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Just reread my earlier post about face book missed an important word out " I,m " starting to act like a Facebook used posting my whereabouts next week.....no slur intended any other user of this blog.

just a quick picture of progress to date on my ivatt...thanks(apologies) to the other contributors to this site who have provided inspiraton in assisting my efforts thus far....to summarise GBL black 5 body hacked as seen....comet models ivatt chassis and some of the motion...their cylinders cut down and built up with brass and plastic...steam pipes left over from their low footplate kits for the caprotti . Lubricators and sandbox all plastic.... shaped filed etc...operating levers bits of motion in spares box, lace brass pins and metal black for nickel silver around non secure holes allowing soldering behind onto binding metal pieces. It all works very well....very satisfying watching it operate.....and all diplayed on the cross beam of my loft. This fulfills a number of usefull roles not least keeping my roof on...paint pedestal....knocking some sense into this ageing brain when i occasinally forget its there.

Thanks weathering man we will be the group wandering around aimlessly looking for the toilets

Sorry starting to sound like. Twitter/ Facebook user....now going to toilet....now shopping....now breathing....get a life....make something.....like a castle chassis, fettled out of brass, making coupling rods, at same time lubricators and activating leverage of the rear wheel of the Ivatt high footplate Caprotti. The one thing I have found very useful on this blog are the links to other sites. One in particular I have used to source reference to the latter item mentioned.. Back to the modelling....

Will be in the great hall this time next week, meeting up with some ex train spotting friends..some of whom haven't seen for forty years. I'm just hoping they've aged as well as I have.......ahem......

Dear sir I am trying to create same using GBL as starting point....your lubricator and assembly onto rear wheel are very good. Can you point me to the Ian Beattie drawing...which railway modeller...please...much appreciated

Just a snapshot of the projects mentioned.....have received calls from the Tate modern do i want to exhibit under the banner "chaos in a loft".

Just an update on availability in the dudley area Stourbridge smiths had two yesterday...merry hill had four. I am intrigued by the 7mm mallard part work...but then again why would I want a 7mm A4...,about as relevant to my 4mm midlands layout as say a model of butler Henderson".............

Darrel just a quickie (actress and bishop ...) and tongue firmly in cheek.....the spatula in background....is it the right hand GWR...left hand LMS or even the Eastern as rebuilt by Mr Thompson.....can't be a bullied as it still looks like one......

cheers emperor you think at times like these you are alone in your failure to have appreciated the obvious....two grown up sons...ready to add unsolicited advice...just when you need it most...anyway considered the d 49 chassis as a replacement. I have however built what appears to be an acceptable brass 040 chassis....at least the driving wheels sit nicely on glass plate...yet to add reworked coupling rods...if this results in no binds....ie freewheeling...then will add front frame extensions for front bogie.My biggest problem is concentrating on one project at a time. I'm writing this looking at a number of my purchases from this series....all of which I will seek to rechassis and motorise. The irony then they will sit with the rest of my collection probably not turning a wheel for a considerable time. I suppose the pleasure for me is the knowledge they can work if required...and yes overcoming these little (major) setbacks. Apologies for rambling..my last qualification as a recognised cure for insomnia....SFQ...yes tops code indeed....

The problems of adding extra driving wheels to proven 440 s isn't just limited to full size engineers. Reasonably confident can create a smooth running 040 chassis from brass ....have done so previously....however adding the extra set of driving wheels on a home made brew....adds extra variables which in my case just never seem to work. Have read many articles and books on subject...and yet...hence my reliance on the quality products of our wonderful small traders. I believe as stated it wasnt just Mr Robinson who had steaming problems with his beautiful 460s....the LNWR having same....and Mr Hughes,s dreadnought a situation not cured until a certain western gent appeared on the LMS scene.....and even then requiring some tweaks

Just an update on my hare brained scheme to utilise the d11 cast chassis....well after a couple of hours with dremel heavy duty cutting disc....razor saw...much expletetives..Wheels hacked off. That is when I had that moment of enlightenment....most of the weight in the chassis is contained in the wheels......doh........will create this chassis from an alternative source . Must remember in future my qualifications , b minus GCE "spotting the flipping obvious" and my a star in " how to ask a SFQ". Meanwhile back to my neglected Ivatt.....

Just allowing my thoughts to meander...I with others have used alternative chassis to motorise..improve the looks below decks....just taken the chassis off butler Henderson. It has one ingredient often missing in alternative chassis....inherent weight...therefore better traction. My dremel has been very busy with the upper halves..most notably the black 5....caprotti cylinders on work bench. If I can file off cast wheels..glue/ solder frames and wheel bearings. Will report back in due course...that is if I can work out how to untie this rear fastening jacket........

Dear all it is with the greatest of sadness that I have just read some devastating news on comet models website. My deepest sympathy to Geoffs family at this time.

Dear all just pure speculation...as locomotion was.cancelled for all the reasons mentioned...then an alternative found in the shape of butler Henderson... Moving it from its scheduled publication date.....ok now a hst ...not one of my favourites not least for the withdrawal of my beloved peaks...but with the glow that nostalgia brings.....warming to them.....as to this series there are less and less on sale. In short lets enjoy them for I fear this series will succumb to the u boat and bugs in plastic the same way our favourite locos gave way to their successors.. Lastly to all that have adapted, motorised or just worked on these models please share your efforts, this has been the main reason I have followed this topic.

Dear all hopefully on a better note, than my previous post. Final photos of 40745 earning her keep on my layout. She is pulling a parcels from Leicester to Bham...weeks before final call to Derby. Travelling in opposite direction is class 3F 43284....another Saltley stalwart en route for shunting duties....possibly fired by one of the Essery brothers. As recorded the 3P is Hornby raiload body comet chassis and gearbox...tender from GBL compound. It was mentioned earlier about costs of wheels. The set of 6ft 6 in wheels was more than the GBL loco. The 3f is a far older model...triang body..brass cab (ex George Norton)plastic tube boiler, splashers relocated....comet chassis and gearbox. Whitemetal tender. Now back to the high footplate Caprotti.

Just read Geoffs announcement on Comet website. I'm sure I speak for us all in wishing him well for the future. In respect of his products as per the previous post I sincerely hope a serious buyer can be found and this range continues. I am really beginning to worry that we are losing a number of these essential suppliers to our hobby. Lastly and again to Geoff...thank you for your excellent service to me, and to my fellow modellers.

On the subject of the Gibson frames if I recall they were not drilled for axle bearings but rather has cut outs for hornblocks and guides. I had a phase of compensated chassis inspired by the class 08 climbing over a matchstick in an early model railway journal. I never mastered this, but stand in awe of those who have.My own efforts returned to that advocated by a certain Mr Jackson of Retford fame. Please I post this not to rekindle any exchange of views as to the benefits or not of compensated chassis.

Agree with smiffy2 the cost of Romford wheels alone puts up the cost considerably. I know the EM society used to advertise a whole range of frames....I believe manufactured by Alan Gibson( might be wrong on this....) A visit to the markits catalogue shows how you can buy a full set of wheels axles etc....then if a supplier like comet have that chassis kit The result is often more expensive than a RTR version. The benefit of te RTR version is they have ironed out such issues like traction by properly weighting the model. As ever I'm sure that given modellers ingenuity someone will adapt these models further. Either way cypherman welcome and enjoy these models.

belpaire class 3 just out of paint shops....will become 40715 or 45 both apparently on Saltleys lists in 1950....Im minded to have LMS on tender but their new BR number on cabside and front.....either way will then be matt finished and weathered....I guess by 1950 they were not at their best.

Just to make clear not speculating about new editions of this series, nor adding anything to any wish list. First really like rowanj's A3, as stated before really enjoy when models are created which improve upon the original. My own modelling commenced in such a way trying to improve the trades offerings of the 70s and 80s.inrespect of the trade just had the opportunity to inspect the Hornby railroad P2. I really defy anyone to say they would ever have seen a RTR. Version especially selling around £80. My local model shop has had the railroad D.O..G for some time. This again is a beautiful model. It has been mentioned about the business case for the production of the GBL series, I can only ponder the decision process that led to the production of these two very individual models. I hope it does not come back to hurt Hornby. Lastly jumping into a subject that is creating some correspondence. The peak classes 44 45 46. I have never met an engine man from Saltley that did not like them. Is that a mark of greatness, I cannot say but I know a number of other classes were not held in the same affection. Me, as an enthusiast I love them. Last but not least still 3 compounds at smiffs merry hell.

Dear tooth grinder, head scratcher....no wish lister am I , sorry to perplex you in its manner . Please rest assured no such vexations will emanate from this source again....

Dear all my last post was inspired by the photos of the deltic motorised as described by the author. In addition as stated health is an issue for a number of us. In respect of this series I have just bought another compound from wh smith merry hill in the Black Country. It had at least another 5 on display. As stated in my piece on the class3 belpaire rather than use the GBL models I have instead elected to butcher the Hornby railroad body, left after I used her chassis. This was in part because it had the handrails already in place. It is one of my pet hates carving off unwanted detail. The other was the desire to preserve at least one of the GBL models I now have.. To my eye the livery is very well applied...in particular it's Brunswick green main coat......only joking goodness me whatever next LNWR lined black. The red to me is about right and the Midland coat of arms very nicely applied. I note still no announcement of the next issue...could it be big Bertha or the gresley Garratt.? Happy modelling

To all the participants of this forum some of whom I gather are not in the best of health, best wishes. I really appreciate the modelling skills we use to transform these models into working pieces. It is the difference between those, who,whilst excellent, even exceptional modellers create still life..ie diaromas .....we infuse movement (life) into our creations....this series has allowed us to try out...resurrect old mechanisms...in short enjojy our wonderful hobby. Now where did I put that glass of single malt before tapping out this post.....

Dear all back on this machine ..in meantime however had a bash at the class 3 belpaire.I have just photoed her seductively posed on my dining room window ledge. She is quite obviously a work in progress.....her other side not quite so photogenic yet.