Bucoops

Hi John, No doubt that is a fair comment - the "problem" I have is when I was modelling last it was the late 90s and I was in my teens. I built a grand total of two loco kits (DJH and someone else) - badly. I build a few Parkside kits reasonably well however. Everything else was RTR. Now I'm older, I want to get into it again but concentrate on building my own stock it's frustrating to find that the kits I want are hard to get. Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic that Dan is still churning out kits after 40 years - I've only just reached 40 so that commands true respect from me. But that doesn't stop if being frustrating. But as above, it's more for the likes of Cooper-Craft that I'm annoyed with, at lease D&S, Markits etc. you CAN actually get what they advertise. But having said that - I also have to take into account I've been interested again for nearly a year and not finished a single flipping kit so it's not like I'm desperate to get my hands on stuff.

I've had a response to a letter I sent and in it Dan says he's hoping to get a new list out next month.

Hmm - useful - that does seem to look the same as the on on 69621 (the only cab photos I can find are of that one). Makes a bit of sense that they would use a design that they already have for tender locos. Come payday (can't come quick enough!) I'll be trying Markits one more time - I'd prefer a brass one - but failing that Gibsons it is Thanks

Hi Mike, It's very kind of you to share your labels - do you happen to know how much different the Thompsons were to the Gresleys? Would these be suitable for Gresley designed ones? Thank you

I'm guess that one may have been shedded at Clacton - or maybe even Walton? Unfortunately because those sub sheds were all linked to a main shed it's hard to find the actual allocations.

I agree cardboard would be a better environmentally friendly method, but it was just my thoughts on the possible reasoning behind it

From reading the thread the rails aren't as firmly held in the chairs as the flat bottom rail to it's mounts so that may help explain it? And perhaps the pack is designed to be a one size fits all for later additions to avoid having multiple pack sizes?

The one I'm building was based at the Chelmsford Sub-Shed for a lot of its life. No idea what it used to do there though!

The instructions say: "Fit trailing wheels to slot in frames. It may be advantageous to lightly spring these onto the rails with fine wire - one spring each side inside the frames is best soldered to the inside frame walls. Fit washers to ensure wheels can't touch frames."

Could the chassis have a radial axle rather than a pony truck? The early N7s had radial trucks, which was changed for a pony truck for the part 3 build (I think that's when it was). edit: this says it was the part 2 and onwards build that had the pony: https://www.gersociety.org.uk/index.php/locomotives/a-j-hill/l77 Just as an aside, the later parts (4 and 5) were created by rebuilding the earlier ones so (I think) would still have their radial axles, although apparently some rebuilds were classed as part 3 for a while so some would have had pony and some radial. Ugh. Finished drivelling now

Just want to point out that my observations are in no way criticisms - the sample looks superb

One thing I've found when researching my N7 build is you have to be careful with things like the bunker footsteps - the example doesn't have any so won't suit later periods (eg. the pair that kept their belpaire boilers to the end). The actual position number fitted also varied.

Looks good Not looked closely, and not going to - but one observation is the round-topped firebox boiler has round head smokebox rivets. The particular part 3 loco I'm building happens to have flush head rivets - but then that boiler might not be one for a part 3

Couldn't agree more - I've not bought much from LRM but what I have done the service was flawless.

You had some strange cats if they licked your no2 end

My mum tells me I drank a bottle of kitten worming fluid when I was a nipper so I'm worm free.

You're more than welcome You're also very patient with people who haven't got a clue what they are doing (i.e. me!).

Just dragging this one to the top to say I recently bought something from High Level for the second time and the customer service was totally faultless, same as the first time

Just dragging this one to the top to say I recently bought something from LRM and the customer service was totally faultless

Thanks - that may be it - I've been using my heat resistant cutting board which appears to be a posh bit of hardboard. I'm sure I can rustle up a tile from somewhere. Meanwhile I had an online chat with a former N7 fireman and he confirmed the handbrake is on a stanchion, and nosing through the Yeadon's book this morning it looks like it too - very hard to tell though. The Yeadon's book is very good but is lacking in footplate photos. Only place I found offering a handbrake is Markits. Who I'm *still* waiting for bits from so not holding my breath I'm at the point where I'm tempted to just sell the A1 wheels and buy Gibsons... There's not the correct part in the kit - wonder why?

Pong. Sorry, need a shower.

The GERS drawings (I have them already, thank you) are of the GER built and earliest LNER built versions. The part 3 that I am modelling has quite a few differences. And so far I've yet to find either a drawing or decent photo of the back of the cab of a part 3 I agree the handbrake wouldn't work in real life there but I don't know if it should be on a stanchion like the earlier ones or not. Strangely 69621 has a much narrower "shelf" at the back which is what made me accept that the handle being on the shelf itself may be correct - makes me wonder if the other variants had a larger shelf for a higher coal capacity. What I haven't done is ploughed through the Yeadons book yet to see if that has anything. 69621: I'm not going for super accuracy - I've not got that level of skill (or patience!) - similar to the Jamieson kit this one is quite old and no doubt more modern ones are better. But I guess if a decent view comes up before I'm ready to put the roof on I could look at changing it somehow. Tough one as I can understand the desire to get it right - but also there's the desire to actually finish something

I'm trying my best to get my daughter interested in trains - old ones at least. One of the reasons I'm sticking to OO for my modelling revival (not that I'm reviving much...) is so I can put Thomas on as and when required! 2013 - NYMR Seems to be working - we went on a miniature railway not long ago and she burst into tears at the end. Turns out she didn't want to get off

What about something like this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Space-saving-Retractable-Flat-Network-LAN-Patch-Cable-RJ45-Cat5-2-5M/272211527334

Indeed, no industry left now The Main Marconi bulding is now home to a cosmetic company Even E2V is now owned by the Americans. There's still a siding there, but sees very little action. It's an overhead line equipment yard now at least in part.