it's-er

But did the G5's ever run with 6 wheeled coaches? Ever since Hattons announced their 6 wheel coaches, I have been looking for photographs of G5s pulling 6 wheel coaches, and haven't found any. As far as I have can see G5s, from their earliest incarnation as NER class O and then as LNER G5, are pulling bogied coaches. I'd be delighted if someone can point to photographs where they are pulling 6 wheel coaches. John S

I'd love to see a photo of the underside of the Loriot Y, if that's possible, please. You can see that there are various steel sections that disappear under the deck, but you can't see what they do or how much there is. Also presumably there are brake pipes? It would be interesting to see, even if we won't be able to see these aspects when the Loriot is in normal use on track. John S

Now into the Red Sea. I'm intrigued that, having brought 18,300 containers to Europe (BBC figure), it seems to be returning empty. Aren't there containers that need to be taken back to the Far East, so the factories there can fill with product for our Christmas season? Or are the comments above sufficient to explain why a vessel the size of the Ever Given is heading east empty? And at the end of the day, was there anything for Dapol (or any other model railway manufacturer or retailer) on the Ever Given when it stuck in the Canal? John S

Should Sonic models now have their own section in the Trade and Products section of RMweb? It doesn't seem quite right that, with a significant announcement like this, it appears under Rails headline. They have now announced two signicant locomotives in the last week or two - n gauge J50 and now this A5: their own listing would bring all their products together under one heading. No connection to Sonic Models, John Storey

I am astonished ..... and delighted! Not only are we getting an A5, but in the Hornby magazine footage in Paul. Uni's first post on this thread, we are shown liveried first examples running on Hornby magazine's layout. Watching that video, Sonic have captured the look of an A5 wonderfully: it looks superb. Not only that, it is running smoothly - no hunting in the carriages the two A5s in the video are pulling. And they are coming soon - no lengthy waiting. Outstanding! Well done, Sonic! - absolutely first class, John S

Given Accurascale's proven ability in wagons, I am surprised no one has mentioned BR Anhydrite wagons, as used on the Long Meg to Widnes traffic flow, and then later in the Midlands. They tick several boxes: there's the Settle - Carlisle line interest; they have all sorts of beams and shapes that are difficult to recreate one's self (I know Macgeordie of this parish produces a delightful kit, but building it is not for everyone); and they ran to Widnes, where Hattons are located today so they could be interested. They ran in flows of 15, then 20, and later 26 wagons, so that is potentially a lot of sales ..... but I don't suppose most of us would, or could, buy a full rake! John S

Probably more readily done than you might imagine! Come to think of it, have you or I never done something similar at some point in our lives? Just a pity when it appears indelibly in print, and there's nowhere to hide! John S

I clearly haven't been following this thread lately, because I have just realised, Edwardian, that you replied on 16 June to my request of 15 June for more information about those photographs you posted on the previous page. Thank you for all this information about years and locations. That is a lovely snippet about The Scotsman newspaper! John S

I happen to have open a link to D.G. models, who make lovely OO cars, vans and motor cycle combinations. I have a number of his cars and vans, bought second hand at Harburn Hobbies here in Edinburgh some years ago, and they are very cute indeed. Here is the link link to his website: no connection other than delighted owner of some of his cars and vans (click on the 'railway kits OO gauge' section for the full range). http://www.autocraft.plus.com/page2.html John S

There is a thread in this area of RMweb titled 'Looking for suitable OO vehicles 1930s', which brought very useful responses. It was a year ago, and is now 4 pages back. BernardTPM listed various kit makers, some of whom have strong model railway links e.g. Springside, but others such as DG Models, R Parker and John Day who aren't specifically railway related. Here is a link to the relevant page: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/152610-looking-for-suitable-oo-vehicles-1930s/ John S

Like south_tyne above, I have just discovered this thread ..... though over 2 years later! I've never heard of anyone modelling Coldstream before, so I shall follow this with interest. i only know Coldstream from photos - was so disappointed to go to the site and discover there's nothing left of the station. Photos show a rather delightful station and all the appurtences - footbridge, substantial signal box and even ex-LNER G5 locomotive 67303 0-4-4T of Tweedmouth Shed. I'm awaiting TMC's forthcoming G5 with much anticipation! All the best! John S

Goodness, Edwardian, wonderful photos! Can you give us years when these photos were taken, please? I'm particularly taken by the three axle coach sitting in Edinburgh Waverley - third photo down - taken some time in the 1920s or 30s, I'd guess. You don't get any clues from the buildings (Forsyth's department store at left, North British Hotel, now Balmoral, to right) because they are still there today! John S

Ah - many thanks!

Superb, Ben Alder! As a matter of interest, where did you source the clocks on the two stations, please? They are rather neat, and I could do with one or two, but don't want to buy a complete kit! John S

Aha - TMC now has photographs of the engineering sample of their forthcoming G5 on their web pages! Best accessed from here https://www.themodelcentre.com/oo-gauge/locomotives-9?range=84 There are 4 photos of the 2 rail bunker version, and 4 of the cage bunker with hopper version. I imagine there are the usual caveats about engineering samples - that they are designed to ensure various permutations work together, and don't necessarily represent that particular model as it will finally be produced. I don't see any sign yet of these photos on TMC's Facebook page, nor on this thread, but no doubt that will follow. To my mind, these look superb and wonderfully detailed. John Storey

Yes, I'm sure that's the engine shed TMC commissioned a few years ago. The giveaway is the cut out in the corner of the separate office, where it fits into the main shed building.

Well, I'm blowed! I immediately recognised that OO Hamilton Toy Museum as the toy museum in Callander in the Trossachs, NW of Stirling. It didn't seem a likely candidate for re-creation on modellers' railways across the land, but here it is! Wonderful - a lovely way to recognise a family run museum and business. https://thehamiltontoycollection.co.uk/ John Storey

Ah, Graham M, many thanks! That is just the sort of review I was looking for, in my post earlier today. I checked your website this morning before writing, but you didn't have anything up then. Your review is excellent - thank you. John S

There is a discussion going on here about Hornby's new bogie luggage van, but it Is gloriously abstract for those of us who haven't bought one yet! Can several of you please put some photographs of the new model, including close ups, so we can see the detail it has? Including of the underside, please? Most of us have one, or more, of Hornby's longstanding model, and we want to know if the new model is such an improvement that we ought/need to put our existing stock in the attic or on eBay. In the original versions, the plank lines were protruding: presumably they are recessed on the new version. The hand wheel seems much improved, from Hornby's own photos, but what else is? And "grey oval things" in the box? Carriage destination boards? Chalk boards? Again, a photo, please! John Storey

Markits modern air horns, short and long, are the second last item on this incredibly interesting page - I'm astonished to see five variations of Westinghouse pumps, detailed screw reversers, various safety valves and snifting valves, different types of water filler caps, and similarly loco whistles. Astonishing, and wonderful how detailed they are. (No connection to Roxey or Markits.) The air horns are turned brass, short and long, and are £4.60 for 2 pairs. https://www.roxeymouldings.co.uk/category/92/4mm-scale-accessories-by-markits/ John Storey

The VEA is definitely coming along. In the World of Model Railways virtual exhibition over 13-14 March, they showed a video 'Behind the scenes at Bachmann - Part II' which had photos of a pre-production model of the VEA. One of these showed the underside of the chassis, which is incredibly detailed. So detailed, I wondered if it was a bit over the top, since most of the time, these will be running on track and you will hardly ever see the detail. So it seemed to me. I think the photos came from the Bachmann magazine for club members. I've tried to locate the video through Google, but I suspect it was only available for a short time John Storey

Oh boys - there has been such erudite comment on this thread in the last few days, it is most enlightening and interesting. Thank you so much, everybody! I particularly enjoyed Edwardian's comments on, and critique of, the GNR and GWR coaches, and the ensuing posts. To my mind, from an aesthetic and artistic point of view, these coaches look so much better when the ends are not painted black. That allows you to see the separately applied footsteps - just compare the GNR and LNER coach ends. Much as I may need the LNER coaches, the GNR ones look so good! I think this may be partly because we have been used, over the decades, to footsteps being moulded as part of the body. Hattons are now giving us separately applied footsteps ... and I want to see them! John Storey

The CAD video of the 15xx Rapido have shared with us (5 or 6 posts above) is very interesting and informative - well worth seeing. All credit to Rapido for sharing it with us. John Storey

Goodness, Roddy! I've almost learnt more about you from this post - about Oxford Diecast's latest release programme - than I did in years of contact as colleagues in the Scottish Office/Executive/Government! John S

Oxford Rail gave details of their release 1 2021 last night on their Facebook pages. The J27 is "in production. Ready to ship after Chinese New Year" and "due Q2/2021", while the J26 is "to be released Q4 2021". John Storey