PatC

Interested to read Edwardian's comments. I'm watching developments on the Hudswell with great interest myself. I'm (very) slowly accumulating locomotives and stock for a long planned light railway layout. Progress is on a geological time scale at present as I build the occasional kit in between various narrow gauge projects which take up most of my limited modelling time. I've had the Hudswell earmarked ever since it was announced and it's highly likely that I'll replace the cab t represent an earlier loco when I eventually get one. To be honest, it's one less brass kit I'll need to build to cover the prototypes that interest me so I'm happy to wait for as long as it takes for the project to come to fruition.

I've been reading the comments on this thread avidly, while awaiting delivery of my SR version. It duly arrived yesterday. I only had time for a quick look yesterday but have had chance to give it a run on the test track this evening. I'm pretty impressed. I've gone cross eyed looking for the much discussed issue with the handrail knobs and can't say I'd have noticed if it hadn't been pointed out. Similarly, the lines on the smoke box top near the clack valves are barely visible. Layout wise, I'm heavily involved in 009 these days and I only have a simple OO test track to try it out on at present, but so far I can't fault its running. Many years ago I thought about building the Bec kit and it was on that long list of things to get round to for some time. I still have to pinch myself when I look at the number of high quality RTR Southern models that we are blessed with these days. We've really never had it so good. Regards, Patrick

Like the look of the plan Paul, nice and compact just the way I like them. Like the storage idea too, wonder if I could get something similar past Mrs C? Look forward to seeing things develop. Patrick

A really impressive piece of modelling Chris. I love small layouts (I have 2 small 009 creations myself) and this is inspirational. I've looked at old pictures of Nanstallon, Grogley and Dunmere halts on many occasions and thought they'd make nice models. Look forward to reading more.

I'm stunned. I can't help but smile when I think back 30 odd years to the RTR situation for those of us with an interest in things Southern and remember my Wrenn R1, Hornby E2 and the rather dodgy Hornby King Arthur . Things have certainly come a long way but I never in my wildest dreams thought we'd get a RTR Beattie well tank let alone a gate set. At just under a hundred quid it might sound expensive but I think it's a reasonable price compared with the cost and time for doing something in brass. I don't have any of the bigger Southern RTR offerings (Arthurs, pacifics etc) but all these smaller items are right up my street for my standard gauge interests these days. The order has been placed. Thank you Kernow. Patrick

Well done Arthur, I knew you'd give in to the temptation! Patrick

Damn it! That's the livery I voted for in the MR poll I'm really pleased with the GWR one but I wonder if I can convince myself of the need for another?

My GWR Sentinel arrived this morning. Just had it trundling up and down with a rake of quite heavily weighted kit built wagons; amazing slow running. I went for the green one as I was particularly interested in a version without the vents etc. My one will eventually end up as motive power on a light railway. Really pleased with the model and look forward to future models of other relatively obscure prototypes (how about a Manning Wardle contractors tank next time Model Rail?) Regards, Patrick

Fantastic, a dedicated London Underground Group...the last thing I needed! I've been trying to rationalise my modelling for ages and now I'm going to be inspired by everyone on here to take the plunge aren't I? Oh well, no point trying to resist. Well done Dave, I hope its a success.

Brilliant thanks for posting that. So it obviously got the standard engineers grey/yellow livery at some time after 1986 then. Looks like at least one hopper in my rake will end up in that livery then and it could be a good weathering exercise as well. Patrick

Thanks for the pic SS, I don't remember them being a colour like that but then heavy weathering and rust can make most colours look very different. I wonder if the green (or is it grey?) was applied around the time of privatisation? I may well end up going for a heavily rusted and weathered version of engineers red. Patrick

Hi guys, I did try posting this question in the Prototype questions section then thought I'd ask here as well. I've started to slowly build a bit of Isle of Wight stock in 4mm scale between other projects. My question is about liveries carried by some of the wagons in the 1980s/early 90s. I have good pictures of the 15T brake van in engineers grey and yellow but can anybody tell me what livery the Dogfish wagons carried? I know that the single ex Iron Ore hopper was in engineers red but were the Dogfish in the same livery. I know I saw them close up at the Ryderail Festival in 1986 but I didn't take photographs. They appear briefly in a Railscene video from the same year but its fleeting and difficult to see if they are the same as the Iron ore wagon. They could have been a very weathered red or bauxite (again very weathered). Pictures that I've found on the web (following links off this forum) are useful references but are all b/w. I've got a Cambrian Dogfish kit lined up on the workbench ready. Also what paint is a good match for the engineers grey as applied to the brake van. I was thinking of just using Precision's Railfreight grey. Does anyone have any thoughts on either of these? Patrick

Nice videos Paul. Really great to see Leaford at Basingstoke again this morning (I know we had it at Romsey last year but I didn't get the time to have a good long look). The sound coming from the Cromptons (no, you can't have too many of them) was so realistic and took me right abck to the 80s. Magic! Patrick

I don't envy anybody running their own model business, but I'm jolly glad that so many do. I only organise a small annual exhibition yet my modelling time for the two or three months leading up to it just goes out of the window. If I tried doing things for other people I'd never get anything done! With regards to the Impetus range I'd simply like to express an interest in obtaining three kits should they be re-released, namely the Manning Wardle K and I(x2) class kits. To be honest I'd be happy with them as they were without significant re-tooling as it's got to be easier than scratchbuilding the locos. Patrick

You knocked that up! What happens when you really apply yourself? That looks absolutely super as does Drewry Lane. I've enjoyed following this thread very much. Thanks for sharing. Patrick

Hi Kevin, we'd definitely be interested in inviting you back with whatever you've got up your sleeve to replace Leaford. Look forward to hearing more about that, whatever it may be. I've enjoyed hearing people's memories of Exford, I just can't believe that it was that long ago! I saw it several times at shows and some open days if memory serves me right. In those days before digital cameras I saved my film for pictures of the real thing and never used to take pictures of model railways I'm afraid, so can't help with any images. Do you have any pictures of Leaway Park? I can still remember joining the crowd for the Duchess hauled steam special that you ran at Imrex one year! Did the building under construction at one end ever get completed? Patrick

Great to see further developments on Leaford Kevin. Fancy a return visit to Romsey in a couple of years time? Patrick

Love what you're doing with this. The WDLR is a fascinating subject and I've read and re-read the Plateway Press books many times. I've only built a few bits and bobs in 009 (Simplex, D and E class wagons etc,) but what your're doing is going to look great. Look forward to seeing further progress. Patrick