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Others will be able to chip in with more detailed information, but in general it is easier to get a better looking wagon/van if you retain the body headstocks and don't use the chassis ones. On these you also don't lose end stanchion detail. Not sure about the depth issue, but these vans to my knowledge had steel solebars and thus 2-361 may be an easier chassis rather than 2-330 with a steel solebar conversion. Regards, Simon

Class 27 is 7'9"+8'7". Jinty is standard Midland so 8'+8'6". Regards, Simon

Thanks Wickham Green. Much appreciated. I've seen the straight sided diagram 207s, but wasn't aware of these. I'm sure I'll see them pop up everywhere now! Early BR grey varied a lot, but as you suggest both wagons to the left do look like they are still wearing LNER grey. Regards, Simon

Resurrecting this topic. Can anyone help with the identity of the slope sided loco coal wagon in the background of this Anthony M S Darnbrough shot at York c.1954 please? Many thanks, Simon

Given that it looks to be named and the westie on bodyside, I assume it's LSL's 47593 Galloway Princess. Not sure why it's there though. Regards, Simon

No.1 has stayalive. Does it have stayaloft too?

Only really with the 1958 blinkers on I think Tony. Such a shame Andrew (Headstock) no longer posts on here, I'm sure he'd have given you an interesting response to that remark! Joking aside, whilst the GC London Extension before the mid-1950s wouldn't be possible with just a chequebook and box opening. You are quite right that there'd be little missing in your preferred timeframe (a few coaches/NPCCS, a B16 and one or two of the remaining GN types, LMS vans and some of the more route specific wagons depending on which bit you modelled). Regards, Simon

Interesting that it's shown as chequerplate from new. I'm also intrigued by the lack of lifting holes in the frame extensions for all the bigger NER locos as built. The latter, and the need to add them for my BR condition B16, was the first thing I noted on my set of instructions. Guess what I realised I'd forgotten when giving the completed model the once over ... Simon

That's an interesting approach to the front step Tim. They're indeed tricky things on all the NER locos with them. Here's the very similar step on the surviving Q7: Regards, Simon

Yes, it's Salford Central with the Threlfall Brewery in the background with the River Irwell creeping into view on the right. Simon

Very interesting. Not quite clear enough to make out the private sidings on the MR line south of Cheadle Heath sadly. Simon

The 2-4-2T looks to be coming along nicely Adam. Can I ask how long your diagram 62 and 73 vans and the 71 coal wagon lasted for? Regards, Simon

There have been a number of fairly categorical statements about the livery particular vehicles would have been in at particular points in time in relation to these siphons. Some of which may be useful as a rule of thumb, but don't necessarily reflect the real railway. In normal circumstances repainting of coaching stock was undertaken every 5-7 years or so. The early period wasn't normal due to rationing still being in place etc. British Railways crimson started to be applied in 1949 with many vehicles still be painted in pre-nationalisation colours with BR numbers in that year. Wooden-bodied NSPCCS probably wasn't first in the paint queue and any stock not considered to have a long life would also not necessarily be repainted at all (not relevant to Siphons, but pre-Grouping LMS and LNER coaching stock not deemed to have a long life ended up well into the 1950s in late LMS maroon or coach brown respectively with BR numbers, some of it being re-varnished along the way too). Thus pre-nationalisation colours would still be evident into the mid-1950s at least. The transition from crimson to maroon would have seen the last crimson vehicles being painted in 1956 and conceivably not being repainted until 1963 even according to the normal course of events. I don't know enough about these particular vans to say on the balance of probabilities what livery they would have worn when. Regards, Simon

Swanage looks great Jerry. Have a lovely time. Lower Writhlington would have to be T-shaped (or cross-shaped with the tramway): https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=16.6&lat=51.29682&lon=-2.42457&layers=168&right=ESRIWorld because of the tracks to the screens being at right angles to the mainline. So less than ideal for many exhibition halls. Just think of the mess your operators could create though! Simon

Tavern car sets worked over the ER in 1949-50 so there can't have been blanket restrictions. Simon

Just a shame you only had the perfect shunter for it at it's last exhibition! No.1 was brilliant. I'm looking forward to the scale model of Lower Writhlington Colliery that will replace Foxcote on the exhibition circuit... Simon

Hi Mick, Great photo there. A GCR 11D 4-4-0 with a nice selection of MS&LR Parker saloons after the GCR CCT, followed by what looks like a GCR Barnum coach. A photo that @t-b-g may be interested in. Regards, Simon

If you don't ask you don't get, I suppose!

Rather harder to do that scenery justice though in the average layout footprint! Simon

Very nice Nick. Now cover it in grot! Interesting to see that the LMS driver/fireman has pimped his ride with the silver underpinnings 😉 A rather involved variation on silvered/bare metal smokebox door hinge straps! Simon

278 and 279

How deep is the top one? Are there any fold lines on the reverse? The lower piece is what sits in the orientation shown in the coalhole of the self trimming tender to restrict the amount of coal coming out of the front of the hopper. Simon

Not your loco, but I'd go for this style of smokebox plate. Photo from Railway Photography site on smugmug. 2332 at London Road on 18 October 1946. The one or two photos in the same collection with locos with outside steam pipes and LMS livery also still have a seriffed smokebox number. Simon

Sorry, I'd missed the fact that you'd be doing it with the LMS number. I've spent longer than is healthy looking at the early post-nationalisation condition of the Stanier 2-6-2Ts. Most have retain serif smokebox numberplates with tank numbers/letters as you describe. Simon

It's looking great Nick. What style of numbers does it have on the bunker sides? I've a loco that I can't finish until I can find or have produced block style cabside numbers. Another option for your livery choices is that the shaded LMS letters had the shading painted out. Very common on the various 4-4-0s. I'm not so sure about the tanks. Simon