AlfaZagato

I'll take a look at the options.  It is the RTR Pug.   I was going to try to build a Neilson Box from the chassis.

I just picked up a Dapol L&Y Pug.   I haven't opened it yet.   I seem to remember the motor is to the rear and vertical.   Is there a method to laying it forward and horizontal if it is?

This was discussed around another make's delays and failures.   Even if KR doesn't voluntarily refund you, you may have a case via UK law.

I suppose this is remaining the 'Booster' thread?

That won't work.  He was looking for black lettering.

I just realized my only LNER locos are a J70 and an ES1.   This'll look a sight pushing Toby along the mainline.

Was that route electrified? Or were they moved as traffic?  

My current idea to justify mine on our club's unwired layout was to find a dead LNER steamer and run the ES1 in the middle of a train.

Gresley finally allowed the frames to be extended for more footplate on the 'Hush-Hush.'  Hence the extra trailing wheel.  I'd imagine the same concession would have needed to be made if the P2 firebox pushed so far into the cab on the Mountain proposal.   

I'd imagine the actual mounting of the extra wheel would be similar, thus technically making the world's one-and-only 4-8-2-2.

Rev. Awdry had built a model of the van to go with Toby and Henrietta.   I think I've seen it on Ffarquhar in recent videos.

@Michael Hodgson Reason I've seen given for the eventual retirement and scrapping of 69999 was 'priming,' resulting from crews overfilling the boiler to keep the crown covered when bunker uphill.

Fair enough.  I wasn't aware of the disconnect in era.   I'm mostly used to a very specific pairing...

My experience with Heljan has been 50/50, so I'll gamble on a preorder.  I have a reputation in the Chicagoland area to uphold, anyways.   'As-built' would be correct for ~1933, correct?

On the LMS B-G, I picked mine up by pure chance from a local show some 10 years ago.   Been running fine since, so I don't know the issues usually lamented with the model.  If Heljan has moved away from the very angry factory that did the 1366, this model should be fine.

I'm surprised no-one's shown pics of these with J70s.  Or is their association overstated?

FWIW a piece of sponge or foam would work fine.   Maybe an offcut from hill-building?

They just need the grime.  Is yours destined for a specific layout?  Or a 'stock' loco for whatever you fee like having a play with?

Charming little thing.

DHL did well.  Now for it to languish in a box till I have have at a layout next.

In re the various issues of chocolate, I hate when makes can't even manage consistency across their own ranges.   Most of my N gauge 'brown' stock is Dapol.   I have at least three shades of brown over 11 units, including m Fruit D which was advertised as 'GWR NPCS Brown' but is very much BR Maroon!

Ordered one LNER brown to go with my J70.  See how well DHL does over a weekend to Chicago.

Very realistic operation, then.

@Ruston The Flying Bufferbeam would be a triumph RTR.   I was just trying to (over)engineer it in my head at the announcement of the Par twins.

Would that valve gear have worked on an inside-cylinder loco?

Wonderful announcement.   Now I don't have to find one of the increasingly scarce Ertl toys do do these even close to accurately.

Have you had a go with a bow pen?  If I'm not mistaken, later lining is pretty straightforward for 'penwork' on a Centenary.

If you can't access your website, what is the best way to place an order?