chris45lsw

The EP sample is indeed very nice but does not suit either of the cars announced by Hornby. 7946 was a 1930 built car and 7869 1932 build. Whereas the EP sample is only suitable for the six 1927 built cars 7858-7863. Chris Knowles-Thomas

Best of luck with the op, Gilbert Chris KT

I'm not sure about the rest of the train but it incorporated the unique Brighton Brake Composite Saloon, diagram 438, No. 6986. It was rebuilt as a breakdown van in 1959, becoming DS70008. Chris KT

The S&D coaching stock was shared between the SR and LMS in 1930 but didn't last long under their new owners - the SR ones were withdrawn by 1938 and the LMS ones lasted a bit longer in a few cases. LSWR corridor 3-sets appeared on the line in the 1930s and were the mainstay of S&D 'internal' services until they were withdrawn and gradually replaced by the Maunsell sets. For instance in the Summer of 1953 LSWR sets 340, 348, 406 & 421, and Maunsell sets 391 to 395 were allocated to S&D services. Chris KT

Yes, for many years the usual S&D 'local' train was an SR Maunsell low window 3-set in the series 390-399 as in the photo. For example in Summer 1959: 390, 392 & 394 to 399 were allocated and in Summer 1961: 390 & 394 to 399 were rostered. a strengthening additional loose coach would usually be added during the Summer. For Winter 1959/60 Bulleid 59ft 'multidoor' 3-sets 963 to 972 appeared for the first time. But they went back to other SR services in Summer 1960 and the Maunsells returned. The pattern was repeated for Winter 1960/61 (Bulleids) and Summer 1961 (Maunsells) but from 1962 - 1963 the Bulleid sets 963 to 972 held sway. For 1964/65 no particular sets were allocated and a mish mash of SR, WR & LMR stock could appear. Chris Knowles-Thomas

For me, personally, I'd prefer a Jumbo but, objectively an 812 has the edge because one survives. But I would happily have a Jumbo, an 812 and a Pickersgill 3F! Chris KT

Yes, indeed a Stroudley D1 0-4-2T. Altogether a much larger beast than a Terrier with 5ft 6in drivers. 279 was withdrawn in 1936 but 18 (+ 2 in service stock) just made it into BR days but none got 32xxx numbers. Chris KT

Sorry Jack! You could change the layout of the backhead inside the cab in theory, eg move the regulator handle from right to left but I'd have thought it would be easier to change the digit! But the prominent external difference is the reversing lever on the right hand side of the boiler / firebox, and the housing it emerges from. These would need to be moved to the left hand side of the engine. All the best Chris

Yes, at the moment I can supply aluminium extruded roof sections to suit the L&SWR flattened ellipse roof profile for both 8ft wide and 8ft 6in wide coaches and similar. I believe it's the same as used to be in PC later Wheeltapper coach kits. £2 per piece approx 272mm long, equivalent to 68ft in 4mm scale, + postage. Contact me at chriskthomas@waitrose.com Chris Knowles-Thomas

Nice work as usual, Jack. One small point Ns 1400 to 1406 had right hand drive as per the Bachmann model but 1407-1414 had left hand drive. So to be accurate you should change the last digit of your No. 1408! Chris Knowles-Thomas

Yes, Peco's tooling now potentially covers L&BR coaches Nos. 5 to 16, leaving 1 to 4 and 17 not covered. Chris KT

I think this drawing is very much 'homemade' and it looks out of proportion in many ways. There were 34 G6s built and the majority (24) had a wb of 6ft 10in + 7ft 5in as I said. But the last 10, originally classed M9, did have a longer wb - 6ft 10in + 8ft. Depending how fussy one is boilers are also a minefield! The first10 had O2 type boilers but the rest had boilers intended to re-boiler Beattie locos. These had shorter barrels so the smokeboxes were longer to compensate. Then later some got Drumond style boilers......... But it's all a bit confused and the published books don't tell the whole story. Chris KT

I've just thought of another loco which might suit better than the 1F, provided the mech doesn't take up too much space in a G6. That's the Bachmann 64xx Pannier tank. It has a wheel base of 29.33mm + 29.33mm and driving wheels of 18.5mm. Chris KT

That's why I said I was interested - I hope to be one of your customers! The nearest from your list would be the J72 EXCEPT that the 16mm wheels are a bridge too far in my view. Trouble is the prototype G6 has a shorter wb than most 'mainstream' 0-6-0s. I still think the MR 1F is the best one could get using a RTR chassis. Perhaps you could acquire one, and once you have designed a G6 to fit, if you don't want to keep it I'll buy it and a G6 'top' from you! Chris KT

The wheelbase of most of the G6 class (except the 10 M9s built in 1900) was 6ft 10in + 7ft 5in which I make 27.33mm + 29.66mm. The old Wills kit was designed to fit the Hornby Dublo R1 chassis which has a wb of 26mm + 32mm. I can't lay my hands on a 57xx and 2251 at the moment but IF they were actually to scale their wb should be 29mm + 33mm. And a scale 2251 wheel ought to be 20.66mm. Given that the G6 is a fairly modest (in size) 0-6-0T perhaps a mech worth considering is the Bachmann MR 1F 0-6-0T? It has a 29mm + 30mm wb and 18mm wheels. Lying the 1F on top of a G6 drawing it looks like the mech would probably fit inside a G6. Anyway I would certainly be interested in a 3D printed G6! Chris KT

I can still supply new Phoenix/BSL 6 wheel LMS (and GWR for that matter) at £11 per pair. Chris Knowles-Thomas - chriskthomas@waitrose.com

I can supply a white metal Bulleid 4 Sub cab front + buffers for £3 each = £6 per unit + £1.50 P&P - chriskthomas@waitrose.com . Chris Knowles-Thomas

Hello Mike You can contact me direct at chriskthomas@waitrose.com . At the moment I have in stock 5 x 3rds / 4 x LH van 3rds / 2 x RH van 3rds / 1 x RH 1st/3rd compo / 2 x compo restaurants (original windows). Naturally I can also supply cast ends (bow end &/or flat), floors, roofs, solebars, buffers (although they are only generic) and bogies if required. Chris Knowles-Thomas

Not at all; of course I'm not proud and I am embarrassed. Just holding up my hands and admitting it. That's the trouble with text - it doesn't convey emotion. So I write with contrition in my head but the reader may chose to see arrogance in the bald text, even if that's not my actual attitude! Chris KT

With respect you didn't look very carefully/closely. They are not "badly scratched" - most are fine and have been sitting quietly in a cardboard box for years. Anyway a number were bought by, I presume, satisfied customers. Chris KT (the villain of the piece!)

But not the three transferred to the IoW by the SR, ie W3/W13/32677 W4/W14/32678 W9/32650 which didn't have splasher sandboxes. Incidentally 32662 which was a 'standard Brighton A1X', ie no splasher sandboxes and short bunker acquired a long IoW bunker late in life (April 1961), ex 32677. Chris KT

I've got four and I'd still replace them with a better model. Indeed if enough variations were offered I'd easily take six! It's only the inadequacy of the current model that has restrained me. Chris KT

Hello Jack Precision Paints are selling Kirk Bulleids for £25 - BTK ref 8876 & CK 8877. Also Maunsell Restaurant cars if you can't wait for Hornby's! They also sell sides only for £2.50 each and various other individual parts. The underframe is basically the same as a late Maunsell one - as under Hornby's Pull-Push BCK, ie it has short battery boxes instead of the long ones on Hornby's '1926/1929' stock. Chris Knowles-Thomas

There must be an all third. Chris KT

Named February 1926. Don't know when renumbered 2421 but it was after July 1931 but done by January 1933. Modified to composite loading gauge February 1937. Chris KT