Ian Hargrave

Now arrived.I am no longer bothered by fonts. Subjectively,the best Heljan to date. A class (23?) act.

I repent.Say after myself one hundred times-'It is the font,it is the font........' A baby deltic--but not as I remember it--sans headcode box----one day at Kings X in Sept.'59 when I 'copped' seven in a day,in company with many D 53XX ( later Class26) one solitary D61XX ( soon to be aScottish fiasco) , the prototype 'Deltic' and several D 2XX (later Class 40) This,in common with a generous helping of Gresley & Peppercorn Pacifics and a solitary A2. The type2 diesels had charge of ECS workings, the Cambridge Buffet Expresses and Outer Suburban & Moorgate line commuter services--complete with Gresley non-corridor stock. Yes--I'll buy----out of pure nostalgia alone.!!

A 'weathered' example has just appeared on e-bay--incredible! I'm afraid this,for £100,is a rather poor offering . In common parlance,it needs a nose job.

Just taken delivery of new Bachmann Class 70 70006 which seems to be in short supply at the moment. Ordered via website last Tuesday evening and delivered by courier this a.m. Cost,inclusive of delivery £82.50.Competitive ,I think? Good service !

With WHAT ? Kettles make tea or fill hot water bottles.I beg of you not to demean or patronise over 150 years of great BRITISH engineering heritage with a fashionable put-down!

Touche--only trying to be helpful ! I look forward to making your acquaintance at Doncaster. Ian.

For your info: I hope this will help:60539 was actually built with a double chimney. 526(50A's pet),529 533 & 538 were given a double blast pipe & multiple valve regulator at a later date. My source for this is locos in service as at March 26 1955 (Ian Allen abc) and in the case of Bronzino a personal observation -photographed-on a northbound express at York on 10th Sept. 1960.So think carefully about a donor loco for 539.

Well now. Please take it from one who was there- i.e.who saw York's 60526 & Heaton's 60539-and others. This is as close as you can get. Don't carp or nit-pick. Celebrate! Not quite right ? The age of rivet-counting is obviously alive&well.

Bachmann Collectors Club have an as preserved Blue Peter for sale---now,it seems--at £125.65+£4.75 delivery. Some wag already has it on e-bay-at £249.95 or best offer. I have taken the liberty of forwarding the listing to Barwell.

All first batch of OO weathered bullets now sold out at KMR. Seems I got the last 4. Lucky me!

525 now on e-bay

Worked in tandem on St.Pancras-Manchester Central turns 1959&1960.If I recollect,with interconnecting doors coupled.Surfaced 1963-64 working Furness Line turns.

Merddin Emrys now on Rails website as imminent arrival

now on rails websiteas arriving tomorrow--15th