BernardTPM

Pre-BR vans were withdrawn from normal service by the end of 1972. Those not scrapped would end up as engineers or internal user stores were they would tend to get washed by rain and faded by sun. Mind you, the latter processes also applied to reveue stock, though they'd acquire fresh dirt a lot of which would be brake dust - basically iron oxide (rust) The wagons in this train are in fairly typical condition: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwf2009/7152749765/in/set-72157629623169032 Paul Bartlett's website has plenty of colour pictures of these kind of vans, mostly 1970s/80s, but some earlier, including this very grubby ex-GWR van in 1967 (next to a cleaner ex-LNER Plywood one): http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brgwrvan/h34902e45#h34902e45

I still have a half-done one, though I left the rubbing strip and used some Wiking wheels I'd bought at Beatties in Holborn (the old ex-Bassett Lowke shop). Quite a striking livery, much nicer than the yellow I thought and not entirely unlike the old Seaspeed hovercraft colours.

I'm not sure on that. I know they did a few Mk.3s with the new clear body in the 'Executive' version, but probably only one run just after they changed over. IIRC the Swallow version was a new addition at that time so didn't appear on the earlier inlay version.

Farish would have done printed versions of the Mk.2e TSO post 1990 to around 2001 on the clear shell.

The Poole Farish Mk.2 TSOs were 2e, with the diagonally opposite toilets while the Farish by Bachmann TSOs have been Mk.2d with the toilets both on the same side, but with one oddly spaced.

In case you were wondering why they changed the toilets, this was to enable two extra seats in the TSOs, or one in the case of BSOs. This brought them into line with the Mk.1, Mk.2 and Mk.2a coaches which made seat reservation easier for booking staff as there was a full compliment of seats. Incidentally, the wood finish used up to Mk.2e coaches was genuine wood veneer, not wood patterned plastic while the white plastic panelling in the Mk.2fs had a stippled finish that used to get grubby looking around arm level quite quickly.

Mk.2d &e coaches had an air-conditioning system that was, effectively, added to the earlier pressure ventilation system. The Mk.2f coaches had a redesigned system that was simpler and more reliable and meant fewer boxes underneath; also slightly different vents on the roof. Most Mk.2fs had Mk.3 style seats (orange First and light blue Second), though some TSOs were fitted with the Mk.2 type (dark blue). Mk.2d coaches had the large toilets like Mk.2b & 2c coaches, Mk.2e & f had smaller toilets. Externally this only made a difference on the TSO where the toilet windows were either both on the same side for Mk.2d or diagonally opposite corners on Mk.2e & 2f. Blue/grey coaches probably would still have their original interior colours. Folding gangway doors in the corridor connections were orange/red on Mk.2d and cream on Mk.2e & 2f.

Wouldn't all these parts need painting (other than the railhead) when the track was weathered anyway?

Would it be worth/possible to cast the chairs in place, or were these going to slide on after?

Be aware the Solido RT is 1:50 scale.

Tomica used to make a 1:43 scale RT bus (and an H0 Routemaster!). This came with a lamp post IIRC (I'll have to dig the box out). Found a picture online http://mydiecastmodel.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/tomica-dandy-london-bus-transport.html

Not helped by Roco not saying which Fairlie they were planning to do (no two FR double Fairlies are alike, though most look similar) or any idea of the price.

Simon, your latest pictures seem to have disappeared!

Into an AL3. IIRC it used modified cowboys for the drivers!

If you go for small 'industrial' narrow gauge, there are a number of more common types that could be seen anywhere, both steam and IC, but virtually all of the public, general carrier narrow gauge lines had their own specific stock. Perhaps the only 'missed boat' is that 2013 is the 150th Anniversary of steam on the Ffestiniog so an England would have been a good alternative (perhaps simpler too) though almost as line specific as the L&B Manning Wardles (though some did on occasions run on both the the old WHR & Rheidol in the early 20th Century). While the chassis may be useful, it is likely to be expensive. Still, you might be able to sell the spare body!

You could also look at Ratio coach sides, not available at the time the articles were written. Certainly the GWR 4-wheelers, with the same style of panelling as the Tri-ang coaches are available separately. The Midland non-corridor stock may also be useful - the wider waist panelling makes it closer to LSWR in appearance. You may also find it easier to hide joins if you join along the edge of the doors rather than cutting through the centre of panels.

The outline draing has the raised stand for the side lights (stack of two, so not the early version) so must be before the plastic grille as that incorporated them within it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7430965@N05/6089351570/

Perhaps the first replica diesel, seeing what it's alongside in the middle picture!

Given how long things like the Princess have taken it will be interesting to see if they will get it out before the replacement model is unveiled this Autumn! (Not that I'm quick, of course )

What Facebook account? There doesn't seem to be this sort of problem for Dapol's announcments there.

Can't seem to access this.

http://www.ehattons.com/stocklist/1000488/Oxford_Diecast/advance.aspx Though there's still a lot outstanding from the 2011/12 programme, of course. Still, BSA with sidedcar, Allegro estate and a Lotus Evora are an typically Oxford mix n'match in 4mm scale - but Vauxhall Corsa is a vague description - which one? Looking forward to the Plaxton Panorama in N!

David, this seems to be a mix of two different generations of tamper: the early '70s style, as later fitted with a roof http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p994952648/h3C39295E#h3c39295e and the late '70s style which had the roof from new: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13706945@N00/6535305029/ . Might be better to make it one or the other. For tampers you generally need very short bogies, like the Kato 11 106 shorty http://www.osbornsmodels.com/kato-11-106-shorty-chassis-4078-p.asp

They are beautiful. What a great find!

I do enjoy a crisp bit of CLASP. Well done, Simon!