Fair Oak Junction

To be honest I could see that being popular. Unlike a lot of what if/fictional livery models, that would at least have contemporary precedence. And it seemed to work well for Hornby when it came to the LNER lined green W1. After all, that livery only existed in illustration but didn't stop the model being hugely popular.

Also on the smokebox front, that had also been raised on Facebook and KR gave the same response that these renders do not fully represent what the physical model will look like. On this point I am inclined to believe them as the actual CADs they released previously DID in fact get the smokebox details right (such as the numberplate, handrail, lack of dart, etc) I'm coming to the conclusion that the 3D renders were mainly done just to showcase the liveries rather than the overall progress of the models themselves. Obviously we wont know for sure until the actual EPs eventually break cover, but I doubt KR would get a major detail wrong after the fact when they already got it right in the first place. I could end up being wrong, and it could be that KR have somehow managed to take a huge step backwards on some details. But I'm not going to condemn them before we know for sure.

And finally to complete the livery set, BR Lined Black:

Bringing the topic back to actual liveries, KR have now given us the LMS Black (sorry about the picture size, can't seem to find a bigger version) But it at least shows the cut down tender sides and the double later style valves. Nice to see that thay have indeed got those details right. Hopefully the engineering prototypes will answer more questions when they eventually break cover, but I'd say they are moving in the right direction.

Yes it has been confirmed both tender side types will be done. Also others asked on Facebook about the coupling, and KR said that is just on the renders. The real ones will apparently not sit so far forward 👍

KR have posted the render (NOT a physical prototype) of Bertha in MR Black on their Facebook page and mentioned tooling is under way with a delivery estimate of end of 2024. No view of the reverser on the other side, but glad to see they have got the correct double safety valves. Fingers crossed the later versions have the correct late double valves.

I love that idea!!

Stunning!

Except half the time KR block/ignore even those who aren't antagonistic and adversarial, just anyone who dares to even slightly (and often rightly) criticise their work. A while back I had an email discourse with them about whether the Bertha models would have to two tender types. They confirmed yes and the whole back and forth was perfectly cordial. Then the CADs for it came out and the issues were noted, so I responded back to the email with pictures of Bertha with the relevant parts highlighted to help them get the details right. I could not have been more upbeat in that email, saying how much I was looking forward to the model, how good I thought the CADs looked, and hoping them the best for the project. I got nothing back, and later found they had also blocked me on Facebook. Petty nonsense like that doesn't faze me, and that alone wouldn't have stopped me ordering from them again. But any way you look at it that attitude is a terrible look for any company!

10 of the class built, sounds like a good excuse to own a model of each one 😉 However I'm still extremely happy with my lone example. PI absolutely hit it for six with these little beauties!

I absolutely did want a model Bellerophon, have done for years. The real one is one of my favourite locos so I always hoped one would be made RTR. It's the exact same situation with Big Bertha, but I always knew the chances of either were slim. So when they were announced by KR my emotions were conflicted. I own a second batch GT3 (in proper livery) and I am very happy with it, but KR's continued issues with accuracy, their attitude towards the community/constructive criticism, and their increasingly strange communications gave me pause when it came to the thought of buying from them again. In the end financial reasons put the final nail in the coffin of me getting either, but I still want to models to be fantastic and to make people happy. I just wish they would get things right, and if they can't then don't try to convince us you have.

Small update on Bertha in today's KR newsletter email, but one which does nothing to alleviate accuracy concerns. Tooling has started, but at no point have we seen either an updated CAD or any acknowledgement from KR regarding the glaring issues the first CAD had. If the first CAD is what has gone for tooling then I'm glad I didn't pre-order one! This is why it's hard to have any faith in them.

The one Rapido used for their display layout is the WWScenics one found here: https://www.wwscenics.com/product/oo-gauge-metal-roof-dutch-barn/

The whiff of desperation is becoming an overpowering stench!

Ultimately no one wants a company to fail. What we want are companies that care enough to take the time and effort to get things right in the first place and listen when help/constructive criticism is offered. So far KR have been incredibly hit and miss on these points, for no discernibly good reason. It also helps to have the humility as a company to put your hands up and say "Yes, we messed up. We'll rectify the problem and do better next time." To their credit KR did this with a number of problems the first batch GT3 had, but then they just go and keep making glaring errors in other upcoming products. Then when people point out those problems so they can be fixed before tooling starts, they block you from their social media. I hope their upcoming products are good and do well. But it's hard to have confidence in them as a company.

By doing proper research. By taking on board feedback, suggestions and constructive criticism without making out the community is attacking you. By concentrating on the models that will sell and not fall into the fictional livery trap that ends with dead stock. By actually communicating like Accurascale, Rapido, Revolution, etc do and not treating the community like the enemy but a resource.

They are indeed: https://www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/donate/

Received my book today, and what a superb tome! Beautifully done, super informative and a pleasure to read. A absolute must have for anyone who loves the film!

View Advert Guilsborough LMS 4mm Layout For sale - Guilsborough 4mm/OO finescale (not EM/P4) layout. I became the owner of this wonderful layout back in 2016 when I rescued it from going in a skip, but due to various major changes in personal circumstances I can no longer keep it. The layout is currently in a secure climate controlled storage unit in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. The layout is old and would likely require a full rewire. As I have no means of transporting it myself, any prospective buyer would need a large enough vehicle or we can discuss costs of getting it transported to a new home. Please message me directly if you are interested. Sadly I know very little about the origin, other than it came from an elderly gentleman in Bewdley and was built somewhere around 1977-1980. The layout is based on a what if joining of two branch lines in Northamptonshire, one Midland and one LNWR, and is set in the 1930s. There is scope for numerous branch services, including both passenger and goods plus iron works traffic down a spur serving the New Cransley Iron Works. There are extensive notes and intended train diagrams included. The layout is solidly built using strong wood, meaning it is heavy. Unfortunately I don't know much about the control or what is powered and what isn't, please see the photos below. The track is finescale, possibly hand built? The fiddle yard is provided via various length cassettes as seen in the photos below. The scenics of the layout are superb, obviously built by a talented modeller. There are various little bits of damage across the layout but these are all minor cosmetic issues easily fixed. PLEASE DO FOLLOW THIS LINK to see the scenics in detail and the bits of damage. I can't put enough pictures in this advert to get across the quality of the layout. https://www.flickr.com/photos/165755585@N05/albums/72157713504584397 The dimensions are as follows: Centre (station) Section: Length - 48in or 122cm Depth - 30in or 76cm Outer (shed & spur) Sections: Length - 53in or 135cm Depth - 30in or 76cm Legs: Height - roughly 35in or 89cm Control Panel: Length - 3ft or 92cm Depth - 8in or 20cm Height - 30in or 77cm Total length of scenic sections when put up is 13ft without fiddle yard cassettes. It breaks my heart to part with this layout but sadly I have no choice. I need to get this moved on within the next 2-3 months, otherwise I will most likely have to look at breaking it up and selling the stock on it's own. This would be an absolute last resort for me and one I do not relish the thought of having to do. If anyone is interested, or knows someone else who would be, please send me a message and we can discuss details. I am open to anyone be it sole buyer or a group/club/society. I saved this layout as it is a work of art, and hopefully it will live on. Advertiser Obsidian Quarry Date 12/05/23 Price Category OO / 4mm scale

View Advert Aerodrome Park 4mm DCC Exhibition Layout For sale - Aerodrome Park exhibition layout originally built by Peter North, complete with stock. I acquired this stunning layout in early 2020 direct from Peter, but due to various major changes in personal circumstances I can no longer keep it. The layout is currently in a secure climate controlled storage unit in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. As far as I can tell it all still works, but as it has been sat for a while the locos would benefit from a service. As I have no means of transporting it myself, any prospective buyer would need a large enough vehicle or we can discuss costs of getting it transported to a new home. Please message me directly if you are interested. The layout is based on a planned Southern Railway extension to what would have been a new commercial aerodrome at Lullingstone, Kent. The real plans fell through, but Peter has wonderfully captured a "what if" set during the late 1930s. Served by the Southern Electric network, it also has steam hauled goods and fuel services. It was shown at two exhibitions by Peter (as shown in the photos below) and also appeared in the November 2020 issue of Railway Modeller. The layout is built using lightweight Tim Horn baseboard, has fully DC powered signals and points, and the stock is controlled using an DCC NCE Power Cab. The track is Peco Code 75 Bullhead on the scenic section and Code 100 in the fiddle yard. All the locos/units are DCC sound fitted by Digitrains, and all stock is weathered to a very nice standard. You can see the stock that is included in the photos below. The dimensions are as follows: Length - 7ft or 214cm Depth - 39in or 100cm (at wide end) Depth - 17.3in or 44cm (at thin end) Height - 5ft 5in or 165cm (when on legs) Height - 2ft or 61cm (without legs) The lovely Art Deco lamps add around another 1.5ft to the height of the layout, but as these are separate they can easily be left off for convenience. It breaks my heart to part with this layout but sadly I have no choice. I need to get this moved on within the next 2-3 months, otherwise I will most likely have to look at breaking it up and selling the stock on it's own. This would be an absolute last resort for me and one I do not relish the thought of having to do. If anyone is interested, or knows someone else who would be, please send me a message and we can discuss details. I am open to anyone be it sole buyer or a group/club/society. A layout of this quality needs to survive, and ideally be exhibited again. If you wish to see more photos, please follow this link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/165755585@N05/albums/72157712800173318 Advertiser Obsidian Quarry Date 12/05/23 Price Category OO / 4mm scale

Both Nesta and Alice arrived today and thankfully both are fine after running in. Initially Nesta ran for about 5 mins, then went lumpy, had a nudge, got moving again and ran smooth as silk for the rest of the running in session. Alice was slightly hesitant to start but again with a tiny nudge she set off and ran also smooth as silk. Both are superbly quiet and absolute little works of art! Top work Bachmann! I hope all those having problems with their ones get it sorted quickly so they can begin enjoying them, and then bring on the raft of slate quarry layouts!! 😉

Finally now that the festive nonsense is out of the way I was able to test my repaired Blanche. She runs smooth as anything now, forward and backwards. Tiny bit noisy going forward but near silent backwards. I'm debating selling her to be honest as she really was a impulse purchase, unlike the Quarry Hunslets which I've been wanting and waiting for for years, and I have no real use for her. Although given the fact there have been even more reported running issues with them than the mainline ones, my excitement levels for Alice and Nesta are waning somewhat. Oh well, I'll see when they get here.

Just got my Blanche back from Bachmann. They've apparently replaced the wheel set and it runs fine for them. Once I'm able to get my test track set up I'll see for myself, so fingers crossed! 🤞

All the years I've loved Bertha and I didn't even know that wonderful song existed, I should be ashamed.

Thank you so much for all that fantastic info about Calshot! While I knew some bits about the site, that certainly has taught me a lot. And you most definitely succeeded in capturing lovely snapshots of the site with your two layouts, wonderful work! Once my account namesake slate quarry project has come to fruition in the new year I'll properly knuckle down and work out what I want to do with a small narrow gauge military layout, whether to base it more on Calshot with its naval aviation or go RN vessel based. Edit: Also by then hopefully I'll know exactly how much room I can dedicate towards the project! 😄