Ian Hargrave

And this example could have been called upon to take express duties for any failed locomotive westward ex-Paddington ?

In fact I did attempt to do so yesterday at Doncaster but the only examples ….there weren’t many…..were boxed and given the crowded circumstances I felt I could hardly ask for a view straight out of the box.

I’m therefore in a quandary about a black e/c version .The only guides I have atm are images on Kernow & Rails websites.

I don’t believe I ever saw what was under the filth in any case.Unless of course in one of the late Peter W Gray’s photographs.That would be one taken at NA in BR.green.

OK. I’m just looking at my transition 7301 from the first rendition.Your complaint re: body is present here too,as it is on Robin’s current image of his new release if you look closely. So this would suggest to me that it’s systemic with the manufacture and possibly design of this model. So it might well be the case that a replacement will exhibit the same idiosyncracy that is annoying you presently. Ivan CK has the opportunity of looking closely at one in his local model shop. Thus a similar excursion for you if it is possible may be the way forward. Good luck.

And coincidentally,that is the one example of the current release that would tempt me.

Question…Is anyone tempted ?

Indeed. Reminds me of my first sight of BR’s Western diesel D1000 on its inaugural run .The official WR terminology described the colour as… “desert sand “ Now Dapol are revisiting it.

It is though a large financial commitment and hopefully it will be sustainable going forward. It does make one reflect upon how just one group of dedicated enthusiasts managed to initiate and run it for as long as they did.

And now some optimism. There IS to be a show at the NEC 23/24 Nov. Billed as a “ National “ event apparently.

Having had a close encounter during open heart surgery a couple of years ago,I truly am

The eagerly awaited Accurascale event is an O gauge diesel shunter.Oh well,better luck next time then☹️

Age is something you get used to,providing the passage of time allows.

Happens to us all .

Is it…..perhaps…..time to make an old man ( for that is exactly what I am but not yet in my dotage ) happy and announce the arrival before the end of time of a Saint and a Hawksworth County ? Yes I am aware thatI do keep banging on a bit about them but then again,why not ?

This is the thread where the punishment for posting on a double chimney Castle is the order of a mouth wash 🤪

Remember where you are…….☠️

You are if you buy one right now. Wait a few months for the price to drop.Seriously though,what we are all forgetting is that the pandemic & worldwide turmoil have substantially changed the game over the last 4 years and our values are maybe in need of rebalancing.The world has turned turtle several times since the Fowler was released last.So then a question of “ caveat emptor “ ?

Indeed,as have I.

The ECML and the GWR W of E mainlines are a totally different situation. Apart from the South Wales line as far as Cardiff,most of their working is on diesel power ,some of which is decidedly not gradient friendly. The only real slog the LNER dual power units have on diesel is between Perth & Inverness.

I empathise with HM & all the family. Long hours spent in Chemo ( I am assuming that is actually part of the treatment ) are soul destroying and its after effects are no joke. There may of course be a possibility of surgery at some point. I cared for my late wife through such a period of breast cancer. Two years after that,she was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and I found myself in the same situation again with the added twist of Covid raging and the complete soul destroying finality of it all day by day,month by month.No “caught it in time “ there. That particular one is a killer. May good fortune and clinical skill aid HM.

So it’s fortunate…for me…that the only one I am considering is the BR black. A shame…to say the least.

Another source of Saints in their twilight years is The Red Dragon and Other Old Favourites which concentrates on Landore & the Swansea area between the late 1940’s & early 1960’s & features work by Huw Daniel & others. There are just 4 plates of Saints .All have 3500 gal. tenders. The names still resonate with me as memories of childhood. I had just entered grammar school when Saint David was withdrawn.

Frustrating when one’s memory is blank. I saw 2920 several times during her last months in service.Being an 85 C engine,she was a regular performer on Hereford-Cardiff stoppers.My last sight of her was at Pontypool Road on such a working. I regret I cannot verify anything about her tender,

So my £100 worth: 5X OAA wagons ( bauxite) ,calendar,pen,assorted product literature ,beer mats. I’m happy..excellent value .