Linners

Alongside the E4, Bachman have also posted an EP image of their forthcoming 64XX on their website.

It's a real shame to hear that you are having problems, Lord and Butler are my local retailer, well about 20 miles up the roaad from where I live. I have bought from them since they opened in the Pumping Station and have always found them to be very customer focussed. I have never resorted to mail order from them, but in all my interactions with them I have never had cause to complain. I have no other connection to Lord and Butler, and I do hope that your situation is resolved quickly. Linners

Congratulations Chris, I started railway modelling as a teenager in the early eighties, Model Railway Constructor was one of the magazines that I used to buy. But I first became aware of you as a journalist/writer after purchasing GWR Country Stations (Vol1). It has seen much thumbing through and continues to sit on my (reference) book shelf to this day, accompanied by it's sister GWR Country Stations Vol 2. There is a photo of you at the back of Volume 1 as a young man, and several photos of your late wife poised outside various stations that you include in your photo surveys. Further book purchases include a compendium of coloured steam phgotos (GWR Steam I think, and also a couple of MRC specials on scenery and buildings). All in all you have helped me to develop and improve my knowledge of the real railway and modelling too- I must say a big thanks for this. I did meet you several years ago at Warley where I bought some Chris Leigh models, I recall kicking myself after for not getting some of your autocoach sides, but none the less, I felt that I had just been served by a celebrity! Good luck for the future and thanks for all that you have done for us rail enthusiasts and modellers in the past! Liners

Definitely a shame about Motorbooks, I picked up my first copies of Narrow Gauge and Industrial from them many years back. They were also a great source for historic motorsport videos. Seeing that someone has mentioned Foyles, they have been offering better pre-order discounts than Amazon on a number of new Ian Allan titles lately. Linners

I have always hoped that one of the manufacturers would produce a 1366 class pannier, not as wide spread as the other Pannier classes but it would certainly complement the Beattie Well tank. However, I am also looking forward to the 64xx and a 16xx would be fantastic. Linners

I have to agree, LTM has a very good book shop, and there are "some" bargains/reductions on their books, and they have a good range of railway and transport titles, not just LT ones. I also make for IA in lower Marsh when "in town" but I prefer the Cardiff branch of Ian Allan, especially as they have quite a good range of 00 gauge models. It's a shame to hear about Motorbooks, but the shop space and stock ranges have shrunk considerably since my first visit back in the late 90's. Linners

An interesting development, yet no mention of this on Model Rail's own web page or Facebook page. However, I am sure that the Bachmann version will be exquisite.

This is my "local" model shop too! I was there yesterday lunch time and it is a big improvement over the old premises in the Pumping Station. I would heartily recommend a visit to anyone who might be coming to Cardiff, it is a friendly shop and can be reached by Cardiff Bus if you don't have a car. Unfortunately Cardiff Bus are not so friendly and demand exact fares from their passengers unless you have a pass. Linners

Even without it's livery this is an exquisite looking model - I'm looking forward to buying one of these!

I've only just seen this thread, and what a wonderful one it is too! My very first Railway Modeller, back in 1982 featured Mike Cook's Ashburton. I loved this layout, even though BLT's were a cliche even then. Someone mentioned Mac Pyrkes S and D layouts, but I recall that even he tried his hand at a GWR BLT - St David's. Again I found this hugely inspirational at the time. Gordon Gravett's Llandydref convinced me to have a go at modelling narrow gauge in 7mm, and his later layout Ditchling Green remains a personal favourite. How wonderful to have created a layout that not only entertains and fascinates, but endures as well.

Thank you Andy, this is good news for the O-gauge modellers amongst us, especially when read in tandem with Kernow's 7mm proposals! as I am unable to get to Warley this year I was wondering whether there any news regarding Dapol's N-gauge rolling stock, especially the Grampus wagons? Linners

Sorry Rat, I can't place you, although I was friendly with two of the (later) Beattie's lads (Alan and Steve - big aircraft fans, we went to a couple of the International Air Tatoo's together and the very last RAF Mildenhall show as well). My mate got a Christmas job there in 1996 or 1997, I can't remember when exactly, but it had already begun it's transition to a toy store by then. He talks of Brett and Tracey, the management team, whom he got on well with.

I used to work in FC Parker, on the corner of Royal Arcade, and next to the old Spiller's records. Roger Harris owned and ran this shop together with Toytown (R + L Models in Albany Doad0. When I worked in Parker's we were essentially a toy and games shop, focussing on role playing and wargaming stock. This included Avalon Hill, Games Workshop, SPI and TSR games as well as citadel, Ral Partha, and Essex miniatures. The napoleonic display was to promote the Prince August range of moulds for casting your own miniatures. Halcyon days, as you say John Hall tools had a modelling section upstairs, and they were in the adjacent arcade. Hywel williams had a toy shop stocking Hornby and Scalex, halfway down the Royal Arcade at the junction to Morgan Arcade. Beatties of London opened at kingsway, canton models was a short walk down Cowbridge road and Garth Models was not far from the flyover interchange at Western/Eastern Avenue, as well as the ones that have already been mentioned. Cardiff was rich in Model shops and a real delight to make your way around. I also agree with all the coments about Terry's Trainshop in broadway. Happy memories.

Rob, Many thanks for posting your pictures, especially Osney Town, which I had heard so much about but never managed to see in the "flesh". Your creative skills and modelling are a real inspiration, I hope you will share the "new" Osney with us, I am sure that it it will be a real treat. Linners

I would just like to add my own praise for Kernow Models. I purchased a Beattie Well Tank on-line late Thursday evening (29/12/11). I had an e-mail on the Friday morning informing me that my order had been processed and dispatched, I received my BWT on Saturday (New Year's Eve) from Royal mail. I consider that to be excellent customer service and I would recommend KMRC to anyone else (usual disclaimer applies - i.e. I have no connection othe than as a very satisfied customer!). Linners

I whole heartedly agree - It was not just the GWR that operated these, and with increased detailing of locomotives and interest in smaller train formations surely these coaches beg to be produced?

Thanks Guys, I appreciate your help. Brossard,many thanks for the link on how to detail these - I'm looking to do a bit of kit bashing when I get hold of the brake version. Linners

Is anyone aware of any images relating to the newly proposed coach releases? I have looked on the Dapol website but I can't find anything relating to these. I'm more interested in the suburban kits as I but can't be sure what the suburbans look like? I'm presuming that they will not be the same as those produced by Bachman. Linners

I wish Simon all the best in this vennture!