R Marshall

Trevor, Here's a couple of colour shots of that engine at West Hartlepool MPD on 06.05.67. These were given to me by Chris Davies (sadly no longer with us), so no copyright worries. Regards, Roy

Les, 64960 survived until February 1960, so would have almost certainly received late crests. It was part 2, so had a 4200 gallon tender, like the Farish model and the flat sided version is correct for that engine. In 1958/9 it seems to have been shedded at Lincoln. Unfortunately, most of the engines allocated to North Eastern sheds seem to have had the smaller part 1 3500 gallon tenders or the ex-NER part 3 tenders. As ever, a picture of the intended engine will be useful. Regards, Roy

Further to this, Iain, I've turned up a picture of 65811 at West Hartlepool in July 67 (Colour Rail, so copyright, alas). This suggests that your memory is ok and that J27s did travel South. 65811 is pretty filthy, but others of Sunderland's allocation weren't. Maybe it was 65894? Regards, Roy

43000 is especially useful for the roof detail in the foreground - I've got to model one like that! Regards, Roy

The last J27s in the North East were shedded at Sunderland (65811/55/79/82/94). 65894 (now preserved) was certainly cleaned up for some of its final turns, but I don't know whether any of Sunderland's allocation would have taken coal down to Teesside. West Hartlepool shed only had a couple of Q6s and a set of WDs. Sorry to be unable to help more.

Great Pictures!

Mick, Another cracking picture! RCTS part 2A says that the five tenders were ordered from Doncaster in December 1933 and attached to the locomotives between August 1934 and January 1935. Regards, Roy

Les, Not bored by your articles at all. Have you had any trouble with Farish B1 bogies derailing? Regards, Roy

J, Let them know I'm happy to help - I've lots of pictures of the class in BR days and earlier - would love them to get the detail right 1st time. Regards, Roy

Sad to say, the CAD images appear to show the lamp handles running from side to side (incorrect), rather than fore and aft. The detail variations (eg with/without rear handrail; buffer types; vacuum ejector; sandbox arrangements; etc) are such that Bachmann ought to base each model on photographic evidence. Hopefully someone can feed this back to Bachmann?

David, Is that the same Maldon of the Battle in 991 and Ealdorman Byrhtnoth? Regards, Roy

Les, I'd be interested to see your stock for the Tees Tyne Pullman, when you get a mo. I've got a rake of 6 - the flat sided BSKs are both missing - love to see Farish produce these, but it seems unlikely. Regards, Roy

Andy, Can you feed back to Bachmann? If so, happy that you pass on this picture, which shows the rear sandboxes on the late batch J72s - below the footplate, behind the rear footsteps - the CAD image for the late BR version doesn't show this. All the batch 69001 to 69028 had these. On the other batches they were in the cab, I believe. I don't think the earliest batch had the bunker rear handrail. I offered help to Bachmann earlier through the website, but that offer has not been taken up, as yet. Maybe you'll have more success. As for all the moaning about the teak Thompsons, I can't believe that Bachmann could have done a better job - if I modelled in OO, I'd want a full rake! I think I can justify some N examples , eventually, to mix with some blood and custard. Regards, Roy

Lovely pics - the 2nd is Wearhead, I think, but where's the 1st?

Andy, What does the good news on the J72 (ie progress) mean in respect of the Farish N Gauge version, please? Regards, Roy PS any word on the Thompsons in N also, please?

That's great - as you say the City walls are there - many thanks.

Mick, Class Q piloting Class J - love the NER singles. The Class I was a very handsome beast, often seen at Scarborough. Regards, Roy

Mick, Trying to square the York location with the sheds at York, given the GNR loco (and LMS?) and GNR (I think) wagons in the background. The GNR had a straight shed at York South and the LMS had a roundhouse, both in the triangle with the NER roundhouse. So is this at York North? Regards, Roy

This was one of four 2-2-4Ts "chiefly used for hauling inspection saloons" says RCTS Part 9B. These were, Class X1 No. 66 Aerolite (preserved at the NRM), Class X2 No. 957, and Class X3 Nos. 190 and 1679. I think the X3s were the best looking and I wish one had been saved. Thanks Mick.

Mick, I've got some drawings, copyright NERA, as follows: 1) A drawing reproduced from the NERA magazine "The North Eastern Express" is labelled as a NER Standard Signal Box 1906. There are 4 pages, showing front and both end elevations, plus detail of the steps and porch. The York box is specifically mentioned as the longest to this pattern. The original drawings were reduced from 1/4" to 1 foot scale to fit and have lost a bit of clarity in the process - it might be worth contacting NERA to see if the original is still available. Let me know if you need contacts. 2) The North Eastern Record, Volume 1 has a drawing of the S4 type cabin which looks very similar with straight lintels top and bottom of the windows in the lower storey. This is much more legible than the other. Whilst neither of these is specifically of the York box, the implication is that you could extrapolate the dimensions from them. Oddly, though, both drawings show 12 panes in 3 vertical rows in the lower windows, whereas in your picture the panes seem to be in 2 vertical rows (edited to say that this may not be correct there may be more than 2 rows). Regards, Roy

Any chance of a picture, please?

Les, You've probably found out by now, but RCTS Part 2A shows 60031 had a corridor tender and 60004 had from May 1948. regards, Roy

Too sad!

Great pictures - those Hunslets look just like the proposed NGS ready to run models! Regards, Roy Marshall

This may not be of interest, but, during the current winter maintenance being carried out by NELPG, the Q6 has had 3 footsteps fitted to the rear of the tender. Similarly, the new tender tank for the J27 has had 2 footsteps fitted. Regards, Roy Marshall