Ray Flintoft

Hi Clem , Replacing the moulded pipework on the W.D. is well worth the effort ,it makes a big difference . Here's one of mine which has also been modified to represent the redesigned firebox fitted to many of the class . The distinctive clank could be heard for miles . We could hear them coming into York whilst sat in our class at school . over a mile away ! Cheers , Ray .

Thanks , David , Great atmosphere ,it takes me back to my shed bashing days many years ago . Cheers ,Ray .

Hi David , Your big Thompsons look very natural , all it needs is smoke & steam! I'm looking forward to seeing more progress on the layout once this current situation is resolved . Incidentally the Jackson Evans range is still available from Precision Paints . All the Best , Ray .,

Three more views on Sowerby Road M.P.D. 1. Little Engines 04/8 no . 63788 in typical condition on the ash pits . 2. A general view of a rather crowded shed yard . 3. A trio of B.1's are prepared for their next turn . No's 61250 & 61337 are both Nu-Cast kits whilst no 61016 is an early Bachman , which is still , touch wood ,a good runner . That's it for now , though I will show other photos when it contributes to the general thread . Cheers , Ray .

A few general shots of Sowerby Road M.P.D. ( not to be confused with Sowerby Bridge m.p.d. , this one is totally fictional ) . Hope they are of interest . 1 . visiting locos no's 45517 & 60031 GOLDEN PLOVER await their return workings in the shed . 2 . A grounded coach body provides a less than salubrious mess room . 3 . A view of the repair shed . Cheers , Ray .

Thanks for the kind comments , David . No , there isn't a blog for Sowerby Road m.p.d. The layout has been complete for some years & I don't think it would be of enough interest to justify a blog , plus I don't think I could find the time . However , if Tony doesn't mind , I'll see about putting the odd general shot of the layout on here & see what people think . Best Wishes & keep safe , Ray .

Hi Tony , I built 1 of these kits last year & found it quite enjoyable with no major problems at all . Enclosed a photo of it on Sowerby Road m.p.d. Cheers , Ray.

The latest additions to my loco. stud . Both are detailed Bachman RTR .I'm happy to use rtr but not out of the box . No. 42116 retained the early BR emblem to withdrawal in 6/67 . The other A.1 , no . 60154 is a roller bearing rendition from the DJH kit . Cheers , Ray .

We've all been there , David , usually I find the missing parts about a week later where I've already checked a dozen times . I blame the Borrowers ! Excellent photos , keep them coming , Cheers , Ray .

Hello , David . Yes it is a good idea to have a couple of dry runs as it is a fiddly bit of soldering . However , if you do make a b**** up ( as I do regularly ) it is a simple matter to try again without losing much apart from a bit of wire & an odd handrail knob . I think you'll find the difference it makes to your already fine engines well worth the effort & bad language . Round York all the shops are taking proper precautions now & it does make shopping slower , but what price health . At least we are still allowed out in a sensible way . All the best , Ray .

Thankyou , Tony , Hazel & I are both well . Hazel has been laid off from work for the foreseeable future , so I am trying to get her to help with the housework ! just joking . I think this thread is vital for us all to keep in touch , it certainly is flying along at the moment . I love seeing other peoples work & would hope that any criticism is given in a helpful & friendly manner , we all need encouragement , especially now . Regarding the virus there are reports that in an area of York youths are running up to old people & coughing or spitting in their faces . Words fail me . So , please everyone stay safe & keep posting Best Wishes , Ray .

A prophet of doom indeed , David . Glad you got back home safely . Now is the time to fit the wiggly smokebox pipework to your pacifics ( is that the technical term !!) as per Tony on his thread . Do not worry too much about ever single pipe as it can look overcrowded & remember every engine was different depending on the fitter involved . Keep safe , Regards , Ray .

Hi Tony , hope you & Mo are both well . There is an excellent photo of no. 60837 in "Keith Pirt Colour Portfolio Grantham "taken in June 1959 with a standard straight sided tender . By then also fitted with separate cylinders & outside steam pipes . It definitely retained the straight tender to withdrawal in 1965 . Regarding wiggly smokebox pipework , you are spot on when you say no two engines looked the same . All David can do is work from photographs & get as close as he can . It is well worth doing though , despite being extremely fiddly . Regards , Ray .

I believe the handrail came in very useful for flinging a rope or block & tackle over whilst lifting heavy valve gear parts or con rods back into position . Cheers , Ray .

Hi David , I have replied to your e-mail but I'm not sure that it has gone through to you. If you let me know I will have another go . My computer skills make Tony Wright look like an I.T. specialist ! Cheers , Ray .

I am sure you would be able to pare off the no. plate , preferably avoiding fingers , but the Graeme King door should fit fine if you prefer . Let me know if you buy one & which one you decide to do & I'll check through my photo. collection to let you know any other variations . I have a thing about the Thompson pacifics having seen many of them as a youngster at York & have a large collection of photo's of them . They are a nightmare for minor differences & I'm amazed that Hornby are doing the A.2/2 . Cheers , Ray .

As Gilbert says , no. 60503 is not suitable she retained the original diagram 106A boiler to the end . No . 60501 & 60502 are both possible as they have identical , to the eye , tenders & had diagram 118 boilers from the early 1950,s . They both retained the original crest until late 1958 but you will have to watch for the lowered no. plate & the lipped chimney. 60501 definitely had both features in mid . 1958 . Hope this helps , Cheers , Ray .

Hi David , I have photos of all 3 York A.2/2 's at Haymarket in my collection , taken during the late 1950's . Indeed no.60502 , by then the last survivor , visited Edinburgh as late as June 10th 1961 , only 3 weeks before withdrawal . Looks like you might have to save a bit harder ! Regards , Ray .

Spot on John , missed that one . So 2 carriers with port side islands . Thanks , Ray .

In case there are people wondering it was the IJN "Hiryu " of Pearl Harbour fame . She was finally sunk at the disastrous ( for the Japanese ) battle of Midway on 5/6.42 . The experiment with the bridge proved a failure & was not repeated . Ray .

You're quiet right , Tony , I have never seen any mention of the repositioning of the nameplates , even though it is clearly obvious in photographs . The other points you make are also correct , I think we have spoken about inaccurate statements in books & articles , especially with regard to photographs , which seem to be common nowadays . Trust nothing without corroboration ! One question ; whist I know Peter Townend has written about the use of class A.2/3 on the cement train , I had always understood that it was at the instigation of Jack Somers , then Assistant DMPS at Peterborough . I may be wrong , but would like to know . I won't be buying any Hornby A.2/2 because I already have 5 plus the DGH kit for 60506 ; however I may buy a couple of the A.2/3 to replace my oldest , most inaccurate & poorest running Millholme efforts . Having looked in my cupboard I have realised that I may need to live longer than is likely to complete all the kits I still have !! Best Wishes , Ray .

My post was simply in answer to @The Johnster's belief that the names were chosen by the sheds' they were first allocated to , nothing else . Cheers , Ray .

Don't forget , Tony , that A.2/2 no. 60505 " Thane Of Fife " carried a diagram 117 boiler with a cosmetic streamlined dome in her final years . I know that you know this but there will be some who do not . I must say that I am amazed that Hornby are doing the A.2/2 , for the very reasons you have mentioned . there are just too many variation in the class . Cheers , Ray .

60502 96 m.p.h. down Stoke , 60502 95 m.p.h. Darlington - York , 60503 91 m.p.h. York - Darlington , Who says they couldn't fly ! Cheers , Ray .

Sorry to say ,but L.N.E.R. loco . names were chosen by the locomotive committee , nice idea though . I do look at racehorse names myself & think , that would have been good on a Pacific ( or not ) Regarding loose coupled freight trains , I believe the 25 m.p.h. limit came in with dieselisation . Speeds in the 30's & 40' s more common in steam days . For example the Thompson O.1 in the 1948 trials attained a max. of 43 m.p.h. & averaged over 30 for lengthy periods . Cheers , Ray .