Craigw

Whenever I ordered a model from Martin I ordered a set of Ultrascale wheels to go with them, so they all have wheelsets. Far easier than deciding you want to make a start on something and then having to wait 6 months for the wheels. Never been that impressed with RG4 motors and as I only came back to UK modelling in 2008 I have never felt the urge to use them. High level gearboxes and Mashima motors for me. CraigW

One completed by myself, another in progress, Three built for me. Lots to go obviously, but its a start. Craig W

A wish list? My logic has always been that if something I want is available and I can afford it then I buy it. Putting things off has not worked well for me in the past! The new owner is not likely to see my credit card given my stash as shown in the photo. Mr Finney however, has done well out of me - these are all from him not Ebay or second hand (I have a couple more that are this category). If he was to have the ability and interest to do a Saint to this standard I would certainly weaken. Regards, Craig W

I always found that Martin was an absolute pleasure to deal with. One of the best in my opinion. My final purchase was the 7mm scale Rover. My one and only 7mm scale loco! Regards, Craig W

As do I remember. The price rises currently being seen in the UK mirror those that are being seen in Australia. The price for a new tool HO scale diesel is currently at (in UK terms) approx 140 GBP and a 4-6-0 steam loco is approx 230 GBP. A coach winds up being about 60GBP but only available as as a set of two. The prices are not inflated, just reality catching up. Craig W

In that case you can buy the Comet Models kit for 40 GBP and build it yourself. If you want to cost your labour out, I suspect that all of a sudden you will think the 30 extra GBP will seem quite reasonable. An autotrailer is something that most people will buy one - or maybe two of. Something like a standard 3rd class coach would sell in somewhat larger numbers i suspect. The simple fact is that all railway models - world wide - that originate from China are becoming more expensive and that will continue. It is a terrible thing that workers are being paid more in China as i am sure we all expect they should continue to be exploited for our benefit. But the government there, doubtless to protect themselves has decreed otherwise. We pay for it. If you dont like that then buy and build the kit. otherwise, think what you really need or want and spend your money wisely. But crying like little children seems an utterly pointless exercise. Prices will be going up. Craig W

Nick, The GWRJ article on the V% vans (issue 63) has photos of 6990... and 79018. The former has the later style twin bonnet end whilst the latter has the single vent and X bracing on the ends although the latter did seem to change to last strip over time. Both had been fitted with cross cornered DC1 so they still only had brakes on one side. They survived until 1957 and 1955 respectively. You could put a single bonnet on the end and make it the latter wagon if you have concerns. If you don't have the series on GWR vans that john Lewis wrote, it really is brilliant and handy to have on the desk with you. Regards, Craig

Nick, I have never seen any evidence that the V5 was ever built or modified with DC3 brakes. As far as I can see from the Lewis article in GWRJ (number 63), they retained DC1 brakes albeit with an extra lever fitted for your period. All the photos in the article support that too. The Morgan stuff is nice to use. Although the instructions are a little wordy in places, they all go together accurately. The underframes are very nice and make a most pleasant change fom cobblings things up from bits and pieces. Regards, Craig W

Nick, Roxey have taken over the Southwark range. Although still out of stock, one would like to think it will be available again "soon". Although, having said that, take overs do not have a good track record so far! Alan Gibson excepted. Craig W

Here is a Martin Finney 4mm scale curved frame Bulldog for you. This one is to P4 standards and was built for me by John James. Modelled on Maristow as she was in the early/mid 1920s. 247 Development plates, Ultrascale wheels, High Level Gearbox and Mashima motor. I have way too many kits, so John has built me a Finney Dean goods, this and and 1854 Pannier whilst I work on some other locos and things. Regards, CraigW

d As an aside, and nothing to do with the 48XX per se... I do agree with your initial suggestion. I have always been firmly of the opinion that the RTR manufacturers do models people want, but if they did something completely different as a cohesive range then you would see an upsurge of interest in that. If One or the other major manufacturers was to release a cohesive range of pre grouping locos, coaches and wagons from one of the companies then people will model that. If people are not prepared to build kits or scratch build then the simple fact is that the RTR manufacturers dictate what people will model. So, while I think the 48XX is a good model to do, I agree with your sentiment. Craig W

I am a 4mm scale 1920s era GWR modeller, albeit working to P4 standards (no EM wheels). It is fairly obvious that RTR steam period models are skewed towards preserved locomotives, or those that people remember from revenue steam traffic. I would suggest that the number of people who remember steam rail motors in revenue service are rather thin on the ground, so the interest in the Steam rail motor is from the preserved one running. A 517 in RTR form would be an absolute headache to do - two wheelbases, inside and outside trailing frames, two boilers, open and closed cabs... the variations go on and on. Not likely! (Besides, I have the Mitchell kit) The 14XX is instantly recognisable and I have no doubt at all that it will sell well when it reaches the market. There are indeed many things that could be done but this does strike me at least as a sensible one. No, I won't be buying it though.... 1920s GWR Is my world. I will get an Austerity body or two though, because I also like Industrials. Craig W

I checked that when first looking - they were Gibson wheels, not Ultrascale! Quite a premium for them it seems. Craig w

I was watching a 4mm scale Malcolm Mitchell/David Geen 517. The price last night (my time) was GBP 110 and I figured that it would stay somewhere around that price. Wrong! The final sale price was GBP 235. Unless I am mistaken, the 517 is still available and for considerably less than that? Craig W

As an aside, there is a Finney 4mm scale city class on Ebay. No box, no instructions but the etchings and castings for the loco only (no tender) are going for 146 GBP. I guess someone really wants it! It will be interesting to build without instructions too. Craig w

Same situation with the 7mm Rover too. I have indicated I wish to order a few Dean tenders and the Rover is likely to be the one 7mm loco I buy. Craigw

David, that really does look nice! I am a confirmed GWR modeller but everytime I see that the Gibson J15 and E4 are available I have to exercise great will power. One question though, are there balance weights fitted to the driving wheels? Craig W

I am another from Sydney, living in the Campbelltown area. I model GWR to P4 standards, and there are a few other P4 modellers in the Sydney area too. I was involved in NSW modelling for a long time, indeed my name is still listed in the AMRM contributing authors team! Craig W

I am sure you are quite correct on that, just as i am equally sure there are a few that seem to want to set themselves up as some sort of moral majority and howel down dissenting opinions. Provided a discourse remains civil, there should not need to be moderation. That usually comes in when people from one side or the other resort to name calling and abuse. Craig W

Ian, I am sure it is tirelessly self indulgent and a lll those other things. Plus more. But why is it that people who are critical of the accuracy of a model the ones who seem to get singled out? There are any number of posts on here and other threads from people saying they will by 5 when it is released, lamenting the fact that they really wanted something else or complaining about the cost. Yet that sort of inane line is considered acceptable. I don't subscribe to the "if it looks like a ...it is a ..." either. My Triang 3F tank that I got for my 5th Birthday in 1969 looked like one, but I am rather glad that things have moved on. If I can take the time to scroll past the posts that I find boring, I don't see why others cannot make the same effort. If a group of people want to discuss the cab dimensions let them. If you don't want to then don't. Craig W

"If you want the 'perfect' model then either build it yourself or commission it from one of the handful of professional builders who could meet your standards. It'll cost a tad more than Kernow's 02 will......" Ok, I have read through the previous few pages and I certainly cannot see anyone saying they want a "perfect" 02. I saw some comments about the size of the vent holes and others commenting on the proportions of the cab. Things that looking at a photo may, or may not clear up. But nowhere at all do any of the ones who are being critical of the model ask for a perfect model. Some people don't like this and belly ache that we have never had it so good. The same thing was being said about never having it so good was being said 10 years ago, should everything have stopped at that standard?. Seriously, some are happy with the model, and some have a few doubts about things. What is the problem if they voice concerns? Craig W

Still needs a new buyer and getting it back on the market which seems to have been a bit of a stumbling block with most ranges so far. Still have not seen any Finney kits come up on Ebay which surprises me a little. Would be an interesting bidding war to watch! Craig W

No Aaron, the cabs in the photo are 36 class cabs. They have a handrail below the cab window, which is something the 58 class did not have. Look again at the photos. As I said, there are (or were) 58 class cabs there - just not the ones in the photograph. Craig W

Reading all the comments above reinforces to me why my "buy it when you have the money" policy is sensible. That would explain why I have an aberdare, Stella, 2 x 3232, 2 x Dean Goods, 2 x Atbara, City, 4 x bulldogs (two of each), two dukes and an 1854 in my stash! Craig w

I live in Campbelltown and the line has been obliterated all the way to Narellan. There is a bit of the embankment heading out from Campbelltown station but that is it. Narellan road is now 3 lanes either direction and the whole area is a sea of houses quite unlike what it was when I moved out to this area in 1991. You can still follow a fair bit of the line from Narellan out to Camden though, and the old dairy still exists as does the platform at Camden, albeit in a former car yard Regards, Craig