jrg1

This is the clearest photograph that I have

Thanks-I like to finish off models with decent sprung buffers and am always on the lookout for suppliers. I assume that they are wrong as the base is rectangular, instead of round-but they still look far superior to cast W/M. Try Kadee coupling springs.

The M&GNR Ivatt class 4s were cascaded to Lincolnshire when the line shut down, enabling the withdrawal of the Gresley K2s. They were an everyday sight, with the remaining engines transferred away on the closure of Lincoln and Boston sheds.

Unfortunately, there was no provision for replacing the plastic coupling rod pins or valve gear-not a good idea on a working locomotive. There was also the "Simplas" motorising option for the Kitmaster Pug. This was a W/M block for the chassis, which the motor sat on, sandwiched between the kit frames. Brass axle bearings and wheels were supplied. I am not sure whether these were produced by EAMES. Never got mine to work properly either.

I wonder if he has considered 3D printing for this project-it may save huge amounts of time.

The perfect example of why Wright Writes is up to 2143 pages. A superb rendition of one of the most difficult finishes to achieve. Please tell us about the underframe.

Can you advise who supplied the sprung buffers, please?

Please tell us how you got the chevrons perfect.

Jewellers may be able to supply small screws.

An extraordinary machine-I think the only Garratt that could top 100mph in service. One reason was the Cossart valve gear that managed to combine the best parts of reciprocating and rotary valve gear.

Can you describe your motor in tender system and etched chassis, please?

The Black 5s were very common in Lincoln, going to and from Grimsby, and also on the summer excursions to the coast-Mabo, Skeggy and Cleethorpes.

Ah, the Glebe Hotel. Not quite as well known to me as the Vulcan Hotel-in every TAFE students memory as Ultimo TAFE Building V annex, especially to us marine engineering students in the eighties.

Love the wigs and all the other falsies

The BTF Elizabethan entirely captures was the ECML was. The dialogue may creak somewhat today. but that's the way it was. A superb piece of film-making, entertaining and a valuable historical record.

What is happening with 247 developments? I have tried to contact them, to no avail. All emails have been bounced-have they closed down?

I did not see the Sentinel the last time that I visited Bellarine, but observed the Australian Standard Garratt dismantled and stored-another unique locomotive that should be rebuilt and recommissioned. Good luck with the projects-I would like to build the Axholme Joint Sentinel when time permits.

There is a Sentinel thingie in Tasmania, which I saw in Tullah. I believe it was moved to the Don Valley Railway. Apart from one set, the passenger compartment was bare, and the engine unit had been removed. It appeared to be the same type as the LNER Sentinels, and would make a unique project for restoration-after all, the GWR railmotor body was in terrible condition, and with no engine.

I have nearly finished building a DJH "City Of Ripon" with Nick Easton etches for the footplate and cab, plus SE Finecast A1 boiler with the smokebox machined off and a new scratch brass replacement. The smokebox saddle is also a scratch replacement.

The class 121 were ordered by CIE after their experiences with the Metro-Vicks. The locomotive was basically just a standard GE switcher product, and were so reliable that they lasted over 40 years in service. All subsequent locomotive classes on CIE have be GE products.

You could model the link from Newark Castle to Northgate-that would be an interesting exercise. I have photographs of a railtour that traversed this, if you are interested.

The Metro-Vicks were a standout for all the wrong reasons. Although the electrical system was considered quite good, the Crossley engine was quite a different matter. CIE had an entire fleet of these, and re-engined the lot. I believe they never ordered British engines again. Here in Australia, the X class were a derivative, and famous for all the wrong reasons. I remember doing performance checks on a Crossley engine at marine college, and even wearing aviation ear muffs, the noise was still deafening. I recently read that the class was scheduled for re-engining with EE engines, but the engines went to the class 31s and the class 28 went to the scrapheap. There was a photograph in LI of two class 28's being towed to the scrapyard.....by a steam engine they were supposed to replace.

Many thanks for the heads up! Bill did an excellent job constructing the kit, and I will now fit the wheelsets (Masokits P4 units) and paint it. Much appreciated.

Assistance, please. I have acquired various models form a deceased estate, and this includes the enclosed horsebox, for which there are no instructions or any means of identification. Can anyone supply details of the vehicle in question, and the model manufacturer, please?

I find a miniature chisel with the point ground to a narrow angle convenient for removing etches-a very quick. An Olfa P450 carpet cutter is ideal for easing folding joints.