Clive Mark

Just made a phone call to DJH regarding their Ivatt 2 kit (K55). They confirm it is well and truly discontinued. Oh Dear. That leaves Falcon Brass....now in the hands of Dart Castings.

There is a nice new book out from Crecy Publishing called "In the Tracks of the Bournemouth Belle" by Kevin Robertson. Obviously lots of pictures of Pullmans. The book also shows the MK1 BGs used including the two Choc Cream "borrowed" from Western Region. The Southern green ones feature, which if I am correct means you can date the picture to 1964 onwards, perhaps 1963 at earliest. There were very few Green BGs. (Not all the captions are dated). Most are maroon which show up in black and white photos given away by the lining. Later on Blue Grey appears. Page 38 shows Whimple with a green BG followed by an unidentifiable car which still sports a pre-1960 crest on its side. Page 125 shows Car No 34 on the last day of the Belle. She still had pre-1960 crests AND the more detailed pre-1960 1930s style lining.

It would be interesting to know what the financial value of the coreless motor and Next decoder represent. As this is a loco I like a lot I am running through my mind the work that needs to be done ...( A lot! ). Tank top beading is too thick so needs thinning if possible. Wretched chimney to come off. Smoke box dart. Buffers. And those utterly absurd lumps on the tank fronts to represent what? Footsteps or the oil lubricators, or a strange amalgamate of both? If the price was less I would resign myself to the work. The price really annoys me.

Branchlines do three Ivatt class 2 chimneys in lost wax brass. LMS short. BR short and BR tall. I think you will be struggling to get the tall slender woodbine type from anywhere though.

And .....unfortunately looking at DJH's website, their Ivatt class 2 tank has been withdrawn along with a lot of other kits. Like the previous posters, I find the "new" Bachmann Ivatt 2 to be very disappointing. Solid buffers (of the old style) and solid smoke box dart. Perhaps SE Finecast will be able to do something with the old K's kit they've acquired giving it a new etched chassis etc. I think this is a case where duplication by Hornby to their excellent new standards, or by someone else, would be justifiable!

Parkside Dundas wagon kit range in both 4 and 7 scales fully stocked. Not many model shops keep Parkside wagon kits these days and certainly not the full range.

I always like visiting the shop which is two hours drive for me. Best to ring them as their website is not totally representative of some older well priced stock they sometimes have. Friendly staff.

Lots and lots of n gauge. Maurice now producing laser cut buildings. Definitely worth a visit if you're in North Devon.

YES INDEED. I go to this shop a LOT!!!!!! Big shop in the High Street with loads of stock and the staff usually know what you're on about which can be reassuring. The staff have a good grasp of modern technology such as DCC etc. Stock is computerised and it is amazing what can still be dug out from upstairs at old prices!

I agree with Dunsignalling. I bought a mint second hand Yes Tor for £125 over a year ago. At £110 you have done well.

Paul Bolger's book page 16 shows 30346 at Reading South shed 1959, late crest on tender and shed code 70B Feltham.

Paul Bolger's allocation book shows 30306, 30316, 30350 and 30700 shedded at Eastleigh in 1950 and 303600 and 30316 shedded Eastleigh in 1959. Seems a safe bet they went north as well as south. I'm really keen to know if they went north via Winchester Chesil up the Didcot Newbury Southampton.

I'm seriously considering relining/numbering my Brake 79 to one of the other three of these purpose built brakes, i.e. nos 77,78 or 80 to be post 1960 so they can go with bachmanns Mk1 Pullmans behind a Deltic or A1. Fox seem to do all the necessary transfers and HMRS seem to cover most requirements. Can anyone point me in the right direction for best results and to match Hornby printing not removed. As a previous poster has suggested we may have to wait a long time before Hornby issue these All Steel K's in post 1960 finish and, allowing for inflation, they will be even more expensive when, or, if they come. Trouble with Hornby is you just don't know where you are. Loads of new toolings. How about a new Black 5?

Page 94 of Ford's Book No3 shows a close up of JUANA in the "early sixties" inserted in the Bournemouth Belle. She still has the original lining and early crests. Although the Southern Region seem to have been quick to reline coaches they received from the eastern Juana seems to be an exception. Other Pullmans, especially on western region have retained early Pullman crests after 1960. Car No 34 is a celebrity on the Bournemouth Belle. It seems from Antony Ford's notes that she ran to the end (1967) unplated i.e. with original matchboarding and kept the early crests.

Antony Ford's tables show Car 72 was converted to a brake in 1960 and I have noticed Brake Car No 79 has been moulded with the original standard large oval window in the passenger door. As with a few other cars such as Thelma, Brake No 79 was fitted with the smaller '1951' style oval window in approximately 1952 according to Antony Ford's book.