natterjack

I have a bit of a problem here as TT120 strikes me as an excellent size for layouts with full length trains ( e.g 8+ coaches) with the scale dimensions to accommodate the necessary motors and current expectations in fidelity- most discussion seems to concentrate on the smaller focus of a layout. I'd like to see a range of coaches to start with (perhaps Mk2), and ambition towards contemporary DMU and EMU and perhaps some new offerings of powered bogies (plus the Blue Pullman of course Bachmann). Oh, and one last thing- will Hornby be looking to power up the Corgi Rail Legends? I'd love a Silver Jubilee or two. Apologies for any repetition from previous pots

Maybe you have room for a Superfortress? https://www.jumbliesmodels.com/plastic-kits-c3/aviation-kits-c4/1-120-boeing-b-29-superfortress-aircraft-model-kit-p19570 But seriously, looking around for older 'box scale' kits produces quite a few in the 1/120 region, and Lindberg had at least two 1/125 scale ships including the more usefully sized USS Hazard 'minesweeper' that would readily convert for a variety of utility vessels as would the Heller (80609) Thonier Armor tuna clipper.

I've not seen it mentioned other than as 'correct gauge', but surely this could also be strongly promoted as a rtr first for 'true to scale' British outline?

This news had me looking at Roco TT locomotives, many advertised as ''with DSS". Anyone know what this is ? Digital Sound System maybe?

Begs a couple of questions; Aside from the examples shown above, - were any MK1s built with curved glass? - as an alternative to recesses, were there framing variations to accomodate flat glass? Les

Hi Kit I don't think anything on the Rapido is 'wrong', just that I seem to have bumped into some 'differences' that are altogether very minor and for practical purposes quite invisible. My three previous iterations of 7mm models have happily assumed the two TCs as externally identical and only very recent worms eye inspection revealed the above- somewhat to my surprise. Les

Hi Kit Well reminded, but my photos do show a different layout for TC1 to the Rapido moulding which may well be from a scan of TC2 ( with which I cannot presently get up close and intimate enough to inspect its bottom). This is probably of no particular import to any other than me for my 7mm rendition which I might as well try to get right as it will only be an assembly difference of small etched overlays. Les

Thanks Paul The only clear(ish) Rapido belly image I have is of their TC prototypng and I have no idea if their TC1 and TC2 feature any differences. The two relevant shots of TC1 at Shildon attached do not agree with this layout; the split grille being at the outer left end and the single at the outer right hand of the same side. i think I may have to butter up the Shildon staff- or maybe join in the next workday?

Help Wanted! I'm looking for the definitive layout of the belly grilles on the two APT-E trailer cars and inspection access at Shildon is presently rather restricted. Can anyone offer photos or sketches of the Rapido take on these for each car- or perhaps of the real thing? Thanks in anticipation Les

Excellent!

Museum?

Thanks Craig- I've found the O Gauge MagClics to be a good product but for the BP I now have a 'magnetic gangway coupling' solution which owes part of its thinking to Dapol. As it happens my first designs were cast polyurethane rubber but i was finding long term issues with castings shrinkage- the new ones are articulated rigid components. I should add that the full sizel BP coach chassis couplers were an all but hidden from view screw together affair (and from what I've read, rather difficult to access). Cheers Les

Hi John- yes O gauge (don't think Westdale made one in OO) and kadees are on the table as an option as are a set of O Gauge Hunt type magnets. Unlike your good looking bellowed examples however, the BP inter-coach gangways were effectively a pair of tightly coupled boxes with an inflatable air seal to each vestibule which gave pivoting in a similar arc to the chassis mounted tension couplers below- hence 'why not use the gangways as couplers?'. It appears applying Dapol's elegant geometry could work and certainly worth a mock up trial- but I think I may be onto something even simpler, although perhaps not as elegant. Les

Thanks John, 'though not referring to the Dapol coaches, I can't really see why appropriate gangway geometry cannot function as coupling. Getting at a normal drawbar coupling between Blue (Midland) Pullman coaches gets rather awkward with their buffing plates to contend with. Les

Any comments on the Dapol gangways? I am looking into something similar for my somewhat modified Westdale Blue Pullman but using the gangways as magnetic coach couplings. Could the Dapol arrangement function in this manner? Les

Ref the Pullman 'gold striping', it might be worthwhile contacting Howes Models (RailMatch paints) for their advice, or perhaps one or other of the custom decal printers to check what others may have specified and, just as importantly, decent paint/printed decal colour matches, eg https://www.cctrans.org.uk/. As you are not a competitor as such, Golden Age Models may be prepared to divulge the tones used on their range of Pullmans, especially if you show what you have already achieved. I am a frequent user of commissioned ALPS printed decals for my own projects and it is usually better/saner to find/mix paint to match the resulting decal rather than 'tother way round. Without several stages of proofing, the same case is likely with screenprint. Both systems can give you a white base to give density to 'weaker' colours.Or, you can spend many happy hours experimenting with ink jet and laser printing options.

PPD has a good pdf guide to drawing for etching, including widths for folds etc https://ppdltd.com/artwork-guide.html Also, Hollywood Foundry http://www.hollywoodfoundry.com/Docs/Metal%20Etching%20Principles%20and%20Rules.pdf

Sounds like you have a pretty well pure supply- thanks for a very informative post.

Do you use distilled water? I know our tap water can leave deposits.

Your thread is inspirational and I particularly appreciate your accounts of the trials and tribulations involved. Les

For a clear and unambiguous view of the roof exhaust arrangement, there is a very useful Eddie Bellass photo of the loco as new (ie no soot!) on p. 135 of the Clements and Robinson book 'The LMS Turbomotive, from Evolution to Legacy'. Les

Hi John I can help with photocopy of the works cab controls layout drawing (PM me)- the train sym compares very well (Dovetail?) but I have not seen a shot of the assistants side. Les

Thanks for the motor link - I've bought a few of the 100/200 rpm varieties just so you can actually see the blades rotating. Suggested further visual bits not usually shown in drawings- I have no idea if these already appear in the kit or whether you already have them in hand; - the rather chunky handbrake operating gear and shroud on the RHS rear of the loco frames - two 'gull wing ' access panels on the front section of bonnet (similar to those at the rear of the tender) - contrary to most drawings, I have never seen a photograph showing any mesh over either boiler or exhaust vents (the latter is likely to have had some kind of protection but if so, it was below any normal viewing line). I'll happily stand corrected. - oil and water union each side of tender (roughly behind the side access steps) - 'cove moulding' along the cab roof was a rain gutter. - rear edge od cab roof had a gentle arc in plan - nose front was similarly curved but somewhat less so than a Class 20 (this makes quite a difference to the 'look' in the larger scales) - cab/tender gangway a single, shortened Pullman type (obviating any other buffering), tender rear LMS 'Standard' suspended with Pullman adaptor. - tender frame cutouts differed in shape to standard BR due to lower pivot locations of the (shorter) brake hangers (twin cylinder operation on both GT3 loco and tender) Cheers Les

OK John- see if you can find out what's happening with the Dam Busters remake! Les