Jammy2305

Exactly, it's only a millimetre! Not to be noticed once painted and running on a layout. Each to their own I guess, but I could accept it to give myself more variety by being able to model earlier wagons, hence my suggestion.

Hi all! The recent Rapido announcement of a "Not-quite-mink" in CR livery has got me interested in these vans, but I cannot find any reference for when these would have been built/ran by the Caley, bar the preserved example (No.57) being built in 1922. However, my experience with other companies tells me wagons could and were built in batches that spanned a number of years. Is anyone able to confirm when these were first built/introduced to the Caley, please? Many thanks James

I will check my copy of Tatlow later (which I've finally dug out) regarding whether Dia.72s were fitted or not but the earlier batches of vans certainly included examples that were fitted. The "red end" livery would be correct for a suitably fitted van circa 1903. It would have had the large G E lettering, in black. It is thought later vans (post 1912) had a large V instead of red ends to denote vacuum brakes. By this, a Dia.72 with red ends is technically incorrect. The preserved example being built in 1913. From a modelling perspective, the Oxford van can be used to represent the earlier and later types of van because a 3 inch difference in length is negligible in 4mm scale. Hope this helps for now! - James

Does anyone have approximate dates for the CR, GNR, NBR and L&Y examples, please? For example, preserved CR No.57 was built in 1922, but is this to say all the CR examples were this late in the pre-grouping? - James

One for those interested in the Bessey and Palmer wagon - It is suitable for GER and M&GN use! Excerpt taken from Kelly's Directory of 1912:

GER No.84 pre-ordered by one happy chappy here in Norfolk! - James

You're a star! Thank you! - James

One pre-order made for a Bessey and Palmer wagon. I look forward to seeing what else gets announced in the future! - James

I am of the opinion/belief that the GER vans fall under a similar category, although my copy of Tatlow is packed away currently so I can't confirm/look into this further. They certainly seem similar enough... - James

- Deleted due to duplication -

Afraid not! (Yet...) The frames need painting grey anyway so mine have currently been left repainted without such details until I can find a suitable works plate. - James

https://www.powsides.co.uk/product.php/ger_ventilated_vans/?k=:::794649:0

Oops... I'd overlooked that! Glad I've not done anything yet! Cheers James

I've got some nameplates to fit on my 'Ring Haw' but I've noticed on the real thing the left side plate is fixed over the pipe that runs down the tank, rather than behind it as per the printed name. I'm thinking of mounting the plate on some plasticard to give it clearance but wondered if anyone else had a better idea to get around this? Also, to echo all the other comments, what a fantastic model! Well done Rapido! - James

Had an email today from Hardy's Hobbies saying my 'Ring Haw' has been despatched. Looking forward to its arrival!

During the war, probably around the same time the A4s lost theirs (1942?)

Hi all! I recently noted on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Society's website that "for a short time in the Edwardian period specialist vans were apparently painted in pastel shades – blue for butter, green for fish and pink for meat." This has peaked my interest and I'd be quite interested in modelling some of these as they would certainly add variety. My question is this: What shades of pastel blue/green/pink would be the correct shade? For example, as a reference, would Revell 59 be in the correct ballpark for the fish van green? Many thanks James

Any chance you'd be able to repost the pic to show off the livery? Can't find any pics of the LSWR one and the photos previously put on RMweb were all lost when the site had its wobble last year... Cheers James

Guessing this includes the 'Ring Haw' exclusive for Hardys Hobbies?

My local retailer has told me "R30137 is the LNER one on the order form", so it looks like we're getting LNER 2870 and BR Green 61659. Hope this helps! - James

Hornby themselves, however, have yet to catch up!

It's a black and white photo, but the A4 is in BR purple.

If it's the same photo I've seen, it's one of purple A4's as well, to add to the quirkiness of the pairing!

It's also interesting to note that No.61659 carried a full black front, like the abandoned style carried by some of the first LNER green A4s back in the day.

Just to muddy the waters... I was in discussion with a fellow GE modeller and he sent me this from Tatlow's book on LNER wagons: These appear to be 8 spoke wheels but with open spokes. - James