rope runner

I think it's a quirk of the software/shapeways Dave - if you click "3D" on the image you can rotate it by dragging across it. The cylinders (x2) and motion (non working) looks to be a separate part which can be slid into the correct position behind the boiler. Anyway, you raise a good point about 3D printing - I'm not overly keen either. Not that this is a thread on the subject - I'm sure there's hundreds so apologies for the hijack. The prototype pictured above looks much more appealing. Not sure about a source for six spoke driving wheels though. Perhaps someone could 3D print you some centres? Paul A.

Just spotted this Dave and thought it may be of interest: No affiliation with the seller, but this looks nice. I can't justify one for my own layout, but I think it'd look good here with some Chaldrons. https://www.shapeways.com/product/75XV5SW6B/00-scale-head-wrightson-coffee-pot-shunter?optionId=75136608 Motor could be mounted vertically in the boiler, new frames from brass etc... Paul A.

Hi All, I ought to get better at updating ongoing projects on here... Current state of play sees the model 95% finished. Details to pick out with a fine paintbrush in black, matt varnish to be applied to smokebox and then the cab interior and crew/coal to pop in. Those axle ends will need painting too and I have a nice Markits whistle to set it off. I've omitted the clack valves until I'm 100% happy with the running as they foul the mechanism/boiler barrel assembly when sliding it into the body. Happily the 15''Bagnall some posts above is also nearing the finishing line. Cheers Paul A.

Your work rate makes me feel very lazy... Another lovely build Dave, those twin height buffers set it off very nicely. Paul A.

This is looks familiar but I can't place it right now - I think I've seen it in a softback IRS booklet but it's not in the ones I've bought. Paul A.

Hi Robert, Any news on the Peckett safety valve covers? If you could put me down for two sets when they become available that would be appreciated. Cheers Paul A.

Hi Colin, Here's my 2 cents on the subject: I would start with a High Level kit - everything goes together as it should and notably an excellent gearbox is included. The castings require very little in the way of cleaning up. Both the 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 HL/RSH kits I have built without any modification or hassle, they're not the smallest either - so ideal for a beginner. Full provision is made for EM/P4 at all stages. The RT models Sentinel/Thomas Hill kits are excellent too and include a gearbox/motor. After that I would move on to CSP and Judith Edge kits, which are both well designed but in my experience require a little more craftsmanship and a working knowledge of kit construction. Some castings require cleaning up to give a smooth fit (CSP) and chassis construction is not as straightforward as High Level (JE) in my opinion. The choice of gearbox is left open to the builder and in this small scale/prototype can be a bit of a head-scratcher at times. CSP require modification to the chassis if building to EM - Judith Edge cater for this from the outset. The RT models Manning Wardle is more akin to a CSP kit than their sentinel offerings. Mercian and early Impetus kits, well they're best tackled after you have cut your teeth on a few of the aforementioned as some parts require some surgery/modification and may not fit correctly etc. Best of luck - please do post progress to the Industrial locomotives and railways section of the forum where you'll find plenty of people willing to assist with advice and hopefully some inspiration from fellow modelers. Paul A.

Any news on Markits and availability of driving wheels? Paul A.

Okay Roy, you are entitled to your two cents , just as I am entitled to mine. Unrealistic delivery dates are nothing new in the model railway world, it would be nice to have a due date which was met, unlike the extremely vast majority which are not. At the end of the day its the shop owners who need cash in hand ASAP, they are the ones who rely on such things to make a living. Paul A.

Maybe, or maybe it's all a ruse to get the money in over the counter on pre-orders with the publicity of the big yearly announcement. Perhaps a perceived shorter time frame from announcement to release encourages people to open their wallets more readily. Alas, we will never know. Paul A.

Shunters poles are just the job - 2 sets ordered to adorn the front footplate of my industrial locos as per prototype EDIT: Hmmm, maybe I should have ordered a few more packs Paul A.

I am not surprised that the date has dropped back to the start of Q3. The original release date was March 2019. Assembly would have had to have been mid January at the latest if there was any chance of getting production complete before chinese new year prior to 30 days voyage to our shores. A little irking as the announcement was made only a fortnight before the models would have been due for assembly following the above timeline. Paul A.

Welcome to the forum. Such things for free or for anything under minimum wage per hour of build time simply do not exist, if that is what you are getting at. I am sure a part-time (or even full-time, there's a few out there believe it or not) kit builder could supply you with an hourly rate, though most have many months of future work planned in. A word of caution if you do find someone willing to build your models in order to "scratch an itch"- ask yourself this - would you want someone with no monetary stake tackling and potentially rendering your expensive kits worthless? Paul A.

A sad end. I'm sure nobody wanted this outcome. Then again i'm sure I'll be told otherwise as people pick over the proverbial carcass over the next 15 pages. Paul A.

A particularly interesting hopper wagon closest to the camera at 12.35 Paul A.

Not a criticism of your purchase at all, enjoy your model! I acquired several of these when they were heavily discounted and they can be easily improved and adapted for those with the inclination/time. There was a section of a thread somewhere on here about adding roller bearings to them which "ingot mould" branded wagons were (mostly, I imagine) fitted with. Paul A.

The chassis is excellent, agreed. Unfortunately the body is neither the correct height for the high-bodied or later lower-bodied versions. The reinforcing fillets under the top capping should also be triangular but are curiously squared off. One path to "perfect" tipplers is to use the Bachmann tippler body on the Hornby chassis to give an earlier build diagram 27T, Parkside body on the Hornby chassis for the later 27T build diagram and the Parkside kit in its entirety to replicate the various sub-classes of 26T. Paul A.

Honestly, the current proprietor of Markits has always been cordial and open whenever I have placed an order, even if what I've been after is out of stock. Paul A.

Not to have too much of a moan, but I hope the 15 year plan includes an upgrade of their "search engine" facility... I traveled a not insignificant distance today to the NRM to make use of this resource, arriving at noon, having previously used it several times in the past and called ahead. It was hugely disappointing. Given that we are in the school holidays it was surprisingly quiet, especially in the research area/library on the upper floor (perhaps not so surprising). I was after a locomotive photograph and had to hand the makers build date, loco name, locations with suitable dates and a reference number and collection ID for a particular known photograph in the national collection. Unfortunately the researcher I spoke to was immediately very downbeat about the possibility of finding any material relating to the locomotive and before the first key stroke of the PC stating "I don't think we'll find anything, there was millions of industrial locomotives of course". Wrong, I thought, but I'm a fairly agreeable chap so I went with the flow... I was directed to a PC to use the NRMs website tool to find details of the collections. I relayed that I had already done this and inquired as to what further information I would need to produce in order to locate any photographs etc. At this point I was told "well, there's no time to look for them today anyway, you'll need to come back another day". I said I had plenty of time and was willing to wait or assist in any way I could but was told this would not be possible. Understandably this was quite annoying as I had put in the ground work and even rung ahead to make sure that the collection number could be traced etc. I know that photographic negatives need time to acclimatize when taken out of storage etc so I was not expecting to look through these, but a PC search of the folders and general publications would have been worthwhile I feel and the photographic collections/bound publication folders which are accessible I have been through several times in the past. I explained this calmly but bit my tongue through saying anything further. I went on to leaf through some associated books in the library for a couple of hours - time which I have put aside to do my research. During this time only a small handful of people came/left the research area and nobody approached the main desk at all. I will be going back of course, In the past I have found it a very useful resource. Had I not had such positive experiences in the past however, it would have put me off for good. Phew, apologies if that all sounds like a bit of a rant - not intended as such, but as I say, a day wasted! Paul A.

They're my kits. I bought them for conversion to Ebbw Vale hoppers as per earlier in the thread. Frankly, I thought, while there is £1 final selling fees I would see if anyone wants them at this price (and why not? They're mine to do with as I please) and I could put the funds towards commissioning some LMS ore hopper kits. If they don't sell they'll go back in the cupboard for conversion. Paul A.

The track work has me interested already - one to watch. One can already picture a small post war sentinel or similar negotiating the harsh curves between buildings... Paul A.

Quick question Dave, could you tell me if there is a buffer from your range would suit the un-lettered LMS hopper in the link below please? https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan700/35005569163/in/photostream/ Many thanks Paul A.

Hattons seem to think that these will feature some portrayal of the inside valve gear (0.26 on the video) Paul A.

Personally, I feel Dave is to be applauded for putting his money where his mouth is and entering the market. I'm sure he is much more knowledgeable both in terms of marketing, product design etc than those who choose to snipe him on a safe forum where he no longer posts. I'm sorry, but I can't let this lie and I feel I must also say this - The tone of such remarks is frankly disrespectful and flippant towards what is essentially a one man band (in this case DJ Models). One has to wonder if such attitudes and posts would be tolerated/posed on the small supplier section of this forum. Paul A.

Glad to be of assistance, looks excellent Paul A.