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Hi, Thanks Andrew, I hadn't thought to look on the site, I do hope the medical issues mentioned are something that will be easily resolved, having had problems myself leading to 9 weeks in hospital and then extensive Physio to learn to walk again, I can only offer genuine sympathy.🤞for a good outcome. Kind regards David.

Hi, Placed an order with Pheonix on 03/03/24. Having used them previously I am concerned that I have heard nothing from them. usually the response is immediate. Is anyone aware of problems? As we have had sporadic postal deliveries recently I emailed to confirm if the order had been processed and again received no response, not the usual! Just concerned, any information please? Kind regards David.

Hi, Sadly my soldering skills leave a lot to be desired! When I was doing my apprentice training, one of the tasks we had to perform was to solder a nipple to a Bowden wire. It was tested in a simple jig on a hydraulic press. The idea was that the cable should break before the nipple pulled off! Never managed it even once! I used Araldite to assemble the few cast kits I attempted! I've seen some of the exquisite brass models that are on offer, I don't think it would please my "Accountant" (Wife!) if I handed over a fist full of cash to end up with a shambles! Ill stick to Plastic, resin etc. Better the devil etc.! Kind Regards David.

Again I add this is no a wish list item! I have recently (Last night) been reminded of another oddity. In addition to the Mansell Three diesel shunters, to which BR added a further Twenty six were added, in 1949 Mr Oliver Bulleid produced a single 0-6-0 shunter/short haul loco No 11001 an intriguing design (As so many of Mr Bulleids designs not a 100%. success!). My thought is perhaps the re-establishment of what used to be described as "Kitchen Table" manufacturing with the establishment of 3D printing businesses we could hope to see such oddities as the 11001 and the LMS shunters produced. Im old enough to remember many "Body line" kits which were great at the time but sadly not stood the test of time. With modern techniques the quality of these 3D prints would be far above the standard of the old white metal kits of yore! A quick look on a "well known auction site" reveals that there are some excellent narrow gauge kits already coming on stream. Again the issues of running gear will need to be addressed! Regards David.

Hi, As I've said elsewhere I am not and will not join a club for the reasons I have given. I do appreciate the work that some members of clubs do and wish them many hours of enjoyment in their chosen activity. Regards David.

QUOTE! Sorry mate! your the 10th bloke I've told today! There's No Demand!😡

Hello, While thinking back I dug out one of my old books, I have always been enthusiastic about Diesel vehicles (Ok I know about the emissions!🫣) and have several on the subject of shunters. A greatly underestimated bunch. I discovered a picture of Mr Bulleid's 11001, from the description (Brief) it was a diesel mechanical with the jackshaft driving six of Mr Bulleid cast wheels. Top speed over 4omph. I think this must have been the engine you described. Regards David

Hi, that's very interesting. If I remember correctly the BR class 73 was a electric and diesel loco. Very useful locos. I believe the Hasting line multipul units were also. Its funny how things go round. The local trains in my area are combined units, they can run from the overhead or on the diesel generator as required. I always found the SR mainline locos 10201, 10202 and 10203 were great locos, I remember them from their time at Camden shed, Never heard of the "Road Switcher", was it along the same lines as the Bulled shunters? Thanks again, David.

Hi, many thanks for the information provided in answer to what must be obvious to you. Again it's what must really show my ignorance of things "Southern"! I appreciate that the SR were at the forefront of electrification. Were there ever any "Diesel multipul units" on rural lines that were not suitable for electrification? Or were these steam powered into BR days? I remember reading somewhere that Armstrong Whitworth tried to interest the LMS and LNER in their prototypes. Did they try the SR? The GWR had the AEC "Railcars" including parcel carriers, the LNER had some Petrol railcars (and a couple of diesel electrics) they inherited. Kind Regards David.

Hi, So the "Utility van" was the equivalent of the GWR syphon, based on a SECR design. On the LNER it ended up with various Gresley designs (The CCT etc.) based on GNER and NE vehicles. The fact that some SR vehicles continued into production by BR says a lot about the quality of the design. Kind Regards David.

Hello, Once again my ignorance is showing🫣. The GWR had various 'Syphons' for the carnage of milk, the Great Eastern mostly used four or six wheeled vans as did many other companies that made up the LNER. Did the Southern Railway have anything similar to the Syphons? did any of the constituent companies have anything that was carried over to the SR? I do appreciate that four and six wheel tank wagons eventually took over from churns on trains, As I understand it milk in churns were delivered to Dairies at Halesworth and Bungay in the 1950s, in standard vans, having been picked up at local stations along the way. The GWR seems to have specialist equipment for most goods. Kind regards David.

Hi, On the subject of coach liveries. I guess the change from the separate companies to the "Southern Railway" paint schemes would not have happened immediately on the grouping. When did the change to green begin? As I understand it the original SR green was an Olive Green introduced by Mr Maunsell . Then came Malachite. Was that also at the behest of Maunsell? Did Oliver Bulleid introduce a new shade when he took over? I'm sure you will appreciate that after a lifetime of "Varnished Teak" and muddy brown the variety of liveries that have been mentioned with reference to Hornby SR coaches has been intriguing to say the least. I have seen that Heljan and Bachmann have produced SR coaching stock, but to be truthful I've not researched very deeply into their products, I gather that the most recent Hornby SR coaches are actually modelled on the real thing rather than the generic coach painted green that followed on from Triang. One final question at this point, how quickly did the various company paint schemes last into SR days? As most of the English constituents of the LNER were already various shades of brown there was no great rush to take on a "Corporate" style, indeed for much of time simple rebranding and numbering was sufficient. Kind Regards David.

Hi, Yes that was one of the photos. Looking at it on the laptop its clearer but to my old eyes still not that clear. Off to Specsavers I guess!🤓. The information from Hornby was very interesting, quite in depth. The Hornby train pack is available but a little beyond my pocket! I've seen the Hornby Maunsell coaches in Two different shades of green, the SR olive and BR green. Also the EFE "Gate stock" once again a little rich for my blood! Kind regards David.

Hi, Just found some photos of the Lyme Regis branch, The Adams Radial locomotive and what look to be corridor coaches (It looks like a corridor connection on the end of the coach nearest the loco. As usual the picture is 3/4 front so sadly no detail is very clear. The Loco is No 3125 so I'm assuming in Southern days. Not BR. Did corridor stock get used on branch lines? Kind Regards David.

Hi, You mention "Loco-hauled non-corridor coaches", does that suggest that "Main line Corridor coaches" were produced? If that is the case, would the coaches displaced be be used as branch line stock or would they be scrapped, As the Southern were into recycling would the chassis be used during the new construction? Regards David.

Hi Thanks for that, I find things like that very interesting, bit like the Holden 0-6-0s in Scotland. From what I've picked up so far the IOW had a pretty varied collection of motive power. Did the Southern try to standardise the rolling stock on the IOW? Freight wagons were a mixed bunch wherever. Even at nationalisation on the MSLR they were using GER coaches, was that a similar situation on the IOW (and elsewhere on the Southern?) Did the various company coaches disappear quickly or were they simply relegated to minor branch lines as on the LNER? would there have been original IOW stock running in the 1930s? Kind regards David.

Hello, I picked up that for a while two Terrier locos had ben brought to work the Lyme Regis Branch. After they were replaced by the Adams Radial tanks, did the Terriers return to the LBSCR or as they had been purchased by the LSWR, did the find employment elsewhere in the West? Regards David.

Hi, A very good friend of mine is heavily into "AMDRAM"! He has frequently admitted the main driving force is hie Ego! He admits he wouldn't last five minutes in the professional theatre, but its his kick! Ruston is 100% correct! There are in life two kids of people. Doers and Be,ers. Many years ago I discovered that sadly I'm part of the former group. I joined clubs (Various) and soon became involved to the best of my ability. I soon discovered that when "Somebody needs too!!!" I far too often discovered I was the "Somebody" Being first in to unlock and turn the light on and last one there turning off the lights and locking up! It took a heart condition to make me realise that 50+ people were taking the mick! I'd been doing the same thing for 40 years! Why did it have to be me?................... Because I was willing! Most of the others were happy to let it be "Someone Else!" It was an amazing eyeopening situation, That's why I refuse to join a club. My models are/have been far from two tracks round the loft! If any one has asked they have been welcomed into my home to engage with the model. In much the same way as my "Thespian" friend, sadly many "Exhibitors" are Ego Driven! Ruston makes many good points! Old Saying "If the Cap Fits!" Regards David.

Hi, Peter Kazmierczak comments actually sum up much of my own feelings. I could spend silly money on "Super Detail" (Which is seldom visible on a moving model) or wait patiently for a good example to show up secondhand. This is what I do. Sad that for the majority of "Railway Modellers" rather than "Model collectors" the desire by the designers at the model manufactures to show just how clever they are overrides the objective of producing a product that "Does what it says on the box"! Regards David.

Hi, If you old (like me) the hobby has had Boom & Bust repeatedly over the years I've been interested (1953 was the start date). Sadly some of the things "AY Mod" says in his first piece are 100% correct, though personally I think it a bit "Broad Brush". For very personal reasons I am not, nor will I ever be a member of a club! However I always try to support our local mob! Sadly the comment about 'financial issues' being part of the hobbies condition is perhaps a little short of the whole picture. For many years the "Ipswich Model Railway Show" was among the biggest. (As has been pointed out this is a politics free zone) HOWEVER! when the rent for the leisure centre that had been the venue for some while was hugely raised, it became unaffordable! The local authority responsible, it seems decided that it made more financial sense to loose the income they were getting and having the property underused than allow the exhibition to continue as was with I believe that this was not a unique event, Clubs may not be businesses but they aren't "Loss Centres" either. I imaging the NEC was not a cheap hire! I live on my pension, (Not a bad one) and as a consequence consider some of the retail prices being asked for what are Discretionary purchases possibly pushing the envelope. Strangely the two issues are not as remotely connected as it may look, I for many years took my grandsons to the exhibition in a effort to encourage their interest in the hobby. When it became necessary to sit in the car for a couple of hours the interest faded. Having handed a fist full of cash to a retailer, I honestly am concerned to allow close contact between the children and the £150+ locomotive. As I have mentioned elsewhere, I remember Triang releasing "TT" railways. Subsequently it disappeared, leaving My Father-in-law with a part finished layout, relying on secondhand. My fear Is that Hornby TT120 a lifeboat for the brand? Do others see it in that way? More for the press to use to create negative image of our hobby. When I first took a practical interest, the amount of RTR was minimal. The magazines encouraged us to construct using cereal box cardboard, there were many "Small suppliers" advertising a huge variety of things. We are in a very good place with equipment, sadly much being quite costly. Regards David.

Hi, You caught my interest with "Chard Town"! was it one the places where two companies met? or was it one of the places that changed hands to "Western Region". Again showing my ignorance about things. Cambridge always fascinated me, it was possible to get a train to St. Pancras (LMS). Kings Cross or Liverpool Street (LNER) Three London Termini! I imagine the ticket office must have been a crazy place to work! I understand that pre 1923 there were separate facilities for each and only one long platform! Kind Regards David.

Hi, Amazing how helpful you all have been. I still have a way to go with the MSLR model so it might be some while before I could turn south. However with the information I'm amassing in a very short time and the advice of what looks to be an extremely helpful book, I think it quite possible that in the fullness of time, I could build a quite representative model. The thought of Lyme Regis is particularly attractive. The Adams Radial is still available and secondhand ones are reasonably priced. Any suggestions of suitable coaching stock, bearing in mind the advice already given about SR coaches. How nice that so much help is available. I came across the "Southern Railway Group" quite by chance, definitely a "Happy accident". I have the feeling that the "Brookwood Necropolis" branch might be a bit, as was said a bit of a dead end as a model, though it is probably one of the essential Southern Terminus. I understand that when it was opened it was the dead centre of the area! Regards David.

Hi, So it would be possible for somebody to for a reasonable outlay create a believable "Southern" branch line, As Nearholmer has suggested based on RTR equipment. I think the suggested locations would be interesting to investigate. I had a quick look and some of the suggested locos are quite available, the coaching stock was as mentioned more problematic. I spent many happy hours in Lyme Regis, never found the station. I guess another case of "Destroy it quick before they realise its useful"! When I read about the Ecological situation I wonder if anybody will ever admit the good 'Doctor' got it wrong! They are trying to restore a rail link 'Cambridge to Oxford' two important Educational and Scientific centres. Amazingly there is an MP who thinks building a Duel carriage road would be a better alternative. The situation with coaching stock seems to be general for anything other than the mainline stock on the four main companies. GER is being addressed by some small suppliers, mostly 3D printed. There have also been a few wagons. Were Southern branch lines mostly "Pull-Push"? they were not very common in East anglia, frequently being of the "Mixed train" variety. In many respects the MSLR would have had problems being PP as the majority of its income was "Goods" related. I already established that there were few specific Goods locos on the Southern so I guess any of the locos mentioned would double up moving goods on the branch. On the MSLR it was normal for the branch loco to drop the two coaches after the morning train, collect the branch goods run up and down the branch dropping wagons and then return with wagons, pick up the coaches for the second passenger then repeat the process as required. Thanks again for this. Looking forward to any further information that can be provided. Kind regards David.

Hi, Thank you for some very comprehensive and speedy answers. I personally am working on a smallish "Mid Suffolk Light Railway' model. The only locos being MSLR 0-6-0s GER J65s and eventually J15s. I can see that to construct a reasonably realistic SR model, it would be necessary to decide on a specific area and see what RTR locos are available to suit. The coaching stock would seem to be an easier proposition. My knowledge of RTR SR locos is rather rusty. A school friend had a 4-4-0 L1 which if I remember correctly was a Triang model, also an M7. With the information you have provided so far this was an improbable pairing! At least my Princess and Jinty were compatible! During LNER times a few Holden 0-6-0s were sent to Scotland. That provides an interesting thought! A J69 pulling a pair of Bulleid coaches on a Scottish branch line! From this information, the SR was in most respects the same as the LNER in as much that GN locos tended to stay on GN metals and GE stock similarly. Until as you say "Genuine SR" designs Q1 etc. roamed more freely. One of the models that has stuck in my memory was 'Charford'. In those far off days anything not GWR was quite exotic. (Ignoring Peter Denny as the exception in many ways.) I was (and still am) in awe of the modellers of the 50s and 60s. I tried my hand at a Kays kit, which were considered to be quite acceptable, sadly it didn't look like the picture on the box when I finished it! In the opinion of the contributors who have offered help so far, would it be possible using RTR stock available today, to build a reasonable "Southern" branch line model? As in the past the GWR modeller seems to have everything needed (Pannier tanks, Coaches etc.) to knock out an "Ashburton" without too much problem, how difficult would a Southern enthusiast find a similar project? Once again many thanks. Regards David.

Hello, As a novice of things "Saff O the Thames" I am asking questions about things which in all probablity most people on this site grew up with and are second nature, if I offend their sensibilities, please accept my apology in advance. I have previously asked some questions that have quickly been answered and for that I am very grateful. I grew up with the GN mainline literally at the bottom of our garden, subsequently moving eventually to East Anglia (GER territory), my limited knowledge is therefor essentially of the LNER. After many years away from railway modelling I am amazed at the variety of locos. coaches and equipment now available. As an LNER follower these days I am spoiled for choice. The forthcoming J69 etc. is a gift to East Anglian modellers, Equally The Hornby J50 for large parts of the LNER. The Holden 0-6-0 tanks seldom ventured far from home, so not as universal as Mr Riddles later Locos. My question is, looking at the range of RTR Southern Railway locos is there a truly "All parts" of the railway loco? As I understand (Always ready to be put right🤔) the SR was divided into three. Eastern, Central and Western. More or less on the ground of the old pre grouping companies. The LBSC Terrier was I think the equivalent of the Holden tanks, did it venture out of the home territory? Could you see one in Bournemouth? Gresley Coaches were in later times (1930s) to be found all over the LNER, though older company stock continued well into Nationalisation. Did the SR have multi area coaches that could be seen in Devon and Dover? The GWR had brake vans that were unlikely to wander far from the Home Depot, what was the situation on the SR? I'm sure this must show my ignorance, but I was taught "If you don't know..........ASK?" I have not found a book that covers these (I admit general) questions. The books I have found so far tend to be rather specialist. This seems to be a Railway wide situation. If you want to know the history of the A4 loco no problem I know of at least 5 books and counting! Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks in anticipation of your usual kind assistance. Regards David.