davidbr

This was debated recently on the DD4 Cordon thread. Black was a BR practice. The GWR painted the vehicles grey which could be quite dark. However, I understand Permanent Way department vehicles (such as ballast wagons and brakes) were painted black. As the crane in question is a light one, presumably moving between goods yards for the most part, it would not belong to the PW dept. and would not, therefore, be painted black.

Have you considered a mobile one? This Ransom Rapier 6 ton, yet to be finished, is from Langley Models.

I have had an email from Andrew: The first two Andrew C Stadden OO Gauge Figure sets are now on sale at http://www.acstadden.co.uk/Pages/oogaugefigures.aspx Each set of ten figures is £10 plus £1.50 P&P UK up to 3 sets, £3 up to 6 sets. Purchases can be made using the shopping cart on my http://www.acstadden.co.uk website. If overseas please select the correct postage option. Alternatively you can pay by cheque made out to 'Andrew C Stadden' and send to Mr A C Stadden, 41 Cove Road, Rustington, West Sussex, BN16 2QN. Any problems or questions please email enquiries@acstadden.co.uk Thank you for your interest in this project, if the demand is there the next sets will be Edwardian Railway Staff and Workmen. You can see what you get for your money in the post above. I think they are excellent value. David

Please forgive my returning to the Coral but I have only just come across this thread. Castle, many thanks for your (other) thread in which you re-built the K's kit and improved the racks. I have a couple of the K's kits I want to do the same with and your pictures are a great help. I have also been looking at Tourret and have a couple of questions that someone may be able to provide answers to. The D2 Coral A was built in 2 batches in 1898 & 1908. The 1898 batch was built with the Thomas brake which was eventually replaced (no idea of a date) by the DC version, but with a handle only at one end whereas the 1908 batch was built with the DC brake. Castle's model and the 1941 photo of 41722 have the DC brake handle at both ends and I recall the Board of Trade (or some body) requiring brake handles to be on both sides at the right hand end. I know conformity did not happen overnight, but after what date would the change have taken place? Was the batch of 1908 built with a handle at both ends? (41722 was of the 1908 batch.) My other question refers to the shackles. The plan in Tourret and photos do not show any shackles but the 1941 photo of 14722 does. Has anyone any idea when the shackles might have been put on to the wagons? Was the 1908 batch built with them? It would seem that in the early days, the weight of the load, down in the well and being clamped in the framework, might have been considered sufficient to have a secure load, so why and when did the shackles make an appearance? Does anyone have any thoughts on this? David

The latest on the Edwardian figures from Andrew Stadden: Attached is an image of the completed pewter masters for the two sets of 10 figures. They should be off to the mould maker by the end of the week, so it won't be too long before they are in production. I do now have costings in mind, although I will not be able to confirm this until I have had a production trial run. The price of OO metal figures varies wildly between manufacturers, I anticipate these being firmly in the middle ground. I think they look absolutely marvellous and look forward to seeing them for real. If the test castings that were shown at Scaleforum are anything to go by, they will be top notch. If you are interested or have any comments, please send Andrew an email: enquiries@acstadden.co.uk David.

Following a successful showing of the first 3 figures at Scaleforum last weekend, I have heard more from Andrew this week. He has been working on more of the range but I should stress that these are 'work in progress', so the attitudes and arms are not in final positions. This is what he writes: "As things stand I am aiming to have 10 upper class civilian figures and 10 middle/working class figures each for sale as a set of 10 figures. Further emails have been coming in, and it is all looking very encouraging. I have had a few days free recently, (and I also enjoyed making them) so as you can see in the attached photo I now have a set of 10 upper class civilian figures. These are still work in progress, and as you can see I have done nothing with the arms yet. My thinking now is that I will have the arms fixed on passenger/civilian figures, in the usual sort of poses, and that I will only do separate arms on selected railway staff figures (assuming the passenger sets are successful). They will be very small and fiddly (to pack as well as assemble). I may well produce a pack of body parts later on to assist anyone with conversions." So, please keep the emails coming to express your interest: enquiries@acstadden.co.uk

I have just come across the website of Andrew Stadden who makes figures, many in 7mm. However, he is thinking of doing some Edwardian figures in 4mm and I have attached a couple of photos of test pieces. I think they are extremely good and would make a welcome addition to the relatively small range of such figures available in 4mm when compared with those available to the 7mm modeller. At the moment, Andrew is gauging interest and would appreciate an email form anyone interested and / or with suggestions and comments. One suggestion I have made to him concerns separate arms as are available in some of his 7mm figures. These are early days; Andrew would need a range of 18 figures to make one mould and Edwardian railway staff are a further possibility. They would be sold in smaller sets. I don't actually know Andrew but am posting this because I would like a range of Edwardian figures myself. If, like me, you are interested and like what you see from these early test pieces and the rest of his site (do look at his 7mm pieces), please send an email to Andrew Stadden at enquiries@acstadden.co.uk. It will only be through your interest that a welcome addition might be made to the 4mm range of quality figures.

Crediton Station on the Exeter - Barnstaple line has been 'done up' and looked after very nicely. New name boards have just appeared together with tasteful paintwork and new lighting. These pictures were taken today, 16.12.09. Are there other stations and/or buildings, still in regular use, that have been cared for as well?