Norton961

Chris, thanks, The deflectors are not right but they are not permanently fixed yet. David

Over the last couple of months I have been busy painting and linning, both for my own models and for other people. Attached is the current status of a Brassmaster Unrebuilt Patriot, (built by Len Cattley). This is a model of one of Nuneatons Patriots which were seen in 1961/2. I have always like the prototype so a model was a must have. Still some work to do, the footplate valance wants linning out and it then needs weathering and couplings, buffer etc adding. The linning is Fox transfers.

The recent Hornby models are very impressive, but I have been disappointed that the ones I have bought recently have not proved to be convertible to P4 principally becaus there is not enough clearance in the splashers. I wanted to convert a couple of re built Scots but the splashers would not allow for P4 wheels and the ex GWR Castle also proved to be a problem. Has anyone else tried to convert these or any other Hornby model (with splashers) to P4? Interestingly I don’t have the same problem with Bachmann models, perhaps Hornby need to give better clearances on splashers to increase the potential sales. I for one am now reluctant to buy any Hornby models with splashers. David

I have just bought second hand a Class 14 complete with Ultrascale wheels in P4. The next job is to make up some of the recently introduced coupling rods from Brassmasters for this loco. The photos taken taken off the Brassmasters web site. I remember the locos as when I went to University in Cardiff in 1967, I saw a row of these locos at Cardiff Canton depot, never saw one move though! David

Re the comment about Brassmasters doing an EasyChas for the Duchess, the reason there is “ no chance” has nothing to do with the forthcoming Duchess kit, as a kit and and an EasyChas are entirely separate, the EasyChas has to be made to fit the RTR loco which may be separate from a kit. The programme for EasyChas is separate from the full kits and each EasyChas takes about 18months to develop, with the G2 having recently been delivered. If every request for an EasyChas was produced it would take about 20 years! Other development work will also impact, so unless you see a definite notice from Brassmasters about a development it’s not happening!

The only model not yet done by Judith Edge which was in the Impetus range which I would want was the Bagnal 0-6-0 saddle tank as used at Preston Docks and a few Collieries. Kilgarron has missed the boat by sitting on the range for so long and many of the Impetus range has been duplicated by Judith Edge and new models from High Level and Judith Edge has passed him bye. For many of us the Impetus range was our introduction to Industrial modelling. In my case my first loco was the little Bagnal 0-4-0tank as now preserved at Fox field.

With the imenent arrival of the Hornby Peckett As Lilleshall No10 it is worth remembering that although that the loco was a Lilleshal loco, during the Second World War the loco was loaned to the Sankey works at Hadley (which was producing munitions for the war effort) in 1943. The large works was adjacent to the Wellington to Stafford line between Hadley station and Trench Crossing and had a main line connection into the works. The loco was maintained by Lilleshall Co fitters on site at Hadley who would travel from Priorslee works.

Dave, the Caprotti looks fantastic, pleased that the lubricator drive survived all the handling. The level of detail is incredible. Do they all run OK? David

The issue of concentrating certain types of locos to sheds for both spares and expertise has a long history. Burton shed had all the Reidinger valve geared Crabs and the Caprotti Standard Cl5s were concentrated at Patricroft and St Rollox. Late in steam days when works were closing Eastleigh works were suddenly faced with some of Patricrofts Caprotti, the language of the valve setters is not recorded! David

Hornby had the first decorated sample of the Lilleshal Pecket on display at Warley today in plain black. Looked superb and is due for release in April. From what what was being said, it may be followed by other Industrial types! David

Hornby had the next release of the Peckett (Lilleshall Co No 10) in plain black on display at Wareley. This was a decorated sample and looked superb, for release in April next year. Can’t wait! David

When the warships were at Bescot for 9 months a number of the locos were observed on Inspection saloon duty and you can’t get a shorter train than a single coach! David

I always knew that a photo would show up any imperfections, and in this case the nose end shot of the Class 40 shows the numbers are not quite level, b....r! Will have to redo that end. I also like Cl 40s, I have 4, one circa 1962 ((green SYWP, disc headcodes), one with split head codes Green with LYWP , one in the earliest Rail Blue but with a D number, and the one at the top of this page.

I have been watching some videos recently and on one shot in the 1960s a train passed through Manchester Victoria station and in the train were 3 large locomotive boilers (all without cladding) and I have recentley seen a photo showing a locomotive boiler on a train at Crewe in 1950. My question is where have these boilers come from and where are they going? Main line locomotive boilers would only be removed at a Heavey General overhaul at main works and I cant think of circumstances where the boiler would be removed at a depot (even those which a small works such as Rugby, Carlisle Kingmoor etc). If the locomotive required extensive boiler work then the whole loco would be sent to a main works. The only other solution I can think of is that these boilers have been built by the independent copmanies such as Beyer Peacock but by the date of the video they were in the process of going bust, but it could explain the 1950 photo. Any suggestions? David

Whilst I am currently painting and linning out Dave Holts excellent Caprotti Cl 5 I have been painting some of my own stuff, including this Bachmann Class 40. The body was built for me by Dave Room has Bachmann noses fitted to a Lima middle section. It has been sitting around unpainted for a few years so I thought I had better get on and finish it. Still nees weathering before I put the glazing in last. I intend to use the loco on Trench Sidings and it has already had P4 wheels fitted. Th the headcode at one end is 1Z01 which is for an inspection saloon, and at the other end 6V20 which is the headcode for a Stafford to Cardiff freight. The livery and number is circa 3/1967. Just need to invest in a sound chip now. I also paint and weather some US lbrass locos and here is the latest one.

Re research on Duchesses, the RCTS has just published probably the definitive work on the class written by my good friend John Jennison. David

Excellent, just goes to show that we don’t have to solder everything!

For those wanting to know a little more about the company Peckett, there is a history in Railway Bylines Summer Special Number 2. The article has 17 pages and lots of photographs. There is also a list of all the preserved locos. David

This loco from Oxford Rail was to nice not to buy! It arrived in a NCB Blue (as per Littleton Colliery) but I did not like the colour so I have repainted as per the demonstrator from Yorkshire Engine Co. My plan is to convert to P4 and use on Trench Sidings, the fiction being that BR is trialing the loco at Trench (the reality was it was trialled by BR in the Sheffield area).

Another photo of one of the Lilleshall built locos that were still in use by the NCB in the early 1960 at Rawnsley. The loco was built in 1868 and the photo taken in 1960.

With the announcement of the Hattons Barcley, this is the loco I want a model of, the loco was bought new in 1948 and went to Granville Colliery and remained there until it was scrapped in 1967.

The sidings in the Sutton Bridge photo were known as the Shelf sidings. In the 1960s they were regularly used by withdrawn locos on their way to various S Wales scrapyards. Because of the slow speed of these convoys of withdrawn locos they were dropped of at various points for a few days before being moved on again when a path and crew were available.

Dave,it was a real privalage to paint and weather such an exquisite model. The level of detail you put on is truly astounding. Doing light weathering is much more difficult than a filthy engine and in my view must be done from a photo, as was this one.

Dave, having seen this loco in the flesh it is the most detailed 4mm locomotive I have ever seen, the level of detail is astounding.

Excellent work Gordon, your efforts are appreciated. David