Ben Alder

Width of the motor housing is just under 15mm, but there are projecting lugs on each side beyond that that I filed off to get my CR body on it. Not sure of the boiler diameter, but the space inside the C body moulding measured up at a bit over 15mm- it's the usual tight fit.

Some shots of the bogies, and close up of the sides. I bought a couple to see how they looked against my fleet of Comet sided Airfix carcasses, and have been pleased with the flush sided appearance- better than Hornby achieved, at least in the first batch that had a noticeable prismatic effect that required painting of the glazing sprue to hide. As for the bogies- well, I think it has been said already....but the photos will show what they have done. The new and previous Bachmann bogies side by side. Two shots of the bodywork- at normal viewing distances there is little or no sign of the glazing strip as seen here. The body bogie mounting. HTH

Agree with that- reminds me of Hornby's similar arrangements that are prone to poor conductivity due to excess factory applied grease. I am going to make a permament connection there before it goes into service.

Not so much seaside as just before sunrise, but a bit of beach in it- Saturday morning about 4.30 with Dunnet Head in the middle distance. It's lovely here in summer......

Thought this might be of interest- I purchased one with the intention of modifying it into a Caley 0-6-0, which proved impracticable, so adapted the chassis to fit into an existing kit body. This involved dismantling the chassis, and here it is apart. Square axleboxes, but with bearings- so far has only been bench run, but seems very smooth.

Enjoy your break....you deserve it.....

On my horizon- with a bit of cross kitting I'm hoping for a passable 812 out of it.....

Another highland one here- Clan Fraser in early LMS livery. Very little personal input on this one- bought off eBay, and relieving me of the need to tackle an unmade Jidenco one lying in the cupboard, thank goodness. Hadn't the heart to strip the red off, so for the moment it is way off my timescale, but looks rather nice as it is. I toned down the glossy finish, and added various little bits here and there, but stands as a testament to someone who's brass building skills far outweigh my own.

Not the only one..

"I was a wee bit taken aback at first because they have an unusual habit of placing Railway magazines next to Porn mags on the shelves in the shops here in Ireland and I'm always embarrassed when I go to flick through the latest issue of BRM etc." Same in my newsagent's here - always feel its going to give dirty old men a bad image....... Seriously, superb atmospheric work, and I too would like to see more.

Humbrol acrylic primer is excellent, and this part of their paint range doesn't seem to have been a problem, unlike some of the jars. It can be used without any worries.

71000 at Aberdeen and a Standard Four 75xxx at Callender are two that could get the modelling juices flowing!

Still three on the shelf in my local today. If anyone's desperate, please give me a shout.

Any chance of photos, please....

On the same theme, here is 55053, the last of the Highland engines in service, on shed at Helmsdale. I'm afraid I can take little credit for this one- it was bought ready made built to EM gauge from eBay, and appears to be mainly scratchbuilt rather than a Jidenco kit.Unfortunately for me, it has proved difficult to motorise readily- the original motor was very pedestrian, and certainly not up to current standards, and the inside is crammed with lead that defied easy removal so I built a plasticard chassis and repainted it in the ex works finish the original acquired during its last overhaul at St Rollox. Perhaps best regarded as a work in progress, as I will turn my attentions to it someday, but I felt it was better sitting on shed rather than in a box in a drawer.

I suppose they can be classed as Scottish locos- they lasted some five or six years here, which was longer than some Standards entire lifespan, so here is one added to the collection- 1649 as it happens, seen at Helmsdale- 1646 is also around.

Lovely stuff! Please keep the pictures coming.

100degree white metal solder and flux - this one will flow, unlike the 70 degree version. Makes WM soldering fun! Plus a temp. controlled iron, of course....

A great way to run something new in, and fun too- I built son a "train set" when he was young, and was transported back to Hornby Dublo days of complete happiness with an oval on the floor. Nothing wrong with simple pleasures... and I do like to see a Duette still in use- what a piece of kit; indestructible it seems!

Dean Sidings contact details- No.1 The Langetts Bream Rd St. Briavels Gloucestershire Gl15 6TL

Mine are a bit rough and ready in places as well, but careful trimming of the chair sorts a lot of it out- make sure and use the inside of the chair on the outside of the point- the C&L outer one is too tall ....I have added a couple of photos to my original topic showing this.....

No website, I'm afraid, although I have had perfectly adequate dealings with him by post.

Lovely stuff- good to see another HR project take shape. Please do keep posting details on this. Richard

S&W's get my vote- esp. if you can make them single ended, with a bar only at one end. The 3mm version is less obtrusive and it is a reliable method, with a degree of latitude in set up that some other options don't have.