Craigw

I won three David Geen coaches that were listed at shipping of 17.00 each and listed under the global shipping program. I was charged three lots of local shipping to the UK distribution centre (paid to the seller) and 51 GBP (17 GBP each, paid to ebay) for shipping. All three were repacked together and had a shipping price of just over 20 GBP on them. Never again. robbing B******s regards, Craig W

If you just put an amount in for postage for the listing and then adjust it for multiple purchases it will not be an issue. I am in Australia and routinely buy from Ebay sellers. Once you get over the initial doubts about things it really is not too bad - just some customs paperwork to fill out. I would caution against getting involved in the Ebay shipping program. They charge the individual postage for each item to the buyer even when they send them together. I was gouged once by that and never again. Many overseas buyers feel the same. regards, Craig W

As an outsider to this dummy spit, can I just say there might be a little bit of pot calling kettle black here? Does anybody know if there is any listings of allocations for the early 1920s? Otherwise, Didcot will be getting a few random vans. Regards, Craig W

I have been just been looking through this. Following your design and thought process has been interesting, as GWR branchlines (as cliched as they are perceived to be) are a very rewarding modelling subject to me. The two things that still jar to me are: The engine shed off the bay. I simply do not think it would be there. Anything in the bay and the shed is out of action without some painful shunting. The bridge to the gas works. I think the short head shunt being extended and run off from that is more likely rather than building a bridge which would have been a substantial cost. Regards, Craig W

Congratulations on your purchase! I saw that and was very sorely tempted to make an A3 my second 7mm scale indulgence (I purchased one of the very last Rover kits) I have a finney A4 in 4mm scale that is a similar Ebay indulgence. Looking forward to this one, your builds are always a pleasure to watch and learn from. Regards, Craig W

I model the early 1920s GWR because it interests me. I find it fascinating that the Great War had ended, things were improving but austerity was still there. A new livery had come into play for goods wagons and coaches, locos were all in plain green and the grouping was a very new thing. It is a period of variety and change. I certainly have no nostalgia for the period. My other interest is german WW2 ground forces. Again, I can assure you that the idea of being a Panzer Grenadier in Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler at Kursk is not something that brings out any feelings of nostalgia in me. It is quite possible to have an interest in something without feeling nostalgic about it. regards, Craig W

I was watching a Mallard GWR Barnum on Ebay, purely out of curiosity. In the end it went for 281 GBP. Utterly gobsmacked. CraigW https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MALLARD-MODELS-BOXED-421-066-4MM-SCALE-BRASS-LOCO-KIT-BARNUM-CLASS/112719526276?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Hi Tony, Please see attached my very cruel macro photo of the Mitchell 3500 gallon tender I am building in 4 mm scale. This type of spring was introduced in about 1925 (first used on 3500 gallon fitted Castle class) and steadily replaced the earlier springs and was near universal by the mid - late 1930s. I have yet to see a photo of the earlier type after WW2. Hope it helps, you would kick yourself if you found out after painting! Regards, Craig W

Can you post a side on view of the tender? From this angle it looks like it has the earlier curved springs rather than the heavier ones fitted from the mid 1920s. I would think the intermediate ones were built with the new springs, but they would certainly have been fitted by the 1950s. Regards, Craig W

Plus of course you then get the obligatory whinging that "I only want one" There is enough from people wanting a different number, this added whining might be a bridge too far Craig W

I had a suspicion what it was, but I checked the MR wagon books to be sure. The thread should stop soon, not many of them built Regards, Craig W

Porcy, "It would be interesting to know how you can can tell if contributors to this thread (and others) are your customers especially with people now having to purchase from the likes of Eilleens and Wizard totally bypassing direct contact with BB Models. Also I'd be interested to know what criteria need to be fulfilled to comply with your definition of a modeller and how you know contributors to this thread (and others) meet those criteria?" I tried to reply and made a mess of it, so just extracted the above section. BB passed the etched range of W-irons etc across to Eileens Emporium and now (as far as I am aware) only trades as Mousa Models producing a range of etched and printed rolling stock kits. A google search calls up both ranges but purchase is mutually exclusive. Regards, Craig W

Because he does not wish to be part of a good old fashioned RMWeb lynch mob. The audacity of him. If you do not like Bill Bedford or his products do not buy from him. It really is that simple. He is not the only person who comes across as blunt and he certainly will not be the last. Craig W

I counted 51 models available to purchase on the Mousa site - wagons alone and both etched brass and 3D printed. That is not too bad for somene who is not an actual manufacturer. Craig W

I do not support the actions of the Coopercraft owner one bit. I decided long ago after hearing reports about on line ordering and knowing a couple of people who experienced same that I would not go down that path. I have also discouraged friends from ordering via that means. Bill has merely suggested that things may not be as simple as some people paint them. Is he right? I really do not know. But Bills comments have resulted in him copping a pile of crap that is not deserved. Bill and some of his models have their quirks. We all do. But what he is doing with 3D printed wagons is a god send for those of us who want to model something different to the 1950s-1960s steam-diesel transition rut so beloved of the RTR manufacturers. If me putting a couple of dollars down as a deposit helps a couple of other wagons to reach fruition then I am very happy to do it. Be annoyed with Coopercraft by all means, but that really is not a justification to lash out at all and sundry. Craig W

Adrian, I would caution you that the very vast majority of Victorian 3.5mm scale modellers use 16.5mm track. There are issues with re-gauging to 18.2 for any RTR diesels due to most using RP25/110 profile wheels. Some rolling stock would be easier. The upside is that the Steam Era Models kits are very nice indeed. If you are a faceache user there are also a number of groups for Victorian modellers, indeed facebook seems to have killed off a fair chunk of railpage activity as well as the VR enthusiast forum. regards, Craig W

I know the progress when I get an email from Bill asking if my address is still correct and if I still want the LNWR wagons I placed a deposit on. I am happy with that. It seems the main whingers about Bill are people who do not want to buy his models anyway. If I am not happy with his was of doing business I simply will not order. I already have a list of ones I do not deal with. Craig W

I have pre-ordered a number of kits from Bill Bedford. I have always received replies to emails and when the items hit production they are sent to me with out having been paid for and an invoice included. He will be getting more orders from me and a crystal ball is not required for that either. Yes, the models may take a while to reach fruition, but I would suggest that if a few people who read the various pre grouping wagon threads coughed up some money for a kit or two then things might get to the production stage rather quicker. Craig W

Nothing to do with a hearse, but I received an email from Bill a day or so ago that the LNWR 4 plank wagon will be shipping next week. Regards Craig W

In Bills defence on this matter, when I have pre-ordered some of his 3D printed wagons, he has shipped them to me with an invoice for the payment less the deposit I have paid. I regard that as more than an honourable and decent thing to do. Bill has done (and left himself open to ) exactly what you said. The situation with regards to CC is somewhat different I admit. I think the site should be pulled until things are resolved one way or another. There is no way on earth I would click the "add to cart" button on the Coopercraft site and if I see anyone contemplating ordering I advise them exactly the same. regards, Craig W

You can have any opinion you like G-BOAF, as long as Crewlisle approves of it Craig W

It does indeed work fairly well there. The loco has RP28/88 wheels which scale to about 2mm wide. I wonder though, how many people would be prepared to pay the 1800 GBP that these currently sell for? Regards, Craig W

I have accumulated a healthy stash of they Roy Link and KB scale range - as well as a few other things relating to 14mm gauge. The KB range is skewed towards industrial, which is where my interests lie. However, surely one of the biggest issues now is that Peco have discontinued the IL115 rail, which is what is used for the jigs and gauges supplied by KB scale. This certainly takes some of the "ease' out of building in On14. Regards, Craig w

Mike, I have been told by my Wife to go to Scaleforum next year, and if the stars align properly, myself and two friends will be making the journey from Australia. One of the things I am looking forward to is the chance to meet and say hello to some of the traders I have purchased from as well as meet some of the people who have helped me over the last couple of years. For me, having a chat is something am looking forward to. That is, I suspect, something that appeals more to society members. That being said, there are traders, layouts and clinics and workbenches to look at too. I suspect that a good number of "outsiders" are put off by it being "protofour" honestly. A shame really. Craig W

Great Western Railway Journal has been one of the best of the prototype magazines available. From the comments in the editorial and the number of articles written by a chore of people it has obviously been a labour of love for quite some time. Is the lateness annoying? Not really, it turns up when it does and I know it will be good. While I saw it in our local news agencies (In Australia) from very early on and grabbed a few copies to read it was reading issue 17 that really got me in. This came at a time when I was questioning what I wanted to model. The upshot was that I changed to modelling the GWR and have enjoyed the path a great deal. I look forward to 103 arriving but I shall be sad that it marks the passing of one of the most informative and inspiring magazines that has been published. Craig W