Osgood

Great stuff Paul. When do you anticipate having the sound project finished and therefore ready to do a couple of installs to client's own Fowlers?

Thanks for posting that, Paul - most helpful and a very good sound track. Can anyone enlighten me as to the make / model of the power plant in the Swindon & Cricklade Fowler? I recognise the donkey engine as being of the C.A.V. 24 volt variety!!

Are you prepared to offer the THIRD WAY to customers' own locomotives, i.e. those who made their purchases before they saw the ngtrains star shining so brightly in the sky?

I've just looked through my collection and cannot find one - although I'm sure I had a Don Townsley drawing of these locos. I did however find Don's short article and 4mm drawing of the Gin Pt Manning Wardle 0-8-0T (railway Modeller June 1966) and his superb article with fine 4 and 7mm drawings of the Kerr Stuart VICTORY Class (Railway Modeller Sept 1966). Wonderful engineering on these locomotive models! Tony

Sincere congratulations to the Ixion team for a delightful little model! But don't just bask in the limelight - what's next then?

The quality of finish on those wooden 7 plank wagons is astonishing, very apparent in that close-up photo with subtle weathering. What shade of grey / black have you used on the body?

Southwark Bridge Models seem to do the same base in this1880 onwards MacNee's lever (7mm at rear in brass) - thanks for the link to SB, PGH!!

I just happen to have one of those levers - ex M&GN (only difference is shape of lever weight). Your version looks excellent. Interesting that this type is not readily available in 7mm - what is the chance that you might be able to make some available for purchase?

Maybe you missed the text in post 5 where it clearly states - "The next part of the layout is less 'finished', most of it has only recently been ballasted and 'grassed', so its rather too neat and tidy and lacking buildings, etc."? I can't imagine there is much difference between what you expect to see and what the builder aims to achieve - perhaps (as has already been implied) he prefers to run a few trains before applying the final touches? We all work in different ways!

Dr. J - are you referring to the Oakwood Press book or should I be looking elsewhere? Thanks Tony

Mmm - if I was building this I'm pretty certain I'd be doing (well if I would if only I was that competent!) exactly what the builder is doing - first getting the basic infrastructure in place and to a uniformly high standard. Lets's face it there is a lot of area to cover there. Only then would I turn my attention to seeing what areas would benefit from more grime and to what extent. If you were to read the bits of text between the pictures (admittedly difficult to tear your eyes away from the fantastic images) you may note that the author has indeed already qualified the relatively simplified state of the scenery. In case you hadn't noticed, it isn't finished yet - give him a chance for goodness sake!

Almost off topic, but I viewed the excellent Yeoman's Quay layout recently and they had modelled the Iron Mink van body filled with concrete used at a south west(?) port. It later had a drawbar hook attached so it could be pulled back into position by a locomotive whenever necessary after overzealous shunting!!!

I spoke with Karlgarin today at the Waveney Valley MR exhibition and he showed me a newly received wheel which he had commissioned from Slaters to replace the incorrect wagon wheels which were originally specified in the Impetus kits. Looks very good. He hopes to make some serious progress soon towards getting these kits available.

Have you come across a DVD entitled Bygone Ways - the Land of Lost Content? Contains stills and archive film of Shropshire lines, including stills of Clee Hill. It may contain something of interest! http://www.videoscene.co.uk/bygone-ways-the-land-of-lost-content.html

An Ixion Bellerophon? Now that's a good idea'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gordon - just managed to get a look on G Earth, and unfortunately this area has no historical coverage. Back only to 1990 (though some of the 4 or so photos mayshow different detail as taken at different times of year). Tony

Have you tried old aerial photographic surveys? Thinking about Google Earth here, but can't access it at present from this pc or I'd look for you.

In which case - have you stumbled across this site yet? http://www.manning-wardle.moonfruit.com/#/irchester-bw/4548355436

It's been a long day........

Anyone else noticed the extra side and front glass in that Peckett cab?

If you want to be picky, the firebox is having a personal space argument with the eccentrics!

Something keeps niggling me. And now I think I know why it doesn't look quite right - the saddle tank is just a bit too big and out of proportion for the loco. 4 wheelers had a smaller tank - study the Hudswell 0-4-0 s and it will become apparent. Tweak that a little and I think you've got it!

Note the 'Comes from a smoke free home' - oh so electric motive power only then?

Just brilliant!