Andy

That's the one on my poster. I'll see if I can drag the section off. It's A3 size. This could be fun. I'll PM it to you Andy

I have an old poster of a Deltic at Kings Cross in 1973 and there is a rather prominent signal box in the backgound. Is this any good to you? I presume there was only one signal box and this is the one you are looking for information on. Andy

Now glad you mentioned tie bars . I knew there was some reason why mine was still languishing the not quite finished pile. Must check the others too Andy

It's easier to have a standard set of mouldings that cover several variations (and kits with similar but different undeframes) than have to have several sets of sprues for each one and worry about getting the right mouldings in the right box at packing. The Morton version is vacuum fitted. The Morton clutch, ( the little joggle that looks like an upside down comma) seen in Brossard's photo is on the opposite side to the vacuum cylinder. The brake lever on that (vacuum tank) side doesn't have the little clutch to change the direction of the lever motion as its handle end is moved down to apply the brake. When building just visualise applying the brake by pushing the brake lever down and how that will affect the linkages to the brake shoes. I'm normally waving hands about when putting the brakes together to help me work out what moves where , like some form of wagon tai chi. Still get it wrong occasionally The spares can be used for future kitbashing projects. Andy