john flann

Hi, I keep logging on to this thread to find out something about 'St Blazey'-I'm interested, but all I seem to see is a lot of stuff that seems completely OT. Can we get back to the subject matter?

Adrian, I've noted that 'Figworthy' took an interest in what was going on at Hintock and it's nice to see you have made a start on something for yourself. I look forward to your progress. A good start.

Jim, I was wondering what had happened to you, and whilst you've obviously had your 'downs' you certainly have bounced back (I don't know whether we bounce at our age, however we get there) but things seem to be looking up not only in respect of your wife but the shed. Very well done on all counts. Kindest regards,

The wagon numbers are very small and not easy to read at the best of times and worse still in poor light or if the wagon is weathered as many of yours are. Nor if other wagons in a siding obscure those behind. How do you manage that?

I couldn't find this image yesterday when posting my earlier ones, but here it is; my two HQC 16 tonners in Sheepcroft Yard, Hintock.. Not quite as much external rust in this instance having not been in service long. Sometimes I think hard wear is rather overdone.

Lettered for the Hintock Quarry Company and as running on my Hintock.

Rob, there is a photo in 'The Bridport Branch', OPC 1976, of a NE fish van from Hull and Grimsby on a passenger train at Bridport. This is a working I replicate on Hintock, see post #215. It does seem to be 'coals to Newcastle' but the fish available in the North Sea fishery are not ,it would appear, caught nearer to Dorset. And LMS goods wagons got everywhere.

Rob. I had that very same problem with the mirror at the LH end of Hintock, I found that if I slightly skewed it and tilted it out of upright and misted the edge it did improve things. It's only really awful when seen head on --as in your example. Can you do something about the back ground in making it less definite. I commiserate with you. And for a caption:- "We've come to see Alice" or "Alice at home?"

Nick, very happy to see what's been going on (and I like the changes.) As ever MM is delightful. And I knew you would make a good job of the coal wagon. Regarding the couplings I would suggest that as loco and coach are going to spend most of their working life together they don't need D&G's. Scale could go on front with a drawbar between loco and coach, perhaps? Best wishes,

Rob, I had never really noticed it before but you've certainly captured the 'red' of the Devon soil. Nicely done. And the NE van will look even better when weathered. Regards,

John, I've put the photos on my Hintock thread, #247.

PS, for the hose itself I used shoe lace.

John, two immediate suggestions, 1, for the water hose insert a long heavy nail (as my Hintock water tank hose) 2, for cables use thin wire. There's some on my overhead crane on my American PBR-if you don't mind I'll post it on here later. As to the rest, I don't think I can help, Regards

Rob, I'm enjoying the picture show and is there a class of GWR loco's you don't have a model of? But referring to your post #430 regarding the disappearing lane maybe my Hintock post #151 might give you some ideas.

John, our military training does come in handy at times, and I'm thankful for mine. Another fine example of your imagination and persistence.

Rob, the B&W take me back a few years. And very nice too. Thank you.

Hi John, even my small box at Hintock looked empty so I agree something needs be within. What I did was add the shelf on which the block instruments sit, these added being small squares of card, and then behind a suggestion of the levers. The whole lot I painted a lightish brown so as not to attract attention. Something like that maybe?

John, another amazing piece of work, you are very honest and it's nice to know that others are just as capable of 'c....kup's as I am! I tend to keep quiet about them. The box is looking good and you have mentioned internal fittings for the box, but just how much will be seen? I would have thought just a hint of what's inside should suffice. PS, our weather has improved, nice bright sun in a clear sky BUT a bitter wind. Maybe Spring will arrive some day.

A nice example of understatement, Rob. I like it, and have pressed the appropriate button!

John, I'm not all sure about how much ash there would be about the shed roads, some of course but not 'thick' I think. Google Lostock Hall engine shed and have a look at what you can find. For there amongst the photographs are, I suggest, some answers.

As ever John a credit to the scale of your enterprise, patience, persistence and an admirable achievement. Well done.

John, I should have been more specific but my reply was directed toward the colour of the L&NWR water crane. I agree the original structure colours could still be seen albeit worn and weary. Perhaps light washes of gray/brown would be appropriate in this situation. I think you will find too that rather than obscure detail it will enhance it. There is no doubt the GWR stone/cream was hard wearing and I can recall a watertower and crane at a branch station I was familiar with in the late 40's early 50's paint still in very good original colour. PS, and your damp is today our snow.

MIB, the reasoning behind my comment is that John's period is pre-1947 and post WWII, by then little or no maintenance (including painting) had been carried out for many years and there was no money at that time for things like paint, so grubiness was the order of the day. I don't doubt that out of the towns and in rural by the ways pre-war paint had survived quite well though by now faded, and original colours in evidence.

John, as always I'm impressed by the scale and expanse of your latest masterpiece, all of a piece with the rest. As to colour of the water cranes etc engine sheds were grimy places at their best so nondescript darkish gray would, I suggest, be most representative.

Nick, I've only just caught up with this and your kind remarks. I knew you would make good use of the kits and I'm very happy to see the results. Excellent workmanship as always. Now on a slightly different tack it would seem to me that your new coaching stock and locos might look slightly out of place on bucolic Much Mutkle, so, to justify the use of slip coaches and 'Jackdaw' and the like is it in your mind to upgrade it to a station with a direct main line connection?