Denbridge

1 minute ago, zr2498 said:

Perhaps DJH would resurrect the kit if enough interest was shown. Perhaps they should set up an 'expression of interest' in the same way that some RTR manufacturers do.

DJH seem to have zero interest in 4mm these days. I suspect they are merely selling off existing stocks. There certainly have been no new kits released for several years now.

33 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

I don't know Jeff,

 

I built a DJH Raven A2 for a friend years ago, making an eight-wheeled tender for it (as CITY OF NEWCASTLE). I also built the NE tender as well, giving him a choice. 

 

He didn't have a layout, but he displayed it (along with other models I'd made for him) in wall cases. Sadly, his home was broken into and, instead of just stealing his models, the scum just threw them all around the room, pulverising them beyond redemption. Yes, they were insured, but it finished his interest in model railways. There was nothing to be done apart from retrieving any parts such as wheels/motors, etc, but many of these were wrecked as well. It looked like one loco had been stamped on (shades of Stamford in 2019?). 

 

Dropping locos down stairs probably has the same effect, but the emotions are not the same, of course. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony.  

That's awful. I felt bad enough for my friend with what was a horrible accident, but wilful destruction and burglary is beyond dreadful.

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

It probably is, Jesse,

 

But, no, it'll be CITY OF KINGSTON UPON HULL, not the one with the Gresley boiler and cab. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Did DJH ever supply the kit with a Gresley boiler? A friend once had a lovely model that was certainly kit based. Sadly it was dropped from his loft by a visitor, proceeded to hit the bannister and fell a further storey. I've had it in a box for a couple of years. I managed to rebuild the chassis, but fear the superstructure may be beyond hope.

With Grantham stock used to backdate LB to the 30's, how about reversing the flow. Grantham 1958 at somewhere like Warley would surely be a crowd pleaser. I'll grab my coat 

2 hours ago, Ian Hargrave said:

 I have thought that the chimney on the released model is slightly shorter than the examples previously shown. But comments are still being made about it so it must be my imagination at work. Unfortunate that Brassmasters don’t do one .However,considering that Hornby’s efforts are not one of their best then the new Dapol has much to commend it,particularly in cosmetic terms of overall finish and paintwork. We await comments from those who have one in the post.

 

Brassmasters do the kit and will supply components that are maybe not listed on their accessories page.

3 hours ago, gwrrob said:

 

Courtesy of Hatton's.

 

Sorry, but I'll stick with my Hornby and finecast models. I won't be boring with a huge long list, but will comment that the joints between parts is awful.

Sad news indeed. My first recollection of Bob (though I didn't know it at the time) was of him appearing at the beginning of a sequence to fill out the loco allocation board alongside Garsdale Rd at the MRC Central Hall show around 1970/71. Both the layout and its trains made a huge impact on this impressionable young lad, I spent hours glued to the barrier and had to be almost dragged away when it was time to go home. I was fortunate to meet and chat with Bob several times in subsequent years and like most I have many of his books. RIP.

3 hours ago, The Fatadder said:

With a couple of very rivet heavy wagon kits in my to build pile (Warren Sheppard kits for a GW N18 ballast wagon and W12 cattle van), I have finally invested in a rivet press which should help with getting the rivets a lot more consistent than my old approach using a centre punch.  However my understanding is that it will still be prone to the brass distorting as the rivets are embossed.  I was wondering what approach other kit builders are using to get the brass flat again after embossing the rivets (without damaging said rivets).   Despite having built a good number of coaches and 3 brass locos now, I've never actually made an etched wagon and this is the first time dealing with having to form more than a couple of rivets at a time... 

I'm part way through embossing the rivets and assembling three of Warren's 4mm scale cattle wagons. I'm using the GW rivet press with no signs of distortion apparent anywhere. Hope that helps.

17 minutes ago, LNER4479 said:

Day 2

 

Change at Mannheim for Munich. Now on German soil but only passing through for now.

 

Now that's what I call a proper train! Five hours on train EC119 to Salzburg and a good ol' fashioned compartment to boot.

Before anyone points it out, I'm SUPPOSED to be wearing a FFP2 mask (DB rule) AND it should be covering my schnoz (must have slipped in the excitement). My mate had brought some FFP3 masks with him, thinking they were superior to FFP2 masks. They were in a sense but really meant for chemical hazardous areas and not really suitable for continuous wear. We bought some FFP2 masks when we got to Salzburg - which was interesting as the chemist we bought them from had a notice on the door saying FFP2 masks must be worn when entering the shop!

Anyhow ...

 

Dinner in the diner. Always a good menu on Euro-City trains like this so definitely one to try out. Covid 'passport' asked for here as well.

 

We found the sunshine again as the train steadily made its way east, with some sub-alpine scenery visible in places looking south.

 

Now here's an interesting sight, on the approach to Munich station! It is what you think it is - note the old GB running number (bottom left) as part of the 12 digit UIC number: 43480. They've not all gone to the scrapyard just yet ...

 

Arrival in Salzburg was in the mist at approx 4pm. Smashing hotel, again showed our Covid 'passports' as part of check-in but were otherwise told no need to wear masks in the hotel as double-jabbed guests.

 

Stayed for three nights, so two day trips out to contemplate. Where shall we go?

May I post a word of caution regarding the jabs? Despite being double jabbed, a good friend and I have both caught the dreaded Covid. Fortunately, the effects are much reduced and though we both felt dreadful last week we are both nearly over it now. I dread to think how we would have been without the jabs ( I had it earlier this year and it was many times worse than this bout).

4 hours ago, Martin S-C said:

Since I started using Mig Ammo acrylics a couple of years back I haven't touched any Humbrol products except a couple of spray cans used for undercoating, and the few Railmatch pots I have seem to be weak products compared to the paints manufactured for the military diorama and wargame community. I don't know if this is a deliberate thing or driven by market forces or what. Possibly there's a bigger market in the military modelling hobby than there is in the model railway hobby that affects the type and quality of products (that is how much a manufacturer can invest in terms of costs vs market return). I imagine a very significant portion of the model railway customer base use RTR models while almost the entire military modelling customer base buy kits which need painting. That might be one reason why military modelling paints and other supplies like washes and powders and the new generation of "shaded paints" are a thing and model railway paint products appear to be falling behind the times in both quality and breadth of range.

Or of course this may be entirely subjective and incorrect!

I've used precision paints for railway modelling almost exclusively since at least the early 90's. My experiences of Humbrol and Railmatch in recent years has only reinforced my view.

22 minutes ago, Mike 84C said:

Re; tenders behind Western 38's, fired quite a few in their twilight years in the 60's. Never met one with a 4000 gal tender. Not saying it never happened just I never saw it. Neither do I believe that the LMR did tender swaps to keep 38's running, they had loads of class 8's for which they had easy access to spares. I think that is railfan myth. A 38 was a brilliant freight loco but coming from 84C I would say that would'nt I.

  Now the 47's did run with 4000 gal tenders. And some were shedded up in the north of the old WR territory.

There are published pictures that prove it 'did' happen. It certainly isn't a myth even though it wasn't common 

10 minutes ago, landscapes said:

Hi

Thank you for that information, I knew she was being withdrawn from main line service but did not know she had a mechanical problem.

 

I totally agree it’s very sad when two well know and liked locomotives are withdrawn from service possibly for ever.

 

I will just have to keep my version of 60009 running.instead.

 

Regards

 

David

She only had a month or two left on her boiler ticket. It was decided not to attempt what would have been a complicated (expensive) repair for just a handful of final steamings.

On 08/11/2021 at 11:44, landscapes said:

I saw in the railway journals this month that A4 60009 Union of South Africa a long term Haymarket A4 and used on the Elizabethan Express many time has now been withdrawn from main line service.

 

So here is my version of her in better days sitting on Haymarket's iconic turntable, this model is a Hornby RTR A4 which I have renamed and renumbered.

 

Regards

 

David 

Not only has No.9 been withdrawn from the mainline, a year ago, she has now been withdrawn completely following a tube failure. Under the owners plans for her it is unlikely whether she nor the Great Marquis will ever steam again. Very sad, but that is the owners preoperative. 

2 hours ago, Blandford1969 said:

Sorry, my mistake it was done by Millholme rather than Nucast. 

Maybe Squires can help you since they now own the Millholme range.

14 minutes ago, Blandford1969 said:

They have said it was a result of social distancing and furlough leave

That's what they've told me, but at the etchers rather than Squires itself.

2 hours ago, Blandford1969 said:

Is this you doing the casting as Squires appear to be having great difficulty with getting orders fulfilled - I have an order for SEF parts which has now been outstanding since July?

I know Squires are having problems getting etch orders fulfilled, but not aware of issues with castings which are done in house.

19 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

I've just received the GWR collection; the one once belonging to a now-deceased modeller.

 

It's quite extensive, and I'll be going through it - mainly kit-built locos/carriages/wagons (of mixed quality), with several un-built GWR loco and rolling stock kits.

 

Oddly, there's also a complete nine-car LNER 'Coronation' train, made from Mailcoach kits. 

 

I'll be taking photographs before too long.

 

As always, 10% of any sales will go to DCRUK.

 

Watch this space. 

Sounds very interesting. Timing could be better for me though unfortunately.

1 hour ago, grahame said:

I

If there is, they're keeping it secret. I've looked and hunted for them. In N/2mm scale just Mabex and Modelmaster/NGS AFAIA. Is anyone aware of any others?

Are you a member of the model bus federation? I'm not, but have bought a couple of kits via a friend who is. I seem to recall him saying that as well as kits, they also produce transfers.

2 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Many thanks,

 

So, definitely not LNER then?

 

Oh well, I'll find someone to give it to, or perhaps a repaint might be in order?

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Yes, definitely not LNER 

It's a K15 if I remember correctly built during William Dean's tenure as GWR CME.

2 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

On a different subject, can anyone tell me what this might be, please?

 

 

It's from a different collection, and is up for sale (all proceeds to CRUK). 

 

I have no idea of its origins, though it's either kit- or scratch-built from plastic (builder unknown). The bogies are plastic, though run well.

 

Is it a model of an actual prototype or a flight of fancy? If it is representative of a real vehicle, then it might have some value (£20.00?). If not, I'll give it away.

 

Any help or expressions of interest, much appreciated.

It looks like a K's GW passenger luggage van of diagram K something. I've built a few including one, years ago in SR livery (shame on me).

3 hours ago, t-b-g said:

 

Wizard don't stock Alan Gibson driving wheels. They have a lot of others, like bogie and tender wheels but not drivers.

 

I always buy direct from Gibsons and was merely replying to another comment. Coincidentally though, whilst compiling a Wizard order last night, some Gibson wheels popped up in one of my searches. Admittedly they were manning Wardle driving wheels(I think), but driving wheels they were. 

6 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

Baz, this came in while I was typing my previous post.

 

Yes, I've asked the question.

 

Can't see a Comet chassis kit on Wizard Models' site. Brassmasters do the old Martin Finney chassis and it might be possible to find an SEF one - but they'll need wheels/motor/gearbox, etc. and also some butchering to fit the Hornby body. If all else fails I might end up buying a brand new T9 just for the chassis.

 

We shall see.

Comet don't produce a T9 chassis. There is a very nice etched chassis available from SEF. At present out of stock awaiting deliveries from Etchers. It is very good I've fitted them in two Wills T9's and have two more for a Hornby and a scratchbuilt model.

32 minutes ago, Iain.d said:

 

Thanks to all for the info on the wheels.

 

For this one, for now, I'll have a go with the K's wheels and see what I can do. The nearest Markit ones I can find are the WH201A 4ft 6in 15 spoke - as for an LMS Jinty.

 

A few options I have are, to purchase four Markits axles worth of wheels or I have an Alan Gibson LMS Jinty in the ‘to do’ pile that has 3 packs of Alan Gibson 4ft 7in wheels (4855). If I can find another pack of those (unfortunately long time out of stock at Wizard Models) I can use those for this 7F, and then, I could then use the Ks with the Jinty (its unlikely to be under heavy/high power like the 7F). Mind you I have another Gibson 7F in the queue that is two sets of wheels short, so I need three packs of 4855 altogether! I’ll have look at the Wizard website tonight and see what’s available.

 

Kind 

You can buy Gibson wheels direct from Colin at Alan Gibson if Wizard are out of stock.

1 minute ago, Regularity said:

Think of it like this.

If you were to make them yourself, how long would it take, how many rejects would there be before you achieved consistency, and how much would the materials cost you, including any jigs you might need to make to ensure consistent assembly?

The median national household income is about £20 an hour.

Work that into the cost equation.

These are batch, not mass, produced items so economies of scale don’t compare well with (for example) tension-locks.

 

You probably know all this already, but whenever I hear people complaining about the “price” of an artisan product, I feel that they are under appreciating the value.

 

I wasn't complaining about the price, just hinting they aren't cheap, indeed I have used them on a number of vehicles.