nerron

Gilbert,congratulations from the antipodies on such inspirational work.The impact of the layout takes me back to my first sighting of David Jenkinson's Little Long Drag more years ago than I care to remember.Yours has the added appeal of being ECML! Ron.

Hi Jeff, Good to see that you are underway with the new layout.I am most envious as my new project is still sometime in the future and awaits a move to a new home to accomodate it. I have only recently dicovered that modified 2EPB units found their way to Tyneside in the 1950's so our new layouts may have a little in common.Doug has made an excellent job of the baseboards-an example of BRMA co-operation I presume. Ron.

Doug, The coaches do go well with the L1-a case of keeping it all in the one family I suppose.I have yet to make the brake composite which will complete the four coach rake.Best wishes for the festive season.

I have had no problems with the front pony truck of my L1 through Peco code 75 and finescale turnouts.Picture of 67717 and Comet Thompson coaches is attached. Tetleys wrote: I'm making my third Comet Thompson non-gangway coach and all three will form a rake for the L1 to haul. The coaches are OK and look like Thompsons but are bereft of hinges unless I drill and piercing saw minute slots, the roof profile is more BR Mk1 than Thompson and they take a lot of time to build even without the cosmetic brake gear at a total cost of over £120. Now if Hornby or Bachmann were to manufacture the same coaches they would probably not be perfect but would come with hinges, accurate door handles and probably half decent brake detail and roof profile all for less than £25 a coach. As regards door hinges ,these can be added using the Comet detailing etch which includes a jig for accurate positioning. All that is need is to drill using a #75 bit. The second rather cruel close- up shows the hinges on the semi-corridor composite.

Doug interested to hear you are embarking on a Q6 kit.I am most interested to hear how you go in P4.I have built both the Chivers and the Alexander kits and clearances around the front end are very tight in 00. Which kit are you building?Hopefully we can have a chat in Melbourne in a few weeks.Sorry if this is off thread. Ron.

The Little Engines kit is better,particularly the chassis.Unfortunately AFAIK it is out of production but occassionally it comes up on ebay.A good option would be to combine a DJH body with a chassis kit from 52F Models http://52fmodels.web.officelive.com/default.aspx .The DJH chassis is devoid of brake gear and consists of the usual two strips of brass.The 52F chassis addresses the front end difficulty with shorts by providing resin rather than metal cylinders. Ron.

Here is a photo of C of T down under.far beyond its city limits near Abbeyfield on my BR(NE) layout. Ron.