Western Star

There are times when I have to remind myself that this is not a S7 layout... trackwork gets thumbs up.

Sorry, did I miss something that ought to be on my wishlist?

Seems to me that a mint "box" can often command a silly price!

What you describe as "archbar" was used here and is often called "diamond" frame. Your "Bettendorf" bogie is so like the ESC "Ridemaster" or "Ridecontrol" bogies used on freightliner flats. The GWR imported about 20 pairs of wheelsets from USA with the spiral pattern to the rear face - not sure what happened with all of them, one set at least was used for a diagram AA3 brake van (can be seen in a photo showing construction materials being delivered for a new warehouse at Crewe).

What is the purpose of the right angle pipe under the smokebox / between LH frame plate and centre footplating?

Richard, Apologies, I realise that my post is ambiguous. I accept that the Loksound XL V4 has keep-alive circuitry, I was commenting that the Loksound V4 has keep-alive circuitry as our decoder is fitted with an ESU product. I fear that your warnings about getting the brakes (etc.) to fit without trouble are well-founded. Somehow I shall work out a solution. BTW, surely the length of the push-rods is going to affect a bogie irrespective of how the bogie is designed / manufactured? regards, Graham

Jeff, you need to put that question to Ian Allcroft who is one of the builders of Bridge Norton (RM Sept 2013) because:- a) Bridge Norton is like a shed layout; b) Ian has fitted two ABC motor bogies to Westerns. regards, Graham

Richard, are you sure about the Loksound? I have fitted a Loksound V4 to Peter's Pannier tank and that has had an ESU "Keep-alive" added to the decoder (both parts from SWD). As to Jeff's question, I discussed ESU decoders with Brian Clapperton when fitting two ABC motor bogies to a JLTRT Cl.37 and Brian's answer was that a Loksound V4 (or Lokpilot V4) could cope with the Maxxon motor. So our Cl.37 has two motor bogies with a Loksound V4 for one bogie and a Lokpilot V4 for the other bogie. There are people who say that an ESU Loksound (Pilot) V4 decoder can cope with two ABC motor bogies - Brian Clapperton suggested to me that such a move was not best practice. regards, Graham

The model looks neat and tidy, sits four square, a good job. Please consider using Birchwood Casey Steel Blue for wheel rims and axles to lessen this impact of shiny metal. regards, Graham

Patrick Reardon's articles in MRJ issues 24 and 28 are worth reading...

Brian, I am talking about the early 1970s, say 1972-4, when I travelled Reading to London most days. Stan French would often wait for a service around 7.30am, at the head of the stairs to platforms 5 to 8, briefcase in one hand and a pipe in the other hand - most of the time with a hat. Now that hat was not a bowler, more like a trilby, maybe even a homburg in style. When did the unions agree to single manning of passenger services? regards, Graham

Thank you Brian, on reflection and after seeing your photograph I think that Stan French might well have been wearing something similar to a raincoat a la Harold Wilson. regards, Graham

Hi Brian, When you fit your diesels with a driver and secondman.... which supplier do you use? Generally speaking (1970s and 1980s) and specifically for crews in the mid 1960s. I have recollections of seeing Westerns in Reading with a third man on the footplate, probably an inspector. Any idea of the accepted garb for such a character? regards, Graham

I have tried to work out "where this photo is" within the H&P site, please tell me how to locate the image from H&P home page. Thank you, Graham

If you build another of these kits... what changes might you make? What motor / gearbox have you used? What method of pick-up have you used? Guess who is thinking of one of these? regards, Graham

Nice looking coach there Brian. Why have you modelled an early build BG with un-equalised brake gear on the bogie as against a late build with equalised bogie brake gear? (unequalised version has symmetrical vee and vac cyl inboard of hangers... equalised version has assymetrical vee and vac cyl outboard of hangers) regards, Graham

What is the source of the photos which you have used as backdrops to your beautiful Crane?

Very, very, very, nice. You can do one for me any day! I might question the adverts... Edwardian period photos suggest that some companies flooded a station with the same advert, often along the railings. I do not recall seeing a station building with such a range of advertisers. regards, Graham

So it was you who ate the Gingerbread Man and Woman who feature in JB's posts elsewhere.

Difficult... I would like to see a brake coach, Son would like to see a TPO... I guess that the answer depends upon the space on the table!

In which case, how about one of your JLTRT Mk.1s?

Your Vanwide? Your JLTRT TTA and Plywood van? Thanks

Hi Brian, Might you have room to take the Thumper to Bristol? regards, Graham and. and.. and...

Hi Brian, I understand that you are going to the show in Bristol at the end of the month... how are you placed to take the Cargowaggon with you? Some time back you were building models of BR short vans... which type of van did you build? I am interested in which types of BR short wheelbase vans were in service in the mid 1980s and I recollect that you made your model as an air-braked version. regards, Graham