Metropolitan H

Worth noting that on the sub-surface - condensing areas of the Circle Line there were a number of locations where there were special undertrack drains - to allow locos to dump all the hot water from the tanks and refill from a line side water tank / crane at a station stop. Chris H

I expect it is a whole line return from Swanage - to Norden and back, effectively non-stop except to pass other trains and reverse at Norden. That's the trip we got on Sunday 8th Oct. Enjoy the experience, we did. Regards Chris H

Looks a bit too chunky for a GNR C2 4-4-2T (LNER C12) to me. The "O" gauge coarse scale C12 in my custody is a much less well-fed machine. Regards Chris H

Had a day out to Brighton today for the special operation of the large "O" gauge layout - without the protection screens in place. It was grand. My pictures follow. I came away inspired. Regards Chris H

I might have thought a SBB-CFF-FFS AE 4/7 electric loco would be the most appropriate transfer item. I was lusting over the "0" gauge Maerklin version in the Brighton Toy and Model Museum earlier today! Regards Chris H P.S. - The video is great and I envy Fred's grand collection. CH

We really enjoyed our ride behind 563 - in the Devon Belle Observation Car - on 8th October. A superb restoration of a marvellous machine. Regards Chris H

Well done Gilbert and Timara with the 60103 model. Despite all the comments from others, I still have a soft spot for Flying Scotsman as it was the first loco I had a footplate ride on - from under the cenotaph coaling tower at New England loco round two sides of the triangle. That was 70.5 years ago (pre 1953 Coronation), when I was only 2 years 8 months (approx) old. Regards Chris H

I agree with "Jimwal"above - in part based on the following photos of two of the Simkins family's 10.25 inch gauge models seen and photographed at he Eastleigh Lakeside Railway on 6th August this year. Those locos go as well as they look. Hope thats useful. Regards Chris H

My Milk train, is all "Express Dairy" tanks - 1x modern Darstaed 4 wheeler and 2x ETS for WJVintage 6 wheelers. As seen below they normally run with a Darstaed GWR clerestory full brake - to give the guard some comfort - and an ACE / Wright 6 wheel Palethorpes sausage van (pending me making a suitable body for the LMC GWR Siphon G overlay paper that I have in the "roundtuit" store). The loco is a bit of an oddity that came from the late Alan Cliff's collection - the body and loco bogie were original Hornby clockwork, but the smokebox front is not originaland an ETS mech is fitted. The tender is by ACE trains with a paint job to match the loco. It all runs well and while not particularly cheap the traindid not cause any sharp intakes of breath - nor scare the wallet. I know it is not original B-L or anything fancy, but it suits me. Regards Chris H

Very good. Much more plausible. Standard "Modern" British platform height is 915 mm (3 feet in real money) above running rail top. Older platforms were often lower and 2ft 6 inches (762mm) often looks about right? I think this conversation has gone on elsewhere - not far from this topic. Regards Chris H

But how many good models of LNER coaches have ever been offered as RTR in 4mm scale - a lesser number that for the GWR I suspect? Don't forget I too like GWR trains, but consider that railway to be much better catered for than the LNER and others. Regards Chris H P.S. - While it is much easier to work with a good range of RTR items, I do get most satisfaction from actually making things from kits or scratch. CH

Also look for "3H" moulded plastic wagon kit - but they will have to be second hand from someone's "Never found the Roundtuit box" Also of interest are the old "Highfield" vacuum formed plastic kits - more of a scratch aid, but a good basis. Finally look at "Smallbrook" and other resin moulded kits. Regards chris H

As a fan of both GWR and LNER, but not so much in 00, I am inclined to think that the GWR fans do as well as any others, especially when the LNER has the GNR, NER, NBR, GCR and GER as antecedents - some of which are very poorly represented. GWR afficianados are fairly well provided for - although a Birdgage 2-4-2 and some of the early 0-6-0STs are under represented. But where are the GCR Sacre 2-4-0Ts, the NER A class 2-4-2\Ts, GER T26 2-4-0 intermediates, GNR Class H3 (LNER Class K2) "Ragtimer" 2-6-0 and NBR Class K (LNER D34) "Glen" 4-4-0s? - And I haven't mentioned the HBR or the GNoSR?? And I haven't got started on my favourite 4-4-4Ts - the NER D Class and the Metropolitan Railway "H" class! Regards Chris H

Does your pin vice have a through hole like mine? - If yes, find a good quality drawing pin (aka - Thumb tack) and place the pin end in the hanle hole with a smear of grease. This provides a non rotating pressure pad and prevents the raising of blisters / sore fingers etc. Regards Chris H

Would you also want to model the SR line running through Morden South on the embankment across the buffer stops end of the local big fiddle yard? Regards Chris H

My reading of both the books referred to and other articles is that Marriott did have a fairly free reign at Melton - although there was a good degree of input by Derby and Doncaster at times. I also get the impression that Marriott was very skilled and a good leader delivering excellent results. So my understanding is that Melton was allowed to decide the livery issues - at least through till the 1920s and grouping years?? But, I cannot be certain. Chris H

Further to my post of yesterday p.m., I have done a bit of proper reading of Bob Essery's "Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway and its Locomotives" ISBN: 9781899889 37 2 - Lightmoor Press, 2009. I happen to have a copy on loan, but hadn't read Chapter 11 "Locomotive Liveries" before this a.m. - I have now!! On page 146, Essery describes the origin and application recipe for the "Hydrate of Iron" / "Quaker Green" / "Improved Willow Green" / "Autumn Leaf" / "Golden Ochre" / "Golden Gorse" - M&GNJR loco colour (the names were all unofficially applied for the same colour) used from circa 1894 on - as recorded by Jim Miller a stalwart of the Melton Works paint-shop before the First World War. It was : - "Two coats of yellow ochre upom a lead grey undercoat, glazed with a top coat of raw sienna, and three coats of varnish". - " The frames, wheels, outside cylinders, valances and steps were painted burnt sienna, a red-brown colour". Both the yellow ochre and raw sienna pigments are both derived from "Hydrate of Iron" - a naturally occuring compound. Essery also states (page 147) - "It seems that after the First World War the method of obtaining the light brown was simplified by mixing to a colour board, but otherwise remained the same hue". Regarding the choice of the choice of the "Light Brown" livery, Ronald H Clark in his "Illustrated History of Midland and Great Northern Locomotives" ISBN 13: 9780860934349 - OPC Railprint 190, suggests that the use of the "Golden Gorse" colour was instigated by MRS. Marriott - to provide a clear link of the M&GNjR trains to the beautiful and colourful flowering gorse that abounded in the area the line ran through. So I am even more convinced that Messrs. Featherstone, Nunn , etal., have got the "Golden Gorse" colour used on their models about right - and the EF Carter colour-patch isn't far off the mark, but might become a bit dulled with time. But the less said about the lurid version used by Hornby the better. Hope that helps - or that I'm preaching to the converted. Regards Chris H

I know one should never refer to models for colour guidance of originals long departed, but the livery applied to Trevor Nunn's "S" gauge model of the M&GNJR Hudswell Clarke 4-4-0T No.9, for his "Trowland" layout looks right (see http://www.s-scale.org.uk/gallery27.htm ) in colour very similar to the CHE paintings - and to the "O" gauge model of the same loco built by Derek Featherstone. I believe Chris Featherstone - son of Derek - might be found on this Forum, or a related narrow gauge one - look for "Melinaur Abaty". He might know even more about the Derek Featherstone model?? You might also contact the owner of the "0" gauge "Norwich Victoria" layout and ask them about the source of their colour choice for the M&GNJR locos. Hope this helps Regards Chris Holmes

Looks like just the place for fox to be sunning itself and watching the trains (tinned people) go by - especially if there is a handy Hen house for finding dinner. Regards Chris H

The K2 has quite taken my fancy. And then you provide a marvellous picture with North Box in shot and the C12 in the the north-end pilot road - in addition to the K2. You have quite made my day. Very well done. Regards Chris H

I do like the picture and I think you layout change proposal should work well - there is almost a nod to the Maurice Dean / Ffarquhar Branch design. I do however, think that yo need to find room to squeeze in a loco spur / lay-over siding off the throat of Paltry Town and off the entrance to the FY. That will save a lot of loco handling and find work for more of your plethora of small to middling-large tank locos. I shall look forward to further development. Regards Chris H

As six (6) wheeled Milk tank wagons were not introduced till 1931, I suspect that the LMS 2P 4-4-0 locomotives - introduced circa 1928 - would have carried the LMS black livery with red lining from new - although those initially assigned to the SDJR may have been finished in the S&DJR Blue livery?? The important point is that 6 wheel milk tanks didn't appear till 1931. Regards Chris H

Tony - Many thanks. A rather grand set of locos. Chris H

I was the ARSE on LU - that is "Assistant Rolling Stock Engineer" - and had it on the back of my Hi-Vi vest. Then I became a dyslexic acronym as "Asset Engineer Rolling Stock" within Metronet for a number of years before retiring from fulltime work. The retirement job title was "Subject Engineer Heritage Trains" for a few years - I never could find the acronym, but it was fun being paid to play with a big train set, including a certain 0-4-4T and Bo-Bo No.12 "Sarah Siddons". Regards CH

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures of the A5 running on Peterboro' North, especially if the C12 and K2 appear as well. Regards Chris H