rope runner

Hi All, A few more bits added. Namely all the footsteps, blower pipe, injectors for one side and the Stones generator pipework. The kit will be built up as MW1762 of 1910 "Dolobran", internal number "38". In the last few years in active service, she was fitted with a Stones generator and electric headlamps. As far as I'm aware, this was the only 16'' 0-6-0 of this design so-fitted by S&L. The newer "56 Class" locos by RSH were all equipped with these, so it's possible that "38" was a test-bed, for retro-fitting the earlier locos of the fleet. For those unfamiliar with the Stones generator, here's an old advert by the manufacturer. Of course, I'm lucky that RTmodels have one in their range of detailing parts (seen posed on the footplate, above). That's all for now. Paul A.

Hi All, Today saw the fitting of the sand boxes, buffer beam laminations and coupling hooks. Also added are the "safety chains" which were worn by many of the S&L Corby locos. Latterly, these were even fitted to the ex-BR class 14's and Steelman locos which took over from steam. The chains were used whenever the locos were coupling to the PW vans, which often carried staff and supplies between areas under maintenance. A number of these vehicles have been presevred at Rocks by Rail, Rutland - note the safety chains still in-situ. Whether these would really be man-enough to stop a runaway on a steep quarry line, in the event of the main coupling failing, is probably debatable. By I'm starting to think about pipework and appropriate footsteps. I'll only add the white metal castings once all the brass has been added. It's actually a fairly large loco by industrial standards, seen here with an old Airfix Austerity. That's all for now folks Paul A.

More progress once again. The new tank wrapper (longer version of that supplied with the kit) appears to have served its purpose. The ends are from the Agenoria bits. Pretty sneaky eh? The smoke box went together ok - though the wrapper for this was etched a tad short. I left tags (see above posts) between the left and right footplate to fold up and fix the springs to, and the reversing leaver is scrap etch, as the Agenoria one is now too short. Paul A.

LMS iron ore hoppers would be very nice. Good progress with the hopper Adam, I've got one in the cupboard - but the fold-up sole bar has made other projects more appealing.. Paul A.

Hi All, A few more bits done today - cab sides and front assembled from the Agenoria etches. A couple of hand rail holes have been intentionally filled with solder. Rear windows were etched from my own artwork, these should have slightly rounded corners but I won't lose any sleep over it. These windows were modifications carried by S&L, and are different to the standard circular portholes. I'm still on the lookout for an appropriate mechanical lubricator for this loco - if anyone has any ideas... Paul A.

Today has seen the assembling of the brakes and rods. At the moment the brakes are just soldered to flat strip. I'll need something to mimic threaded bar to go on the end. Again, I can only apologize for my soldering skills. Ignore the break hangers reference I made before - these locos have a different arrangement to the aforementioned Cleobury type, so I've had to knock something else together this morning. The whole thing rolls freely, which was a pleasant surprise. I etched the rods to accept Romford crank pins immediately, so I didn't have to ream them out as per usual 4mm loco kits... I've also folded up the footplate. Next up, to look at the buffer beams and cab. Hi Adam, Yes, indeed they do. They also include the internal number oval plate. I've used a set on RHOS as below, another S&L Minerals Corby loco: Paul A.

Hi All, I now have something more tangible to share on this project. In fact, you could say it's come on leaps and bounds. I'm using etches and castings from the Agenoria "Cleobury" type Manning Wardle kit to kitbash a pair of these locos in 4mm scale. The build will be supplemented by some simple etches from my own artwork, which were produced for me by PPD Ltd. These being the chassis, connecting rods, footplate, buffer beams, tank and cab rear. It's fairly basic, built to 00 gauge with no compensation etc. My soldering ability is also fairly basic! I'll be taking the next week of work, during which time I'm hoping to build 90% of the model - and I'll be updating as I go... The progress so far: Folded up, with brake hangers in position (not trimmed to length yet) Hoping for quick progress - I'm planning to build a pair of them. Paul A.

Sorry gents, but can we keep this on topic please? I'm sure plenty of people are checking this thread for updates on delivery times, wondering if these will be in time for xmas or not. The conversation topic of Far-East manufacturing vs. UK manufacturing can be discussed elsewhere. Paul A.

That's lovely Dave, one wonders if the DJH 02 model can be similarly modified! Paul A.

Likewise, but I'll be placing an order elsewhere now - there doesn't seem to be much point at that price. Paul A.

Hi Stephen, The Ivo Peters Ironstone footage is included in the below youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JarmIWI5RWY Dump cars were fitted with buckeye couplings of course, and a loco needs to be suitably modified to couple to them. There was a variety of fittings to allow this: At Wroxton, a large cast plate held the buckeye, with a three-link held on the upper section of the plate (no coupling hook present). Some of these had the buckeye swinging through 90 degrees but some were fixed. Photos from this system often show the buffer beams to have been extended downwards in the area directly behind the plate to give strength. At Corby, the buckeyes were fixed in the forward position, below the conventional coupling hook. The locos had larger buffer beam extensions and re-reinforcing from the frames to allow for the additional stresses/strains of a second, lower coupling. On other systems like Scaldwell, the locos buffers were sometimes extended forwards on blocks, allowing the buckeye to remain deployed but not interfere with coupling to conventional wagons. At Cranford, one loco even had a simple wooden block below the hook, with the buckeyes somehow attached to a three-link. The wooden block allowed the buckeyes to snatch and push against the main beam without causing damage. There are some instances where dump cars were fitted with conventional draw gear, but this appears to be a later development - probably when they were used for carrying material for restoring landslips etc. Looking forward to seeing this layout develop, I myself am building an ironstone layout, albeit in 4mm. Paul A.

The Sentinel is looking good - a shame the one at Northampton is on a plinth, likewise sad that the last Nordberg trackshifter is too. If memory serves there is no boiler in her, or at least the fittings have all been stripped. I believe the intention was to make one good un' from the two on site, but with the comings and goings over the years (and the chronic accrual of EMUs...) it has never been attempted. Paul A.

Chassis is a High Level one, from their Barclay kit but with some profile modifications. The wheel spacing isn't 100%, but the cylinders have reduced profile unlike the recommended Electrotren one, and there is of course the option of fitting more suitable wheels and gearbox. Paul A.

Hi All, I've always felt that the demise of ARC Models was a real shame, as it gave entry-level modelers a way into industrial tank locos. The kits could, with a little patience, generally be built up something nice and perfectly acceptable. As I'd always wanted a slope-tanked Barclay 0-6-0, I had to give the kit a go - I've changed a lot of the fittings to suit my chosen prototype, and also fitted an etched chassis . Paul A.

Deco sample arrived at Hornby HQ - looking good... http://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/news/the-engine-shed/a-decorated-peckett-w4-anyone/ Paul A.

Just been emailed by Hattons with a revised release date - now August 2016. Fingers crossed, but breathe not held... Paul A.

Thanks Tony for scanning that, it's a good starting point. I will double check the measurements when I measure the real thing - it does at least give me a drawing on which to annotate. Paul A.

Any idea which issue this was? Presumably it was No.45 Colwyn, which was at the North Norfolk. No.44 is currently at Shildon undergoing cosmetic restoration. Unfortunately, they are not working to any plans, though I have been told I am welcome to measure it up - obviously this would be quite time consuming and drawn-out, so I'd rather have a simple drawing to start with... Paul A.

The "engineering" sample looks encouraging. Nameplates on order from Narrow Planet... Paul A.

On the contrary, much more use than a hopper if you're wanting to pile fresh stone at regular intervals, before track renewal. Paul A.

Hi Adam, Thanks for those ideas. I'll try Statfold, as I hadn't considered this. I will also try the NRM next time I'm in the vicinity, although I don't hold out too much hope as only a relative handful were made, they may well have used MW/Kitson plans. Paul A.

Hi Mark, It is. We also have the runner wagon seen in the photo, both lasted until the closure of the system. Alas, Cottesmore has nothing in the "archives". I've posted on the IRS yahoo group also, but no takers yet. Paul A.

Hi All, Does anyone have a copy (or knows where I can get one) of a general arrangement drawing for a 16'' Manning Wardle 0-6-0 of the type used at Corby Steel Works? https://www.flickr.com/photos/31514768@N05/3805218688 The design also carried over to Kitson and RSH, who built several locomotives to an almost identical spec. Drawings of one of these would also do... Many thanks Paul A.

An after-market etched cab to replicate a pre-war example would be nice... EDIT: Do you mean like this? Paul A.

The HighLevel Loadhauler+ (any ratio) will fit in this kit no problem. You can use a Mashima 10 or 12 series. Paul A.