Lissadell

I think that the commonest material for 7mm scale chassis is nickel silver. I’ve mainly worked with 0.55mm(22 thou) but other manufacturers use 0.7mm (28 thou) Nickel silver is very nice to work with, but even the standard half hard variety is quite tough to saw and drill. I maybe wouldn’t go thinner though - you might be asking too much of the chassis in 7mm if you do. Regarding the bodywork, my own efforts and many others I’ve come across, use 0.5mm (18thou) material. Most commonly brass, but n/silver is a very worthwhile alternative. I guess you could try out 0.45mm (15thou) sheet - it will certainly be easier to cut and file. But personally I wouldn’t use anything thinner than that. Why not? well one reason is soldering. The metal will heat up very quickly and spread over a wide area - whilst you’re waiting for the solder to run/reach temperature, you might be entertained by thin metal starting to curl, twist and generally protest!! Another reason is handling the model and vulnerability to dents - very easy to get this damage, not very easy to deal with it. Adrian

I think someone may have mentioned it already, but the brakes on the model aren’t quite right. They need to be flipped over, so that the wider part of (what would be) the wooden blocks are at the bottom.

Exactly what I needed - thank you very much Hal!

I haven’t yet ordered simply because I’d like to be sure the original plates can be safely removed before investing. They're not cheap so better to be sure first!

I would like to fit another set of plates to my Dapol Pannier. However, before ordering, could I ask about removal of the existing plates? Has anyone done this and if so did the plates come off easily or not? Thanks very much

Big thumbs up from me today for the folk at Kernow, especially Greg! I had ordered something on Monday that should have been delivered yesterday (Tues) When it didn’t arrive I phoned, then later emailed, the shop. Evidently the parcel had been collected by the carriers but not forwarded to the hub. During the afternoon Greg made approaches to the carrier firm to press the issue and emailed me updates right up to the point of him going home at 17.45. Then, this morning, he was on the case shortly after 08.30 and before 09.00 he was able to confirm to me when the delivery would take place this afternoon. That’s real customer care in my book - very well done Kernow and much appreciated.

Or alternatively, where have the results been posted?

Looking good Ken - and it’s really refreshing to see you tackle and succeed with a tricky subject. Hope it’s not another Stanier job next, or the one after (joke)

That is a seriously cracking shot - well done. The model’s not bad either!!!!!

Any “activity” around the Minerva stand ie sightings of the Manning Wardle?

Says a lot when this dainty little loco is dwarfed by a 12T van!!

Totally agree with colleagues thinking re the absence of loco pickups. However, it is a really good looking loco overall and maybe it’s worth considering workable solutions that can be applied. Yes, I appreciate, it shouldn’t happen on a near £700 investment - you shouldn’t have to take any remedial action at all But ............. maybe it’s too good to write off and surely there are experienced modellers on here who can devise a strategy that others can follow? If DCC operation is in use, then the capacitor option that Mr Chapman mentions here might be a way forward. Whilst all the positive thinking goes on, maybe we’ll get a product recall or the offer of replacement loco chassis!!! Well, maybe that’s the other thinking - wishful!

Tiny typo there R - very easily done with some keyboards We understand ........... so minor point 3500 gallon is what you meant.

I wonder if anyone might have an old 7mm scale kit for a shunter lurking in their cupboard - ie something that may not get built. I am looking for a Hunslet 0.4.0 Diesel shunter (similar in shape to the Heljan 05, but smaller) once made by Little Jem. I’d also be interested to hear from anyone who might have a 7mm scale Agenoria kit for a small steam shunter. The original kits, the ones I’m interested in, were made by Pete Stamper who started the range. As an alternative, a made up kit could fit the bill! Please get in touch if you can help in any way. Thanks very much

Thank you to all those colleagues who shared their experiences and made suggestions in answer to my original question. Much appreciated.

In modelling circles, sometimes, the Standard Class 7 locos are referred to as “Britts”! Ouch.

Could you explain please, what do you mean by a “tin can” chassis which you say was cheap to acquire? Thank you

I think the problems with this design of chassis are well known, but I wonder if there is any variation with time? For example: some of the B1 locos go back to the late 1990s and seem to be regularly advertised with the expected problems - wobbly wheels, distorted spokes causing a knock or binding. However, the last ones produced (31-713) - just before the introduction of the later style chassis - appeared in 2009/10. Does anyone have examples of these last produced models ie Gazelle (but not the 2003 version of the same name) that is or indeed isn’t as yet displaying the usual problems. Broadening the question across the range of Bachmann split chassis based models, are late produced models displaying the faults that can be present on older versions of the same model? Would welcome hearing of colleagues experiences. Thanks

Really pleased to see the Class 60 in DBS red after a very long wait. Not too keen on having to pay for a TTS unit when there’s the attraction of some other fantastic 3rd party sounds out there. But it’s doable and maybe Rails might be persuaded to sell one minus TTS - something I think they’ve done with other models in the past (??) Bigger issue is plonking a name on the side!! If it’s seriously fixed, then hiding things after removal might be problematic on such a large flat featureless area. Unfortunately, leaving the purchaser to fix (or not) the plates presents positioning difficulties in this instance - so that won’t happen. So .............. just hoping there will be a solution presented. Been waiting too long for a red one!

Hi Agree with you, a very nice area Looks like a J15 in GER livery in your screenshot Is this a download from the UKtrain sim site? Thanks

Could I revisit the Cobalt/Tortoise theme - though not really on “clatter” I installed a small number of IP Digitals last year. It was the first time I’d experienced them so the sound as the motor operated was quite new to me. I just assumed that’s what they sound like! However, more recently, I refurbished a small layout for someone where the points were operated by Tortoises. To say I was impressed by the different sound (what sound?) would be an understatement. Which led me to think, maybe my lack of experience working with Cobalts has contributed to the situation. They work fine, no clatter or bangs, but they do “whirr” quite noticeably and in this respect are quite different to the Tortoises I’ve heard. So, could I ask please, do colleagues find the two motors do sound different when operating? Or is it me!

Hello Roger Just looking at your plan now .............. and wondering .................. Won’t much of your operation be in the yard area? If so, that puts it at a stretch across the station - assuming you will be working with the layout against a wall. Also, if the station occupied the rear of the layout, most trains coming in would be on the “working” side of the platform and so easy to get at. Don’t know if I’m expressing all this too well - just thinking of comfort for you operating. Of course, it all hinges on the coupling system you’ll be using!

Thanks Phil Yes, as ever, the web is invaluable! I did a good trawl before posting - just thought something might pop up from another book. Best regards

I wonder if any colleague has come across photos of this loco? I have looked in one or two specific books on the class but thought there might be a chance of photos appearing in more general LNER/BR(E) books not in my collection. Regarding Yeadons book on the Thompson B1s, I don’t have a copy but wondered if someone had one, maybe they could let me know about any photos of 61006 it contained? Any help with a photo source will be gratefully received. Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the interesting information/comments. Nick, could I ask, if you do happen to find something in your “pile” could you pm me please? Best regards to all for Christmas