Woodcock29

Jesse Did you build the DJH kit I sold you? Andrew

I guess I must be one of a rare few as I find building valve gear quite a pleasure. I started though not with building a full kit but with fitting Ks Black 5 valve gear to a Triang Hornby 'Silver Seal' (I think that's right) Black 5 back when I would have been about 20. I had previously built a few w/m kits from age 16 - glued at that time of course but none with outside valve gear up to that point. Andrew (currently in Doha on my way to the UK!)

I've just remembered that this is actually my second Peregrine as back in the 90s I renamed a Bachmann model Peregrine but sold that on after Hornby released their new models with far superior bodies not to mention the range of correct tenders. Andrew

Jesse - what did you say above? Sorry about the quality of the photo - just a quick phone photo. I only renamed this loco in the last 12 months - second-hand Mallard that I couldn't resist buying for a cheap price. I still need to close couple the engine and tender. Andrew

They've arrived apparently as I've just received an email from Bachmann announcing that. Andrew

Not that I know of Mark. If you pm me your email address I can send you some photos. Andrew

I don't know anything about the range of couplings (if there is more than one?) that might be available for smaller knuckle couplers from Sergent but have had experience here in Adelaide with using Sergent scale buckeye couplers on a South Australian P87 layout. I operate on this layout once a month and we mostly find they can work well or be quite awkward. The buckeyes need to be seen from above to use them as you have to line them up perfectly if using them in shunting operations which we do. If they stick either open of closed they need to be tapped with a magnetic stick - we do this from above also but it seems that can be done from the side. In my view they're ok for small layouts where you can get the above access required.

The one where you can see the abrupt end of the bridge doesn't really bother me much as the sky is dominated by the signals which I like. The other shot where the B1's chimney hides the end of the bridge was never going to be as good because of the backlighting but then we've all had to take such shots in real life and we do so. Tbe front of the B1 is what captures me so its not all that bad. Andrew

Here's a rebuild of a Bachmann O4 4000 gallon tender body into a 3250 gallon tender for a J11. I used etched Millholme coal rails from the spares draw and added thin plastic card for the outside plating. The height of the body was reduced by 1.5-2mm at the base above the sole plates to convert it from a 4000 gallon to 3250 gallon. Note I think the hinges and handles on the boxes over the water pick up gear next to the rear dividing coal plate should actually be reversed now. I copied what Bachmann did on its J11 LNER 4000 gallon tender in respect to the position of those - might have to change those around! The resin water filler/pickup covering boxes are by Graeme King. The 'ships wheel' on the finished model below is the lost wax Gibson casting but will be replaced at some stage with Mike Edge's corect etched 6 spoke wheel that I have in stock. and the finished model (seen before on WW). Andrew

Tony The self trimming 4000 gallon GC tenders were only ever fitted to D11, B3 and B7s as far as I know. Bachmann have made 5 differing GC tenders (6 if you count the version issued with the GWR/WR ROD). Possibly even a 7th with the latest ROD models - I've not seen its tender closeup. Initially the version with all the O4 models, which is a 4000 gallon ex ROD tender I think. Although this is confounded by the fact the tender with the LNER version 6190 has the number plate 6202 on the front coal plate which was first coupled to an O4/1 so would have had water pickup when built. (Interestingly the tender with the preserved O4/1 has the number plate 6202 on it but was never coupled to that engine in service according to Yeadon.) Then the self trimming 4000 gallon tender with water pick up with the D11/1 and a non-water pick version with the D11/2 (actually made before the D11/1 by Bachmann). Two 4000 gallon versions with the J11. One with water pickup for the LNER version and one without water pickup for the BR version. This is the best model in my view as by this stage Bachmann had got around to fitting separate brakes. Others might be able to add more about these tenders? Andrew

This was an issue fitting 24mm Romford wheels to the Ks P2 - had to turn the flanges down. Now I do it as standard practice when using any older Romfords.

I bought an unbuilt Kitmaster LMS Garratt quite a few years ago at a BRMA Convention in Canberra with the aim of building it with Ks frames and valve gear (Ok I know they are very basic but I had them in stock from many many years ago with the aim of rebuilding a kit my Dad had got and we built probably 50 yrs ago!). Then only last year I got a Heljan garratt (for not much) that had been knocked onto the floor (oh dear) by a local BRMA member but it's salvageable. As I run DC the fact the wiring joining each unit to the centre unit is shot I can get it running with individual power in each end. Only need to find the time and move it up the list of priorities - it's a long way down at the moment! Andrew

Heard on a YouTube video by Little Wicket that 20% of sales were O/S. 13% from Europe and 7% rest of the world. He quoted Hattons' financial statements. Andrew

Jesse They are generally quite responsive. I've been in touch directly with them via their website contacts. They sent me a heap of photos of the steam railmotor when I built that and several times I've got info on certain wagons from Noel Coates, their wagon guru. Curiously I've just finished a number of L&YR wagons in LMS livery. I have 5 of the D&S 6 wheelers to build one day including the family saloon but they're a long way down the list! Andrew

Thanks Gilbert. I actually should have said May! Hopefully it works out. Regards Andrew