Craigw

They could convert the Dean Goods into a 3900 tank if they built a new mechanism. The coupled wheel base on the 3900 is actually 7' + 7' as against the 7'3" + 8' 3" of the Dean Goods. Once again, Swindon "standardisation" is not so standard after all. Craig W

As it has not been mentioned thus far (that I have seen) it might be worth noting that there was a fairly significant variation in the Dean Goods. The early locos - 2301 -2450 had a narrower footplate (6" narrower), plain coupling rods and a different cab cut out. If the model is based on 2516 (as seems likely) then it will only be suitable for a loco in the range from 2451-2580. 2491 - 2510 were rebuilt as 3901 class tanks between 1907-1910. That said, it does look very nice indeed. Finally a model comes out that would be useful for my mid 1920s era and I already have a finished Finney model and another one to build. Regards, Craig W

In typical Trumpeter form, they appear to be copies of Tamiya tools. Trumpeter do a large variety of scales, including one of their recent ones being a 1:16 scale PzKpfw IV Ausf H and J with interior detail. Imagine a 1:16 scale Q6 with interior detail? Craig W

Still one of my favourite On14 layouts David, one of those that persuaded me to dabble and get distracted by two foot gauge. Craig W

Clive, you imagine it is 4' 8.5" gauge track while Martin imagines it is a fictional 4' 1.5" gauge track. In reality, neither of you are accurate for different reasons. Does it really matter? Craig W

The Dean Goods is in the Pre WW1 livery, the other two will be in post 1925 liveries. Post WW1 livery for all but the Express passenger classes was plain, unlined Green. Craig W

The double framed locos (2361-2380) were not based on the Dean Goods, being closer to the Stella (which was a 2-4-0). Most importantly, while the Dean goods wheelbase is 7'3" + 8'3", that of the double framed loco is 7'9" + 8'. Which ever way you look at it, the Dean Goods is very old and quite overdue for an update or (like this) a new model. Regards, Craig W

The pre-lettered kits are pretty good but there are a couple of things to be aware of: Be very careful if you decide you want interior detail - you can damage the outside! A number of the wagons still need numbers applied The few red wagons I have need a lot of the metalwork painted black. Underframes are unpainted, so you need to do by brush or mask off when you paint the brakegear - assuming you fit etched brake gear. On some wagons, the application of the pressfix transfers was a bit ordinary and it did not sit very good around the metalwork. I had a bit of a hard time with two wagons in particular with this problem. In the end I carfully cut the transfer away around the area and painted it in. Not noticeable after weathering. Still enjoying the progress Mark, it is good to see more prewar modelling. My workbench is on the S4 site, I dont have the patience or inclination to repeat things everywhere! Regards, Craig w

Mark, I would suggest you purchase private owner wagons - an eleventh collection which contains about 6 pages on CRC wagons plus photos. They seem to have had a lot of 5 plank wagons and no models are listed, so no lettering from POWSides - might need to be a DIY job. They seem to have ordered a lot of wagons from The Midland Waggon Company. Regards, Craig

According to Private Owner wagons of the Forest Of Dean, the regulations for brakes on both sides of a wagon where brought in by the Board of Trade in 1911 thus anything built after this time was fitted with brakes both sides. However, conversion of old stock was not enforced until 1938. I expect this would have applied to both company and private wagons, though the GWR did start fitting a second set of brakes on wagons not so fitted from the mod 1920s. Please see caption at bottom of page 55 of said publication for this info. Regards, Craig w

Mike, I did not mean that the revamp of the Wills kit was by Rod Neep, rather that the Roxey kit has its origins in his design as his name is all over the etches! The SE Finecast model does look very nice and if I wanted one with the large bunker I would probably go that route. Craig W

Family "arrived" in 1815 with his sons being born in Sydney in 1817 and 1819 respectively. Originally from Great Rollright, he moved to Oxford and then to London. Did some naughty things and was sentenced to be transported in 1813. Regards, Craig w

It is interesting to see what drives a person to model what they do. I am 7th generation Australian, yet I model the Great Western Railway in the mid 1920s, 4mm scale to P4 standards. I am still very interested in the NSW railways in the steam era but locomotives and rolling stock that are not all that much larger than UK stock lost the airy feel that it has in real life when fitted with Kadee couplings and RP25 110 or 88 profile wheels. I simply was not happy with it at all. After a long time faffing around and starting lots of things I had my road to damascus moment and have really started to get moving on things. RTR is not really an option for my interests, so it is kit building at the moment for me. I had a couple of locomotives built for me by John James to free me up to build rolling stock as I found I was getting bogged down trying to build locos and stock. The project at the moments is twenty goods wagons which I started in January last year. By the end of the week I will be at 18 completed - so two more to hit my target. It is not a lot to show for 12 months but I am happy to take my time and do research to satisfy my pedantic nature. The difference is that I have worked on the problems rather than putting them aside as I was want to do and I suspect many others do. While I do read RMWeb and post occasionally I do not put up much modelling as I am so erratic that it makes nonsense of a work bench. I do, however post on the Scalefour society workbench area. In addition, duplicating everywhere is a nonsense. Attached is a photo of a few of the wagons I have recently completed. All have etched brass running gear plus painted and weathered to suit my 1923-1924 interests. Regards, CraigW

I have a Roxey one to build at some point. it is a medium Metro with open cab and small bunker. A friend built one and it seemed to go together alright and looks good albeit he used the Collet bunker from my 517 kit! The Roxey kit is designed by Rod Neep but it does seem ok. Not sure how the SEF one compares honestly, have never seen it. I went the Roxey path because I wanted the earlier bunker. Regards, Craig w

That really does look very nice. Is there any chance of a photograph with the body fitted? I have never actually see a built up Finney City for some reason! Regards, Craigw

Are you serious? Everybody knows that locos are only there so you do not put sweat marks on the rolling stock by having to push it around Regards, Craig W

Seriously, what a pathetic, mean and above all else gutless thing for someone - anyone to do. John, everybody has to start somewhere and you have displayed a lo of courage taking on a complex kit. As you are aware, the soldering is not as good as it should be in places but we live and learn. Now that you know, you will add new tools, practise and be a little more critical of your soldering joints and I am certain whatever you attempt next will be better. Most importantly, you are doing something and enjoying it. I have been casually watching your posts (Not a NER modeller!) and you have built it up very quickly (possibly too quick as others have pointed out) Well done on all counts. Perhaps the people who sent you PMs like that will have the courage of their convictions to say such things in public? I doubt it somehow. Keep on going John! Regards, Craig W

David, Download a program called Crossover. Templot will work via that method. Otherwise install bootcamp and install windows. Either approach works. Regards, Craig

The thing is, most of the RTR models are not perfect. Very good - yes indeed,. But a good number of the recent models I have looked at have anaemic tender springs and axleboxes, brake gear moulded with the tender sideframes, overscale splashers on the locos and a myriad of other niggles that stand out if you really want to look. If you want to live with those things that is fine, but if you try and correct them you will usually ruin the paint work which is certainly the stand out feature of much of the RTR. So, as a P4 modeller (strike 1!) who models the mid 1920s (strike 2!) ia m quite content with the fact that there is very little in the way of RTR that has any use to me. I will continue to work through my collection of kits of various sorts and enjoy the process immensely. I may be slow, but I enjoy the journey. Craig W

Dave, Maybe it is time to take a breath and walk away for a while? With your (strongly) hinted at involvement replying to every single negative comment and trying to counter it does not come across as being balanced. There have been many positive comments, and there have been a few querying some features. That is the way of all models really. regards, Craig W

Mark, While i do not have that sort of thing with GWR locos, I like the fact that in 1923-1924 they were still in unlined green. Two liveries for coaching and NCPS as well as two lettering styles on wagons. In addition, a very large number of pregrouping wagons in mostly old livery as well as newer wagons in the liveries of the new companies. It is, to me, a very interesting period to model. As you have noticed, there was a lot of stop gap liveries applied by the new companies too! Craig W

Brian, I live in Australia and ordered via Titfield Thunderbolt. Book was 29.95 or thereabouts and the postage was 1 GBP less! Having said that, I do not regret it for a second. As others have alluded too, the book is superb. Buy it, you will still be reading it long after the pain of the postage has gone. Craigw

I am fairly, no, very confident that you will like this book a great deal. It really is a brilliant album. Craig W

I don't know if you have the book or not, but I would highly recommend "The LMS in the west Midlands" by P.B.Whitehouse. It has a fantastic selection of photos from 1923 onwards, with a healthy selection from the early years of the grouping. It is quite interesting to see a number of locos in LMS markings but still having buffer planks lined out LNWR style. I have had this book for years and before I fell under the spell of the GWR I was intending to model somewhere in the area. For reasons I cannot really explain I have always liked Kenilworth Station. Cambrian have a pretty good selection of kits that suit the early grouping years too. The other thing to remember is that the 1907 spec RCH wagons and ones that were 15 and 16' long with brakes on one side were far more common too. Regards Craig

Mark, i would also suggest some of the recent Parkside kits - something like the GWR V12-V16 or the O11 open would have travelled a bit in the mid 1920s. Very easy kits to assemble and look very nice indeed. You have selected a very interesting and seldom modelled period ( I am modelling GWR 1923-1924 ), I look forward to more of it. Regards, Craig W