Metropolitan H

I almost thought you had snuck into my toy room and photographed my similar collection - then realised yours is much more tidy and organised than mine - and I don't have two copies of Creating Cameo Layouts - just the one. Regards Chris H

600 never left UK and remained in WD ownership, going to Longmoor about the end of WW2 - definitely by 1949. This loco was used on at least two RCTS railtours involving running over BR metals in April 1966. Not sure about 601 (the post 1953 numbers), but I suspect it was also a long term resident of Longmoor till it was scrapped in 1967. It was overhauled at BR's Eastleigh Works in 1963. There are suggestions that one or both locos were also run on BR lines to haul trains of military materials to Southampton Docks, during 1956-??? Whether one of the locos really passed over Balcombe Viaduct, I have no idea?? But, if one was going to Brighton Works or to the Bluebell there is a possibility - the 2-10-0s had a lighter axleloading than other locos??? I'm pretty sure that neither of the Longmoor pair ever got west of Salisbury - or did they?? Regards Chris H

At least two were seen working south of the River Thames, albeit not in BR service, through till 1969. I refer to LMR (Longmoor Militiary Railway) Nos. 600 "Gordon" and 601 "Kitchener". Gordon - the big Blue engine - was the second of the WD 2-10-0s built by NBL and is still preserved on the Severn Valley Railway. Regards Chris H

The various Lionel interpretations of "Hogwarts Castle" are fascinating - some in their awfulness. But, some are very good models of the GWR Hall class 4-6-0s in "O" scale & gauge - the one in my custody came from new in GWR lined green as 4936 "Kinlet Castle" as seen here with a set of ACE Trains coaches. I did disable the electronic noise maker as being made for the American 60Hz supply it doesn't really work on the European 50Hz. I also provided an alternative tender back coupling and a shorter loco / tender coupler bar, but otherwise it is in original condition. Seen on Nearholmer's old Birlstone layout 9 years back. Regards Chris H P.S. - Having worked out that the motor in the Lionel "Kinlet Hall" is a good quality DC can motor of adequate rating, I also removed the electronic related to motor control and reconnected the feed wires direct to the motor terminals. However, be careful to limit the peak supply voltage to circa 12-15 volts if using a PWM controller, as the motor suppression / protection capacitor is only rated for 16 volts and can "go with a bang"! Don't ask how I know, but there is a cure, fit a different capacitor of the same capacitance (F) rating but higher - say 100 volt - rating (available from RS Components or similar supplier. Regards Chris H

And....??? We are still waiting with bated breath! Regards Chris H

It seems that the set is indeed "O" gauge - but nearer "S" scale, so rather under-nourished! However, for $35 in Aldi (in USA?) - see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvlPnMV9MVI&t=863s - you might find it a worthwhile novelty??? Personally, I'm happy with my "Seven Mill Models" model of Green Arrow - despite it costing a little rather more, but it runs beautifully. Regards Chris H

Sorry if you are offended, I am not wishing to denegrate the work of others, only to discover the origin of a feature of models (plural intended) that i have not seen evidence for? - Surely that is not a crime? Chris H P.S. - I rather like Lewis Cree's models.

I notice they are including "Gordon" the big blue engine, of "Longmoor Military Railway" fame, in the list of proposed versions. Regards Chris H

Your model of van No.13, raises a question. Where did you find any evidence to suggest there was a footboard under the door on the handbrake (platform) side? While I have seen a footboard on various small scale models, I have never found a convincing photograph or drawing that confirms that either of the two SR vans (13 and 14) carried such a foot board? I agree that some photographs show a horizontal line, but that looks to me like the brake lever - which is what I have modelled on my 16mm scale (45mm gauge) model seen below: My model has two functions: - It carries the batteries and radio control equipment to feed my LGB Austrian "OBB" U class 0-6-2 (like the Zillertal loco that has recently been working on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. - It acts as a coupling convertor vehicle between the LGB couplers o the loco and the Accucraft "Chopper" couplers set at a scale 2ft 2 inch above rail to marry with my modified Accucraft W&LLR stock. If there is real convincing evidence, I will modify my model - but so far none has been shown to me? Regards Chris H P.S. - All the pictures I have seen of the van show the brake lever on the platform (south) side at Southwold and other stations? - Is this correct? Chris H

Oh! I thought you were referring to the rather stylish Kerr Stuart diesel in your avattar? Regards Chris H

But Pecketts are so much more stylish and refined than Barclay's! Regards Chris H

Fred, Many thanks for the rather good video. It is 60+ years since I visited the Armistice Car at Compeigne - as a 13 year old Boy Scout on our first European camp with the 3rd Bracknell troop. Well done, for triggering my memories. Regards Chris H

Now you've got on to the Hornby "Post-War" 0-4-0(T)s. here are a few pictures of my pair. First we have the LNER 460, clearly marked "Type 101" on the bunker rear. This was bought NEW, for a very young me, by my grandparents, from a shop in Peterborough circa 1953 (?) as part of a set - with two 4-wheel LNER coaches and matching passenger brake, along with an oval of track. It remained - little used or abused - at 680 Lincoln Road, New England (a GNR built house) till I visited my uncle and aunt there in spring / summer 1967, on my then new BSA D10 Bantam, when the train set moved to our home in Bracknell - wrapped in a waterproof groundsheet on the rear carrier! This loco doesn't get a lot of use, but has always been a strong runner - with the ability to pull its train for a long duration, reasonably fast but not overly so. The other one is a later "BR lined Black" version - not sure of the date as it was bought second-hand circa 2013. The lettering on the bunker rear tells us that this is a "Type 40" - altough I can't see any real difference from the "Type 101" apart from the livery? While the body is in very good condition and the rods are still rust free, it was a great disappointment in operation with a much weaker spring - noticeably shorter runs with lighter trains. This loco has since been fitted with an ETS 3-rail electric mechanism - and a form of brass petticoat to hide the daylight which was otherwise apparent where the loco frames should be! It is now a very sure footed and powerful steady runner. My other Hornby 0-4-0 is a pre-WW2 "No.1 Special", received in a very poorly condition circa 2018, as a gift from a friend following the death of her husband - he had it second-hand as a teenager (circa 1960), but never got round to restoring it. I have had it restored professionally and it runs well, but needs more "running-in". Regards Chris H P.S. Despite the "No.1 Special being fitted with the correct (Chunky coarse) driving wheels, it runs smoothly through the Atlas turnouts - as do both the 0-4-0Ts. CH

In my experience the Atlas track and turnouts are near universal - derailments are not unknown, but normally traceable to human error! My "Hornby" clockwork locos, a No.1 Special 0-4-0 with tender and an early 1950s LNER 0-4-0T are both happy running on the Atlas track and turnouts - as is the Lionel "Kinlet Hall" 4-6-0. I believe the Atlas (American) track standards are intended to be compatible withmuch older - and coarser - Lionel stock, as well as accepting the modern 28mm BtoB UK coarse wheelsets on the C12 etc. Regards Chris H P.S. - We should also remember the modern Lionel "O" gauge 3-rail "Fasttrack" is also very tolerant of different Coarse scale wheelsets, and comes comes complete with ready formed rugged ballast! But do remember: - In American parlance "O-54" refers to 27 inch radius (54 inch diameter circle) and so on. - Lionel also do similar "S" gauge two rail track and HO two rail track - with all the track listed together on their website! Regards Chris H

As most of my trains are from the more recent production of ACE / Darstaed / ETS etc., I have become a bit more reticent of contributing here, but as Nearholmer has invited me to join in here are a few pictures of some of my tank ank engines. The location is my 11foot 6inch x 7foot 6inch home layout, "Gutter Lane" which uses Atlas track - with 27 inch radius curves and turnouts, on carpet tile ballast underlay for noise deadening. The main theme is the Metropolitan and LNER "Widened Lines", but there is a significant "Other trains" selection. First is an older scratch-built (?) model of an LNER (ex GNR) C12 4-4-2T with a short train of ACE 6 wheel coaches, The loco was acquired through a Vectis auction for what I considered a very reasonable price. This is the loco that I believe Nearholmer refers to above. Then there is my as yet unfinished model of an LNER (ex GER) N7 0-6-2T from an "Ace Products" kit mounted on a ETS motor unit. It runs well, but needs me to settle down and get the rest of the work done (too many projects!). The most recent additions to my fleet are second-hand acquisitions from a friend who is currently trimming his large collection. An ACE Trains Southern (ex LSWR) M7 0-4-4T, an WJ Vintage / ETS Southern (ex LSWR) 4-4-2T "Adams Radial Tank" and a set of appropriate Darstaed coaches & Milk Van. There are also a few "Foreign" vehicles - with a Swiss theme, such as a early 1950s HAG SBB-CFF Re4/4 Bo-Bo and set of appropriate passenger vehicles from the same maker. One day, when I have got further with the layout construction, I'll possibly add my own "Alternative Old-Fashioned Trains" topic, but I will need to find a "Roundtuit" and drag myself away from having fun playing trains! Regards Chris H

Graham & 57xx, Looking further at both of your sets of pictures, I think the buffer height difference comes from the way in which the floor and solebars are fixed to the sides and ends of the Slaters "Midland" cattle van. On both of your Slaters models the bottom edge of the solebars is significantly low in comparison to the bottom edge of the end headstocks (buffer beams) those edges should be flush - or if not then the buffer beam edge should be the lower of the two. I have no experience of the particular kit, so cannot comment on how this happened - nor how you could set the floor / solebars higher? - My Slaters Midland Cattle Van is an "O" gauge version and has an appropriate buffer height compatible with other vehicles. Sorry to be a nit-picker. Regards Chris H

Right. Next task is to check the buffer centre height above rail top - real standards are 3ft 3in to 3ft 6in (depending on loading state - so in 4mm 13mm to 14mm. The real railway gets a bit worried by bigger mis-matches as it can lead to overriding and derailment etc. Regards Chris H

I was always led to understand that the use of the partitions in Cattle Wagons is to enable the beasts to be packed sugly together standing-up - so as to avoid any falling down and being trampled by the others in transit. So I don't think the use of partitions has anything to do with fraud prevention, more to do with welfare of the beasts and avoiding claims for injured or deceased beasts. Long journeys involved regular stops for watering / feeding / exercising animals and mucking out the wagons. Regards Chris H

See correction above!

What section are the B-L battens and sleepers? - My memory says about 3/8 inch x 1/4 inch? Do you have any suitable timber - an old school desk lid or similar, beech or box wood are good - and a friendly woodworker with access to a "thicknesser" and a good saw bench? Not far from here is an independent Hardware / builders merchant / timber stockist who always amaze me by their willingness to prepare custom timber at very reasonable prices - much cheaper than DIY sheds. Nearholmer will know of "Sid's". Regards Chris H P.S. - For the real effect you also need a source of real creosote - but that is no longer available, so one of the less potent substitutes will give the true colour and aroma. CH

Happy to see that you have unearthed the remains of "Paltry Circus" from its resting place. I'm hoping that you will arrange a suitable connection to the current "Paltry Town" - or its planned reincarnation - for the next "Never again!" exhibition event - especially if we provide the occasional "Auto Train" or railcar / EMU working?? With your background the EMU workings should be a given "Signature" working? Regards Chris H

Thats the one. For those not in the "Know", ARM1G is a SECR / SR H Class 0-4-4T loco in Gauge 1 live steam. The pictured version is a clockwork one! Regards Chris H

I have a feeling that there has been a relatively recent Gauge 1 model of a tank loco built with a compound spring arrangement as described - with a write up in a G1MRA Journal. But my memory is fallible and it might have been "O" gauge?? So yes, I agree with Goldfish. Regards Chris H

More to do with visibility and signal sighting - and also tunnel heating - rather than just dampness. I you ever have the opportunity to visit one of the pump rooms along the stretch of the District Line that runs under the Thames Embankment you will appreciate just how wet the tunnels are without the contribution of steam locos. Before running the LU150 trains on the north side of the Circle Line in 2013 one of the biggest worries was what the effect of the steam loco exhaust would be on the signal sighting of our crews and the crews of other trains. So, in February 2012, we borrowed a suitably sized steam loco and one dark night, when most of London was sleeping, took it to Baker Street to make steam. We were pleasently surprised with the results, so could carry on with our plans. . Despite the original vents in the roof having blocked in modern times, the steam stayed up and visibility remained satisfactory. Regards Chris H

The issue is no different in fullsize. Very few injectors can cope with hot water - hence the need to dump the water from the tanks and refill. There is an alternative - fit mechanical pumps (either axle driven or separate engine driven) which can cope better with hot water - but rarely fare well with near boiling water. But pumps are more unreliable, so there is still a preference for a really good injector. Regards Chris H