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I’ve checked, and the MJT buffer heads I used in my post above of 29 December are MJT’s buffer heads 18” (1mm shank), catalogue no 2373, obtained from Dart Castings. https://www.dartcastings.co.uk/mjt/2373.php As Steamport Southport points out, Dart seem to be out of most buffers at the moment. I am very happy with these. Happy modelling to you all in 2024! John

Ah - that is easy! Here is mine - I used a razor saw to file off the small buffer heads, drilled a fine hole down the shank, and pushed in with a tiny amount of glue MJT buffer heads, supplied in packs of 20. As seen here, my reworking on the left and Lima original on right. Comparing it with Accurascale’s buffer heads, it is remarkably good! Slimline couplings also make a big improvement. John S

Many 1/76 modellers will be aware of 1/72 scale military models, whether aircraft or military vehicles. I am intrigued by philj W’s comment above that “Airfix military kits were 1/76 although they were marketed as 1/72 scale for a while”. Why ever did they do that?! As for ‘accepting’ 1/80 scale, I can’t say I am aware of model vehicles being produced in the scale. I suspect it may be rather less a case of ‘not accepting’ 1/80 scale, but simply that nothing was/is readily available in that scale in the U.K.. John S

I have been looking for 1930s - 50s cars, and lighted on the website for Autocraft, a small family run business in south Staffordshire. I wanted a small 2 seat sports cars, and have just bought, painted and assembled two of their 1934 MG J2 two seat tourers. I am really pleased with the results - see photos below (alongside two Oxford Diecast Austin 7s for size comparison: all at 1/76 scale). I’m particularly pleased with the wire wheels - they are astonishingly finely cast, masters of the caster’s art. The proprietor is Dave Gilbert, and his castings have DGM cast in the chassis, for D.G. Models. Some years ago I purchased several other DGM models, and they also appear in the final photo below. No connection other than as satisfied customer. Autocraft’s website is at http://www.autocraft.plus.com John Storey

Yes, please! Looking forward to seeing what you are able to post! John S

Goodness - we could have modelled that scene above entirely with Hornby Dublo products in the 1960s! Am astonished! John S

No need to offer it as “weathered” - it is apparently “bullied”! John S

Ah - I’ve now found some footage on Instagram from Oxford, which shows the unveiling of their stand by Eloise at Warley today! There are 3 samples of the J26 on the stand, and a screen says that they currently expect availability in Q3/4 2024. One of our number may have taken photos they can share? John S

Ah - I’ve now found some footage on Instagram from Oxford of the unveiling of their stand at Warley today! The crane adb968008 has photographed above is a 3d print: they still have work to do on it, and currently plan availability in Q3/4 2024. John S

Oh, it is good to see a photograph of the 15t crane! It looks as if Oxford is showing some castings of forthcoming vehicles too - that Bond Bug and an early Ford Transit just off camera to the right. Any other photos from Oxford’s display today, please? Is the J26 there? John S

Available since 2018 from TMC, who commissioned Bachmann to make plate wagons: they are lovely models. John S

Well, what did Oxford Rail say or announce at 10am today at Warley? They promised a statement then. I’m looking online, but can’t find anything yet. If one of us is at Warley, please report back! John S

I think you got the first ‘Warley morning’ new announcement! I see Andy Y is now posting, including the class 323, but you were ahead of him by a few minutes! John S

We are now 5 months on - are we likely to see decorated samples of the NER 20t hoppers at Warley this weekend, please? and also online for those of us who don’t get to Warley? John S

The Bachmann approach, then! John S

Oxford now have this up on their Instagram page, about the two days of Warley on 25 and 26 November: ”The main attraction is an update on the Oxford Rail brand, scheduled for 10am on both days. This update is highly anticipated and will include visuals, so bring your cameras to capture the moment. We look forward to seeing you! Eloise” John S

My, that was quick, Invicta! Many thanks. I also notice there are four new American vehicles in 1/87, and a Ford Fiesta mk 1 in 1/148 for n-gaugers. John S

Am I right in thinking that the bar across the lower part of the door is a separate fitting? And I’ve just noticed the two grab handles, one on the solebar, and the other at the bottom of the body. Amazing detail! John S

I’m sure you could “get away with it”, but it would be a LOT of work! Unless Shawplan do glazing for these coaches, but I don’t think they do. Rather more time and effort than I am prepared to spend! For 2 of my 3 coaches, the glazing lifted out easily, so I was happy to put the burnt umber oil paint into the window reveals. For the 3rd coach, I didn’t dare do that: it shows in my second last photo on the previous page. I'm going to try the 4B lead pencil idea suggested by Dominion. John S

Well, that’s an impressive display in the second photograph, even without any class 50 diesels, class 89 electric, nuclear wagons, HUO wagons, chaldron wagons, NER 20T hoppers, and 16T mineral wagons! There’s quite a lot more on the way. John S

Well, that gives plenty of space for a GNR K2 2-6-0 and an NER A6 or A8 2-6-4T locomotive …… John S

Well in that case, could you please change the title of this thread. I don’t mind the title being ‘Accurascale customer support’ but ‘Is Accurascale customer support working’ is somewhat provocative, and definitely negative. The experience of many of us is that Accurascale customer support is working very well indeed, and far better than almost any other manufacturer’s. No connection to Accurascale other than as a satisfied customer, who is happily anticipating more from Accurascale - I’ve just been enjoying the first photographs of the LNER J67, 68 and 69! John Storey

They said “model”, so I suspect rolling stock. Fran would probably have said “locomotive” if it is a locomotive? John S

Agree completely with stratford 47’s comment above about the G5 locomotive, and your weathering is superb. Here’s a couple more photographs of unweathered G5s. John S

I’ve completed my three coaches, and am delighted with the outcome. They were LNER ‘brown’ (unpainted plastic!), and I gave them one coat of Seraphim Sepia; followed by a coat of Johnson’s Pledge ‘Formally known as Klear’ for a satin finish. After this, I didn’t use further washes, but went down the Mike Trice route, using burnt umber oil paint. You only need a small amount of burnt umber, mixed with Windsor and Newton Liquin Original. This is mixed 50:50 on a palette, and brushed on - Mike’s video on the link below explains all. Left to dry, then a final coat of Pledge. The compartment dividers in these coaches are far too prominent from outside, being in light grey plastic. I was using track grime on the bogies and undercarriage, and it is pretty much prefect for toning down the compartment dividers! I painted the seats red in first class, green in third with some old Humbrol enamels. Here is the link to Mike Trice’s videos on RM, first post on this thread: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/153339-reproducing-lner-varnished-teak-painting-and-graining-with-oil-paints/#comment-5173836 And some photos: John S