johnarcher

Bee, and other similar creatures', extinction is surely also disturbing because they pollinate so many things we want to grow to eat.

Well, I have seen suggestions that China at least is doing a good deal recently, after being a considerable polluter in the past - putting a lot into renewable energy. And, of course, our own emissions have come a bit more under control because much of the manufacture of what we buy is now happening in China rather than here - so our purchasing is part of their pollution. USA is another matter, with a denier in charge they aren't going to do much for a while I suppose. Of course if everyone waits until all others act nobody will ever do anything, and things do seem to be getting a bit urgent for that. Of course we're not actually 'killing the planet', it will recover from us as from all sorts of catastrophes in the past, just making it less likely to support human life as we are used to it.

Thanks everybody, if someone could let me know if there is a drawing in the BRJ one I'd be grateful? (And any more detail on the SMT suggestion?). Yes, I know they'll be in Atkins, but as my purpose is BCR rather then GWR I don't really want to buy that for just one thing, a magazine would be more affordable. I've found the relevant MRN and Backtrack issues for sale online, so I'll get those. Thanks again

Thank you Miss P. So the Lane drawing would be the more use, if I can find a copy of that? I'll start searching.

I'll surely never model either of them but I've always thought both types of J15 were among the most attractive 0-6-0's. The picture of 191's chassis I find encouraging., as I'm thinking of using the same gearbox/motor combination in Bishops Castle 'Carlisle'. I wonder if that will be a tighter fit when angling the motor into the boiler while assembling, I suspect the J15 has a rather bigger boiler than Carlisle. Does that fit easily? Nice models anyway.

I am after a drawing of the old GW brake vans the Bishops Castle used (photo attached if it works). I assume it's an old one, (later called AA16?), but I think a variety of things fall in that group. Ideally does anyone know if a drawing of this, or something close, has appeared in a magazine? (I've looked at the BRMNA index, but that doesn't say what variety of Toad each entry is). I would hope to find one in an old magazine, I can't buy an expensive book for just one drawing.

I think I've probably found one, so please ignore the above.

Has anyone got a Jidenco/Falcon Brass Ilfracombe Goods kit lying about unwanted, which they would consider parting with at a reasonable price? (In the latter case the etches only would be fine (better in fact)).

I'm the same generation Tony, and never had them either. But then I was never a trainspotter either. Am I in entirely the wrong place?

Yes, there is I think a line from Goons to Python - the main link I reckon being the radio comedy that was my favourite in my teens (mid to late '60's) - I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again.

Although I have often contributed here in favour of the satisfaction and interest of making, I agree with all you say, and yield to nobody in my admiration of Mr Nevard's products. I like the top two on here - http://www.nevard.com/showcase.htm RTR, RTP buildings on one - yet all made something convincing (and personal) by fine scenic modelling and weathering, and a great eye for composition and colour.

Yes, nice picture. Just the sort of feel I'm talking about. From a cursory examination I suspect a problem with Snape might be that the terminus is very much part of the Maltings, and modelling those would be a bit demanding space -wise?

I would agree with the point about shows, also, as well as sameness, for me, at least, the point of looking at models is admiring what someone has made (or weathered, altered etc) Otherwise it's a personal feeling that, while I'm happy that those who want RTR have a wider range and better quality available, that does seem to have the effect that the other, more craft, side of the hobby has less emphasis. Several above have commented on there being fewer making articles in most magazines (as Tony has), there are fewer drawings for making too. I have remarked before how a good few popular prototypes have no decent kit available now (or even any at all), and some of the kits and bits ranges that do still exist are only occasionally available (or to special order) - Gibson kits, Ultrascale eg. When a kit producer retires it always seems doubtful if the demand is there for a new person to take it on. To me the hobby just felt more individualistic and creative at the time I mentioned. (Just personal opinion and taste, as ever)

Yes, they seemed two of the most interesting to me (plus Snape maybe). Re the period, I didn't mean to try and cover the whole 1930-50's period, but to select within that time depending on the features of the particular prototype. There seem to be a few useful books on the Derwent Valley (one or two of which I shall probably invest in as soon as I can), I can't see much on Wissington though?

I agree, personally I had excluded it because of, as far as I know, the lack of 'normal' steam engines, and I don't find the landscape that fascinating, but it is a good example of the type of thing I was talking about.

Thanks again to everybody - I am grateful that so many people have given so much thought to the matter and taken so much trouble to communicate the results. I am overwhelmed by possibilities - I must look at several of them - Snape and Wissington in particular look interesting at the moment. I'm looking at c1930-55 as period, rural (ie not really industrial or mineral), either in country side or among attractive buildings (Wells next the sea harbour?) I once saw a photo of a very attractive setting of a rail-served canal wharf, but I have no idea where it was. The old memory is on its way out I fear. Thanks again

I agree. For me those days were not so much when I was very young (early '60's, Denny, Pyrke, Jenkinson indeed), but more when I took an interest again in the late '70's early '80's - early MRJ, 'Model Railways' in the Rice years, Tregarrick, Arcadia, several by Dave Rowe, etched kits coming of age etc. etc. After that I had a good few years away again, until quite recently, and I must admit I find the scene a bit less interesting.

It's an attractive idea anyway, as I went to university in Canterbury a long time ago, and still have fond (if rather blurred) memories of the place.

Thanks for all suggestions, I'll have a closer look at some, especially the more rural/bucolic ones. As I said I'm looking at things on a small scale, I'm not actually that interested in operation so something very simple that doesn't dominate the scene, even in a small area, is the sort of thing, and what Nearholmer called "general goods and coal" lines. Wantage lower yard is interesting. Wenford Bridge IIRC is mainly clay? (Which is why I thought of Ruthern). Others I'm less familiar with, I must do some googling. Thanks again everybody.

I've always liked this sort of thing, ever since Iain Rice's Butley Mills. As I like minor railways that blend into the landscape rather than dominating it, I think the absence of platform, station building etc helps that effect, even in a limited space. I mean really, firstly lines built as freight-only (rather than normal branches after passenger services withdrawn), and, secondly, those with general traffic rather than being essentially for a particular mineral or industrial use. Has anyone any suggestions of attractive prototype examples (on a small scale, we're talking micro to cameo here)? Ruthern Bridge springs first to my mind, if only there were a 4mm kit for a Beattie well-tank!

"Who met with some dubious dealing A phone caller pleaded 'Your bank info's needed' But she thought that would be too revealing.

I suspect these might all be too big https://www.model-dockyard.com/cgi-bin/ss000001.pl?SS=bell&ACTION.x=20&ACTION.y=10&page=search&PR=-1&TB=A https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/cgi-bin/ss000001.pl?page=search&SS=bell&PR=-1&TB=O&ACTION=Go!

If your what is over 40?

Well done, I'm glad this fine piece of work has a future. I hope to see it sometime, I just missed it, it vanished from the museum in Bishop's Castle just before we moved to this area.

Just a brief question, I wondered if anyone who is more in touch with the movers and shakers of this fine hobby, has heard any rumour of any kind of future for the 4mm Mitchell locomotive kits, after Mr Geen's well-earned retirement?