Downer

When Bachmann first brought out a Standard 5 with a BR1F tender, the tender came in for a lot of criticism - so much so, that when they later brought out a 9F with a BR1F tender, the latter had been retooled. Have they brought out a Standard 5 with the retooled 1F tender?

I had the same question, and the answer is yes. You just have to phone the number on the ad and the guy at the other end will check your subscription by asking for your postcode.

What a splendid church in the background.

Thanks Chris, but what I'm after - I should have spelt this out - are the 'No:'s which form part of some locos' numbers and the 'ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT' writing.

Does anyone do number/allocation transfers for these locos?

This is probably a question that's been asked a hundred times already, but here goes. Was there any preference for using Toads with their verandas facing forwards or backwards? Or were they just stuck on the train whichever way round they happened to be?

It might, in due course, be worth finding out how easy it will be to remove and reattach the shirts on the skirted model.

Will no one tell us mere digital subscribers how much the J70 is going to cost?

How does one re-download the abbreviated issue?

Too many great models to choose from really, but I do love the Super D 0-8-0.

Corkerhill, pre-1948.

With the late emblem and original handrails, Hornby seem to have modelled 70007 in a very narrow timeframe - around nine months is my guess, from mid-58 to spring 59. I would be interested to know if anyone has a picture featuring this combination after the latter date.

After reflection, I've cancelled my pre-order for the early BR Belpaire version, which I don't really want, deciding instead to wait for a couple of the round-topped ones that actually suit my needs. A longer wait no doubt, but it seems more sensible.

That must have been it.

It seems almost certain to me that Cricklewood borrowed one for a Tilbury boat train.

Does anyone know when these were painted green (preferably to the nearest month)? Or to put it another way: how long did they last on the LMR in their original black and silver?

The glazing is the one great improvement. I think it's probably the best I've seen on any RTR coaches - flush with no prismatic effect, and featuring astonishingly fine framing of the window vents. Makes the upgrade essential in my opinion, assuming you can afford it.

Just picked up my pre-order of the BTK, BCK, SK and FK, and am delighted with them. The ride height is slightly low, but only by 0.5 mil or so - easily fixable if I decide it's worth it. The moulded details look fine and make the coaches much less vulnerable to breakage than some recent releases. The general finish is superb. Quite expensive at c£48, but for anyone modelling the 50s ER absolutely essential.

The crucial point would appear to be whether the buffer height matches Bachmann's Mk1s and Hornby's corridor Gresleys.

I agree with the notion that Bachmann have skimped a bit here and there on this loco, but it's still a beautiful piece of work.

A date at last - Nov/Dec this year.

If, next year, instead of producing a new range of coaches, Hornby produced a Gresley CK, a Maunsell restaurant car and a Stanier III CK to improve their existing ranges - I think a lot of modellers would be very happy.

Isn't this the N7 thread?

I hadn't seen the detailed breakdown of Oxford's intentions which 34C refers to, and am reassured by it. I can certainly wait a couple of years for my round-topped N7s - even longer with any luck.

Thought I'd bump this in anticipation, and share some basic research. Bachmann are doing five types, based on Diagrams 329 (TK), 332 (FK), 328 (CK), 346 (BTK) and 345 (BCK). These were all built with square-cornered windows up until 1948, and round-cornered ones from 1949 - Bachmann are doing the square ones. The respective numbers built were, roughly, TK 285 square/167 round, FK 22/67, CK 49/61, BSK 36/46. BCK, 30/10. Interesting that there were twice as many square-cornered TKs as all the other square-cornered types put together. Also noteworthy that the square-cornered BSKs only just outnumbered the similar BCKs. Looking forward to these, and crossing my fingers that the crimson and cream isn't that far removed from Hornby's Gresleys.