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That is a lovely photo Paul R

I have had similar problems on their banana vans. Once you have fixed them they are generally OK but their quality control not that great. Yes they are a bu**er to sort out. Are these the ones with the pins or the circlip? Paul R

Oh and I forgot to say. I agree with you 100% on the subject of Tidworth. Saw it at Tonbridge and it does run extremely well. Great layout. Paul R

Another good video Andy. You've certainly done loads since the last one. However bearing pin mind past history shouldn't you now be tearing it up and starting on something new? Have you tried something continental in the past!!!! Paul R

Good to see another video Andy. I'll be interested to see what stock you got at Basingstoke! Paul R

Nice to see a Friday video Andy. I was about send you a ox of Mojo but you appear to have saved me a job! Paul R

Not tried it yet!. I need to get the rolling road out! Paul R

Here is mine Paul R

OK so here are the photos on the available layout boards The mechanism is surprisingly small All for now Paul R

Look what just turned up in the post. I'll put on the layout later and post more pictures Paul R

Just started on scribing the station building bricks. I realise some of the lines are unevenly spaced but this will be taken care of in the scribing. Paul R

Some progress on the N7's with the cab sides and bunker end of the Connoisseur kit soldered up. There is much cleaning and filing still to do but progress snow being made albeit slowly. On the Ravenscale kit I had e now finished the bunker step surrounds and have to fabricate the apertures inside for which I need some more brass. A ,lot of cleaning up to do here too. All for now Paul R

Good to see you back Paul Paul R

Is this the IXO 1:43 OB or the Corgi 1:50 Paul R

Not much going on at their moment. SPV's are nearly finished and a GWR Mogo is rapidly taking shape behind them. I have also soldered up the sides and bunker end of the Connoisseur N7 but the Ravenscale is still at the bunker steps framing stage on one side. I'll work on this during the forthcoming week so I can hopefully get the Ravenscale to the same stage. In the meantime the station building is now ready for scribing. Incidentally I met Gordon Gravett at Tonbridge yesterday and showed him where I was at. He has been a long time inspiration for me and his Arun Quay layout was as usual exceptional. Updates as they come Paul R

Doing a side project of two fish vans which will be finished IN BR Blue Express Parcels SPV livery. They will be useful additions to the parcels fleet for the Braintree Parcels circuit. These are standard Parkside kits with a bit of lead added to the corners. I have also started work on a GWR MOGO. Progress has been slow on the Cressing station building but I am almost at the point I can start to scribe the brickwork. All for now Paul R

Yes I use these exclusively too. However for many locos the springs are too strong so I usually cut about a third off. Paul R

Looks very much the part. Tip that I use which is a bit late now but if you mix powder paints with the ballast before you lay it then you don't need to paint it afterwards. I use a mix of black, white and Burnt Ochre. See my Black Notley thread. I am afraid the pictures showing how I did it are still missing but you can see the final colour of the ballast. Paul R

Bit more progress on the Ravenscale N7. The hot shows the left had side of both the Ravenscale (below) and the Connoisseur (above). Jim's kit includes etched steps and cut out surrounds. There is nothing in the Ravenscale set of watches to form this component so I have had to resort to scratchbuildig again!. I have fixed the surrounds to the Ravenscale kit from some brass drip I had in stock. I am just hoping there is enough to do the other side as I don't have any more of this particular size. The gaps at the corners will be filled with low melt solder once the steps have been soldered behind. I have some chequer plate to form the step treads which will go in last. All needs cleaning up and then the other side to do. Avid readers will note there is no brass above the door cut out on the Ravenscale kit. Not sure how that is supposed to work but I'll address that once I have the Connoisseur soldered up. I am using that as a model for the Ravenscale one given Jim's kits are so much better! Meanwhile progress on the station building continues and the air clay is nearly sanded and filed to the correct finish. There are some cracks in the sides which I put down to using cheap clay but I will make a slurry up the I can paint in to all these and any other gaps that have developed. Paul R

I suggest a new strategy R2 - let the Wookey have the controller! Paul R

I am fairly certain Andy uses one of these to pin the track down Paul R

Well you will have to find room for Tonleigh Bridge West yard? You can't leave the job half done! Paul R

OK so a quick update on the station building. All the walls have had clay applied and an initial sand down with a detail sander. This has inevitable chipped a few bits that will need doing again and there are some cracks in the sides that I will fill with a clay slurry that I will make from water and some clay to make it slightly liquid and able to be applied with a Bruch. The windows need filing out as they look a it misshapen currently. I am back to the Ravenscale N7 next as I need to fabricate the bunker steps and surrounds. The kit making no provision for these of course except as holes in the bunker sides. All for now Paul R

I always found ballasting quite therapeutic - no Andy I am not volunteering!!!! Paul R

Another great video Andy. I did like the 33 on the tanks - very impressive sound! Do you you have or are you going to get a 58? Paul R