Porcy Mane

I can see D2231 sandwiched between the 03 & 08 in J237. Long shot I know but you wouldn't happen to have a profile shot of D2231 as it went past? Along with D2232 it had a modification that I've never seen on any other Class 04. Basically they had what looked like a drainpipe attached along the full length of the bonnet but I've never been able to work out if the pipe was centrally mounted or offset. I've no idea as to the purpose of the pipe but think it may have been a modification for the radiator header tank or something to do with flame proofing. Both locos regularly worked trips into Paton and Baldwins wool spinners when at Darlington and both locos were regulars around the timber yards at Hartlepool docks but ex. Darlington steam men have discounted the flamproofing idea as they say they drove steam engines in Patons works despite Patons shunter being a fireless loco due the fire risk. Apologies once again for the digression. P

Exactly. Sort of "course polishing" to start of with. I've used the procedure for years. Probably the first time was when Replica started selling individual glazing units for their Mk 1 coach bodies but prior to Bachmann, I also used it on Kitmaster Mk.1's. I soon learnt that Bachmann, Kitmaster & Replica Mk.1 window apertures are all different sizes. First time it's done take care.... and time, as you'll realise the critical point is when the last few remnants of the raised lip is being removed. That's why I do that with 1200 grade wet & dry. With practice I found I could use courser w&d initially and I spent longer rinsing off the wet and dry to check progress that I did rubbing the glazing down. I also found detergent better to use than soap as it has less tendency to froth making it easier to see how you are progressing. I got it down to about 5 minutes for a 3 pane window unit but found that I could remove the whole lip with W&D and barely touch the rear face of the pane virtually eliminating the T cut phase. I have to say it took virtually a full day to do a complete an eight compartment Thompson but a lot of that time was taken up installing the glazing, as I found it difficult to keep the individual panes parallel and equidistant from the coach face. (I should have made up a simple plasticard spacing jig.) (I've also got add the proviso that I've got some pretty severe nerve damage in my hands and that slows things up considerably) Mr Hanson may eventually introduce a Lazer glaze kit so, I guess if that happens, I'll then have that time versus money quandary. Thanks' P

Thanks. The Wet & Dry Technique. With the original glazing removed, snip or cut off 1 compartments worth of glazing. (Two large panes and 1 droplight pane combined.) With some 400 grade wet & dry on a flat surface, abrasive side up, start abrading the compartment side of the glazing by moving the glazing in a circular motion using the pads of your fingers to keep an even pressure across the three panes. The wet and dry paper should be well wetted with water that has had tiny touch of soap or detergent added. (The soap prevents the W&D clogging with the removed plastic dust.) The aim is to remove the locating step from the rear of the glazing and end up with three totally flat and separate panes. Keep checking the glazing regularly to ensure you are removing the step evenly across the rear of all three panes. You will need to keep rinsing the glazing regularly to check your progress and you'll probably find it helps to keep rinsing the wet and dry paper as it's surprising how much plastic is removed and how quickly. Don't forget the soap after rinsing the wet & dry. I really do mean a smidgen. I find just dipping the tip of my finger in some liquid detergent is enough. As you get towards removing the entire location step, start using progressively finer grades of wet and dry. I find I can go straight from 400 to 800 then for the last few thou of step removal 1200. Usually the pane will have separated from its surround before getting to the 1200. If you've managed to scratch the rear (or front come to that) of any of your separate glazing panes, rub the scratch out with 1200 grade wet and dry. Finally I polish the individual panes back to being transparent using a touch of T-Cut. (Or the more abrasive Solvol Auto-sol.) The tooling is good enough for the now, individual panes to be a friction fit in their respective apertures but to secure I use Pacer canopy glue or Clear. I hope that's understandable... Anybody that's ever sprayed cars with cellulose will be familiar with the process. It's also a lot quicker to do it, than write about doing it. hth P

Oxford commercials must think it's a viable (and profitable) solution as they are using the technique on some their more recent products such as the BMC training unit and Special Tuning transporter. I only noticed that the front nearside quarter-light could have been better masked after photographing it. Personally I hope manufacturers keep away from producing 1 piece clear coach bodies as the masking would then be a real PITA for individuals that prefer repainting and weathering RTR coaches. I'm quite happy with the type of glazing on the current Hornby coaches as with a little work it, can be improved reasonably easily. Left compartment is standard and right compartment altered. Porcy

Sir Nigel Gresley. Porcy

Snapping the snappers. 61994 earlier this evening. P

I bet you all had a good "laugh" about that... P

Look to be. Good spot. P

The entire number makes up the "Plant Registry Number" although in the North East it was more commonly known as the "Planned Maintenance Number". Common to all planned maintenance schemes a NCB PM number was issued to every item of NCB plant & apparatus. The PM number had more significance than any previous registration, serial or identity number. As with any PM scheme a schedule of inspection, testing and overhaul was laid down for each individual item of plant so that any developing defect could be identified and actioned, pre-empting any breakdown caused by component failure. The NCB PM scheme generated a colossal amount of paperwork and was the reason for an ongoing dispute between management and unions (Due to additional payments for writing daily reports.) for many years. The Loco (I think) Originally numbered 72. AB 583 0-6-0 DH 400HP 52tons R-R CT8TFL engine delivered new to South Hetton 28/3/1973. Worked at South Hetton, Hordon and Bates Collieries. Lambton Engine works for maintenance. Bates to Horden 31/5/1985. After being cannibalised at South Hetton scrapped at Hawthorn Shaft by MJK Demolition week ending 29th May 1992. (All from Mr Mountford) Same loco can be seen in various states of undress here: https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=%22Hawthorn%20Shaft%22 P

As we're now doing shadow selfie's here's two old buffers... The late CJW and I. P

Lovely composition Tim. P

Dunno about that! I may be missing your point? She may be a Jub, but she was certainly black when she passed this motley crew of photographers yesterday. P

Smoke about to get in their eyes. Shap this morning. and nothing to do with this thread but 200 yards further North this thirty foot ISO container lay. Told it had been blown of a northbound train at 3:00 am this morning, skidding across the opposite track and down the embankment with the only casualties being a couple of bushes, about five yards of dry stone wall and some displaced embankment' Luckily no train coming the other way and the overhead wasn't touched. Can't find any mention of it via google. Strange considering this also happened in 2008. http://www.aslef.org.uk/information/100012/100039/106454/winds_blow_containers_from_freight_trains/ P

Nice wagon repair label. P

Fiona would soon have a pinny on him and operating the vacuum cleaner. But there's thousand of other bits of rolling stock and over-scale buffered sidings can benefit from his finery... P

Thanks for the heads up Andy. Looks like Bachmann are getting better at modelling buffers. If only they'd fitted the Grain Oleos to the Presflo... P

Nah... This is grey and grey. https://flic.kr/p/9tWwPF Maybe Hornby should have looked at this pic before embarking on their weathering. R0240 - North Blyth Shed by BarkingBill, on Flickr P

It wasn't. It was Mr Haresnape who in his BR "advisor capacity" suggested the class 31 Golden Ochre livery for that, "it looks like weathering" reasoning. P

B36264 in October 1962. To save anyone looking, it's a Dia. 1/102. Built by R.O.F Woolwich in 1947. 76089 by Gricerman, on Flickr P

Especially with "the" Toy Factory being just out of shot at the top of the embankment. Has anybody ever built a model of Binns Road? Out of Meccano maybe? P

A few different shades of grey in this 1966 phot: Ashington Colliery pit heaps in 1966 by bikerbilly67, on Flickr and here with a few long brake levers. DI_04Hartley Main Bridge, 1964 by ntynesidetrains, on Flickr and here. I don't think I've posted these links before? DI_03 North of the A1058 Coast Road Bridge by ntynesidetrains, on Flickr P

Another New one on me. Plenty of Humbrol Matt 64 used on them methinks. 62054 ex-works, on local freight at Retford by Fotorus, on Flickr P

Well I've seen yours. Here's part of mine. Taken from the winter workbench. There's another four full height cupboards of kits... and then there's the attic! P

That looks like it. A bit of Googling turned up this: 4 by ta||tim, on Flickr

Apologies Arthur, I dropped a b*ll*ck that made my previous post big style misleading. I'd sussed the baled traffic but missed a link out of my post' It should have read: "That Must have been one of the most photographed 16 tonners in the country... http://www.rmweb.co....ndpost&p=771870 and I bet this is a repeat? htps://flic.kr/p/dfy5x3 but what's the load? Empty paint tins for scrap? Porcy"