BernardTPM

Great work, Missy! Enthusiasm does wax and wane; I've not had much for sustained periods for quite a while, but every now and then, well, you get a buzz. What you're doing is too good to let it go forever.

I photographed this vehicle in some detail in July 1977 before restoration and the ends were in maroon then (noted at the time), so what looks black in the photo must be caused by dirt and shadow. Thought I'd better provide some evidence. Unfortunately I don't have a slide scanner so I dug out the slide projector and screen (and binoculars so I could check the focussing on the screen close-up!) and took a picture. Note the paint date is 1965 and the small patch I cleaned next to it - most of the dirt left by then was the mucky brake dust/oxides. In the larger view the maroon is also slightly cleaner where the overhead electrication flash was removed. This is consistent with the note in Keith Parkin's Mk.1 book, "During 1964 and 1965 the last amendment was made when the bodyside colour was continued round onto the ends of the vehicles." (p.58 1st edition).

Yellow was applied from 1963 when these were still being delivered new, so it is not uncommon. The design was in production until the mid-1970s.

According to Michael Harris' s 'GWR coaches' the last were withdrawn in 1967. At least one received lined maroon with maroon ends (the one now preserved at Didcot).

The Farish model represents the earlier version, built up to the early 1970s, whereas the N Gauge Society kit is the later 1980s build. These have welded side uprights, different bogies, higher end handrails and various other detail differences. The two types are/were seen together in the same trains too. The NGS also did an etched brass kit for the earlier type (actually for the SR Walrus version with optional parts to update to the Sealion) but not only was it actually 2mm scale (reduced down from a 4mm kit) but a LOT of work to build.

I have here a gob... and I am smacking it!

Artists all right - piss artists. Send them the bill for the clean up. And then the bailiffs.

Sounds like 1:80, the scale Trix (among others) used. The Japanese use it too, for the 3' 6" gauge lines in 'H0'.

Lima did the Mk.2b coaches first in H0, the Mk.1s added to the range later, still with B4 bogies and continental 'loop' couplings. I bought some of the sets cheap in Petticoat Lane market as the 10 ft wheelbase bogie on the H0 Class 33 worked out just right for MUs in 4mm scale.

All you need is something that fits in the hole left by the motor bogie, perhaps even secured in the same way with a suitable mounting at the bottom for a bogie. You don't need to retool the whole underframe for these motor bogie jobs. Exactly - What's lacking is the will to design it in from the start. If they could do it in the 1950s...

Thin 2 thou." etch, two parts folded in L form, placed corner to corner? (I don't think there is enough material to make any kind of slotted fit).

The 0-8-0 might be easier from the Knightwing 0-6-0 kit (or two!).

I remember the shop well and often tried to drop by there whenever I was passing - late 70s/early 80s. Brian Kirby of this parish used to work there too. I bought some Western plates for my Trix body based model and one of the AC electric style lion plates. I didn't try cutting them out, instead I used my brother's pcb etching kit with Humbrol gloss paint as the etch inhibitor - worked a treat!

Given the way it works it could probably 'power' other vehicles too - I'm assuming the traction magnet drops into the holes on the moving chain. It reminds me a little of the Matchbox Motorway system (without the slot).

A lot of the AL6s didn't have yellow panels when they were new. Very surprising given their 1965 build.

Might be worth getting in touch with the S Scale Society (formerly S Gauge Society) as the chances are they'll know something about the builder. http://www.s-scale.org.uk/main.htm Those are a nice looking set of locos.

It was never going to happen - even the pre-production mock-up was blue, albeit with a yellow panel - see 6th picture down http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Pictures%20Loco/Artists_loco.html

Hi Clive, I might have something - need to check through a dusty pile of paper! e-mail me later today. Bernard

Woodhead had them on one of their sheets, but sadly not the sheets I have.

By the pattern of the end door, I'd guess it was ex North British Railway.

LiPo batteries do seem to have some safety issues in relation to charging; not sure I'd want a carefully built model go up in flames. The NiCads in my digital camera are a right pain running out after a relatively short time. Still, seems a better idea than DCC once batteries are up to the job. For smaller scales indoors why not run power through the track and trickle charge? Then you're not absolutely reliant on pick-ups (big plus) but you may never need to actually charge things up.

You've been watching too many episodes of 'Stingray' and 'Thunderbirds'! Brilliant! The only thing I would say is that it mght be a good idea to have some kind of 'stop' to ensure trains don't roll off the end when the tracks are lowered.

Excellent stuff. There are (or were) similar supports on the GER suburban lines. The kind of detail that adds location character.

How comes today's innovative and dynamic private operators never think of things like plasma torches and linear induction motors, eh? Nice work!

It did. The only doubt is the colour, which could be faded blue with white markings. No colour photos found so far to confirm if it was blue or olive.