rope runner

Fantastic layout, so many rarely modelled industrial components. Thank you for taking the time to post some photographs, inspirational stuff! Paul A.

IMO there's a lot of scaremongering concerning coreless motors with a worm affixed directly to them I wouldn't worry about it personally and I'm sure others would agree Paul A.

Adam, may I just ask which 12" and 14" Barclays you are using for measurements? SWANSCOMBE is a 12" - which contrasts very sharply with a standard 14" example I'm sure you'd agree: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6197/6119735314_635fdeb5b7_n.jpg http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6135/5987792636_87cc31a1e8_m.jpg It would be interesting to know which example you are basing your forthcoming 9" AB on also..? Paul A.

I'd be very interested to see how this measures up dimension-wise to the JE kit. If anyone has the ability to compare in a few weeks time... Paul A.

Not madness, but probably one of the nicest things I've seen on ebay in recent months http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Well-built-Judith-Edge-OO-Hunslet-15-inch-industrial-NCB-loco-/151179545923?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item233300cd43#ht_113wt_1112 Paul A.

Difficult to tell Simon, but I think those in the first two links may be bauxite livery...? 23 will look most impressive! Paul A.

Looking much better to my eye Simon. Here's some links to photos which indicate the sort of appearance I mean: http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishswissernie/5862631771/in/set-72157626903681829 http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8506487351_ae25b2a501_b.jpg Hope these help - the rake you have so far are very convincing Paul A.

The plates were added from the 80's onwards (or at least I have not seen any earlier pictures of such repairs), as the sheet metal wears and corrodes faster across the tippler side, where it meets the floor. I shall see if I can find some photos of tipplers in freight stock grey, most of the colour ones I have of Ironstone locos show the tipplers with a darker tone of weathering (blacks etc) - but you are right to replicate a slight "rusty", orange tone from the ore itself. Paul A.

BH Enterprises are certainly still trading - I bought an N Wickham trolley from them a couple of weeks ago! Paul A.

The only issue with the Centenary class is that only 23 examples were produced, and an excellent kit already exists. To my knowledge there is no 4mm 0-4-0 standard gauge Peckett available in any form! Paul A.

I have to echo the call for 4mm industrial steam Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST (similar to the ixion model, perhaps a cylinder size smaller or larger) 16'' Hunslet 0-6-0ST Peckett 0-4-0ST Paul A.

Oh dear, clearly the chassis was an afterthought... I had a similar issue with my Kingdom Kits Barclay - I opted to move out the cylinders, as it wouldn't be running near any platforms etc.

Is the right-hand piston rod bent or is that a trick of the camera? Nice job in any case Paul A.

Looking great so far. I think the majority of Mercians kits started life as 7mm etches, scaled down. I would have been tempted to mount the motor horizontally in the boiler barrel, using a higher-sitting gearbox - but this option doesn't look intrusive once the back head is installed. Is the tank supplied as a single casting? Did you elude to the fact there is a choice of media to built the tank? an etched option perhaps? Pre-war Barclay locos do have a certain charm about them - looking forward to seeing it develop Paul A.

Hi Mark, Yes, the instructions are a tad misleading in this respect. Hopefully better to realise now than when the cylinders are offered up! Paul A.

Hi GW Mark, I'm also building the HL 0-6-0. If I may offer some advice - the front frame stretcher (3 holes in) has been soldered too far forward on your model. The 2 outer holes are for locating and securing the cylinder assembly. It's quite a straight forward kit - I recommend simulating the centre raised section of the saddle tank with tape instead of the suggested scoring of the etch before rolling. This looking far superior and more prototypical. I have also opted to leave the brake rodding off mine to aid in fitting the pick-ups, to make it more straightforward. I've also chosen to use Markits wheels, with self-quartering axles. This is more helpful if the chassis is planned to be taken apart a fair few times to tease out running issues. This will however require the use of Markits "super-deluxe" crankpins, as the rods need bushed crankpins due to being designed around the Gibson product. Hope this helps, I can post some pictures of mine (slightly further progressed) if you would like? Paul A.

In the case of specialist models such as this I fear the individual who took them knew exactly what they were and quite possibly has no intention of passing them on. Paul A.

Interesting selection. I'd certainly be interested in a 9'' Barclay. I note the chassis you are using with your 12'' barclay is un-motorized. I assume a motorized chassis will also fit? looking good so far Paul A.

I do have to say, the weathering on that Hudson V-tipper is spot-on. I'll be watching, as I expect many will, with great interest. Paul A.

I'm quite impressed with your point levers - it's details like that which give a real sense of atmosphere. Paul A.

Hi Robert, What sort of gearbox are you intending to recommend for use with the Sentinel? It looks very nice, although I agree that the cab windows are perhaps a tad tall Super in any case, as I've wanted one in 4mm for years Paul A.

Hi Alex, That Janus is looking very nice - I have one in 2mm still to attempt...and a completed 5 inch gauge one! Are you going to fit both motors, as per the prototype (sort of)? Paul A.

Very nice! Are you going to give her a name? Reminds me of Number 14 at Irchester, although I'm not sure she's an H class It will certainly look the part on your ironstone shunting plank Paul A.

Paul A.

Provided of course that the original maker possessed them also, which is difficult to determine based on the photos... A bit of a punt at that kind of price in my view, but each to their own. Paul A.