chris45lsw

Even sadder W1168W was actually a K34 'Toplight' BG, rebuilt former a WW1 Ambulance Car (withdrawn in 1962). Chris KT

Hello Tony Small point. GWR Bananas had a white disc. The yellow spot was a BR innovation which only came in after steam heating Banana vans was discontinued from around 1959, I think. Loved the coaching stock 'series' by the way. Chris Knowles-Thomas

Yes, I had forgotten that epithet for the failing Marsh 4-4-2Ts (except the I3s). But my original 1942 and 1946 ABCS spell out the word in full! Chris KT

I lived in a South London Street from 1948 until Summer 1956 where half our side of the road had been flattened in the War and prefabs built on the site. When we moved to another part of London in 1956 the prefabs were still occupied. I don't know how soon after we moved on that they were replaced by 'proper' houses. Chris KT

The Brighton I3s were, in fact, splendid engines and the performance of Nos 23 and 26 on the 'Sunny South Express' between Rugby and Brighton in 1909 outshone LNWR saturated Precursor 'Titan' and demonstrated the benefits of superheating. It was the I1, I2 and I4 classes which were pathetic! Chris KT

The Siphons are superb, Iain, a tribute to the kit maker, @macgeordie, and your building skills. As to the 'Continental' Brake First I think you mean SECR (rather than LBSCR)! Though it would appear to be the SR version built in 1923/24 rather than the solitary SECR one of 1921. I'm afraid there does seem to be an error in the etching though - on the corridor side in the First saloon the droplight should be to the right of the large light rather than being opposite its counterpart on the compartment side. Chris KT

I take it you kept shtum, Tony? Chris KT

It came off the Midland Railway Nottingham-Lincoln line, I believe (I might be able to confirm tomorrow) beyond the Lincoln end of Newark Castle Station. Chris KT

The one I had on pre-order from Hattons before they unexpectedly shut up shop had an ETA of this month. Chris KT

Brilliant, John. Have you noticed you've lost a hinge from compartment five (presumably under the join). Having seen your C10 I'm inspired to try and find the 50ft E40 Brake Compo I started more years ago than I care to remember, and actually finish it! Chris KT

Obviously not relevant to the (Great) Western but we still have an operating sugar factory in Newark. And a long since the beet was delivered by train. Chris KT

The near one is a BR standard 12t ventilated goods van with plywood sides. Though in shade the end would be corrugated steel with a single vent. The far one is an SR 12t ventilated van and and seems to be the type with alternate wide/wide/narrow/narrow planked sides. Both available (or have been) from Bachmann. Chris KT

Also until June 1956 Continental boat trains conveyed three classes First, Second and Third. EMUs catered for 1st and 3rd only until then, thereafter 1st and 2nd, when 2nd was abolished and 3rd was renamed 2nd. Chris KT

There's a photo around with an LMS Beyer Garratt, the LNER one and Big Bertha all on the same train. Chris KT

According to the RCTS book, when it was sold to the EKR May 1935 it only required minor attention to the paint work so that implies it arrived in SR black re-lettered EKR and re-numbered only. No instructions were received about what number to give it so apparently the Ashford paint shop foreman applied 100 on his own initiative to ensure no duplication occurred,