Bernard Lamb

Many thanks for posting these links. Only just found time to have a good browse through them. Some fascinating stuff. I do like the one of Blue Peter at Gorebridge. A station that did seem to be very camera shy. Seeing it was in the middle of a coal mine that's hardly surprising. Bernard

The bottom and middle steps on the loco appear to line up with the steps on the tender, which is correct. The top step however should be in line with the running plate of the tender. This seems to be where the problem arises. Close up the gap by a good foot or you will lose the crew. Bernard. ( Who knows SFA about the GWR and has not bought one).

No. The're a throw back to the broad gauge period. Bernard

Hi Brian They come under non passenger coaching stock so are not as you think. They were painted brown with the goldish lettering. Large G W in the large panels each side, number on the door and PYTHON on the solebar to the right of the door according to Russell. One of them was specially strengthened to carry elephants if you want something a bit different. Bernard

When the NRM/Bachmann did the Deltic they set the price at a level at which they thought it would sell out, it did very quickly and immediately went on ebay at a large premium. A fair number of people were prepared to pay this premium. The NRM could have made more cash from the experiment. Having seen what happened it is surely sensible for the NRM to up the price on the next special loco. Ultimately in a free economy it's the punter who sets the price not the seller. Not for me this time. Bernard

There are a few people about who do not use these new fangled works of the devil. Up to five years ago I dealt with a major shop fitting company that had no computers. You even had to leave your mobile at reception. It did not hinder them commercially. In fact it was a benefit. If somebody does not have these aids to business then there could well be a religious reason behind it. To those that are making snide comments please consider the broader picture before you shoot. Some people see the world in a different light. Bernard

I found the Iron Mink went together without problems but that was over 20 years ago. The tooling has probably become a bit worn since then. Another bodge is rather than use top hat bearings with spacers is to use the non flanged bearings. Sudden thought . I don't know if you can still easily get them. With a drop of solvent in the axle hole you can press them in to the required depth with an axle in place to set the correct dimension. There is a lot to be said for having a long think about how you are going to assemble a kit before you actually start work on it. Compensation or springing is sometimes the best way out even if you do normally build 'em rigid. I would always use compensation on long wheelbase jobs like CCTs. Some people can get them to run perfectly built straight out of the packet. I find a standard method of attack for a particular style of wagon or kit saves a lot of frustration in the long run. Bernard

I use them from time to time when they have an item in stock that I cannot get elswhere. Always found them very efficient. On the one occassion that I did have a problem they issued me a credit for the returned goods. They added on an amount for my postage without me prompting them. They even left a message on my answerphone to let me know that they had received the returned goods and an apology for the mix up. Bernard

Quite correct. That tiny tiny amount of material used in the printing process would make a big saving in the total cost. Offset many times over by the need to produce a different carton plus more complex stock control procedures. Usual disclaimer applies. Bernard

Thanks Carl. My only experience of ship modelling is with planks on formers. A pain in the butt in sanding down and finishing for anything other than a small area. Unless you are trying to replicate planked construction of course. Bernard

I admire your confidence in attacking the stern with that large saw. This might have come up before, if so my apologies, but what adhesive do you use to stick the plastic to the MDF? Bernard

Something about God making the earth and heavens but the islannds belong to MacBraynes rings a bell from long long ago. My Granny came from Lochaber so I think that must be where I came across it. Bernard

'Minstrel' for me as well. Let's hope the model goes better than the original. Very fast for a mile but not able to go any further for those who don't know their race horses. Bernard

It's coming on rather well. I've missed my daily fix of looking at the pictures of your progress so it's good to catch up. I do like that overlay around the bow. Bernard

Which means that you have done it very well. As somebody who took about 3 years to build a Thames Barge I am very impressed. I have seen a similar construction method used on a barge in 1:24 scale but I reckon that you have taken things to a higher level. Bernard