Peter Bedding

Hi Chris, May I pick your brains again, What was(were) the nominal coach length(s) for Set 361? Istr they were 50ft stock (with lattice gates). PB

My grateful thanks to Muz and all others for their impartial reassurance. Until now, my home testing of analogue locos has been carried out using a home-made controller/transformer set-up, and this has just (quite rightly) been condemned and scrapped having failed a more realistic H&S appraisal. Again thanks PB

I have just ordered from Gaugemaster a Combi controller. Please can a reader advise me if this is a "feedback" controller? Thanks in advance

I draw comfort from the fact that I have backed some winners in some recent lists so here are some more.............. The criteria for a successful 4-4-0 have been re-learned, and (IMHO rightly) most of Mr Drummond's work is thought worthy of a model. So one of his 4-4-0 designs would not fail. Take your choice from this pic, a Beyer Saddle Tank, a Caboose Van, or a straight switch turnout to support Mr Peco's new BH track. Or some pre-Group civil engineering.... PB

The lack of Island coaching stock could be overcome if one of the very small retailers/manufacturer were to sponsor a suitable prototype, which was point I made when lamenting Bachman's choice for its Birdcage stock. Now had they chosen 54ft ex-LBSC prototypes the picture would be quite different. I had concluded that Rule 1 would prevail - yet again on my current plank - and mis-use a contemporary ex-LSWR 2-set. Set 734 worked inner suburban trains around Plymouth, and would pass muster with the lights dimmed. I guess that I would have to wait a long time for a loco in Island Southern colours. PB

Until the Hornby pair of 58ft rebuilds are available, I thought that the following pics of Set 20 might be of interest. D97 58ft BT(Lav) No2618 plus D408 56ft BC(Lav) No6482. This set attracted my interest because it was caught on film with T9 283 immediately post war on the North Cornwall Line. PB

Thanks, Chris for the extra information, Personally I think this will be a well-selected choice of prototypes, enabling the enthusiast modeller to select a purchase of 2, 3 or 4 matching coaches. One further question comes to mind; please what is the diagram number of the 56ft Lav Brake Compos? My own records are short of this information. PB

I received an immediate reply from Dave, to a very noddy technical question, on Dec 25. That is commitment to one's customer base well over the normal call of duty. What's more, the answer proved valid, and my K2015 completed my Christmas chip-fixing task without further ado. So my first brace of O2s became fully operational. With tongue in cheek I then enquired about the gate-stock, and DJ's sense of humour was un-dented. PB

Absolutely no confusion there, sir, it's enough to make me want to model early BR as well as late Southern. But at risk of beating an old drum, we still need at least one suitable coach from the SECR/LBSCR stable and a re-issue of the diecast Bristol/ECW K6. I am certain that is reasonable. PB

Thank you Dave; exemplary after-sales service! The problem has now been solved. I have just swapped the dummy chip for a DCC23 (from Gaugemaster) and my new K2107 immediately behaved perfectly, smooth and silent. I shall postpone fixing K2105 until tomorrow, then have a dual running-in session for them both. Err, now about these Gate Stock pairs......... Peter B.

Hello Dave, Yes, I am testing the locos on DCC straight out of the box. The controller trips instantaneously, and there is no time to code in "00". The controller functions correctly with the rest of my (small) loco fleet; a mix of r-t-r and a couple of kit-builds. Thanks, and still Happy Christmas!! Peter

Hello Dave, and Season's Greetings, I hope that I have placed my noddy question/problem in a suitable part of the Forum. I am now the proud owner of a K2105 and K2107. Both seem to perform properly on an analogue controller. However on DCC using a ZTC 505 Unit (which seems to be fully serviceable) both give immediate shortcircuit indications (system overload). I guess/very much hope that removal of the blanking plug, and fitting a decoder in the normal way will solve the problem, but before I attempt to travel this route I should value your advice. Many thanks in advance, Peter B

Hello Tim, Easier said than done. Settings drift on my PC has resulted in an inability (temporary I hope) to upload photos. I have had to improvise a system to copy from previous postings. Which by the way were posted some years back ( 26 June 2010) in a thread titled "SouthWest by Southern", which was my first attempt to chronicle my current efforts. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, including some surgery on my left ankle to install a steel reinforcement, and then followed by a heavy fall in the shower which shook-up everything else. So my efforts at layout building are even less accomplished than I had once intended. However, if the computer problem can be sorted, I shall have a major photo-shoot on the current layout/shunting plank to get my record up-to-date. Hth PB

I hope this works. Set 734: Set 148:

My village postie has delivered this ack emma, and amongst much dross left two particular packages, both equally anticipated and welcomed. I am just about to open the second, which is a robust and neat wee cuboid sent by some chaps called Kernow Model Rail Centre. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the contents may resemble the photo at the posting above (K 2107). And all being well, this will join some other Eastleigh types on the shunting plank for Christmas Morning. K2105 has already been run in, and is currently harnessed to a Roxey 3-Set (No 148 in Malachite). A Northstar design 2-Set (Number 734 also in Malachite) will join Number 207 just as soon as it the due running-in is completed. However, the package I chose to open first contained the "South Western Circular" for January 2016. An essential treat that I have enjoyed for, I guess, some forty years. After some 18 years as editor, CC announces his well-earned retirement. Many thanks, Colin, yours will be a hard act to follow. B

I have been under the impression that our industry had informally/unofficially agreed to adopt a standard wheel profile - with dimensions - for .110" wide wheels. It would help me no end if the references to the wheels, and particularly the flanges, were set against such a standard. PB

I see that almost five years have elapsed since I thought it high time that the Kernow/O2 project deserved a thread of its own. I reckoned that there were two very good reasons. Firstly, the ex-LSWR subjects in general being produced by Kernow were being given unprecedented attention in design and specification. (Who would have expected a BWT model, let alone one of quality?). Secondly, the O2 has particular merits as a subject for modelling. I like to think it may even have been my idea to incorporate the welded repair plate to certain side tanks). But whatever, IMHO Kernow have done full justice to their subject, and the sales seem to reflect much deserved success. I have received the first of my two advance orders, and I do not really mind having to wait for the second. Or news of further increases to the range with Island locos in SR livery. PB (PS. My Avatar is of me, circa 1957, atop an Island registered 2-2-0, on a hill top site, overlooking Whippingham station. Happy days, salad days.)

Having waited with much stoicism for these particular locos for nearly 5 years, I can (just) manage a little more patience. The real trial will be waiting for the follow-on Adams and Drummond locos. I shall have to start campaigning on behalf of the T1 and K10. PB

Very, very tasty; I am almost lost in admiration. My shunting plank , with room for matching coach sets, is waiting. PB

Hello Rick, My approach to the "will I, won't I" question was much the same as yours. In the event - earlier this week - I decided to jump in feet first. I ordered the first from Hattons and it arrived on time this morning. First superficial impressions were (and still are) extremely favourable. My shunting plank does not favour extended running-in; that must come later, and I shall leave fitting a decoder until after the running-in session. But straight from the box, analogue power using a very basic H&M set up, has been most satisfying. My first test has been a simple load test, using a single and heavy etched brass coach (a 58ft rebuild similar to the Lyme Regis stock) and the loco was not troubled at all. Over the next few days I hope to explore the performance envelope in a more structured way, but for now I'm most content with my purchase, and expect to add any more from OR in either Maunsell or Bulleid livery My piccy shows the loco posed on my plank, together with the 58ft rebuild Brake Third. Actually the prototype for this particular coach was from Set 20, but was only marginally different in detail from the actual Lyme Regis stock.

Well, that's done it. According to an email from Liverpool I may expect delivery of quantity one 76AR001 within 2 days. Completely the wrong livery for me, of course, but I expect I'll survive. Best of all, my shunting plank is now up and running, and although far from ideal for running-in purposes, testing in both analogue and digital modes can now proceed. A few brass coaches will make a suitable load. Watch this space.

The side cab cut-out was altered (and enlarged) for the final batch of O2s. This can be seen on photos. Photos also suggest that the G6 was similar to the later O2s in this respect. However there were other design changes that would need to be examined before using an early/late O2 body for a G6 model. For example, G6s could come with either Adams or Drummond boilers. Fortunately, there are copies of the relevant Eastleigh drawings for both major variations in Bradley's reference book on the Adams classes. I would guess that this subject will have long since reached a feasibility conclusion in the design offices of Kernow Model, and I would also guess that it will be some time before any of my future pocket money will have to be transferred from more O2s to a single G6. But the potential market must be there. PB

I wish to support Oxford, and I shall wish to obtain the better model in any choice in Era 3 liveries. These two ambitions may not be incompatible. PB

There is just sufficient time for readers, who may not as yet have done so, to add the Adams T1 to their wishlist. A couple (just) survived the Hitler War at Plymouth Friary, in Bulleid black, and would perfectly accompany a suitable pair of 58ft rebuilds to and from Tavvy, alongside O2s and gate stock. PB

I think that this is one of the better explanations of sight lines that I have seen, and very well timed for my current task of layout design. Thanks. PB