Ben Alder

I think Code 40 is for the 2mm range - the 00 one is Code 75.

Have you seen this topic? Not RTP but as close as likely to be for some years yet and the kits seem to more or less fall together.

The former - showed as changed and completed but when I looked again at it today it was as per the original. Guess I'll have to do a proof read for the time being...

I tried to edit a post last night and although it showed as being done it did not actually perform the task required. Is this another update hiccup?

Thanks, sure, more to follow once they get finished off and put to work. Must confess I too was taken with how it looked on the layout.

Blooming, badly....I have also had customers return both versions, so it wasn't just me.

And lastly, a case of the proverbial shovel - a Hornby Railroad Black Five with nothing original left of it. Bought on a punt on ebay, advertised as an estate sale as a finescale Hornby Five it turned out to have a scratch/kit chassis with Mashima motor and 6' drivers , well put together and runs well.However, the builder had kept the old body and tender without even a repaint, so another GBL Five body was hacked down in to the proposed LMS Class Four - my third take on it now, and the spare Mogul tender attached, which has turned it in to a rather fetching little beast, I think... Just had its sealing spray of supposedly satin varnish today and is now ready for toning down, as are the rest of the batch which will keep me occupied for the next whiles.

Another shake together from the diminishing stash - a Bachmann LMS Stanier mogul chassis with an extended GBL Black Five body to give a 2-6-2.

A bit more on my rewheeled Clans - I took the opportunity of some spare K1 drivers popping up on ebay to do a possible more freight orientated version with 5'3" drivers - replacement for the HR Clan Goods perhaps...Also gave it a double chimney to see if it cured the Clans perceived steaming shortcomings. The slightly larger drivered one can be seen above. Still at its put together stage, hence bits hanging loose but it has passed running trials laude and is now ready to become a proper loco.

Thanks, forgot that the later batches were built abroad.Would have made a nice little Highland loco with more restrained boiler fittings......

Interesting pedigree for this loco - built in Glasgow and designed by Jones of the HR, IIR - I'd have to delve for details.

You think you've got problems....One was loaned to the Highland during the Great War - how do I justify it staying for some decades .....

I have used the gloss a lot, not just for railways, and find it fine. However, don't touch the matt and satin with a bargepole....

Very much so, but they migrated south and settled in well... a case of Drummonditis.....

I've two sets! Can't believe I tackled this twice....I'll post one of tomorrow to you.

Sure I've got a set still - I'll check in a little while. You are a brave man, tackling that kit!

To add an upbeat note to all this, I ordered some transfers from his site on Saturday night and they were delivered today, Wednesday, morning.

The old adage "no good deed goes unpunished" springs to mind....

John retired apparently and the new owner does not have his admirable "can be done " approach, according to a fellow modeller. I don't know who the new one is though.

Are there any recordings on the old Argo steam sounds range?

Looks promising! Pop Up Designs do a model of Plockton that can be supplied in 2mm.

Indeed you did and its a thing of beauty....here it is at Helmsdale - it somehow managed a life extension....

York Modelmaking will do windows on demand - all they need is a sketch, dimensions and number of panes.

Thanks, they came off a Sankey Scenics clock faces sheet which has about two dozen different designs, including three of the type I used. HTH

Posted already on the Pop Up thread in Smaller Suppliers, but for completeness, here are one or two of the latest batch now ready for going off to Pop Up's new showrooms. More on the other page.