BernardTPM

He sounds like an arrogant git.

From memory, I think they did an N gauge version too*, to fit a Fleischmann tender drive chassis. * possibly the 2-10-0 WD

Conversions from Period 1 coaches that had been requisitioned as Ambulance cars. Rebuilt as BGs 1946-9 to diagrams D2129 & D2130. A large number had originally been Third Opens, but quite a few had been Brake Thirds or Composites. Not surprisingly there were a lot of detail variations! All were scrapped by the end of 1967 (ref: LMS Coaches).

I bought an R55 off ebay a few years back and it had that early mech in. It works too.

I assume this type. Hornby have done those in recent years to a very high standard, though you'll be stripping a lot of that off. The more basic Railroad model is not the correct 'hand'.

And Chrysler had used one in 1960.

The September 1971 Modern Railways has an article on the introduction of the Mk.2D coaches and they are shown in the photographs, but not on the diagrams.

They were often removed later, but this one was withdrawn with them in place.

Though visually not obvious, they were intergrally built, not Mk.1 bodied. Swindon used the InterCity DMU jigs to build the prototype Mk.2 W13252.

And the "free" limit would have disappeared when the new VAT rules came in EU wide last July anyway.

Indeed the IC225 and Pendolinos could have run at 140mph if the right signalling had been put in place. 30 wasted years?

He was Transport Secretary from 1988 to 1990, so probably had little say in those closures. I'm not defending the Conservative governments in those years, just saying that you should check facts before making an accusaton like that. (I know we can all slip up like that occasionally; Mea Culpa).

For older style coaching stock you could look at some of the old 1970s Grafar/Graham Farish coaches. These have a 1920s look to them and are around a scale 55 foot long in both corridor and non-corridor formats. The old Triang/Hornby short Clerestory coaches can be hacked into all kinds of pre-group stock. A little more upmarket the old Mainline LMS period 1 corrdor coaches or the Airfix/Dapol LMS non-gangwayed lavatory stock are pretty good. While not scale, the older Hornby Gresley coaches have nicely moulded panelling and may lend themselves to chopping around. There are also the old Ratio (now under the Parkside brand) kits, 4 wheel and bogie, GWR, MR and LNWR though the bogies have a reputation for being a bit delicate. With careful shopping around none of these options should be expensive.

I've got one of those red/cream coaches from that set. One of the odd things is how many of those composites (including the one I have) actually had the brake roof with periscopes. I see the one in that set is like that too. The version with the correct roof seems rarer, but also exists.

Saw that one in an old Railway Gazette bought from Collector's Corner in Euston. Good times!

BHE catalogue p.17 item BHE375 Oleo buffers large should be the correct type.

Are they really needed if there are no buffers on the intermediate coaches?

Prepping is preparing for exams, hence Prep school.

Being ABS plastic mouldings though, the prototypical bolster and framing could be built between the cosmetic plastic sides. More difficult with an RTR bogie, probably made of something that can't easily be glued.

That is not a Triang model. It was originally Lilliput but later Trix. From memory it can be made to work on the track by relocating the plug with the red wire on the roof into the other hole nearby, assuming the rest of the internal wiring is intact. More about the model here and here.

The further tamper (pretty new in 1980) in C4984 looks to have the original flush-fitting plug doors. Compare to the same type of machine in more recent times here.

First Class 14 (D9500) completed 24th July 1964.

More on the modified Austerity here.

The first 'Teddy Bears' entered service in 1964 rather than 1965.

Yes, Bachmann's DLG is too small. On the other hand it will be interesting to see if Kato ever do the tall cab version of Prince. The cab and chimney are separate parts so wouldn't require a complete retooling. I suspect it won't happen though.