Blobrick

Hi Chris Not wishing to sound daft but l am making up list of suitable coaching stock for a West of England Main Line Layout set around 1955. The limit l can run is 7ish coach formations, and as such l ve made up set 43 2 coach, set 839 (5 coach Bulleid set), Set 878 (4 coach BR Mk1) and an as yet unallocated 3 car Maunsell set. My question is, if l wanted to make up a 7 coach formation what would be the most common make up? Could I add the 3 car Maunsell set to Set 878? or would the more common version be a BTK CK BTK +BTL BCK + 2x loose coaches depending on service? Would theses set be made up what ever was to hand as in Maunsell with Bulleid or even Mk1s? I think what l am trying to ask is would it be the norm to see a 7 coach formation made up of only Maunsell sets? Hope this makes sense? Many thanks Bob C

Problem solved! Many thanks to Graham, for the clue as to how to get the cab roof off, which was held on by two screws under the false coal load in the bunker. Once the cab was off, l checked for the reason the front of the cab roof was not sitting fully on the cab sheets. I noticed that the rebate in the cab roof appeared to be deeper than the recess between the front cab sheet and the back head moulding. The back head seemed to be sitting to high so I decided to remove it to see if l could lower the moulding. It transpires that it was lightly glued in and not difficult to remove. Once the back head was out, l found two locating tabs at the bottom, which appear to be preventing the back head sitting flush on the cab floor. I cut the tabs off with a razor saw and offered the back head up to the cab, finding that the moulding now sat at the correct height, l tried the cab roof again and success! Now the cab roof sat flush all around the cab. Once again l m a happy bunny! Bob C

Many thanks for the advice Graham, l give that a go Bob C

Well l decided to take the plunge and order an 02 tank from Kernows. Ordered on Thursday afternoon, with me Saturday morning, and l m in South west Scotland, so well done both Kernows and the post office. I was pleasantly surprised by the standard of packing and presentation, its amazing what a little tissue paper and a ribbon make. As mentioned in previous posts, it is a smashing model, and its running qualities are superb, even straight out of the box . I was sitting admiring the model from all angles, whilst enjoying a cup of coffee when l noticed that there appeared to be a yellow band visible at cab height when the model was viewed from head on. Closer inspection revealed that the cab roof was not sitting down on the front cab sheet and was allowing the inner yellow cab liner so show through. I gently attempted to apply pressure to the cab roof in an attempt to close the gap but to no avail, it seemed to be glued in that position. A quick call to Kernows, saw the model in the post on Monday afternoon, with its replacement arriving this morning, So a big thanks to Kernows for such a prompt first rate service. I carefully unpacked this model and checked the front on view, I was happy to see there was no yellow showing on this model, however on closer inspection l found that the front of the cab roof was sitting proud by about 0.5 mm. Not major but now l know its there my eye is always drawn to it. I have gently tried lifting the front of the cab roof to see what the problem is, and it seems to fit at the top of the arc on the front cab sheet, but sits proud at the top of the side cab sheets either side. It might be possible to glue each side down, but l m not sure l am brave enough to attempt going near the model in case l make a total mess of it. Has anyone else had similar problems with their 02s? Bob C

Gents Can anyone confirm, what E-4 sets were?. I ve seen these sets mentioned on the Hornby web site but after a quick look through this thread, l have be unable to find any reference to them. According to Hornby These sets were used on the Exmouth branch in the 1950s and were made up of sets 42 - 46 with two Compartment Lavatory Thirds either in between the brakes or at either end. Can anyone add further to this please? Many Thanks Bob C

Thanks Paul, having looked at the photo on page 6, l can now see how a Lew can be easily added to the range, so an as built model would not be that difficult. As for the sale of this batch, l think these locos will fly off the shelves Bob C

Does anyone know or heard if Heljan have said they may produce the MW tanks in early condition, with smaller cabs , as delivered to the L&B? (I am not holding my breath!) Bob C

Mmmmm I though so, l admit l thought l d seen a similar effect on some of the images l d seen else where, l wonder if that's a common issue to all this batch?

Superb weathering sir, l wish l could emulate it! But is it me or is the rear cab sheet leaning at an angle? Bob C

Thanks for the info on set 20 Paul and Chris, Shame this set did not survive beyond 1951 in its original form. Would these LSWR coaches/sets have worked further west to Plymouth in the 1950s? Bob C

Gents Can any one confirm if these coaches ran in sets west of Exeter, onto the North Devon line during the 50s?. I ve been going through the various books l have including "The North Devon Line" by Nicholas and Reeve, but most of the photos with rolling stock in them, are front on 3/4 views, not the easiest type of photos to work from. I f anyone could point me in the right direction to find the answer, it would be very much appreciated Hopefully Bob C

As a lover of all things Webb, I d love to see a Jumbo 2-4-0, or 19 inch Goods 0-6-0, or "Lady of the Lake" 2-2-2 or............................. Well l can dream can't l?

I know how that feels Mike. I contacted Dapol twice and joined their collectors club so l could purchase a"Waddon" Terrier. Each time l rang them to find out what the delay was. I was told "sorry clerical error but that's it sorted and order confimed" Still no Waddon or advice as to when it will arrive. Like you Mike, its spoilt an other wise good experience. Bob.C

I ve just taken delivery of my BR E/E Terrier which l ordered on Saturday from Antics. I am happy to say not only did it arrive promptly , but there is no damage and the model runs beautifully as well. As a bonus the chimney joint issue is minimal on my example, if l d not known about it, l would have not even noticed it. So well done Dapol.. Now all l need is an extended bunker version in BR livery, and l d be a very happy bunny. So come on Dapol how about adding that version to your next releases?

Hi Graham Thanks for your guidance, between your good self and WindyHale, l ve got the excuse l was looking for! cheers Bob C

Hi WindyHale Many thanks for the info.on the weekly Yeovil service you mentioned. Sounds like just the ticket, l ll be able to justify one of these wee beasties now. Interesting you mentioned "Main Lines To The West" by Simon Rocksborough-Smith, a copy of this book owned by a friend was what started me down this path many years ago, l was not however aware that a volume 2 existed, l be on the hunt for that now, so thanks also for that gem too Thanks Bob C

Hello again Graham Many thanks for clarifying the above. I had read through the thread before submitting my question as l suspected the answer lay within. I did see your previous comments and photos, but as you say the O2 in question worked local Push Pull services around Yeovil area, so was not quite what l was looking for. As l m am planning a layout based around Seaton Jct, l was hoping these locos would have been seen on the main line either as light engine moves or standing in for a failed M7s on local working to and from Exeter? Bob C

Good morning Graham Many thanks for the information above, l was trying to work out if an 02 could have been seen on the main line between Exeter and Yeovil, I am sure l saw reference somewhere to an 02 working on the Seaton branch in the early 1950s? Many thanks for you help Bob C

Oh dear due to the lack of responce l can only assume these beasties did not venture east of Exmouth. Shame l wouldhave loved an excuse for a E/E version!

Gents I wonder if l might pick your collective brains for a moment? Ever looking to increase my loco stud, l was checking allocations of 02 s in the early 1950s, and noted that Exmouth had 4 and Yeovil had 1. I ve never as yet seen photos of this class working between Exeter and Yeovil on the mainline and wondered if anyone knew of any such occasions where they might have sneaked on to this section of line? Many thanks Bob C

Yet another blast from the past Ducky!!

I have spoken to Dapol, re spares. They are intending to produce certain items for owners of locomotives that were damaged in the post etc. Its possible they might be able to help? However I have now twice, contacted and ordered a "Waddon" Terrier from the owners club, having given all my details etc, and as of yet (Two weeks) still no Terrier !! Bob C

Hi there Just got mine yesterday, and l am very impressed with the model. Well done Dapol !. I ve tested mine on a few lengths of Peco track using an old H&M Duette controller. whilst not a state of the art controller, the model ran very well straight from the box, abet slightly noisy in reverse, the controller did not trip out due to current demands from the loco. However that is the loco running without a load behind it.

I love the sound of this brave project! As a former second man based at Euston between 1979 and 1981, this will bring back very happy memories of a great time! There was always lots of light engine moves to and from Willesden TMD singlely or in tandem, plus release moves from the buffer stops onto the top of out going services. There was always a class 08 sitting under the Kennedy Hotel ticking over all night upsetting patrons trying to get a nights sleep! , Numerous class 25s moving BGs etc around the west side platforms beyond the centre holding siding. Local sevices were in the hands of Class 310 EMU and not forgetting the DC stock working the Watford DC lines. So I am awaiting progress eagerly Good luck Bob C