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Hi Richard, Thats really looking good. I like the pit head it looks great. Ray.

Yes wouldnt we all be glad if somebody would do a Tk or any sought of variant .I have just purchaced some Bedford Q's and O's from Arrowhead -Minitures (www.arrowhead-minitures.co.uk) . These are white metal kits some of his vehicles are of solid windows and some are ones that you can use clear glaze liquid to make the glass. I have built quite a few of his kits and they make up into quite nice little models the majority are of ww2 era 1938---onwards USA ,UK , Canadian and European. Its worth a look at the web site you might find something of use. Ray.

Hi all yes its nice that Osborns have some cmmercial vehicles under development ,would love to see a selaction of Bedford TK's Only ones I still think that are available are the white metal (Fleetline models ) by Lytchett Manor Models. They also seem to do the complete ex Fleetline range as well. Regards Ray.

Hi Richard , Thats a very nice model . At least you can say that you are the first to build a 2mm model of the RCH wagon for Backworth colleries even if you did have a few design problems. (no doubt RCH had the same faults when they built them.)If you are worried about the gaps in the hopper floor put some coal in it on a plasticard base it will make it look a 100% better. Best regards Ray.

Very nice little models hope they will be available in the future.Ray

Hi Rchard, The only pub I can remember out Fenwick way was the Bee Hive a very popular pub on a sunday for lunches. That was over br Earsden if my memory serves me correct. Aw well well just have to crack on they say up north. The weather is starting to look a bit btighter here now and hoping it will warm up as well so I can get into my shed and start on my latest arrivals ww11 vehicles another transport project of mine in 2mm .Regards for now Ray.

PS Richard are they opening a new pub on the ols site of Fenwick called the Three anchors. noted on your etch. I also like the other small details railings and stairs. Ray .

Hi Richard. Thats simply magic. The first etch kits for RCH 16 ton special order wagons for Backworth colleries. I wondered why youve been quiet for a while, youve been bashing away at god knows how many old P4 kits. Are tou going to have the old BR 21tonners on your layout .? Just to keep you up dated , Ian Smiths layout Modbury 2 mm f/s has just appeared on u tube worth a look, Hes done a very fine job. No doubt you will be having an attempt to assemble your new wagons in the next few days ,look forwards to seein them . regards. Ray

Hi, Richard I think your braver than me .Great stuff if your point works are as good as the pictures I reacon you will be on to a winner with the wagons when the etches return. Keep up the good work.Ray

Hi Richard. THose P4s Look grand .I have used railtecs decals on a few items myself and they are good. I think the artform for the 15tonners look really fine lets hope that the etches come out better. I am lookinf forwards to seeing a complete wagon in the future .As i said in my past blog im looking for about 10 wagons, some will have the old BACKWORTH logos and I would like to to acouple in dark blue a the rest in red oxide NCB . Best regards. RAY.

Great ,its coming on well Richard. It looks as though you have hacked the problem on the sole bar just with a packing piece. look forward to seeing the assembled item. Keep up the good work.. Ray. PS sorry for the duplication on the subject of books Im using a tablet with a keyboard which im not used to . The text goes offline sometimes so you are not sure if you have sent the message. Thanks again Ray.

Hi Jerry.Did you see the TV program on Tuesday evening on the Yesterday channel .The Architecture the railways built .This episode was right up your street.All about Bath Spa station and Bath Green park. It even viewd the narrow gauge railway under the Green Park Station .Its worth having a look you can get it on UK TV PLAY . Yesterday cannel , (Edition) The last working round house in the uk. Barrow-Hill. A very good watch. What are you working on now Jerry ? as your work benches seem to be in hibernation. Keep up the work... Regard . Ray..

Thanks for the info Nick. A smashing little loco cant wait to see the end result. Regards ..Ray

Hi Nick,just been looking at your blog.Wow what a super little loco youve got there .I dont think one ran on Backworth rails. as i cant seem to find a picture of one. No doubt Geordie in exile has some info to that as he is also from the area. Keep up the good work and enjoy.Regars Ray.

Hi. Richard. Just caught your message this morning. I was reading rmweb on the work bench catching up on the various projects that have been going on for a few years,Ihave got to page 59 so far something to do whilst in so called lockdown . Its still to cold to go down to the shed and do some modelling at the moment so I will just have to do the info collection whilst theres not a lot on TV. After sending you my update last evening I picked up a few copies of the quarterly journal Archive editions 4,5,&6 low and behold they have an article on Pits aruond the area. Cramlington,Hartley Main just to name a few. Thanks for your comments regards Ray.

Hi Richard, Thanks for the update very impressive . You have captured the buildings well .I think that the tall building may have been an updated version of the Lambton system washery.As i remember a tall castlelated building a Backworth pit which was built for that purpose,it was later used for a wagon repair shop , and paint shop. I have just managed to obtain a very nice book: called, INDUSTRIAL LOCOMOTIVES & RAILWAYS. OF THE NORTH EAST .BY GORDON EDGAR. ISBN 978-1-4456-4940-5 (AMBERLEY PUBLICATION £19.99. www.amberley-books.com.) Lots of very good pictures.From the North and South of the Tyne. No doubt you have seen or have the CHILTON IRON WORKS PULICATION. BACKWORTH . AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE MINES AND RAILWAYS. BY JOHN ELLIOT & DEREK CHARLTON. ISBN 0-9523672-1-1 (well worth a read). Looking at your photos of Fenwick I think you have now modelled all of the buildings.It did have a few chimneys of various hights and sizes these could be added at a later date, also it depends on the date you are depicting .AS the pit closed August 1973. Have any thoughts as to what locos you may run. I have come across a web site that may be of use www.maridunians models.( 3D printing by Shapeways) various diesel locos may be of interest 2mm/ngauge using Minitrix dock tanks or Farish 03/04 chassis also Peckett tanks and a Janus all at a reasonable price of about £15n.

Hi Richard, Thanks for the update very impressive . You have captured the buildings well .I think that the tall building may have been an updated version of the Lambton system washery.As i remember a tall castlelated building a Backworth pit which was built for that purpose,it was later used for a wagon repair shop , and paint shop. I have just managed to obtain a very nice book: called, INDUSTRIAL LOCOMOTIVES & RAILWAYS. OF THE NORTH EAST .BY GORDON EDGAR. ISBN 978-1-4456-4940-5 (AMBERLEY PUBLICATION £19.99. www.amberley-books.com.) Lots of very good pictures.From the North and South of the Tyne. No doubt you have seen or have the CHILTON IRON WORKS PULICATION. BACKWORTH . AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE MINES AND RAILWAYS. BY JOHN ELLIOT & DEREK CHARLTON. ISBN 0-9523672-1-1 (well worth a read). Looking at your photos of Fenwick I think you have now modelled all of the buildings . It did have a few tall chimneys of various hights , these could be added at a later date, the pit closed August 1973. Im not shure as to which ones were left. Have any thoughts as to what locos you may run. I have come across a web site that may be of use www.maridunians models.( 3D printing by Shapeways) various diesel locos may be of interest 2mm/ngauge using Minitrix dock tanks or Farish 03/04 chassis also Peckett tanks and a Janus all at a reasonable price of about £15n. Not a lot else keep up the good work look forward to your next review. Regards RAY

Hi,Richard,Hows it going ? If you are bored with the oxide red colour scheme on the wagons I can remember them being painted a very dark blue. Ithought tracing paper would have made a good substitute for the window panes in the tower building. Have you decided what part of Fenwick you propose to model yet or is it to be just the pit head area ? Regards Ray

Hi Richard .Thanks for the info that solves that problem over the center wall, also the wheel base I know they where big wagons but as is aid in my earlier note I was still a young lad ,so things did look big.Yes your photos do show the centre board and also the one in Blythe harbour. is it still there i wonder .

Hi Richard, That looks excellent was there an upright support in the centre of the wagon ? I cant remember as ihave not been able to find any drawings for this wagon. Also what was the wheel base 9ft 6 or 10 ft between the axles .You have got the angle right it looks smashing ,look forward to the complete item .Ray

Richard ,thats realy good better thani thought it would look from the bits on the bench a few days ago.A real treat as me Mam wud say.Ray

Hi .Jerry, Ive been watching your (TV Chanels for a while now) Highbury ,Foxcote,Bath Queenssquare now Tucking Mill,Whats next? Ithink your shed has been out grown and you need a new one if you plan a new project. I am green with envy Iwish I could produce Locos and buildings to your standard. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you in the near future when the shows start again in the Sussex area amazing work thanks Jerry .Ray

Thanks for the info Richard those drawings look impresive i hope you manage to get some etches done i wouldlove to purchace some Ray