rope runner

Fulstow No.2 is an R4, I believe. Paul A.

Good stuff, nice to see that the manufacturers are listening! Paul A.

Does anyone know the driving wheel diameter of an 18'' sloping tank Barclay? I have a reference book which puts AB 2107/1941 as having 4' diameter drivers, but these seem very large - although the footplate level is rather high, so it could well be correct Paul A.

The control desk layout isn't prototypical, or at least, not for the 4 variants I have been in (Original and rebuilt by Thomas Hill) Paul A.

I would recommend the whole lot is repainted, body and all - an exact colour match to the Hornby model will be virtually impossible. I will be using Humbrol Crimson lake (gloss) from a rattle can, transfers/lining applied and then finish with satin varnish. Details/footplating then picked out with a brush Mine was also poor, but I had to confidence to strip it down and sort it, the vast majority would not. The pickups also needed tweaking on the NCB variant which I repainted/detailed last year. Paul A.

Well, my Wabtec livery model arrived via Amazon today. I took advantage of their "£10 off orders over £50" offer in August. This meant it could be acquired at a healthy £46.50 Firstly, my box was crushed (tut tut, Amazon), but the model was undamaged. Unfortunatley, it suffered from a limp when travelling in reverse, which was remedied by swapping over the connecting rods/cranks from one side to the other - though how this resolved the issue, I haven't a clue. I've added lead shot behind the footsteps and this helps haulage and makes the drive smoother. Secondly, the fill-pieces for the buffer beams have the wrong profile/pitch wasp stripes for my variant. As I'm repainting mine, not an issue, but annoying if you're not. Luckily, when removing the glazing and body paneling, nothing broke - but they were VERY well secured with adhesive. The cosmetic coupling hooks were also removed, but could not be salvaged. I'm planning on an OIC liveried one (ofcourse!), so if anyone has any original photographs showing the OIC branding in the rear step-well please let me know... Paul A.

The authentic livery of the Oxfordshire Ironstone Sentinels is shown above. There were detail differences between different members of the fleet, including different profile cranks. A total of 5 are preserved. Paul A.

Looks superb. I see that all versions are currently available on the Hornby website, so a few days until the Wabtec version hits the shops Paul A.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171923724193?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Can anyone shed any light on the identity of this? I've made a bit of a punt on it... Paul A.

Balfour Beatty chain drive variant in stock at Hattons. Paul A.

If only! Paul A

Great news about the Barclay. Couple of questions: Is the body going to be scale length (I certainly hope so...)? Can anyone advise if the frame length/ motion arrangement/ wheel spacing is the same as the Barclay which High level currently produce? Cheers Paul A.

Seems a fair price to me, for a kit which is highly sought after and will, with all likelihood, never be available in 4mm again. Paul A.

I'd rather have scale draw hooks (which are easily removable!), allowing the end user to fit scale/non-scale hooks and links of their choice, purchased from a third party supplier. If you're using three links, chances are you are willing and skilled enough to fit them yourself, to your specs. Paul A.

Hi Michael, Have you thought about supplying an etch of detail parts for the Hornby Sentinel eg. Swords, sentinel logos, sand box checker plates etc? Knowing you already supply a kit for this model as part of your range, hopefully it wouldn't be too much work to compile such an etch... Paul A.

Compare to that the "nothing is too much trouble" approach which Roger Slade offers at CSP... Paul A

Yes, he seems very upset at the lack of recent sales at shows... Paul A.

This looks 10/10 to me Dave, very well done. Pre-order placed! Paul A.

Rather nice these Impetus kits, does anyone know if they're still...Oh wait no, we've been over this before. Lovely prototype, though I think on balance I prefer the rounder saddle tank of the wartime variant - like Cranford No.2 etc. 5050, if your brass chassis and rod etch needs a home, I'd be happy to give it one in exchange for some funds to speed the build along...? Paul A.

There is one of the Corby 27 ton design preserved http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=9523 Ignore the info on the vintage carriage trust website about it being re-bodied - it's plain to see that the chassis is not from a 16 ton slope sided mineral! Paul A.

Arthur, Yes, I agree that the raised ends are to facilitate their use in the tippler, with the lower over-all body height of the 20 ton examples to reduce over-loading The video below shows the mechanism of a tippler slightly better than a diagram, and shows that the "sustaining beam" in the diagram above is not at a fixed height above the wagon, and one suspects that they are designed to accept a level of variability in wagon height, as you say. There are no examples of any of the Corby wagons surviving, unfortunately. I would suggest that there were 3 examples in internal use at Corby: 20, 30 and 31 ton examples. I have some evidence to suggest that there were rebuilt versions of the larger wagons in circulation also. I have seen preserved plans of a rebuilt 31 ton example, but I didn't take a copy as I'm almost certain that it was a "might have been" and none were ever turned out in this guise - it also confusingly references the Scunthorpe CEW.... Paul A.

Still watching with interest. The C&L track looks superior to my eye, also. That gradient is going to be a nice feature, but I wonder if it would look a little more prototypical if the gradient change were a more gentle on the section your 0-4-0DM and wagon are positioned over? Just a thought, and as you say, space is at a premium here. Paul A.

Maybe one day we'll get this in 4mm....please! Paul A.

I must say your Bagnall looks very much at home - very reminiscent of BICC in Kent! Paul A.

They also offer a custom transfer service, and very good they are too... Paul A.