2996 Victor

Hi, yes, Dave Goodwin was a frequent contributor to RM, wasn't he? And other periodicals, too, I imagine. I recall being extremely taken with his article on detailing Mainline's 57xx. This particular article has always interested me - it's been in my clippings file for many moons now - so I'm quite pleased to have finally have made something from it. All the best, Mark

This wagon was built to sit at the end of a transfer siding to be on my Ashover Light Railway project: http:// And this a bit of a close-up on the brake gear: http:// It's fairly obviously built from the Slaters MR kit, modified as per an article that appeared in Railway Modeller for September 1983, modifications being the canvas axleguard covers and wedge-shaped door drop buffers. The kit's brake gear was largely used, with the shoes, suspension roads and push rods being retained. The safety loops, vee-hangers, lever and rack came from a Masokits Morton brake gear set, and I think they improve the look quite well. The lever is pivotted on a brass pin that also passed through the outer and inner vee-hangers, so that it can be in the "on" position. Just my little fancy It was painted with Rustoleum Red Oxide, lettered with HMRS Pressfix "ED", and weathered with Humbrol powders. I'm not happy with the interior, though, so I'll revisit that at some point soon. Cheers, Mark

To kick off my blog, here are a few of my Ashover Class D bogie wagons. They're all from Bachmann's rather good rendition, and started life as their Nocton Estates wagons. Factory lettering was removed by rubbing with a cotton bud soaked in acrylic thinners. Interiors were painted in Humbrol enamels and then either washed over or plank-painted with thin washes of dirty brown acrylic to build up a semblance, I hope, of worn timber. A coat of Tamiya acrylic gloss lacquer prepared the exteriors for transfers courtesy of Old Time Workshop, variety of numbers being achieved by cutting and shutting the ones provided. Weathering is with Revell and Humbrol powders built up in layers, each being sealed with a dusting of matt acrylic. The lacquer reduces the intensity of the powder, of course, hence the layered approach, but I wanted to seal them so that they'd be able to stand up to handling. http:// http:// http:// They all have detachable false floors with some form of load, for instance: http:// http:// http:// All these are pre- or during weathering! As for couplings, they'll probably be replaced in due course with ones from Greenwich.

Thanks, Richard, that's an interesting thought - if my scratch-building skills were up to, well, scratch, I could be easily swayed! Thanks, Jerry, it's always good to know how helpful proprietors are - I might well get in touch with LRM in the near future and see what they say! And that's a lovely model - I'd be a happy bunny indeed if I could achieve that in 4mm scale, never mind 2mm! Best regards, Mark

Dear All, I realise that this is a subject that has been done a number of times, and I suspect there is little that I can bring to the table that will be new. I have, of course, read and re-read the build stories of those who have trodden this path previously, but there are still questions to be asked. What I'm aiming for is a Dean Goods in circa 1900 condition. So round-topped firebox, short smoke box, no top feed, no superheater, lined green and indian red livery, polished dome and safety valve bonnet. I don't have a specific locomotive in mind, although I would be keen to discover which members of the class were shedded at Taunton around that time. I also have a hankering for a locomotive with its' dome on the front boiler ring. As I understand it, the forward dome was fitted to a (smaller?) S2 boiler, but was this concurrent with the narrower footplate? And how much narrower? I have recently bought one of the Oxford Rail locos in unlined Great Western green, which as I understand it is the best case scenario, although there are still issues with it that will need to be addressed. But given the above, is this the best jumping-off point, or would I be better off with a Hornby or Mainline version as the basis for butchery? I have a copy of Locomotives Illustrated No.55 on order, but are there any other more erudite works I should be referring to? I would be very grateful for any clues! With best regards, Mark

Dear Richard and Jerry, Once again, my ignorance is showing..... I've had a look at the London Road Models link - thank you - and going by the build-dates they quote, I presume the round-topped Class 3 is the appropriate kit (rather than the 1698), although the finished model shown appears to have a later smoke box door and safety valve cover. Also, the firebox on the model 3F appears to be longer than that on No.62 in Jerry's photograph, although that's probably just an optical illusion! And lastly, which size tender is No.62 drawing? Please forgive my ignorance, but in the words of that wonderful actor Alastair Sim (in "Green for Danger"), I am a child in these matters! With best regards, Mark

Thanks, Jerry! That's absolutely perfect! Cheers, Mark

Dear both, Thanks once again for all the info - it certainly is a complicated subject! Although I've had a lifelong interest in the S&D (slightly frowned upon by my dear departed Dad, who was GWR), it was always something of a side interest, although we were lucky enough to be aboard the first train hauled by 88 after her restoration. As such, my knowledge is still fairly superficial - it's time to delve deeper! Thanks also for the pointer to the kit - I'll check it out. It's so annoying when you can half remember things! As mentioned, my period is around 1900, which is the case with all my projects, which allows some interesting comparison between companies. The Johnson style of boiler fittings and round-topped firebox make for an elegant locomotive. All the best, Mark

Hi, Many thanks for the comprehensive reply and the pointer to the Bradley and Milton book - I'll see if I can source a copy. I'm a confirmed 4mm-o-phile, and the period would be 1900, give or take a year either way. So, for a blue example, it would be a loco from the first batch. I do remember Nick R's model in the Midland Red livery. I had it in my mind that it was kit-built or kit-bashed, but it's 30-odd years ago so my memory is probably faulty! Many thanks once again, and best regards, Mark

Dear All, I'm not sure if this is best placed here or in the S&DJR Prototype Forum, so Mods please feel free to move it across! As someone of limited knowledge in such matters and yet with a local interest, I was wondering what were the differences, if any, between the S&DJR Bulldog 0-6-0 and it's Midland progenitor. I seem to remember that Nick Ridgeway built such an animal that was the subject of an article in Practical Model Railways somewhere in the mid-1980s, but sadly my copy has long since gone. I should ideally like to create a 4mm version, in Prussian Blue of course, and if those who know could point me toward the best source of information, I'd be very happy indeed! Many thanks and best regards, Mark

Hi Alan, Did you ever get the Cambrian GPV finished to your satisfaction? (And Iron Mink, too?) Best regards, Mark

Hi CKPR, Just found your thread and wondered if you have made progress? Many years since, my dear departed Dad found a Mallard 517 s/h at an exhibition, and snapped it up "for later". Sadly, it never got built, but I have plans/intentions/hopes in that direction, so any clues are a boon! With best regards, Mark

My apologies, Mikkel, I hadn't found the blog..... I'll have a read through now! Best regards, Mark

Hi Mikkel, Me again with another case of thread resurrection, I'm afraid! Did you keep any build notes? I recall from many years ago in, I think, Practical Model Railways, a kit-bash of an S&D Road Van using two Slater's Midland box vans. Excellent work as always! Best regards, Mark

Many thanks for this - I'm thinking/planning on going EM, so would you say the same applies? I'd appreciate your thoughts. Cheers, Mark

Hi Mikkel, many thanks! Years and years ago, I used to build kits straight from the box and be more than happy with the results, rigid underframes, warts and all! With increasing knowledge of the errors in those kits and in r-t-r came increasing dissatisfaction, and the need to amend or correct - I've always been keen to "get it right". There were also many exponents of sprung and compensated underframes writing in the modelling press whose mantra seemed to be "if it's not got suspension, it'll fall over!" So I invested in a multitude of compensation units, etched brass brake gear, axlebox/spring units etc etc, but all that eventually lead to was a form of modelling paralysis. With hindsight, one wonders if the "suspension boom" was more a reflection of the proponents' skills at building a square underframe and laying level track..... But seriously, it is just a hobby (ducks for cover!), and striking the right balance must be the key. If you'll forgive me for saying so, finding someone of your model-making skills who sticks with rigid underframed goods stock is a huge encouragement. I've still got most of the detail parts, so having almost finished a major house move and with a more pragmatic approach, I shall be back building very soon! I'm very much looking forward to seeing more of your work, too With best regards, Mark

Hi Mikkel, Bit late to this particular thread, but I'm only just making a return to turn-of-the-century standard gauge interests, mainly GWR but also M&SWJ and S&DJ. Just wanted to say that this is a superb piece of model-making, and may well be the basis of a similar wagon in my fleet. May I ask, do you always build your wagons with rigid underframes? I'm also most impressed with your red GWR wagons...... All the best, Mark

Hi, Did you ever complete this loco? Would love to hear the rest of the story. All the best, Mark

Dear All, I'm looking for unmade CooperCraft kits for the GWR Cattle Wagon, ref 1010W, and GWR 4-plank Open, ref 1004W to replace the ones I very foolishly sold several years ago! If you can help, please PM me! Many thanks and best regards, Mark

Good afternoon, Mike, further to yours and Hugh's posts above, I had been looking to replace a few GWR wagon kits that I very foolishly sold several years ago, in particular the outside-framed van W/001, and both the 3-plank opens W/002 and W/003. I realise that both David and Dorothy are not in the best of health, so wondered if there's any likelihood of production of David's range being started anew? Thanks for any info! Best regards, Mark

Well done, Rails! This model looks absolutely outstanding. I appreciate that this is something out-of-the-ordinary in the way it's been designed and manufactured, but the fact that the safety loops for the brake gear are actually loops and even the brake block pivot holes are present sets a new bar for RTR rolling stock. The overall finesse makes the couplings even more of an eyesore Its just a shame that I couldn't have justified one as the models so far are far too "modern" for me. I just hope that the previously-mentioned versatility in manufacturing method can result in a model from the 1900-1905 era. Hint, hint..... Cheers, Mark

Hi Marc, thanks for the additional info on the creamery building - I'm looking for something similar for a potential project (to follow the one after the one I haven't built yet!!!). I did see a few photos of "Ogmore Road" and I must say it did look an excellent layout. Good luck with the current venture - I'm following with great interest. All the best, Mark

Hi Marc, following your thread with interest! I particularly like the creamery building - may I ask whether its based on an actual prototype creamery or did you "re-purpose" a more general warehouse/factory? Best regards, Mark

Hi Dan, Sorry - should've said! Either from Bridgwater, Somerset, or Chesterfield, Derbyshire, or all points in between eg motorway services! Hope that helps. Best regards, Mark

Hi, I have the following Model Railroader magazines to dispose of. I've copied all that I wanted from them, and as I'm relocating I don't want to take them with me! They are all in great condition for their age, except as noted. First, the odds and sods: April 1960 October 1960 (cover loose and divided) March 1961 October, November, December 1963 January 1968 February, March 1969 Next, the part-year volumes: 1961, June to December (7 issues) 1970, February to December (11 issues) Finally, the full-year volumes (12 issues each): 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969 The magazines cover the full spectrum of the hobby, of course, although there is useful narrow gauge content, in particular drawings of NG locomotives and rolling stock and some very interesting articles. These magazines are free to a good home - I don't need them any more but I certainly don't want to bin them! Collection preferred, but I'm happy to post if the new custodian pays carriage. Or by all means arrange a courier to collect. The whole lot together, in a box measuring 34cm x 30cm x 26cm, weigh 15kg. Please PM me if interested! Cheers, Mark