Mike Harvey

Last news on the Cavalex Class 91 and stock.

Daryle. Thanks for the news on the bus. I’ll keep an eye your website, and diary a special visit in the new year. Mike

For fleetnames it might be worth talking to George Heaney at Sunrise who have just taken over the former Model Bus Company range of transfers. Sunrise Models and Transfers: kits and waterslide transfers (sunrisetransfers.com)

Might be a misleading figure given that Revolution in N have only released one steam loco which was not offered sound fitted, and their first two diesels (Class 128 and Class 59) are at the order book stage. Everything else is electric.

Looked at another way that is almost 100 new models in that period, and almost all of them will sell out. I am only in for 1x319 and an MR brake van for my Landship Train, but those 100 models represent a significant commitment to N however you look at it. When the China Clay JIAs see the light of day I may be buying some if the weathering is convincing enough.

Probably the price difference is right. The production process would be fit decoder or blanking plug, so no more cost there. Decoders sourced in bulk will be cheaper than we buy in penny numbers but there are plenty of DCC chips in the right ballpark anyway for a simple model. DCC sound would be something like £100+ extra I suspect.

On the reinstatement of the roof ribs, I once had to do this on the bar car of a Kato TGV in 1/160 scale after a grain of wheat bulb overheated and warped part of the roof. I laid masking tape either side of where the ribs would be and created the new ribs from Milliput. Not much use for this National build but might work if the roof could just be sanded at the join.

Kent Fire Brigade raised the height of some of their K2 ATVs by adding a 2foot high clerestory section to the main body, and installing a solid back with a tall part-glazed rear door concealing a better step up from road level. They were used as service vans/mini workshops for fire and Kent ambulance services but could have suited a tea van application. White livery for the ambulance service, and dark green for fire.

The Virgin RFM is shown on the back cover of the latest edition of The Globe magazine as a November release. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0488/9369/0011/files/Globe_257_low_res.pdf?v=1635410061

@latestarter Looking at figure 9 of the instructions, I think as pointed out in the second post, the printed wall should be seen from inside the shed, and the unprinted side should face the office. I think you have installed the wall the wrong way round. As others have said, you can remedy with some stone paper. Matching stone is in the Metcalfe range. M0057.

Having 00 gauge code 100 track in stock might be leading you down a restrictive pathway. With 4 metres of unencumbered length along the shorter of the long walls you could have an impressive N gauge round and round layout without sacrificing the length to tight curves. Realistic long trains would be possible, and if you feel the need to have some track crossover at a higher level you could get away without crippling gradients. On the other long wall you could have a great end to end 00 gauge shunting layout with a fiddle yard extension under the stairs. But whatever scale you choose, I would recommend an early priority of getting some trains running. I know too many people whose grand scheme has faltered before they have had the joy of running trains on it.

This Spanish partwork has some British style cabs including a 1950s Leyland Comet, a Thames Trader look-a-bit like, a Leyland export model. Some around on Ebay. https://www.salvat.com/colecciones/camiones-y-autobuses-españoles/listado-de-entregas.html

@John M Upton I was painting the slats on a N scale fire engine radiator grille recently and tried a tampo printing technique which might work on the raised window surrounds. I used a thin piece of rubber stuck on the end of a 7mm square wooden handle. I applied a thin layer of paint by brush to a piece of plasticard, picked up the paint by holding the rubber pad flat on the plasticard, then transferred the paint to the radiator slats again holding the rubber square to the slats.

The book "British Military Trucks of World War Two" only covers the Fordson 7V very briefly as it was generally seen as adaptations of civilian vehicles rather than military specified. There are photos of an ambulance with pre-war radiator (shades of the Austin K2 body), a couple of wartime radiator short wheelbase tippers as use by the RAF and Royal Engineers, a wartime short dropside variation with a mesh "greedy board" used as an aircraft tug, and Monty's original caravan which was presented to Monty at the end of the war and is now at Duxford, as mentioned above. It looks like the Parker artic tractor could serve as a conversion to the SWB tipper. Edit: I just checked the wheelbase of the SWB tipper which comes out at 9ft. 10in. The Parker artic tractor is 18mm wheelbase so just a touch short.

I had wanted the AEC bus but it was always out of stock. They were run by East Kent into the 1930s which would suit my little street diorama from Dover.

The Kato list price is 19800 yen so about GBP 135-ish at today’s typical tourist rates.

I can have my files printed for myself in the UK less expensively than via Shapeways or any of the other international printing houses. But if I want to sell to someone in another country or even in the UK, the Shapeways shop takes care of it all. They display the item, handle the ordering process, collect the money, print the item, pack it, send it, and provide after sales service. If I chose to I could also receive a commission on the transaction. I do not expect to see a competitor arising in the UK who will handle the whole process for me, including shipping to destinations across the globe. On the 3D printing section of RMWeb there is a potential competitor being discussed but it will not have the global reach of the big "foreign" providers. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/166241-uk-3d-printing-marketplaces/#comments

I have placed an order this week with Rod Parker and received the delivery very quickly. He has provided an updated price list, with two items discontinued due to difficulty in casting them. These were the AEC WW1 style lorry and bus, NG37 and NG39. On the plus side there are 3 new items:- NG41 1965-1978 Ford Transit Mk1 recovery truck with rear spectacle lift; NG42 1937-1949 Ford 7V tractor unit and flatbed articulated trailer; NG43 1931-35 Fordson Model BB S.W.B. tipper truck . The latest list is as follows:- R.Parker 1/148 scale white metal kits as at 30 September 2021 £4.75 each except as noted below. Price includes UK postage. NG01 1953-56 Austin A30 NG02 1954-1957 Rover P4 75 NG03 1961-70 Jaguar Mk X NG04 1963-70 Rover P6 NG05 1953-59 Ford Anglia 100E NG06 1954-56 austin A30 5cwt van NG07 1953-59 Standard Eight NG08 1948-51 Vauxhall L series Wyvern NG09 1965-78 Ford Transit LWB van £5.00 NG10 1965-78 Ford Transit Ambulance £5.00 NG11 1965-78 Ford Transit SWB van NG12 1938-48 Wolseley 18/85 Saloon NG13 1954-61 Ford Thames 300E 5 cwt van NG14 1954-62 Standard 6cwt van NG15 1935-38 Morris Eight Saloon NG16 Mid 1950s Touring Caravan £5.00 NG17 1935-38 Morris Eight 5cwt van NG18 1939-47 Austin Ten NG19 1932 Morris 8cwt “Flatnose” light van NG20 1931-35 Bedford WLG Dropside Truck £5.25 NG21 1933-37 Morris Commercial 2 ton van £5.25 NG22 1939-48 Austin 10HP 4x2 Light Utility Out of stock NG23 1927-30 Morris Cowley Saloon NG24 1937-49 Ford 7V SWB Flatbed £5.25 NG25 1931-35 Bedford WLG Refuse Truck £5.25 NG26 1931-35 Bedford WLG SWB Tipper £5.25 NG26 1931-35 Bedford WLG SWB Recovery truck £5.25 NG27 1925-34 Foden 6ton C-type Steam Wagon £5.50 NG28 1939 Fordson 7V Fire Appliance £5.25 NG29 1919-26 Bullnose Morris Cowley NG30 1932-34 Austin 10/4 Saloon NG31 1936-38 Horse Drawn 35cwt Parcels van £5.00 NG32 Horse Drawn Milk Float NG33 1954-86 Austin A30 Countryman NG34 1924-26 Morris 8cwt Snubnose van NG35 1932-34 Austin 10 van NG36 1926-34 Foden 12 ton Six wheeler steam wagon £5.50 NG38 1931-35 Fordson BB 2 ton Cattle/Livestock truck £5.25 NG40 1949-60 Morris J—type van NG41 1965-78 Ford Transit Mk1 Breakdown/Recovery Truck £5.00 NG42 1937-49 Ford 7v Tractor Unit and articulated flatbed trailer £5.25 NG43 1931-35 Fordson Model BB SWB Tipper £5.25

Many (Western) governments have been trying to find ways of collecting the appropriate VAT etc. on imports from other countries, especially those in the Far East and others outside their local tax catchment area, often also those who attempt to circumvent duty and tax collection rules by under-declaring the value of goods shipped or declaring them as "gifts". The UK government changes on 1 January 2021 removed the lower limit for tax/duty on imports including gifts, previously £17, and required foreign shippers to collect UK VAT at source. The EU introduced its matching changes on 1 July 2021. In both cases, UK and EU, the VAT charge is based on the receiving country's VAT rate. It is worth noting that the EU changes would have taken place 12 months earlier had it not been for the Covid19 distraction, and the UK post Brexit changes would have continued the EU rules. The post 1 January 2021 changes have been explored at length on RMWeb https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/161021-buying-and-selling-models-tofrom-europe/&tab=comments#comment-4257089 For the 1 July 2021 changes, UPS have a simple to understand guide. https://www.ups.com/gb/en/smallbusiness/content/international-shipping/eu-vat-reform.page

The Duple Bedford OBs had at least 4 different arrangements of the rear lights, rear fleetname panel, rear beading etc. If it is the Crump & Pearce version, the aficionados will balk at "their" favourite livery on the wrong rear. Selection of Duple (and other) OB rears

Unless you count the Dapol and RevolutioN trains Class 59 as duplication. :-)

The announcement on a private Facebook group predates the public/trade announcement. Normally the whole of the announcement will appear with images in the "blog" section of the website in a few days when information is released officially to the trade. Meantime, the items have been added to the online catalogue as indicated in the previous post. Blog publication has been a bit haphazard during the last 12 months but seems to be more active now. All the illustrations are also on the MARonline site:- https://www.maronline.org.uk/oxford-diecast-announcements-autumn-2021/

Michael Pearce at Osborn’s has an S series cab in the Arch laser range which would just need a headlight move. He might explain how he drew it. Otherwise a question in the 3D printing forum on here with a photo of the RL cab might elicit some help.

This picture of Vauxhall HA Viva bodyshells on stillages at Luton in 1965 was shown on Facebook earlier. Destined for the new plant at Ellesmere Port. And how they were transhipped from trailer to wagon. https://scontent.fbhx4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/242325604_2239315102875207_6859893928478328605_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=vhe2q-hAVIwAX8pPVGS&_nc_ht=scontent.fbhx4-1.fna&oh=8f3cc3e24a7f0431a67986fceb7ee524&oe=614AC119 Trains in the yard at Crescent Road, including the HA shells, and a mix of "grey" Vauxhalls and Bedfords. https://scontent.fbhx4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/p180x540/242276387_2239014069571977_8921169148541994166_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=825194&_nc_ohc=y2lGl189ds0AX8btAFo&_nc_ht=scontent.fbhx4-1.fna&oh=81120328d9869fbeaf53b6ecebd811ef&oe=614A452E

Odd numbered ones in 1/43 scale. Maybe relates to colour/model. https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/search?type=product&q=mg+magnette