RedTrain

So I've just recently acquired (for a fantastic bargain) a couple of MR locomotive kits which I'm aware have something of a reputation... the old Ratio plastic 2-4-0 and 4-4-0. While the 2-4-0 is the original version with the horrid mazak wheels and cheap motor, the 4-4-0 is thankfully the later release with a brass chassis by Perseverance. Of course, this means that it does not come with the wheels/mechanism. Looking at the accompanying weight diagram for the 1312 class (I believe that's what the Ratio 4-4-0 represents?) in Essery v.2, the dimensions of the bogie wheels are hard to make out; it looks like 3' 3 1/2" dia. to me, but would appreciate confirmation. I know the drivers are 6' 6" on both kits (correct for the 4-4-0, incorrect for the 2-4-0, but the kits are designed the same way so 2 and a half inches will just have to be excused!). Currently I'm looking at potentially using Scalelink wheels, but wonder if Romford/Markits or Gibson have more accurate ones? In regards to the 2-4-0, I do know that the Gibson catalog lists milled frames that fit the kit. Last I heard, they were having some issues with supplying frames; does anyone know if those have been resolved? An additional point of interest is the tender wheels; the kit ones are 3' 6" whereas the prototype are 4' 3"... that's a whole 9 inches missing. The tender body itself doesn't seem too bad (the 4-4-0 kit comes with a nice replacement etch for the coal rails) and could probably be used with some detail improvements if the chassis were amended. Maybe the internal chassis unit by Comet would be a good fit? I know some have opted to stick a drive unit in the tender, pack the loco body with weight, and dwell no more on the issue, but I would like to avoid that if possible; to me it seems like the cheap and easy way out. Any tried and true gearbox/motor/weight combinations? Will certainly appreciate any guidance. I don't expect to make masterpieces out of these things, but if I can achieve a well-running result I'll be more than satisfied. Easier than a London Road kit at my skill level, at least!

Sometimes, you see a target and pull the trigger... After much head shaking at the insane prices some Rapido Stirling Singles go for on eBay, this one practically fell out of the sky and into my lap. DCC sound fitted, stay alives installed, an hour and a half left on the auction, sitting at $295 USD with NO bids and from a seller on my side of the pond! It looked too good to be true... ...well, to an extent it was, in that I certainly didn't pay just $295 for it, but the final cost puts some of the others to shame: $450!!! After shipping and tax it came out to just shy of an even $500 (£410 by the current conversion rate). A punch to the gut to be sure, but not near so bad as $800+!! Paid for and marked shipped already, expected within the next couple weeks... now I've got to see to some teak coaches haven't I?

How I wish that were true! I live in the United States. Phoenix paints are practically impossible to get over here. Although they say on their website that they are willing to ship overseas if you email them, I've done that twice and never gotten a response. I understand that very many suppliers in this hobby are run by "one man in a garage", so I'm always willing to give the benefit of the doubt and be as patient as possible, but it's been a full year since I emailed them the second time and I have no intention of trying again for now as I've begun seeking alternatives. I find this rather interesting. I certainly interpreted the example of MR wagon grey given in Nigel Digby's Liveries of the Pre-Grouping Railways v.3 to be ever so slightly blueish. Would this be a common misconception? Thankfully the varying nature of 'wagon grey' in general shouldn't be difficult to achieve with other brands- and will investigate that Humbrol suggestion, thank you! On a related note, for Crimson Lake I've tested out Vallejo 72.012 Scarlet Red on a scrap coach side and it doesn't seem a bad match (compared with the samples in Digby v.3 and Midland Style); a bit light perhaps, but I may experiment with darkening it and see what occurs... I've got some Ratio clerestories to paint eventually (history is repetitive @jamie92208). If you've got any advice on what else might work I would certainly appreciate it.

I certainly would not be one to judge! Thank you for pointing out that article- I have seen mention here and there of improving the quality of Slaters kits but not a full breakdown of the issues and their solutions. Another one for the list... thankfully I've only yet finished building two wagons and haven't yet painted them, so corrections may not be all too time consuming when the moment arrives. My interests generally skew all over the place, but I've managed lately to narrow my focus particularly to the period 1890s to just before the Great War... which is still of course a maximum 24-year span of rapid development and changing railway nature, but it does at least allow one to take advantage of a good handful of RTR and kit offerings and should lend a great variety to the type and appearance of stock in use. Exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much. Shame they fall just after the war, but at least there's the Slaters kit for the earlier type. Of course there's always Rule 1 if I'd really like one..! I'm appreciative of the reception here... I've only within the past year begun to seriously attempt modelling in OO, and as frustrating as it is to work out things like paint colors or diagram differences when you're an ocean away from the prototype (or don't yet have a copy of the generally agreed upon Bible for whatever niche area you're working on!), it helps that there is a community willing to lend information and advice!

Hello all... my apologies if I'm butting into a rather more learned discussion! I've lately been attempting (rather humbly, just Slaters kits and a Bachmann 1532 class for me at this point) to model the MR, and there's a particular question I have regarding brake vans: Did the Midland build any double-veranda examples before 1923? The venerable Parkside LMS 20T van kit is quoted as being an "ex-MR" design, but a look online has turned up no concrete information on whether the MR themselves built a similar design. Bachmann did release their RTR 20T van in a MR livery (which I'd rather like to get all things considered) but I'm wondering if that's moreso anachronistic? I imagine these types of questions would be answered by the Essery volumes on Midland Wagons, but as those are currently not in my collection (next on the list) I figured I would ask the best source I know of. (Before it gets asked... yes, I've got a copy of Midland Style!)

I would so love another run of LNWR Plum & Spilt Milk... a single 4-pack does not do my Bachmann Hardwicke justice! The GNR teaks seem like they went like hotcakes the first two rounds as well. I imagine there'd be no shortage of demand for a third?

Fantastic! I really appreciate it. Will standby til then.

Hello all, This is my first post here on RMweb as it happens, so hopefully I'm doing everything right. I've recently purchased a Millholme Models kit for a Midland Railway 483 class on eBay. The kit is in good condition and is complete (with wheels and motor too, so no having to order those separate), but is missing its instruction sheet. Would anyone happen to have one of these kits that they could photograph/scan the instructions of, or perhaps know where I might be able to find some myself? I'd really like to not have to build this thing blind! Here's the kit box if it'll help identifying exactly what I'm looking for. Cheers from the USA, RedTrain