Peter Bedding

Possibly a better suggestion than apparent at first glance. Firstly, others have detected and commented on the steady increase in interest for pre-grouping r-t-r. Secondly, the Southern was often happy to extend the life of its ex-LSWR heritage stock, and this particular steam railcar was typical of several which, when altered, survived into Southern days. Typically around Portland and Plymouth. I can pre-order now if required. PB

To Dave, Muz, Chris, and all the other chaps who, for over 5 years have kept their promise, have overcome setbacks we know nothing of, and are just finalising this project. my sincere expression of total admiration and thanks. These two 4mm carriages would be significant in any larger scale, but at 4mm and r-t-r they are outstanding. Almost far too good to play with. PB

My 325 arrived, courtesy of Royal Mail and village postie, at breakfast time. Other duties delayed the opening of the box, but the contents are now on my desk as I type. Close up, under my large-size magnifying glass, and all the imperfections earlier described should be visible. I would really have try to fault the handrail knobs, but I won't. I doubt that I would have noticed. The smokebox blemishes are of micron size, and only visible with the magnifying glass. Admittedly, I have yet to run it, and the earliest chance for that is not for another 3 days. On my sample the first omens are good. PB

I believe that the answer might be "yes". I had a solo attempt at reproducing an Operation Dynamo working only a few years ago, although it seems several bucket-loads of water have passed under my bridge since then. Here number 736 "Pendragon" has worked a 3-set into Minster on Fosse. The loco is a stock Hornby (repainted by Peter Chapman), in Bulleid black. The coaches are a Northstar Design set, number 410 (ex-LSWR corridor stock) finished in unlined Maunsell green. Northstar Design went to great lengths with their research for their coaches, and I have not wished to alter anything. So, I shall wish to reprise this scene, on MoF Mk 2, just as soon as I can, adding the 700 and its set. I can see that I shall have to double the number of platform faces. PB

Hmmmmm. And thrice hmmmmm. We have seen rather a mixed bag of comments, above, though I think that most appear to be favourable. I am still not sure of the accuracy of the description "DCC Ready", when it seems that there have been issues with the retrofit attempts. At close of play last evening I thought that I had decided against, but then this day I received an email saying "in stock".... Temptation 1, Stern self-denial 0. I am still short of a layout at present, so running in must be on the fly, so to speak. My decoder of choice is the TCS DP2XUK, and I have a spare in my toy cupboard, awaiting such a moment. I hope that I will have good news to relate in the fullness of time. PB

I did get one "just in case", but it is stored in my attic and not easily accessible. I seem to remember thinking it a tad undersized. PB

The pics in the Middleton Press book of the Lyme Regis branch include wartime and postwar views of all three locos in Bulleid Black with sunshine lettering. PB

I believe that there would need to be some minor outline changes to return the locos to their LSWR build standard. Also, the 58ft carriages were not strictly LSWR. Only the bodies included LSWR detail, so - in pedant mode - none of the hardware yet notified could accurately carry a pre-group livery. PB

This glitch is of a quite different magnitude to the perceived, and perhaps over-frothed, handrail glitch. My question, therefore :- Is there room - within the tender - to hardwire a different decoder? The Bachmann N was far from retrofit-friendly, but one could (just) circumvent the problem with a TCSM1 squeezed into the firebox, and the flyleads soldered to the motor. I should like to believe that this 700 will be a tad more straightforward. The Dunkirk Limited Edition has a strong appeal, but I do not believe that factory-fiitted bits (like weights) should be removed and discarded. PB

I'm speechless. PB

May I recommend, in the interests of history, a suitable DVD which addresses a number of the questions being posted both on this thread and the Oxford Rail similar. Branch Line Video "Memories Of The Lyme Regis Branch". It starts with a home movie taken in 1943. Usual disclaimers. PB

From photos, 3125, 3488 and 3520. Source "Branch Line to Lyme Regis" PB

I rather agree. I have unlimited admiration for the chaps who can manipulate cutting tool, soldering iron and airbrush to produce the truly stunning models that we see on these, and other similar, pages. In earlier decades I made attempts at the same results, but the essential skills of hands were lacking. I gave up wasting time and money and have turned to other routes to achieve results that I am now proud to own and display. All too often though I have to bite my tongue when I read an "opinion" that says I am not a "modeller" in the real sense. I had the good fortune to acquire products from the Northstar Designs range, which can particularly relate to the latest news from Hornby. I would be equally proud of some of the Clerestory conversions that one reader in particular has made. Set 20 which, at some time, may well have rubbed buffers with a set from the 42-46 range. PB

This is motivational. With some panelled coaching stock in a compatible livery, resistance would be difficult PB

Sadly, the short answer is no. However, they are probably less wrong than other options. The Island used, I believe, three 3-sets of ex-LSWR stock to completely different diagrams. These were shipped back to the mainland before the outbreak of the Hitler war, and replaced in turn by ex-LBSCR and then ex-SECR stock. Eventually these last became the sole survivors in use. PB

Even I feel somewhat guilty at adding to exchanges regarding Mr Maunsells converted carriage stock, on a thread seemingly intended for a debate on Mr Adams locomotives. But hey, no one seems to mind, and all the postings have been of high value. So the reasonable conclusion might be that, along with Lyme Regis locos, we are soon to be offered a Lyme Regis Carriage set, which could be used elsewhere in the Western division. Where else can we go? I believe that the line was engineered by Arthur Pain, a gentleman not normally associated with the LSWR. The loco shed at closure was a rebuild, but I venture to suggest that the final design was influenced by the original, in which case we can recreate an historic record of an Arthur Pain Loco Shed, (with opportunities for GWR use elsewhere). With the Goods Shed, then a pair of new buildings for Scaledale. If OOC do not re-issue their Bristol K and L type buses soon, then OD will. And the Cobb is as modellogenic a scene as any, with or without Ms Streep. PB

With many thanks to Chris and Trevor (above) for adding scholarship to this particular debate. Even allowing for a strong dose of wishful thinking - etc, etc, etc - I choose to believe that we are looking at a hitherto unreported new release of ex-LSWR prototypes. They are an inspired choice, and my guess is that the Annual Wishlist has played a very strong part. I also offer sincere congratulations to Hornby and look forward to an opportunity to acquire. PB

A decision to produce suitable coaching stock may well hinge on the opportunity for repetition work of the component detail. In the case of ex-LSWR stock for cross-country and branch line work, there were a substantial number of 3/4-sets dating from the 19th century, for which all carriages shared a common design of 56ft underframe. Some were fitted for electrical generation, some weren't. They were originally built as 4-sets, but by the 1930s had been reduced to 3-sets. They could appear all over the Western Division, but would not be a natural choice for a 415 Tank. However they would be perfect for S15-hauled semi-fasts from Exeter and Weymouth. Now there's a thought! The 58ft underframe for the non-corridor stock seems to have been identical with the underframe for the Restriction 4 corridor carriages (also known as 59ft stock, just as you might have thought you could follow this) The video clip linked above is a bit ambiguous. The end brake composite does appear to have the rain deflector moulded at the bottom of the body side, typical of the 58ft rebuilds. So we could well be looking at a number of possibilities. Fruitless to guess, Graham will tell us just as soon as he can! However, I would not rule out a new 2-set at this stage. PB

It would appear that we can look forward to as much carriage froth as loco froth. Perhaps a sympathetic Mod will start a new thread, although that rather begs the question of a suitable title...... Any way, on the theme of LSWR/ex-LSWR Non Corridor coaching stock suitable for branch-line use, I hope that my model pictures may be suitable. The following respectively depict 58ft 20th century rebuild and its chosen 56ft 19th century running mate. In this case Set 20. One of the detail differences has been reproduced. The rebuilt stock was mounted on wider underframes, requiring the use of triangular strips of timber at the bottom of the bodies to deflect rain from running into the gap between body and underframe. Sets 42-46 built specifically for the Lyme Regis branch were of 58ft rebuild pairs. There were numerous non-corridor 3-sets used for cross-country work. Some, but not all, included 58ft rebuild stock. So it will be interesting to see how Hornby might approach choosing a prototype 3-set to copy. PB

I would certainly like to see a Prince Henry Vauxhall, or even a 30/98. For all that we admire the current work of OD, PocketBond were a contender for best, less than a decade ago. PB

Unfortunately I have loaned my copy of Russell's Loco's of the SR so I cannot answer my own question, which is: "Can this model E4 chassis be used as an E1R?" Full-length passenger trains on the ND&CJLR often comprised one loco and one coach, which must have widespread modellers' appeal. At different times the coach might have been an ex-LSWR, or Maunsell or Bulleid Brake Composite. Gate stock of a lesser type was not unknown (ex Set 361?).The loco might have been a Class 2 2-6-2T, or E1 Radial or even something from the antique store (Adams 460 class 4-4-0). There's many a wish list that can be dusted down to go in this direction. PB

Quite so. I like the rebuilt T14s; there's no accounting for some! PB

I would not express an opinion, one way or t'other, but I hope to get an early delivery of this particular trainpack. And to help fund this pleasure I have waived the opportunity for a green E4. Trouble is, the layout has had to be dismantled temporarily, and pro tem I have no running facilities at home. There is going to be a catching-up session come Autumn. PB

But we, on RMWeb at least, get a better class of frothing. PB

A similar anecdote applies to the naming of the Queen Mary. It is said that Cunard had intended to name it Queen Victoria (following their custom at that time), but King George V caused a misunderstanding which no one could correct. A second anecdote from the "useless information" boxfile concerns the Cunard version of Queen Elizabeth meeting the Navy's battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth on the high seas. One captain signalled t'other "Snap".