Caddy

Very pleased to see that the loco is being repatriated back to "Blighty" Thanks Alastair

I have a DJH unmade kit of an LNER J9/10 0-6-0 Loco and Tender including all wheels, Anchoridge motor and pick-ups. I have had it for a long time - I even forgot I still had it! I am very happy to give this away to someone who is seriously interested in completing it. I would be most unhappy if someone were to collect it and then place it straight on ebay or similar! There is one other catch, the successful applicant will need to pick it up from Logan City, about 35 km south of Brisbane or be willing to pay for the postage in advance. I really want to see it appreciated for the super model that it is. If you are interested, please contact me in the first instance via email at stenedcoc19@gmail.com and I can provide some photos. BTW - No relation to Stenedoc here on RMWeb other than we must both be Betjeman fans!

Just in case this helps anybody.... I found my model of 4154 to generally be a fine runner but there was some slight hesitation on a Peco 3 way point and at one place when I had built a barrow crossing using old ERG sleepers (remember them!). I suspected pick up adjustment may be needed so removed the body. I looked at the pickups and all looked in order so just for the heck of it I replaced the front pony truck and tried the chassis by itself and "voila" not a hiccup in sight. OK I thought put the body back on minus the screws, still no hesitation at all. Right put the screws back and yes, you guessed it I had a slight hesitation on the Peco 3 way point and at the barrow crossing................... Of course I removed the screws again and all was fine. I know this is absolutely ridiculous but with no body holding screws the loco is immaculate and as soon as I even lightly turn the retaining screws it starts misbehaving. Since the loco rarely leaves the layout she is running now with no retaining screws and all is well. Maybe in a month or two I might try putting them back in................... Honestly if this was April 1st I could understand it ................

Thanks for these links, brilliant.......

A few pages back a member was asking for a list of Peter Denny articles etc. I am an infrequent visitor at present to RMWeb, so much happening in life at present but I offer the attached list in the hope it is of interest to others. I am most happy to scan any of the articles if requested as long as I am not breaching any copyright laws! Since some articles are verging on antiquity I doubt it, but I am really too old to contemplate a stretch in the "Scrubs". As with most of my work, the list ends in 2009, but I am thrilled that previous efforts have been appreciated and added to by other members. That is what RMWeb is really all about. Denny List.doc

Some 20 years ago in October 1999, I bought one of the first Chinese made Hornby 14xx locos from a small shop in Wincanton. Upon returning to Australia, an old friend suggested replacing the tyred driving wheels with plain ones. This was easily accomplished. The loco has rarely been off the layout since and runs beautifully. I posted a Youtube some 2 years ago, please see below. One recent improvement I have done was to "thicken" the chimney by the simple expedient of wrapping some "scotch" tape around it and then repainting. The change in appearance is striking! It really has been a wonderful loco...................

And for those of a certain age or better you can always start the journey with H W Burchell in the February 1967 Railway Modeller with "Kingscroft and High Storrs". Who else remembers fibre sleepered track, Ratio "Brunel" viaducts, and creating any GW loco you want out of the old Kitmaster/Airfix City of Truro and 61xx kits! Those were the days...................

Lovely photos and video and obviously beautifully laid track, thank you. I am now sorely tempted!

The question of what looks right for 1950's BR freight stock grey has been one I have also struggled with for years. That horrible dark lead colour that some Mainlne and early Bachmann wagons came finished in really forced the issue for me. I tried the Railmatch but it seemed too insipid - almost white - and the paint dried very rapidly here in Queensland as to be almost unusable! For the past 10 years or so I have blended my own colour using Italeri Flat Medium and Flight Light Grays - spelt with an a by them, looks right to me and has been favourably commented on by visitors. The most recent repaint has been the 6 wheel Oxford Brake Van as per the photo, what do other people think, and any other recent discoveries or suggestions?

Visited Hattons website, they are installing new software apparently but are already doing some strange maths to collect the GST. Seems that Kernow are not collecting the tax - "good on you fellas" . Anybody know if Rails of Sheffield are? In fact is anybody able to make up a definitive list. Could make a big difference where we all shop................

I have always liked the Hornby 14xx. When in the UK in 1999 I purchased what must have been one of the earliest Chinese made model with blackened wheels and wow, what a difference over the old Airfix and Dapol versions. The old "Thurleigh Models and Crafts" in Wincanton had a test track in the back of the shop so I was able to see the loco run before buying. After a few years I replaced the driving band wheels with another set of plain wheels. Still now, after nearly 20 years continuous service, the loco runs beautifully. In the other 14xx thread I posted a video of it complete with magnificent Bachman auto trailer. One thing that did always bug me however was the chimney. As well as being metallic and shiny, it really looked too thin. When the Hattons model appeared I thought right the time has come to fix this. I simply cut some "invisible" sticky tape to the required width and wrapped it around the Hornby chimney until it seemed right! One coat of paint later and voila! Judge for yourself from the photo. When the new BR lined green version appears, I will probably grab one for the spares if nothing else.

I may be greedy and this is a wonderful announcement for those who like sniffing fumes, but after the P and the Barclay I want more kettles........................

Apart from the mention of Jack Ray and of course Peter Denny, we seem to be forgetting the operators. I would like to nominate Norman Eagles. He and the "Sherwood Gang" really ran a railway. Certainly inspired the way I have approached the hobby.

I have used one of the Bachmann drivers with his feet chopped off...........

Had to put my two pennyworth in. I have just received my BR Black late crest version. It spent over 2 days in customs at Brisbane Airport and then the whole of Easter in the tender mercies of Australia Post (excuse any pun).......... Well worth the wait though, going out on their own, Hattons have created what is a cracking little model, and it runs beautifully. They have kept the construction and mechanism simple and have "nailed" it; well done to all concerned. Looking forward to the Barclay and whatever else is in the pipeline.

Must be getting old, they've been running for 3 days on the layout and I've not noticed a single dimple.............. What I am disappointed in personally is that there is nowhere to hang a tail lamp! After the Hornby Maunsell and Collett coaches etc, I think we have been spoilt, perhaps this is because they were designed such a long time ago.............. Oh well back to the "Blu Tack" Love Robin Brasher's picture above with the Adam's Radial, so they were not always used as "push-pull" stock? More operational possibilities. I have a feeing a second set may be on the cards in the lined crimson.................

Merry Christmas Everyone and to those who flagged support, thank you. My wife and I had a lovely Christmas, but what a storm we had last night, a real "Queenslander". Fortunately for the inhabitants of the Ambridge Vale, we did not lose power. Even Michael Portillo managed to make it to see the new coaches arrive!

Well they say the age of miracles is in the past but today the incredible happened. Only 9 days after posting from Kernow, my Gate Stock arrived here in South East Queensland. I was sitting in the railway room cleaning some loco wheels when I saw the white van pull up, what a lovely surprise and on a Saturday as well! They must have been trying to clear all the backlog before Christmas. So yesterday I received the Michael Portillo figure from Mike Pett, 14 days from Kent. Today the coaches from Cornwall in 9 days. I take all back what I said about Australia Post........................ Merry Christmas everyone. If it's any consolation for cricket lovers, it look as though Mitchell Starc will not be fit on Boxing Day.

Brilliant, I am really looking forward to this loco. Constructed a Wills kit in the 70's and rode behind "Bluebell" last year. Well done again Hattons.

Looks great though, and just quote Rule No.1

Now we know what happened to the string........................... Seriously though, a great video and after 60 years dealing with Hattons, first as a resident in Liverpool and now somewhat farther away, they are just part of my life. Looking forward to the P class ( and don't think I'll be waiting 6 years for it!) Merry Christmas to everyone at Hattons and thank you.................

I have been to Kernow twice, agree it is a small and delightful shop. Then so was Hattons 50 years ago. When Norm Hatton purchased vast amounts of Hornby Dublo he started by renting lock-ups and by employing schoolboys and students if needed to keep things moving. His priority was always "get the orders out". I realise with workplace laws and whatever things are far more complicated these days but there are ways and is Cornwall not one of the homes of "cottage" industry. It is very hard to sympathise with any cricket team that wins the toss in Adelaide and then sends Australia in to bat! Mind you Australia has its problems with its never ending search for the great "all-rounder". They seem to have been in this mindset ever since the retirement of Keith Miller! We await with baited breath over here whether Mitch Marsh makes his 5th or 6th comeback in this role, I lose count..........

In my own defence a couple of points, Firstly I admitted earlier in the thread that I did take my eye off the ball, lot happening in my life at the time and yes I forgot to make the early payment. Secondly, I am still concerned about paying before good arrive. If I want to crowd fund as they say I will, but the whole thing makes me uneasy, where does it all end. Imagine if these were crowdfunded and you'd paid 6 years before getting the goods, Many people in my age group who ordered would have passed away by then ................ Thirdly I stand by what I said and this situation should have been foreseen. I still work 2 days a week in a highly intensive, customer focused, position. Being able to anticipate and deal with customers and provide really personal service gives our company an edge. Finally, even if I did forget to pay up front, Kernow have still taken the money out of my account some 5 weeks ago. I wonder if I had ordered something else in the meantime and asked for my coaches to be put in the parcel if I would have had them by now? Perhaps someone out there has tried that? Anyway sorry for being seen as the boy who is throwing his toys out of the bathtub but it is frustrating to now know they will have no chance of arriving before Christmas, in fact with the Australia Post shutdown after Christmas will be lucky to see them in January. On the positive side my little set of converted Triang clerestories continue in service for another few months, made them during the Christmas break in 2011 as a "temporary" measure so the Torbridge Jcn and Minstergate service had a physical presence on the layout as well as in the timetable.............. Merry Christmas everyone

Just wondered how things are going, am I the only person in the world left who ordered in 2011 still waiting for theirs to be posted???

My order went in November 2011, payment taken out of my account 6 weeks ago, still no sign of them being posted, I am trying to keep the faith but they really should have foreseen this was going to happen............ I have had my 3rd grandchild born, travel through pre-school and finish year one of "big" school since I ordered these coaches. She is now asking why Grandad looks so sad........................... Come on Kernow, make my Christmas, I may still get them if posted on Monday...........................