R Marshall

Oh, I want some of them! I'd planned to get only blood and custard stock, but who can resist those?

Graham, I agree - especially the NCB two-tone green one for us in the North East - I've got two ordered. However, the lack of a NE Region steam tank locomotive is a pity - I'll have to start on a kit or a 3D print. Regards, Roy

Alex, Just for clarity, Durham was 54A - a sub-shed of Sunderland. This might allow a wider sphere of operation. Others may not be aware - I needed a second look myself. Regards, Roy

Porcy, Great pictures - especially the Atlantic. Atlantics were built with tenders with both D-shaped and oval (the last 10 Zs) frame slots. As you say the depth of the angle iron below the footplate is no guide, as these were altered in some cases to suit the depth on the Atlantic locomotives. Our (NELPG's) Q6 was completed in December 1918, so had a tender with oval frame slots - so we can say with confidence that the current tender is not the original and that, though the tank is new, it matches the proportions of the one at withdrawal. No tender of those proportions (I do not say exact dimensions) particularly of height of tank, with continuous coal rails around the tender rear, originated other than on NER Class V, V09 and Z Atlantics, except for the 10 R1 Class tenders, which all seem to have gone to J39s. So I think it is very likely that the current frames on 63395 are from an Atlantic. Small consolation for the lack of a Z in preservation. Look out for a change of livery in 2238/63395's Centenary Year! Regards, Roy

Porcy, Both J25 and J27 had 8' 0" + 8' 6" wheelbase, I believe. The J24 was different. Regards, Roy

Les, Do you have any pictures of the BR engines, please? I've put in a bid for 68049. I've got pictures of 68023, 68050 and 68051 - all with 3 sets of footsteps and 68023 and 68050 have tall bunkers. I was hoping for a variant with the Lambton cab - maybe later? Regards, Roy

Les, Look forward to seeing Croft Spa in the North East, at some point. Regards, Roy

Les, I like the look of that V2! Oddly enough, I've had nothing but trouble with my Farish B1, so I've lamped it for Engine and Van running tender first, which works fine. All my other Farish locos run quietly and well. Is there a thread on here for Croft Spa and for No Place? I've tried a few searches, but they returned nothing obvious among lots of results. Regards, Roy

Mick, I'm working through your article in July BRM about signalling with semaphores - very helpful. Regards, Roy

Number 53 is a Fletcher Class 901 2-4-0, according to Ken Hoole's illustrated History of NER Locomotives (Appendix 1, page 240). You probably know that Number 910 of this class is preserved. I think it's still out on loan at Kirkby Stephen East, which is where I saw it last. Regards, Roy

That's right - 69802. Regards, Roy

Mick, Interesting picture - I'd thought we only had A5/2s in the NE Region, but this looks like 98002, shedded at 53B Botanic Gardens. Regards, Roy

A look at St Margaret's Shed in Edinburgh seems to fit.

Mick, 1869 is one of the pair of NER Q1 locomotives built in 1896, as I'm sure you know. The tender seems to carry the early form of NER crest, so the picture was probably taken early in the career of the locomotive. RCTS Part 3C says they were used on the East Coast Main Line northwards to Edinburgh and south to York, initially. The architecture of the buildings in the background, coupled with the height above the railway, suggests Edinburgh as the location, I think. Regards, Roy

Mick, Superb! Regards, Roy

No, I didn't mean those - they'd be perfect, but I'm not optimistic that Farish will produce them (if only!). No, I'd set my sights a little lower - I've got a six car Metro Cammell rake for the Tees Tyne Pullman, Head Board for the A4 at the front and no BSKs. I realise the Mark 1 BCKs are from preservation days, but they'd be some sort of compromise to make the rake up to 8. I vote for the Type Ks every poll! Regards, Roy

Gordon, Well I agree on significant - you just have to read David Smith's books! But Manson over Smellie for me - admittedly not 0-6-0s. I even like the Drummonds! Regards, Roy

I'd love to buy a pair of the Pullman Mark 1 BCKs. They're not right for the Metro-Cammell set of Farish Pullmans in steam days, but, in the absence of a decent alternative, I'm prepared to compromise. I wonder whether Farish might reintroduce them?

And they allowed the J21 to get into terrible condition before giving it away.

I think the Thompsons look great - looking forward to some in N.

I agree - I want one in any gauge, but in NER livery, please!

Mick, Another gem - it's impressive the way you keep trotting these out - from a time neither of us can actually remember! Regards, Roy

There are 13 at the last count, with a new build well advanced to make the lucky number! Albeit, 2 of the same class and 1 electric. We're luckier than (say) the Glasgow and South Western - the Manson 4-6-0s in particular were good looking locomotives I agree that the S3 (B16) is a big miss, so too the A (F8), Z Atlantic (C7), the R (D20) and the W (A6 - much more attractive than the A8s, in my opinion). Regards, Roy

L Les, I feel it would be easy to live without the superheated versions of J21, J24, J25 and J27 (with longer smokeboxes, snifting valves and loss of the obvious "piano front" between the front frames), but the variations in boiler diagrams for the saturated versions still result in the usual NE differences in dome cover shape (J27 only) and position. Nevertheless, with careful choice of individual locomotives, these difficulties could largely be avoided, so what you say is true. I model only in N Gauge, but I'm tempted by the Hornby Q6. Any of the 0-6-0s will be similiarly tempting. Regards, Roy