Moxy

Because Lima were in competition with Palitoy/Mainline. Hornby still produce it because they have the moulds and they are in competition with Bachmann. It's good old capitalism, that's all.

Wheelbase is 44mm (22mm + 22mm) & wheel diameter is about 14mm

I don't think it's anything to do with the tier system. I used to live in Bolton & the Hobbycraft there stopped selling Hornby railway stuff before I left the town, which is at least ten years ago, long before the tier system came into being.

There's 6 wheel 3rds in NCB & CIE liveries https://www.hattons.co.uk/492557/hattons_originals_h4_6t_1501a_6_wheel_3rd_in_ncb_blue/stockdetail https://www.hattons.co.uk/1056103/hattons_originals_h4_6t_1701b_6_wheel_3rd_419_in_cie_dark_green/stockdetail And 4 wheel brake 3rds in BR Crimson & LSWR liveries https://www.hattons.co.uk/492550/hattons_originals_h4_4bt_1401b_4_wheel_brake_3rd_in_br_crimson/stockdetail https://www.hattons.co.uk/492537/hattons_originals_h4_4bt_1301b_4_wheel_brake_3rd_in_lswr_salmon_and_brown/stockdetail All due for delivery around May 2024 I haven't used it myself, but Hattons operate a 'wishlist,' where they will email you if a particular (currently sold out) model becomes available, eg if someone cancels their order. Hope this helps.

Not quite the same starting point, but a Dutch modeller, Ted Polet has converted the D&S brass kit of the W&U coach to a 009 coach. It's about the same size as a Leek & Manifold coach. https://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2021/album/2021teds-workbench/pages/IMG_4268.htm

It's GWR speak for 'ordinary cattle van.' Full list here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Western_Railway_telegraphic_codes

It was John Allison. The Feb/March 1982 issue of Model Trains, just before the magazine changed into Scale Trains for the April 1982 issue.

It is Paul Windle's work, it was built as 'Rothby,' although with far fewer buildings on it. It was railway of the month in April 1998 Railway Modeller.

It was Railway Modeller, May 1992 issue.

High Level kits make some low profile motor bogies that may be adaptable. https://www.highlevelkits.co.uk/bogies

Possibly only that one, and then only on one side. There is more info here: https://www.railcar.co.uk/type/class-101/liveries

There is picture of Bamburgh in this blog : https://mattditchblog.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-north-sunderland-railway-1898-1951.html This shows a flat bottom to the smokebox and although undated, the wagon in the background shows 'LMS,' so it is clearly post 1923.

The 2 books I have on the subject are: 'The Locomotives built by Manning Wardle & Co - Vol 2 Standard gauge' by Fred W Harman ISBN 0 9535313 17 and 'Manning Wardle & Co Locomotive Works List' by F W Mabbott ISBN 0 906829 08 9

If Manning Wardle were following the alphabet, yes it would imply that. Unfortunately they didn't. The M Class predates the L Class by about 11 years. I agree with your second point!

'Matthew Murray' lasted until 1967 with APCM, so that's probably the last one withdrawn from service.

Now you mention Statfold, that does a ring a bell. Peco were showing a laser cut station building, but I think it was just a prototype, it's not out yet. Don't remember there being an engine shed though, although I admit I wasn't looking that closely at the Peco stand. It will be interesting to see how they develop their laser cut range, there is certainly plenty of scope for narrow gauge buildings to copy.

Not sure if these were what you thinking of. Not laser cut, but there are some 3D printed North Wales buildings by MS Models https://www.msmodels.co.uk/collections/narrow-gauge?page=1

I don't know anything about them, but I would like know more. I have an interest in narrow gauge diesels, and I had never heard of these Alco-GEs. I have managed to find a little bit about Guatemala and the United Fruit Co involvement https://chasingtrains.smugmug.com/International/South-of-the-border/Guatemala/Ferrocarriles-de-Guatemala/ and more here https://chasingtrains.smugmug.com/International/South-of-the-border/Guatemala/International-Railways-of-Cent/A-short-history-of-the-IRCA I agree, they look amazing.

The answer is - not much. I have only been able to find one definitely in blue and one possibility. There is TDM395279 in the Paul Bartlett photo on this page https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/lmrdepartmentalstock And this unidentified one on the Southern Region https://sremg.org.uk/misc/dept.shtml (Second row, fourth photo). TBH I'm not 100% convinced that is in blue, it might be in green, it's difficult to tell on this monitor. Since we don't know which one it is, we can't cross check with other photos. Other than those two photos, most of the other pictures I have found are either in maroon or blue & grey (until privatisation, when they have been painted in all sorts of liveries!) Hope this helps. Moxy

Oxford Rail Pilchard wagon discounted at Hattons https://www.hattons.co.uk/519411/oxford_rail_or76pil001_pilchard_bogie_engineers_wagon_db990099_in_br_grey/stockdetail?utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=modvehid4919-oxfordpilchardballastopenflashsale&_kx=z-1HdWTz4frAwfaswe2K0rbpXVT2XWVWKCdZ6C9Cs78%3D.JGQeXh

It's a TV prop, from a series I had never heard of, called 'The Highwayman.' More details here https://www.theautopian.com/the-creator-of-knight-rider-used-this-bonkers-peterbilt-truck-in-a-1980s-tv-show-and-now-the-truck-is-for-sale/

See first post Discussions about the bargain may be removed. It would appear that is what has happened here.

This site is useful for station colours, I have linked to the Scottish page.

Thank you for the information on that coach, I wondered what it was when it was first posted. I did wonder if had Midland origins, but all my reference materials is from the LMS period & later. As you say, it is a splendid vehicle.

Here is the pinned thread: