cctransuk

Neil, So - to recap - is the Hornby 88DS chassis a goer for the S&DJR version and, if so, is that version of the body available to buy from you? John Isherwood.

Spot on - with the removable section cast in / machined from the densest metal commercially viable. John Isherwood.

I attempted to assemble frames with separate hornguides, and I would describe myself as having more limited skills. The chassis is still incomplete, and will be replaced by a rigid version. I cannot, for the life of me, see why a person with limited skills would try and assemble equalised or sprung frames. CJI.

If 'cheating' produces a loco that runs as freely as the prototype, so be it! Of course, if track-laying is suspect, some may find it necessary to have wobbly wheels ...... ? CJI.

That is the precise point that I was making! I do not regard verifying the accuracy of a set of rods as a necessary function of a frame jig; that can be done with some drill shanks. If you can't get the rod holes to line up, don't even bother to get the frame jig out of the drawer. To my mind, the purpose of a frame jig is to get all of the axles perpendicular to the frames, and in the same plane. The Poppy jig does this to perfection, time after time - and it's MUCH cheaper than the more complex, metal jigs. CJI.

Surely the dimensional consistency of a pair of rods is fundamental to the satisfactory assembly of frames, regardless of the means of jigging (or not)? CJI.

'Prejudiced opinion' implies negativity not based on experience - my contrary opinion is based on extensive negative experience - albeit in 4mm. scale. CJI.

I'd STRONGLY advise not using plunger pick-ups; fit some traditional flange or tread wipers instead. I've yet to come across reliable plunger pick-ups. CJI.

Without wishing to state the obvious(?), anything that gets in the way when you swivel the bogie on a shiny surface, such as you illustrate. CJI.

Links won't work for me. CJI.

Mohs obviously had something to do with equine accoutrements. 😀 CJI.

I cannot understand why flush glazing has to have a recess behind each window - this is what is so visible. I am assuming that it may be in order to keep the moulding of a generally equal thickness, and I do recall seeing 'sink' hollows in the old Kitmaster glazing strips, which did not have the recesses behind each window. That said, I would have expected, sixty years later, that the technology would have developed to allow variable thickness mouldings to be produced. CJI.

Regretably not!!! Some who is interested in narrow gauge / industrial railways. CJI.

If you are the above person, who recently made a BACS payment to Cambridge Custom Transfers, (or know that person), please PM me. C J Isherwood.

It would help to have a photo of what the prototype looked like. CJI.

What? I didn't know that there was a DCC initiation ceremony which involved the removal of fingers?!? 😱 CJI.

Are these stay-alives cheap, then? CJI.

There does seem to be an increasing obsession amongst DCC users to add stay-alives to anything and everything. If track is laid with care and pick-ups are adjusted and maintained, there should be no need for auxiliary power. After all, we DC users manage without them. CJI.

Looking at the fixing holes, they've never seen a machine screw tightened in them - you can make out raised casting ridges around each one. CJI.

If they HAD to make this mistake, they could at least have done so on the opposite side, so that it faces forward! It'll be the very devil to correct, as it overlaps the cabside lining. How do these b*lls-ups occur - does no-one check? If it's the factory's fault - send 'em back and demand correct replacements! CJI.

Spoil-sport - I'm perfectly willing to be led astray! 😲 (Don't let on to the wife)! 🤫🙅‍♀️ CJI

One Christmas, our nextdoor neighbour crafted three identical balsa gliders for my two brothers and me. They flew very well, but I was at that age where speed and power were very much to the fore. This motivation led to fairly energetic launches by rubber bungees, but the climax came when I discovered Jetex motors in our local model shop! Fixed at the balance point on top of the fuselage via the supplied bracket, take- (or lift-) off was spectacular, to say the least!! Continous 45* climb, up, up, up ..... until it reach the cloud-cover! 😃 Needless to say, neither the glider nor the Jetex were ever seen again - and I avoided the neighbour for some considerable time thereafter! 😡 CJI.

You're not 'spoiling the ship' if you buy (many times more cheaply) the exact same product in a bulk quantity, rather than a repacked tiny quantity. Still if you have money to burn ..... CJI.

..... and a few more. John Isherwood.

These have been posted in the past - but since you asked ..... The greatest improvement by far is to narrow the chassis moulding, and fit Ratio diamond frame bogies. The lagged examples have had the Tri-ang tanks replaced by larger diameter ones, made up from Airfix tank wagon components; strapping is brass shim strip. Whilst on the subject of tank wagons, below are some more results of my 'tank wagon hacking' period. John Isherwood.