MarshLane

What a lovely collection of models Steve. Very nice! Rich

Hi, Ah thought you were building it yourself, sorry! Mind you full of admiration for the chap that is building it, and for what you have done with your layout. Very nice. Rich

David, That really is very kind of you - thank you. I have to say they are not as intrusive as I thought they were, so that is a good point! My one concern is that I believe these are 'handed', so you have a hook on one end of each vehicle, and a hook/loop on the other? I have a couple of steam locos that would always run smokebox first, being turned on the layout turntable - I'm just wondering how the Dinghams would work with that, as on arrival they would be connected to one type of the coupling and on departure, they would have been turned, coupled and to the opposite end of the train which has the other type? Or am I missing something? Thanks again for the photos and the points that you made, that really helps. Cheers Rich

Thanks TTG - I've sent you a PM.

HI Simon, Thats an interesting one - never heard of those before. Just had a quick read through and it sounds quite interesting, although very fiddly to produce I think. There must be a better solution in the 21st century to what is a basic issue, surely! Rich

Hi Paul, Well despite limited progress, your obviously moving things forward at a great pace in your mind! Hope you've the space to accommodate the full layout up with all the extra boards. Looking forward to following along with the progress. Rich

Hi Paul, Its that point where you get stuck for choice!! A lot depends on where your looking to take the collection In the future I guess. KX Depot could probably be done just about full size in the space you have available, but there again Buxton is doable, you might just need to shorten a couple of roads, but thats no major problem and wouldn't affect the 'look'. Knowing you like the transition period, KX - 1960s period would be 31s, 40s, 47s, 55s, maybe the odd 33 that could have crept in on a working to KX Goods. The big advantage being that steam would have been banished to Top Shed at that point, so you don't need to worry about the kettles. That brings the question that the blue 08 would have been early 70s I think .. might just have crept into 1969 I guess - so alot depends on what period you want and what you want in the future stock list. However, Buxton has a wider choice of locos - I'm not sure about the transition period around Buxton, but I suspect the odd WD, 8F and Black 5 could have crept in! Was the diesel depot built on the site of the old steam shed or was that a different place? Somebody may know, I don't. But come into the blue period and you can run just about anything!!! Including your blue 08. Either is doable - for me, id go KX, its compact, limited but interesting point work and plenty of opportunity to move things around, plus I like anything ECML! But this is yours, not mine!!!! Rich

Hi Dave, This may be a silly question, but given all the work and research that has gone into these - are there any plans to scale them up and offer in O gauge at all? Rich

Hi Mike, Ah! I wondered if it was. I spent many minutes (ok, about 15!) watching the 9F on their stand plod up and down that bit of O gauge and was totally impressed. While I'm a fan of DCC sound for the diesels, I've never been a fan for steam. It doesn't sound right, in my opinion and I've always said it has to get a lot better before id look at it. Well, watching that 9F, I think Finescale Brass have got it to the point where its worth looking at! Im not sure who does their sound, I know the Minerva Peckett is Paul Chetter and that is superb, but the 'chuff' and timing on the 9F on that stand was just mind blowing. Your a lucky modeller! My credit card winces every time I look at the potential for a Brit on their site. Must stay firm in my resolve - please don't post any more mind-altering images of superb steam locos!!! You'll be costing me money haha! Rich

Hi Paul, How is work on your layout going? Black Notley was one of those that inspired me to really push on with a few things, but all seems quite on the western front so to speak at the moment! Hope all is well. Rich

Hi David, Wow that Stanier Mogul really is coming on well. Very envious of people who have the skill to create something as superb as that! Well done. Rich

Hi Mike, Nice - love your layout, its coming on well. Whose is the 9F? Looks a little clean for my liking, but a very nice model - the large sided BR1C tenders really do match the bulk and power of a 9F well! Rich

Hi David, As you may have seen on the 7mm+ page there is an ongoing discussion about O gauge couplings ... how have you got on with your Dingham's? Any verdict? Also any chance of a photo or two showing them coupled together, and also a vehicle fitted with them, but not coupled to anything? Currently trying to decide which direction I'm going to go ... its taking some pulling away from 3-links which I like the reality, but the new layout is going to have some hard to reach area's so three links are a big no-no! Rich

Hi, We're a friendly bunch on the 7mm side! Always welcome people butting in with useful information Interesting comments. I think the one advantage of 7mm is the additional room. The lack of delayed action is something of pain - I keep wondering if there is a way of modifying them to provide such a facility, its something I'm going to look at once I've got a couple of wagons equipped and can see them working - must be someway! The Dinghams and S&W all have good reputations, although obviously every system has its negative points, but personally, for me, they are both too intrusive visually on 7mm. Now if we could get them working with DCC decoders to uncouple anywhere, well that could be a different kettle of couplings Rich

Hi John, I think a lot of people have come away with an '08' for display purposes, or because for the price its too good to let go, and then thought, actually this is good, I could do something with this! They really are very nice models. And the 7mm sound is superb - highly recommend the Paul Chetter 08 Zimo sound from Digitrains at Lincoln (no connection with either party) - but it really does sound good .. I'm waiting on three Zimo chips coming in, to equip my four 08s! Definitely sounds better than the SWD chip that is in my original Bachmann Brass model. Yes there are more 7mm threads, which is great to see ... more modern image ones that aren't just 1960s transition as well which is inspiring. Rich

Paul, Can't picture Birkenhead without doing some research, but I would second Steve's suggestion of Buxton TMD - plenty of opportunity, not excessively large - and the odd DMU might sneak into a platform in 2018 when the Heljan ones are released . Remember 40s worked Peak Forest stone And it could be Merseyside ... if the odd boundary was moved and county accidentally lost on the map!! Rich

Dave, Are there any plans in the pipeline to continue this range, if they're successful, by releasing other identities or un-numbered versions? Also, are you planning additional releases in the future (I don't expect you to say what they are - just a yes/no/maybe!) or is the A3/A4/Teaks a one-off series? Rich

Hi John, Any chance of an update on the 9F availability, and the Britannia project please? Rich

Thanks Jeff. I've ordered some from Richard Symes so I'll give them a go. Shame there is no delayed action as that really would make them perfect! I like your idea for a spare set up on a block for testing. Cheers Rich

Nice line of thinking mate. Some good opportunities there. Rich

I keep saying to David, he needs to change his nickname! My spellchecker is obviously LNER and not LMS as it changes Jinty to Minty everytine! Either that or it is secretly munching After Eight mints through its USB port! Rich

Andy, No problem at all. I know you've had far more important things to think about lately! Just pleased it was some use! Ah! I'd completely misunderstood what compensation did! I thought it was about a small amount of springing to allow the wagon to ride smoother. I now see what you mean! Thanks for the explanation. I'll have a look at that. Hmm, your now making me think about a little smoke unit in the van during the winter months to show the stove is alight!!! Thanks Minty, I'm going to have to have a play about with these things! So much to do, oh if only I could come up with the right lottery numbers, then work could get jotted! More modelling time! Cheers Rich

Hi Barnaby, Thanks for that. The T/L option is one I've discounted for me, purely because I like to do model railway photography and the tension locks are so visible. Each to their own as they say! What works for one might not for another etc... Thanks for the feedback though - think I'll order a batch of Lincs and give them a try. I'm building an NE brake van at the moment, so an ideal time to have a look! Cheers Rich

Hi Rod, Just been catching up after a manic few weeks. Wow those buildings really do bring the whole scene to life - they are wonderful! I've had a couple of conversations with the same chap about a couple of buildings for my layout, just to move things on a bit. Nothing on the scale of yours, just smaller bits, but after seeing those houses I'm convinced! Glad to see all is coming on, you should be chuffed to bits (no pun intended) and with your declaration of no electrics, the nickname of 'sparky' can't be used! Seriously tho, it really is looking great. Well done. Rich

Cheers Andy, I forgot to ask - was the totem that I sent you for your new O Gauge layout any good? Rich Hi Simon, Ah! I see now, so the single "leg" is pushing the axle downwards and acting like a spring? May be a silly question, but why only at one end? Do both axles not need to be dealt with the same way? Thanks for that. Rich