rope runner

Looking forward to a rake of these distinctive wagons, glad things are moving forward. Paul A.

That's just the ticket, thank you for the photo link. Glad I asked, as otherwise I would have gone for right in the centre of the hopper. Paul A.

Hi All, The Dave Bradwell kit instructions for this wagon mention that some examples had "Iron Ore" painted on their side in a small black square. Does anyone have a photo of a 13Ton hopper with such a label? While I've seen them in mixed-hopper rakes on iron ore flows, I have never seen this type specifically labelled as such. Any notes, photos etc by PM or otherwise would be useful. Thank you Paul A.

Happy new year - industrial loco fans! The final touches (cylinder end covers, smokebox hinges and whistle) still to do, but she's now largely complete. I am hoping others may be making similar satisfying progress with their models, it would be good to see some photos if so... Paul A.

Each to their own Dave, that's an entirely understandable viewpoint. Paul A.

Does modelling a real location appeal to you Dave? Perhaps a section of a small colliery like Kilmersdon, perhaps? The research and prototypical operation can add another element of interest to the hobby, though it's not for everyone and some actually find it tedious! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with regardless, I'm envious of your pace of work to say the least. Paul A.

I had better put in a small order in that case then... Hopefully you can get some R&R and get started again soon. With a bit of luck we may even see some Ironstone dump cars at some point too (no rush though, I have plenty of other bits to keep me occupied..) Paul A.

Glad to see that it is progressing. I recently acquired a fair scratchbuilt example on ebay, but I'll be getting a Parkside one too. Paul A.

Excellent! I'll definitely get one when they materialise. Paul A

Now that would make a nice kit.... Paul A.

Me too, but I can understand the allure. The Impetus kit has all-metal castings as opposed to resin. There has been activity on Karlgarin website for the first time in 2 years earlier this month, sadly not related to Impetus products. Paul A.

Oak, as it has to be tough and hard wearing. I know of one industrial 0-4-0 currently being restored with seasoned oak beams. The wood being so tough it had to be drilled with bits intended for steel! Paul A.

South Pelaw Junction was excellent. I could have watched for hours, a real sense of location and a masterclass in wagon weathering and prototypical variety. Paul A.

The B4 class members with which I am familiar with have 3' wheels I have personally measured those on AE1972 and AE1764 and the measurements on some sites listed online for these are wrong (allegedly 3' 2'' and a massive 4' 1/2'' respectively!). Paul A.

I'm afraid not - different chassis dimensions between the Avonside locos - in fact I don't think anything is shared, perhaps sandboxes, crossheads etc. The wheels are even different patterns. The Barclays obviously bare little resemblance above the footplate, but the saddle tank locos also have an un-equally divided wheelbase and again different pattern wheels to the larger 18'' side tanks proposed. The 18'' side tank also feature partially flat-sided cylinder casings and have a substantially longer length in general. Paul A.

For me the clear winner is the MW L class. The B3 and B4 class Avonside have very little in common between the classes, similarly the AB saddle tank and side tank variants are vastly different beasts. In essence there is no firm "choice" in these options, it is difficult to know exactly what members voted for. Paul A.

The built kit on ebay at £700 is mine. Frankly, I thought - if people are prepared to pay that kind of money then I am willing to let mine go. Paul A.

In later years perhaps David, but there's plenty of photographs of both at quarries up until the early 60's. Paul A.

David, the ore appearance will depend heavily on where your quarry is situated geographically. Northamptonshire "Northampton sand" ore is typically lighter in colour (think light grey), whereas ore from South Lincolnshire is typically brighter (think dull earthy orange) and that of Oxfordshire is deeper in colour (think brown). The best bet is to choose an area and then physically get some (try the edges of plowed fields, or better still the woods and areas surrounding old quarries). My forthcoming layout is exclusively a small area of an ironstone quarry and has been in the planning/implementation phase for a few years - so feel free to PM if you'd like photos of anything specific etc. Paul A.

No worries Ian - if you're involved with the project, do you know if the saddle tank on Victory is the same height as the 0-6-0 variant? I have a DJH models barclay body which I'm drawing an etch to convert to an 0-6-0 type, it would be good to know if major surgery of the cast metal tank is to be required. Cheers Paul A.

I think the poll is fine - I would buy a Peckett B2 class, RSH 56 class, Manning Wardle L or 14'' 0-6-0 Barclay if one became available rtr. To choose my favorite out of that list and to vote once would probably not give meaningful data, as I am a potential customer for several options. I would probably also choose something at the niche end of those listed too... Paul A.

Salmon and Swordfish are 14" The boiler sits higher in the frames than the 0-4-0 variant. I'm not sure if the tank is also a shorter height to allow this? Paul A.

That seems a fair list. Perhaps a little more information on the descriptors eg. "Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST" etc - it could be many different designs, eras, cylinder size etc. The Lewin might be difficult as she was originally built as a well tank and her appearance changed much through her working life. She was however the oldest working steam loco in the UK for a time. I can see the appeal, but perhaps a challenge. Not to be a pedant, but a side note to those interested in such things - the RSH class used by S&L Minerals at Corby should really be the "56" class, the number assigned to the first one delivered to Gretton Brook Works Number 7667 of 1950. I've noted that there were a total of three livery variations worn during their working lives, with two bearing names. Paul A.

I would like to make a general comment on some of the suggestions so far: A new rtr industrial has surely got to be a prototype with a healthy selection of liveries (worn during their working lives) and loco identities to choose from. I feel this has already been evidenced with those already chosen/announced thus far from Hornby/Hattons et al. It will need to sell in its hundreds every time a new livery/variation is released. With industrial locos there is not the luxury of ubiquity as there might be with a Riddles 4MT (other mixed traffic locos are available) and so the liveries will need to be varied and appealing as this is key to supplying a steady stream of sales for the next 10-15 years for a manufacturer. Paul A.

It's incredibly difficult to categorize such things. The range, variation and designs of industrial locomotives is extremely diverse, with thousands built in the UK in the last century. I'll put forward some suggestions - none of which have been the subject of kits or articles/accurate published drawings. Steam 1900 - 1922 Hawthorn Leslie and later Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns "Munition" class 12'' 0-4-0. Notable examples employed at collieries, gas works, dockside, military and a handful at stone quarries. Several preserved and operational - Minor detail variation between HL and RSH machines. Avonside 0-4-0ST - smaller variation of the popular B4 design. Widespread and long-lived appeal, several working into the 1970s and subsequently preserved. Steam 1923 - 1945 Andrew Barclay 14'' 0-6-0ST - A medium sized 0-6-0. A larger variation of the standard 0-4-0 design. Primarily found at quarries and collieries. Several examples preserved. Detail differences include pre/post war cabs. For me, these all tick the "small and sweet" box which any prospective industrial will need to tick to sell reliably for years to come. Paul A.