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Shortly after my last post, I received the 3d printed PG004 wagons that I'd mentioned so I've been working on them for the last week or so After a quick rub down and prime of the body, I again added pipework from wire but apart from that there was not much to add to the kit So this is what I've ended up with , again I'm really pleased with these and I have two more to finish This pic shows the difference in end profile of the two hopper types. You may also notice this one has brake pipes - I now have a stack of these and I'm going to have to spend a bit of time going back through everything fitting them. Overall really happy with them and I'm hoping i can convince Snailracer to print me some 007 salt hoppers next

The transfers are from Fox and the paint I used is Humbrol Acrylic no81, not quite the right shade as its not 'mustard' enough but in my eyes it looks ok .

Except for the tamiya acrylics - I've never liked them - that's almost word for word how I would've described what I do - I even have some humrol silver enamel that's at least 40 years old! - I guess that sadly I'm just not as skilled as you

Just to add to yesterday's post there is now a Facebook page for the designer of these https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557188435790&sk=about Usual disclaimer I have no financial connection with Snailracer - although as he's used my photos perhaps I should ask for commission 😀 - my only interest is that I hope he continues with railway stuff as there's a few wagons I'd like him to do yet!

Your weathering is cracking - do you use enamels or acrylics?

I've not been spending much time on the forum lately, but didn't realise it was 18 months since I'd posted anything! I've still been fiddling around with several things, and to continue my stone wagon theme I've been building these recently. They are 3D printed, I had them drawn and printed for me. The base model is a PGA (diagram 003) The first two I've built as PG003a one with a scratch built end platform and side ladders the other more or less as built without ladders, I added the 'lozenges' - which were added during the 80s on the real thing for strengthening. The air pipes along the sides I added from straight wire. As the brake gear on these are mounted on the end platform I also made a brake frame to mount the distributor on and the cover which goes over it all. The other two I have built as PG006a For these the bottom ends of the solebars needed altering/straightening and the side ribs were added to the hopper body from plastic angle with pipes again from wire. They all need air pipes as I'm waiting to recieve some that have been printed. I've weathered them lightly but they could do with a little more especially the interiors. Overall, I'm more than happy with them, and considering that they were drawn and printed by someone who has no interest in railways/model railways he has done a brilliant job. I have one more of these to build and he has just drawn a PGA 004 for me and has started on a 007 ex salt hopper as well. So my train will be getting way longer than I'll probably ever need! If anyone thinks they may want some for themselves let me know as he has said he may sell some if there is interest.

Oh yes they could - quite easily actually!

It looks like a representation of a air brake distributor to me

Yes the number is where the vehicle was condemned. Before TOPS, locations had a four number code which was used by the engineers/C&W. This was the number used on the CM&EE panel (the maintenance panel on wagons) after the date, which showed where the repair had been done - a quick scan of your site found this photo https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/wagondetailspoetc/h269a40aa The code was also used on the cast metal IR and GR plates that used to be put on the solebars. I used to know quite a few codes, but the only one that comes to mind at the moment is 3000 which was swindon works.

Sadly the job is a long way from what it was Jim - one of the reasons I took redundancy/early retirement 5 years ago, and it sounds like it's still going downhill. The fragmentation of the railway has left lots of separate entity's just looking after their own little empire, without really caring about how their piece of the jigsaw fits into the picture . The only time they really care about interaction with other companies is when there's money to be made or lost! from a claim.

Rhtt trains have an operator in the cab with the driver who has a remote control to operate the jets, and a list of sites/mileages where to do it. The older sandite trains/locos were operated by the driver, from a button in the cab, and the sites were marked by signs alongside the track.

No, there were weld lines but no where near as prominent as Dapol have modelled I've filed/sanded them almost flat on mine Edit to add photo

I think that's well spotted and correct Ade, unfortunately the levers do appear to be on upside down

When choosing a number bear in mind the first few with a ladder on the left hand side retained the two small grab handles on the centre stanchions - later ones didn't have these.

It's not hard to move the ladders over- certainly a lot easier than a respray - see my post on the Dapol HEA thread.