NXEA!

Crimson or Green? I can't decide.

Top man Rob, thank you very much!

Rob, When you get round to doing it on Mutton, for some inspiration* will you give us a step by step breakdown of how you achieve your backscene effect (*for inspiration read outright theft of your technique)?

Rob, Took me a couple of days when I had the spare time to read through all 109 pages but finally got there in the end... You've heard all the platitudes before, but the quality of your modelling is superb, and the realism and sense of space you achieve is very effective, and don't get me started on the weathering. I am planning a layout similar in size to Sheep Lane, and would love to know how you create your back scenes? As someone who loves the Great Eastern region, I've noticed your apparent disdain for anything LNER. All I will say is have a quick look at the cheap J15's available on the net, you may dismiss it initially, but resistance is futile... Finally, this thread is a brilliant laugh the whole way through, keep it coming. It's refreshing to see people having fun, there are a lot of people in this hobby and indeed on this forum who take it way too seriously. I look forward to hearing more amusing anecdotes about Norman Lockhart and Molly's warm baps. Happy modelling.

Recently bought that book myself Mullie. Some cracking shots in there, and good detail about how the branch was operated.

I didn't know that about 65460, only thing I noticed is that it has red rods. Alas, the final bulled-up condition of members of the class is something which is out of my timeframe unfortunately - that and the fact I don't have the skills/confidence to detail/alter models other than renumbering and applying a new emblem! Thanks again.

Marcus, Thank you for taking the time to get back to me, really appreciate it. I might go for 65461, shame I can't renumber to a 653xx.

There is a booked turn for a 450/444 combo on the Poole/Weymouth line, can't remember the specific services involved however.

EHertsGER - thank you! I have a feeling that there won't be any suitable 653xx candidates out there, as even if you get past all the minor detail differences, I don't think any of them lost their steam brakes and gained air brakes? Time will tell, look forward to hearing back from you.

Thank for the helpful suggestion Mullie. I find BR Database useful for stuff such as knowing that particular J15 had Westinghouse brakes and vacuum ejectors, remembering dates and allocations etc but I'm aware that J15's swapped tenders and had various detail differences and as a as a class are a bit of minefield, and Yeadons is supposedly the bible for this kind of thing. I guess if no one knows I'll have to track down a copy myself!

Will someone with a copy of Yeadons be able to help with a renumbering query I have please? I've got 65464 with a late crest which I'm looking to backdate to early crest condition. Whilst I could keep the same number and just change the crests, I would like to have an earlier numbered example if possible, does anyone know of any suitable candidates? And whilst i'm asking, I'm thinking of renumbering 65475 - again, any renumbering candidates for early crest condition? Thanks!

Thanks for that Peter. I notice that 62571 was a Cambridge machine, which complements my pair of J15's - both Cambridge machines. 62571 it is!

Apologies if this has been mentioned before, but does anyone any candidates suitable for renumbering from 62530 in early crest condition? I picked up a cheap D16 on eBay and wish to renumber it. Thanks in advance!

The two types of pantograph for 350's will be one certified for 110mph running (350/1's /3's and /4's) and the standard 100mph variant (/2's). 350/1's originally had the 100mph certified variant, but when the LM Crewe services were upgraded for 110mph running via Weedon, the 350/1's were retrofitted with the 110mph version, and took some time to be certified, particularly for 8/12 car running. The 350/3's and /4's were delivered with the 110mph pantographs from new.

Good grief, and I thought £75 from Hattons was dirt cheap! Screw the colour of the rods, if I can clear it with 'er indoors I'll be having another one at that price thank you very much! EDIT: Got permission from Mrs NXEA, so purchased with gay abandon! I'm one very happy bunny right now.

I see Hornby have 65469 with red coupling rods due for release at some point this year. I already have a J15 but this particular release looks rather nice with the red coupling rods, I was just wondering if anyone can advise when it received them? I suspect this was circa 1960 for railtour and shed mascot duties, but if anyone can confirm that'd be great. If it gained them in early 50's then I'll be having one! Similarly, 65471 gained red rods, anyone know when this particular example gained them?