Mallard60022

It's called a Cab on a Loco. Cockpit is for Aircraft. Phil

It's a Cab 1466. Cockpit is for Aircraft. Phil

It would be great if someone somewhere did what Phil Atkinson of Beckingham near Gainsborough did years ago, providing some Expert led Modelling Courses over one or two days; partly residential for some as he had a B & B as well as a purpose build Workshop. Tony Wright did many of these; loved them. I know that there is at least an Annual meet up by one Manufacturer (Worsley Works I think) but that is just a meet up and folk do their own thing BUT in company where some support would be available. I'd be very happy to give a few hours free (say about 4 on a day at my place) on Comet Coach building. North Notts. Close to A1 and has an ECML Station. Phil

Full etched kits tend to be a large step for a beginner. Having to Roll and shape etched parts for example. Super though they may be, the expectation is that the builder will be fairly experienced. Despite SEF Kits being mostly White Metal, it is possible to get a really decent 0.6.0 out of some, complete a fairly simple etched chassis and have a working Engine. I'm no great expert but I'd really recommend beginning with these if it's loco's you fancy doing. Soldering White metal is very much more tricky to begin with, BUT it makes you damn careful. If you just want to play with Brass with some bits of W.M. then Coaches are for you. Advice is don't start with a Roxy Mouldings one. Lovely etches but really quite complex. As someone said right at the start, go for a Comet one, and yes, a Mk 1 Open is probably a more simple start. Phil

Oh I forgot..Big Arseteroid. Yea. My Loft is all set for protection so I'm fine thanks. P

Crudely, from another chap that fits you description, this is bollox really. What will be needed is as follows and not in any particular order. AI, Cyber Manipulation, Drones, Virus development, use of Poisons/Gases, and that Trickery thing that causes a big Trickery Pulse that kills all Communications, plus Nukes to set off Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes & Tsunamies. Most of those can be controlled from some smelly Basement in Whitehall/White House, Tent In Africa, Satellite...who cares. It's all DCC anyway so it won't work according to so many on here. A. Putin

E Bay quite often has older DJH Kits. They can be a bit clunky but often bargain Prices. many will have been in hidey holes for 40 years! Don't see South East Finecast on here and they are top class, have a range of revised Etched Chassis and have a couple of quite straightforward 0.6.0s in the Range. Fairly sure he does wheels too. The owner is nicely old fashioned and will sort you out over the phone, where he will help you with any questions. Tell him you are a beginner. If you live anywhere near east Grinstead/Forest Row, that's where he used to be and I think still is? He's the sort of chap that will quite happily supply spares if you melt something...if he has them of course! Small tip. Practise on some scrap white metal soldering. Ask on here I think folk would helpfully send you old parts they have never used. Same with Brass/Nickel Silver. Most folk have a pile of old off cuts or even Coach Parts in the 'Spares Box'! Get used to the Temperatures you need, Solders and Flux that mixes well and just seek advice. A decent Digital Soldering Station is a good investment along with a decent couple of Irons and a selection of Tips. Finally, see where Mr Tony Wright is demoing at Exhibitions. (Donny, quite soon). He loves helping newbys get into Loco and Coach building. As someone has said, his DVDs are great fun. All the best, happy to pass on my limited advice by PM. Phil

Deffo a 1958 version of a Stealth Killer Drone; the Loco, not the lady. P

Good job it would be going North then as it only Started from Sidmouth Junction as far as I know. 2.6.2 Tanks would have brought the two sections up from Exmouth and Sidmouth to the Junction. Thus a full Tender would be fine. Looking very smart and has the stepped front end as required. P

I think Tamara has that one of mine to convert to Blue Peter? I think they have forgotten? Lovely pics G. Great colour when looking at this on my TV due to Screen failure on Puter.

Yup. It's interesting to see ideas that some have about sorting problems but the banging on about stuff just gets up my Chassis. Enjoy your day dear heart. P

Yup, especially if they have slagged them off and it isn't typical. However, the converse applies too. P

We could play that three cup sort of Game Clive. Steve, thee and me go to Gilbert's and he has to guess who's hiding the Bus in their pocket. If he fails then all 3 of us put a Bus on that Bridge. If he's correct then the other two still put a Bus on the Bridge. Phil.

Well I had never seen that mentioned, however I didn't go to Consett after may 1962, as my Grandparents that had lived there, passed away then. Bankers had always dropped off before Consett; if only I'd known but I was but a wee lad! Thanks Phil

I love the way you intimate that 'we' have git there with this build! (The Royal 'we'). Yup, I sat on my arse at home whilst you singed and sweated and fettled and cursed and produced the Beast! I might add Lamps when I get it! Tough job that but I can do it. I've just thought that I never knowingly heard a U1 working so have no idea what it sounded like. I shall have to think up some sort of Sounds in my noggin, as it 'climbs' Seaton Bank with 10 on. Lovely job again dear heart. Phil

It's a Beast! Thank you so much for what you have battled with so far. The Cab you so carefully made up and the concealing of the Flywheel seems fine doesn't it? I hope the Tender is correct for this Engine? All the best. Phil

Blimey Clive, thanks for telling me to look at this. Darius has made a most magnificent job of that. I am certainly not worthy, but then I don't build Smog Carts. Darius...bleddy brilliant job pal. Phil

Interesting as they are an OLR outfit. Is this the Operators actually telling the Operators what they are having to do, rather than the Franchise type Op's such as Avanti, being told they have to deal with the Unions? I've given up trying to fathom what the DFT are actually smoking. Phil

Tobbes I have sent you a PM. If you live anywhere near Retford or Donny this is where the Book resides. The book with stuff about the Lyme Branch is South West Railwayman by Donald King. He was a Porter then Porter Signalman at Lyme and then a relief Signalman in the area. 50 pages of the book are about Lyme. Keith et al, there is a pic of an Ivatt Tank on a full GOODS! Blows me never seeing a pic, right out of the Bay then! Loads of lovely anecdotes and useful pics. I'm offering it to loan to Tobbes and then if anyone would like to borrow it then just ask. It is a 1983 Book so maybe lost forever. I got mine from a Charity Shop. I am sure you all have decent Books but I'll find some more and mention them if they have useful Pictures. Finally, having been rude about the Community Layout, the existing/late(?) Lyme Regis Exhibition Layout is/was EM I think, but I think the owner may have recently passed? Worth asking around about it? Special Interests...Southern section? Sincerely Phil

That Community layout is quite good fun, however it is definitely a 'Train Set' layout that can be enjoyed by many. Definitely a hit with youngsters and older folk that may remember the Line, but know little or care little about scale, realistic Stock, workings and Rivets! If that's what you want that's fine, but I reckon Keith and many of us would like to be a tad more into creating as accurate a representation as possible, with stuff done according to our ability and wishes to recreate the actual places? Now I feel guilty for being a bit critical. Sorry Phil

I'll find the ones I can ASAP dear heart. One I am sure is about a lo al Signaller and a couple are from Ex 72A Staff (Loco Crew). Give me a while. Phil

No DC 9Fs on the Ores.

I reckon an S15 would have collected the Wagons from Axminster? Those are wonderful pictures, especially the mixed Train with Guard's van too! The only thing I can add is that there was a local Furniture maker I think, that needed an occasional Van for outbounds. That little story in one of my books. P

As at Seaton Junction, the East X Over was often used to do such activity. Parish member Dunsignalling used to work Honiton Box so he will probably be familiar with what went on further East? Keith, would Lyme, despite its' obvious attractions, give you enough operating satisfaction? Will you be happy with the Shuttle, a couple of additional Summer Timetable dropped off from the main sets, but using the same Engines and the few Goods that tootled? Vans from and to Lyme were often added to the Shuttle IIRC? I am presuming that some Coal and bits were needed every so often for the Lyme servicing area? I can't recall ever seeing a picture of a Goods on the line. I think you might get away with doing Axminster as it has two overbridges as scenic breaks, so you can have a simple roundy roundy accommodating the expresses (frequent in Summer) and still have the jolly Lyme Branch running away into wherever you choose! Also the Goods Yard has interest if you need a gentle shunt! I've NEVER seen an Axminster layout! Sincerely, Phil

I'd agree, but it doesn't carry Passengers as does Snowdon or Hartz! Discuss. P