2996 Victor

Hi Jim, thanks for the additional info - I'm certainly keen to give it a go, so your methods are a good pointer. Thanks again and best regards, Mark

Hi Ray, Those look brilliant! I've also been over to Facebook as you suggested and I'm now a fully paid-up member of the group - certainly some good stuff on there. Best regards, Mark

Hi Sarah, Thanks for the extra info - I've always had a hankering for a real Fergie T20, so a model one might have to do! Or a Field Marshal - my Dad would recount how he drove his Uncle's FM during his school holidays Kind regards, Mark

Dear All, I meant to add earlier my thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread, and to express my sincere gratitude for all the sage advice and suggestions from those wiser than me! So far, my journey into the world of Hornby Dublo has been a fascinating one, and I have no doubt that that will continue! I've received another five wagons from an eBay purchase, and I'm really pleased to say that they are absolutely delightful, a joy to behold! Several are, as far as I tell, in mint condition! Even the boxes are a work of art! Best regards, Mark

Hi again, Ray, I see exactly where you're coming from with regard to refinishing locos and stock. My personal view is that, provided the item in question is not a rarity or in perfect original finish, and provided it is a fairly common item, then why not? Its no different than, say a current Hornby loco, with the current trend for realism meaning varying the names/numbers, adding weathering etc - in fifty or sixty years time you'll be hard pressed to find one in original condition! The coach overlays are particularly interesting - any GWR ones among your collection? All the best, Mark

Hi @Wolseley, many thanks for the photographs - the City and the Duchess are stunning! Also, the N2 and the rake of tank wagons are superb! May I ask what your techniques are for stripping old paint and refinishing? Thomas brought a smile to my face, as well! Thanks again and very best regards, Mark

Hi Ray, thanks for the advice on the motors, although to be fair I'm not confident with motors, so would probably seek a specialist to check over any that I have. Thanks also for the pointer to Ron Dodd - I'll have a look over the weekend! That looks rather special! I'm planning on sticking with HD, but who knows if that'll last for long! All the best, Mark

Hi Sarah, thanks for the additional info on the containers - any photos of the ones you've done? With the tractors, will both fit the low-sided wagon? Kind regards, Mark

Hi David, thank you very much indeed for the info and the link - I'll probably get a stock in! Presumably, they're a straight swap for the originals. Are the same rivets used for bogie pivots? Brass BA pan head screws are still available as well, but a thread would need to be tapped for these, of course, and thread locking fluid is widely available from fixing suppliers. Cheers, Mark

Hi David, many thanks for the additional infor, especially the rivets - one wonders whether there is any mileage in having some made to the original pattern. See also below for @Il Grifone's link to eBay. Cheers, Mark

Ray, that looks fantastic - the locos and coaches are fabulous! I'm really not sure now where I want to go with my layout - the "traditional" HD layout or create something more akin to a modern-style micro/small layout with scenery, which was what I had been thinking! Thanks for sharing, and if you have any more photos, hints or tips, please do share! All the best, Mark

Thanks, Neil! I'll get some soon and give it a go. As I said, I would never have thought of trying oven cleaner! Best regards, Mark

Hi Ray, many thanks for the two posts - what can I say but, "those coaches are absolutely beautiful!" Presumably its relatively easy to remove the glazing? I've never used Fox Transfers, as they don't tend to cover my "usual" period, but I've heard great reports and thought I'd give them a whirl when I tidy up my N2. Thanks again, Mark

I agree - I'm overwhelmed by the responses so far, definitely the encouragement needed. But as @Il Grifone said at the outset, it's a slippery slope! Time I got some finescale EM modelling done to try and balance things out a bit! Cheers, Mark

Hi Neil, many thanks for the extra info! Interesting how you stripped off the old paint - I would never have thought of that! I did wonder about soaking in cellulose thinners, and of course there's NitroMors, but that may be a bit too astringent. Did you use an etch primer or just their normal one? For transfers, I was looking at Fox Transfers and the like, but I'll scout eBay first! Thanks again and best regards, Mark

Hi Sarah, Thanks for the info on the low-sided wagons - I've seen a few on eBay with their container loads, but invariably, they've been quite badly damaged down the years. Not found a tractor yet! How were the containers retained? Among my Dad's wagons that he had had as a boy was one of the cable drum wagons. I remember the drums were held on by string, somehow, but this was forty-plus years ago! I do remember that the paper covering on the sides of the drums had come unstuck from the wooden cores, though! Actually, Dad's cable drum wagon may have had elasticated string, but I'm really not sure. Thanks again, Mark

Hi David, many thanks for your reply. Yes, the N2 is a Cycling Lion one, so knowing that's not a rarity, I'll feel happier giving it a bit of a make-over! Shame about the coaches, but I'm not really surprised. How is re-liverying tired ones viewed? Dimly, I would have thought! Although, presumably, with common/badly damaged items, it wouldn't be quite such an issue..... Also, thanks for clarifying "SD6" for me - this is a steep learning curve, it has to be said, although I've ordered the "bible" as you recommended. Interesting about the tractor load, and how it was retained. As my low-sided is really quite scruffy and also common, I might cut my teeth on that one, and see how I get on! Thanks again, Mark

Hi David, many thanks for the many tips there: all extremely helpful, in particular about the tags on tinplate wagons - I was particularly concerned about trying to bend these up as I imagine they are quite delicate! Its surprising what sources there are - the Poundland paint, for instance. I was naturally thinking in terms of automotive paint, or even tamiya acrylic, although I would expect to need an etch primer? Do you strip the existing paint off first, or just carefully touch-in the chips? Thank you for the pointers about releasing the axles - I could see the keepers were separate but hadn't worked out how they were fitted. Who is able to supply the replacement hangers, if (when!) I need some? I'm intending to stay with 3-rail and tinplate (which will limit my choice of coaches, of course), so the idea of chucking the wheels in a drill and burnishing them sounds useful, as the ones I've seen tend to be rusty-looking. As far as the coupling rivets are concerned, I would have thought that brass rivets might be available, even if not to exactly the same pattern, which could be substituted. Similarly with the bogie pivots, which could also be replaced with small brass bolts, I suppose. So far, I'm hoping I've not got any rubbishy items coming,, but I'll let you know! Thanks again, Mark

Hi Ray, many thanks for your post - also fantastic stuff! As with @gtis Neil's post above, your locos have inspired me to have a go at restoring my N2. The're absolutely stunning, if I may say so, and I particularly like the 2-6-4T! How have you brought up the motion so brightly? I agree with you about the paint chips on rolling stock - if they're not too unsightly. But, and always assuming that the item in question isn't a particular rarity or isn't already in very good to near perfect condition, I was interested in knowing if it were possible to sympathetically restore rolling stock. For instance, there are a few vans on eBay at the moment whose lithograph sides and ends appear to have survived in very nice condition, but whose rooves and underframes are a bit tatty (and sometimes quite knocked about!). In cases like those, it seems a shame that the delicate part has survived well and is let down by the painted parts. I do appreciate, of course, that even the most sympathetic restoration can and probably will detract from the item's value. Your layout looks incredible! I'm thinking in terms of a small BLT as has become so prevalent in more recent years, but that is a marvel! Thanks again! Mark EDIT: I meant to add that I've found JW Models' website - some lovely items on there!

Hi Neil, thank you for the additional photos - all great stuff! You've shown what can be done with the locomotives, and it's given me some confidence to "have a go". The N2 that I picked up is certainly rough around the edges, and would spruce up well, I think. Of course, I wouldn't consider doing that to a rarity, or even a really nicely preserved original. I do like the layout, very much of it's era. Thanks again! Mark

Dear All, thank you all so much for your comments, thoughts and advice. I hope you won't mind if I answer your posts individually - I think if I try to do a multiple quote anwser, I'll just get muddled! Thanks once again, and please keep the comments coming! All the best, Mark

Hi Neil, that looks fantastic! How do you find the reliability of the track and points? The locos look great, and the buildings are so evocative! Have you got any more photographs? All the best, Mark

Shame! Still, I'm not planning on a building an empire, so if I could find a half-dozen or so nice examples plus a few "foreigners" would be enough. I've seen some photos of the 0-6-2T in GWR guise - I was actually quite impressed with the Swindon-esque safety valve bonnet! (I did pick up one in BR livery for not much money, again in need of TLC, and again although it wouldn't be increased in value by a resto it would/could look the part!) Which of the coaches are lithographed - I seem to recall from my Dad's set that the suburban coaches were. Were any issued in chocolate and cream? Please excuse my ignorance (I've found a copy of the "bible" and its on order), but what is the SD6 period? In the meantime, I'll keep looking! All the best, Mark

Hi David, many thanks for your very informative reply - I had feared it would be a slippery slope.....! As a first port of call, I'll search out a copy of the book - thank you for the link - so that I can (perhaps) start to get a idea of what's what. I must admit that I did think that restoration could diminish the value of items, in the same way as it can/does with antique clocks, tableware etc. But one must assume that, apart from particularly rare items, a well-restored item is more desirable than an equivalent in a mess, and may be worth attempting. There seem to be quite a number of the brick wagons on Ebay, and I didn't pay much so I'm quite happy! I'll possibly try to give it a touch up, but it isn't bad, although the rust might be worth treating. Can you suggest anything? I'm used to using products like Jenolite on classic car parts, but I fear it might just eat tinlate! I'll clean up and paint the low-sided wagon, though, as it came with the brick wagon. Quite typical that having discovered that HD actually did pre-Nationalisation liveries, items liveried for the good old GWR are at a premium! However, I think I might focus my searching a bit more closely, although a few other companies' wagons doesn't hurt! But I imagine that anything pre-War fetches a huge premium, especially if its in good condition. Thanks again for your post, and if you think of anything else pertinent, please let me know! All the best, Mark

Here are a few photos of the wagons I've referred to above: The bogie brick wagon: http:// A corner showing the small amount of paint loss: http:// Is this due to manufacture or play wear? And if were more extensive, can it be remedied? Also, there seems to be a tiny spot of rust: http:// At the top of the panel with the branding. Is this a potential problem, on this wagon or on others? And the low-sided wagon: http:// Sadly missing its container. Is that restorable? Thanks for any help or advice! With best regards, Mark