kingmender

Finished a while ago, today's delivery form Cornwall of Siphons from Accurascale prompted me to take some snaps. @macgeordie O.33 first, then with RTR version. I know which one I like best. Must build the other two I have stashed (O.11 & O.62) Rodger

Although I have 11 Centenaries in stock I'm "only" planning to build the 10 coach train. I have no current plans to build the 3 strengtheners but you never know... I'm fortunate in having a reasonably large railway room and the ability to run full length trains. Henley on Thames and Twyford were early considerations to build, having begun a Twyford layout in the loft of my father's house in the early 90s. It never got beyond track and soon got lost in the mists of time. The K15 has its exterior paint, inside to paint, roof to add. Will I finish before my Comet / Wizard delivery? Rodger

Simply stunning Mike.

Great to see Norman Topson being rehonoured in this way. I rember him as the friendly face of a "proper" railway when commuting from Twyford in the 1990s. And I had his image inlcuded in a Phillip Hawkins painting of 6024 passing through Twyford, hand on a luggage trolley.

@Neal Ball thank you and all the other regular contributors to Henley on Thames, Chuffnell Regis, ANTB, Little Muddle and other GWR layouts for providing great inspiration to my modelling. Having seen your upgrades to GWR Centenary Stock I'm taking the plunge in doing likewise. 2 weeks ago I was emptying stock boxes in preparation for my club's (Waverley Model Railway Club) exhibition and plonked my 11 Centenary coaches on my layout. After a succesful exhibition (and having dosposed of some surplus stock) I was having a tidy up and thought that not having used the Centenary stock for some while I would box it up for sale at our exhibition next year. But why? Having built one of @macgeordie excellent O.33 siphons (an O.11 & O.62 await in the queue), a Comet K40 and having a Roxey moudings K15 in the paint shop I looked at building Comet kits. Too heavy though - 10 kit build coaches would be too much for a King on my approx 1:50 helices, so would using Comet sides on Airfix coaches be the answer? Several hours research yesterday and an order to Wizard for 2 Brake Thirds (one right, one left) and 2 Brake Composites now sees the first set of sides and detailing parts on their way. The four Airfix brakes I have will be dismantled, cleaned and prepared for surgery. Rodger

Try these. 3D prints from Bygone models. 0.33 from Mcgeordie of this parish and Comet K40 (still to be glazed). I really must tidy up the backscene.

Just 3 weeks away, the Waverley Model Railway Club exhibition returns for the King’s birthday weekend 10th, 11th and 12th June. In our usual location Brandon Park Community Centre, Glen Waverley.

@rapidoandy Thank you for being frank and honest. Mishaps happen, but this is where real customer service begins. You have taken the initiative to be upfront and share what has happened. You are clear about the next steps you are taking to assess the impact (no pun intended) of the situation. I share your optimism that your packaging designers are awesome and that this true drop test has proven their worth. And when you know more you will communicate again. 10/10 for this level of customer care and finding humour in adversity. While I'm not awaiting one of these (an original one is in service on my layout) other wagons and a 15xx are on order. I have faith that they will all arrive safely down under, despite the best efforts of Royal Mail and Australia post to prove otherwise. Keep bringing us more tempting treats - bring on Warley. Rodger

I saw a layout of Broadford at the Swindon festival last month. HO Dual gauge 4’8 1/2” = 16.5mm and 5’3” = 18.2mm. There is a similar layout on the exhibition circuit here in Victoria but all laid with HO track

Just had time to watch the video (missed out on being there as I returned to Australia mid September!). Is the sound you are hearing the vacuum pump? The draughting arrangements are quite different to 6023 (double chimney and blast pipes) so that may also change the sound. The only other noticable sound was "gurgling" from the ejector as it reaches full vacuum. Steam driven air pump was not in use during this test. Rodger

@Graham_Muz kindly showed me a sample at the Swindon festival. Simply stunning. I have had No. 85 on order for a while and now seem to have No.97 on order too. Oops!

A first time visit to the exhibition for me, although I have visited Steam before, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Over 10,000 miles from home in Melbourne I found Broadford intriguing. There is a model in Victoria on the exhibition circuit, but the English version is of greater fidelity, being true “broad gauge” (5’3”). Great layouts throughout and engaging demonstrations of construction in brass and other media. @Graham_Muz of Kernow models was delightful to talk to, and Masterpiece Models has reignited my O gauge interest. Mrs Kingmender has asked if I would like one! The concept of mixing full size with models is great, my nephews ( who live near Chippenham) were fascinated by both, giving the exhibition greater depth and interest. Having a private tour guide who knows a bit about the GWR helped. However being GWR through and through, I really felt at home especially as I had spent a few days working on 6024 at minehead. Thanks to all the exhibitors and to Steam for a great day.

GWR Rotanks both 4 and 6 wheel are also available from Amanda at bygone models. Insixfish has been created as a brass kit by @macgeordieof this parish.

Welcome to the exhibitors club. I did my first in over 3 years at the Grampians Model Railway Club exhibition (Victoria, Australia) a couple of weeks ago. Despite loosing 2 operators in the week preceeding, other memebrs of my wonderful club (Waverley Model Railway Club) stepped in to give a full compliment of 4. A great 2 days with all the punters, other exhibiitors and the host club. Despite my best planning and list writing I still forgot to take wheel cleaning materials!

But can you carry it home when it breaks?

Thanks all. Some really useful pointers, I had started with my winter 61/62 combined volume, but alas no route info, just BR power classifiactions.Only lists locomotive and tender overall weights. Rodger

I'm trying to find a table of GWR engines showing their weight classification colour. i.e. King double red, Castle, Hall, etc. red, and so on. Does anyone know where I can find one?

A little further afield than most on RM Web. This Queen's birthday weekend 11th to 13th June, the postponed 50th anniversary exhibition will be at the Brandon Park Community Centre, 649 Ferntree Gully Road, Glen Waverley, Victoria. https://waverleymrc.org.au/exhibition/

Stunning. Love the cast rods.

As Jim C pointed out there are only 2 sets of valve gear, the rocker arms drive the outside pistons. Plenty of room inside the frames too, even with the airpump. Not too sure about smaller GWR locos though!

Clockwork? I was hoping for 3 rail 🤣

Almost finished. Buffers and corridor connections still to add. Then a thorough clean and ready for the paint shop.

No 20% fluctuating fuel prices on a monthly basis, so much smaller retail margins