Graham_Muz

That's making an assumption that the smoke didn't actually sufficiently lift, which is not what I was implying.

I am currently on holiday and will request an update from the factory when I return, however as far as I am aware there is no change from our last update, and pointless "no further news updates" are not really updates.

Drifting smoke from a visibility perspective was not of course an issue with forward control locos such as the Leader, unlike with the air smoothed Pacifics.

Hi John, Yes sorry, I realised that just after I posted so was in the process of deleting my post when you replied.

However that one image can be interpreted, the official BR Doncaster marron livery drawing states “end of vehicle to be painted black” with an arrow to the top of the door and other photographs collaborate this.

A great summary, the one thing that stands out for me is the varnished drop lights on the otherwise excellent Hornby Maunsells that should be painted body colour when in malachite livery.

Good point, I'll blame the Sicilian temperature and general annoyance at a lack of actual news or clarity on any corrections made in the development of the model itself. It is noted that the released deco sample images have been carefully / conveniently / coincidentally (delete as you feel appropriate) posed as to not show the fireman's door side. At least the spurious duplicate reversing gear appears to have been removed. The phrase "Bulleid's unique chain driven valve gear" is that however usually applied to the valve gear of his Pacifics whilst with the Leader it is the Sleeve Valves with the mechanical oscillating valve gear that is primarily regarded as the description (and Achilles heel).

Yes, when one has already paid up front for a model (not to mention *tried* to assist…). ;)

I’d rather the model was the correct height, shape and got the details correct, fingers crossed…

Re the J94 this was totally a DJM model and Hattons only commissioned, like others did, livery exclusives. KMRC still market new exclusive models under their own brand e.g. the new tooling 0 gauge D1410 LSWR covered vans and CDA hoppers (developed with Dapol) have both been announced in the last 9 months) and will continue to do so, watch this space. This in addition to any models developed for the EFE Rail brand. Re Rails of Sheffield the Terrier was indeed commissioned via Dapol, they have not yet developed any RTR models directly in house.

Just for avoidance of doubt and further silliness, Nelson's was the nickname for the 4-cor emus due to their one eyed look.

Oh yes white, that well known part of BR mixed traffic lining...

I assume you meant side feeds removed...

But just because one breakdown happens to be part of such a report it does not mean it is the one management might find the most useful internally, and I am sure they have all manner of internal breakdowns like any business would do.

Not sure which war you are referring to. It took until 1948 for the last top feed to be replaced by side feed. But yes the use of a simple blanking plate was changed to removing the flange from the boiler steam dome.

1741 definitely had top feed (and of course not side feed at the same time) see (again a linked picture)

The R3434 21c1 Channel Packet was not an off load as your unsubstantiated statement implied, but a second production run released this year, and like the first batch hasn't exactly hung around long.

Yes those with top feed do not need the side feed clack valve and pipe as you circled. During the time top feed was present there would be no evidence on the boiler side of any connection.

Only the top part of the dome was actually a removable cover, the bottom ring was a crinoline directly with no gap around the raised steam dome of the boiler itself, which for top feed boilers, had a flange that protruded through through the thin crinoline hence requiring a blanking plate as per the model. See here linked and embedded picture

@Olive_Green1923 Sorry I got my 1741 and 1749 mixed up (now corrected), as it is 1741 that has the top feed with erroneous side feed as well. The dome on 1749 has correctly the old top feed connections plated over (as per your picture) , as the loco has side feed. Both olive green versions now correctly have black running plates, it was amongst a number of amendments made following the initial livery samples

My review can be read here https://southern-railway.com/2023/06/22/the-secr-sr-d1-4-4-0-from-rails-of-sheffield-arrives-a-review/

Always happy to help!

Except as an early application of the late crest it is, although rare, correct for 31246.