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Re the Fordson E83Wvan . I recall that the accelerator pedal was located in between the clutch and the brake pedal . I was a very young passenger in one circa 1954 . The driver “braked “ when a car slowed and hit the accelerator! But cars and vans had proper bumpers ( girders) in them days .

My choices would be 2 and 7 ; and 7 would be my focused choice. To explain , I recognise I am atypical as I already have several detailed and modified Siphons which would be mainstream . I wrote a two parter in the Constructor years ago on detailing externally and internally framed Gs and modified a G to a J . Sorry , I wanted to thank you for organising this .

I enthusiastically converted 8 Bachman cattle trucks to EM gauge and had to use a piercing saw to make clearance for the wider wheels . I also replaced the more modern doors on 2 wagons with the earlier style from Coopercraft . After all that work , I was a bit miffed to learn afterwards that there are inaccuracies in length . They work well , to my eyes , as a “layout “ wagon .

I read somewhere that Vickers bought Supermarine solely because R.J. Mitchell was an employee and therefore an asset .

Yes indeed, Sir . More like a Hurricane’s inward folding gear than the Spitfire’s outward spayed spindly undercarriage . I’m off to Specsavers !

Thanks , I failed to spot the tail hook at first glance but the “Royal Navy” insignia is unmistakable. How did I miss it ?!

Is that a Spiteful or a Spitfire mark 24 ?

Taking this slightly off topic . In the 1970’s , I took a train from King’s Cross to Leeds ( i think ). The train had clearly been dragged out as a last minute replacement . My mark 1 carriage was damp , cold and musty . The lights didn’t come on until we reached Stevenage. Eventually I went looking for a coffee and found a Gresley buffet . The ride was definitely superior and it was reasonably warm which may have been down to the heat from the urns . My unreliable memory suggests there was a building plate dated 1914 …. Shurely shim mistake . But the experience was a testament to an era when things were built to last and up to a standard rather than down to a cost .’

I’ll be following with great interest your efforts to convert your Manor to EM gauge . I do hope you’ll keep us informed on how it goes . Ken

Dear The Johnster I found your thoughtful and considered analysis to be absolutely spot on .Well said . My Bachman 56xx displays all of the benefits you note of extended use but I had missed the point of tyres wearing in . I’ve long believed that machinery beds in . Ken

I apologise in advance for going slightly off topic . I recall visiting Didcot and a delightful female volunteer invited me up to the cab of 5322 where she was cleaning brass .Once there , she showed me the brackets which held a rifle in each side , a reminder that ROD members were soldiers as well as railwaymen . My grandfather was in the ROD so I feel a special connection .

Thanks Frank . That’s very helpful... and may be expensive. Regards Ken

I am not an engineer and have not stripped my chassis down . However , I seem to recall that there is an idler gear in the gear train . I was hoping that the chassis and engine mounts would be common and the idler gear would be adjusted . Hopefully Chuffer Davies who first analysed the gear ratio will comment ?

I am torn between feeling glad that Dapol listened and learned ( about gearing) and feeling miffed that my original version is unsuitably geared . I am not going as far as to return it , but appeal to Dapol to make the appropriate spares available . I’m content to pay and fit the replacements myself .

But every time he visited Waterloo he may have thought “ One day, De Gaulle will come here and see the name Waterloo”. it would have made more sense to route the cortège from Victoria .

Great work , Frank , it looks superb . Ken

Sorry , I should have added . No criticism intended of your product , thinking of EM conversion . Ken

Hello Fran would you kindly comment /confirm that the driving axle diameter of the eagerly awaited Manor will be 3 mm ? Thinking ahead to buying Gibson’s or Ultrascale’s . Thanks Ken

I want to thank everyone for their erudite contributions . Ken

Brilliant . Thanks Harlequin and Dagworth . Ken

Hi 313201 . I, too, marvelled at the complexity and delicacy of the wiring .The photos I attached show a cats cradle of wires . You are correct that the twin car units did have at one time a coach inserted between them . It was possible to drive all 3 from each cab using air pressure ( I think). With regard to traction tyres ; I had by passed this problem because I had converted the units to EM gauge using the excellent Ultrascale products . Thanks for your interest . Ken I

Thanks F-UnitMad that is clear and very helpful . Thanks . Ken

Thanks for your comments. Although the motors should be identical, they tend to fight each other slightly . I wanted to wire them together to counter act that tendency , to lengthen the contact area for pick ups and to equalise the current. My track work isn’t too bad but occasionally there is a dead spot near a point . Thanks Right Away for confirming that I need to reverse the polarity on one motor . This is dc . Melmerby , originally I planned to use a white metal kit which weighed a ton . I’d bought the Hornby chassis so decided to stick with them. I don’t have a need for what would be the now redundant power bogie . So ... inertia on my part , i guess . I appreciate your interest chaps . Thanks again . Ken

I’m building a GWR twin car railcar . It is inspired by an article by the late Monty Wells from 1985 in MRJ number 6. I want to wire the motors in each railcar together but the Hornby wiring is fragile and complex . I guess I’ll have to join positive to negative, as one is effectively running in reverse ? Any suggestions on how to join the wiring from one railcar to the other will be welcome . Thanks Ken

“It takes a genius to make the first mark on paper ; any fool can improve it from there .” Personally , I am going to have to take my mark 1 mogul apart to convert it to EM and take responsibility .So I would be content to retro fit worm , idler and final drive myself . If I muck it up , that’s down to me . I've acquired a little bit of experience ( some from working on my beloved Orion ) but I wouldn’t recommend a rookie doing it themselves as the first job they tackle . I’m grateful that Dapol have listened and learned .!