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Grand !

That was my hope .

Exciting news today ! Just been invited to pay today for my 2 Manors . I infer that paying today/soon gives me a £25 discount on each or I can pay full price by February 2023 . I’m unclear as to if delivery is still in Q4 2022 or Q1 2023 ? But feels like Xmas is coming early . Calm down, dear .

Thanks for this , Johnster , although it is saddening. Your insights and knowledge of local history are always interesting and arresting. As to the blight after the loss of the mining industry , we (Mrs L , close friends and I ) dropped into parts of Retford and Worksop . It’s a similar situation there . You are lucky if there’s a plaque or a winding wheel as a memory. Ken

I was saddened to learn of the demise of places such as Cwmdibath . It has a melancholia of “How green was my valley”.

Your blog on Comet coaches is very helpful and informative indeed and I appreciate the time and effort you have put in to writing and photographing it . The sections on how you organise your workbench, although apparently peripheral, are valuable too . Thanks , too , for admitting to giving in to that urge to put things together to see how it looks . Great reading!

I was saddened to hear of Iain’s passing . Like many others have said he was a huge and inspirational figure - truly a giant of the model railway community. I don’t want to duplicate the sincere tributes but my own memories are of a “ superb communicator” . He described a multi purpose van for fish and fruit thus “ It spoke more of pilchards than of plums “. Quality ! My sincere condolences to to his family and many friends . Ken

That’s stunning! I’m on holiday just now but will come backwith PM . Intrigued .

That number 23 is lovely Mr Wolf ! Is the printed body available commercially, please ? And the metal parts ? Thanks .

Agree, those flat sided cylinders suggest a Star . I believe a Saint would have sloping sides to its cylinders.

I attended a Friends event a couple of years back and recommend a visit . It was a privilege and great thrill to go back stage . I was “made up “ to be close to the engines of Guy Williams about which I had read so much . It was equally entrancing to see the beautiful rolling stock and scenery . The catering was simply magnificent. To round off a perfect day , the village of Long Whittenham was en fete with a village fair . Driving home through the Oxfordshire countryside in sunshine was the perfect ending. Memories are made of these magical moments. Ken

You are on a roll , Johnster with your modelling ! Thanks for your detailed and fascinating insights into the geography and history of the area . So valuable, as is your knowledge and insights into the workings of the lines . Your reference to “clean” coaches reminded me of working on a heavy engineering site where the canteen had sections for men in their boiler suits and another for white collar workers. 50 years ago and another epoch away . Keep ‘em coming , please . Ken

Congratulations on a superb job . I certainly agree that the most difficult finish is a clean but working engine and you have nailed it . It is remarkable how you have lifted this model .

Thanks Robin, I was disappointed to miss out but thanks to your heads up , have placed an order .Ken.

I am more than content to wait patiently for what I expect to be 2 high quality models . Furthermore it gives me a bit more time to save more pennies from a diminishing pension . Is the shipment routed through Felixstowe with the risk of delays ? If so, I’ll continue to be patient.

Great modelling and expertly set in historical context . Informative and entertaining, as usual. Another source is “The strange death of Liberal England “ by Dangerfied which broadens its scope onto general industrial and societal tensions . All to end in the Great War.

All sold out on pre order and no plans to make more . I checked with their website yesterday

Although my vernier is showing 30. 22 mm , these are EM gauge so I have subtracted 2 mm for 00 gauge .

Hello Johnster , Tomparryharry and Mr. Wolf . The issues around widths had occurred to me but I’d hoped that the ((extra) depth of Nellies wheels might compensate. It would seem to me that going the Bachman 03 route would be good . I’ve just measured a set of Markits EM gauge extended axles. In case it helps , Johnster, an 00 set would be 28 mm between the back faces of the cranks . To the best of my ability, I measured the throw as 4.3 mm . I’ll follow progress. Ken

A spiffing wheeze , Johnster ! May I tentatively suggest the following? Branchlines do a detailing set for the Airfix 04 and might that have a set of Jack shaft drives ? Alternatively, Markits do extended axles for double frame GWR engines . Markits are very helpful and their extended axles with cranks are beautifully made with exquisite turnings . You will need the special 16 ba spanner they make as well but the quality is gratifying. As usual, I have no financial or commercial connection with either firm . Good luck with the Black and Decker when drilling out the new axle position. I’ll look forward to seeing progress. Ken

I’ve heard “16 to the ton and16 to the bum “. That is 16 passengers ( used ) to weigh one ton and and the average passenger measured 16 inches across.

I apologise in advance for going off topic . I firmly believe that our late , beloved Queen should have made the journey from Scotland to England by train rather than by flying . The train should have slowed at important stations to allow the public to show their respects . An opportunity missed . I was honoured to have have taken an oath of allegiance to the late Queen Elizabeth the second .

I know Chris Leigh used to market a white metal kit and have an unreliable memory that Mopok also did one .

I believe that the higher boards were to prevent fire irons being raised whilst running under the wires … but may be wrong. I recall a dreadful story of a fireman being flung off a Western Region loco when his fire iron hit a road bridge . It was this , I think , that lead to building more fire iron tunnels over the splashers .