Gilwell Park

My Railway magazine is delivered from publisher. How do I get my modelling supplement? Roger

The problem with putting a LN boiler on the S15 is that, in general, the N/S 15 boiler was better than the LN boiler, it was easier to fire & was lighter. The LN boiler was heavier, would have increased the axle load and reduced route availability.

There are diagrams on page 80 of "Bulleid of the Southern". Looks a bit like a cross between a Q1 & a USA. Don't like to scan because of copyright. Roger

Have Oxford, or anybody else for that matter, ever made a 4 door Mk2 Cortina in 4mm scale? I would like to have a model of the one I was turned upside down in. Thanks Roger

Hi. I acquired my first GE section loco when triang introduced their B12. The only way to get companion locos at that time was by conversion so a D16 was made by putting a shortened B12 body on a Triang L1 chassis. A J19 followed by a shortened B12 boiler cab on a Triang 3F footplate & chassis. A B17 followed with a B12 boiler & cab on a shortened A3 chassis & footplate. Over the years these have all been replaced by better RtR models & kit building. However I still like the idea of conversions, and having been fascinated by the GCR A5 tank I got out the razor saw & stanley knife plus plasticard to produce a GER A9 tank. The theory is that the GER seeing how efficient the west side suburban services were being run with tank engines decided to do the same with the east side suburban services,primarily the Southends. The result was a 4-6-2T based on the original B12 but with smaller driving wheels. Originally belpaire boilers were fitted but replaced by round top in the late 1940's. It is basically a very old Triang chassis & boiler unit married to a Bachmann V1 cab & bunker.

I could not hear Bow Bells but I could hear the ships sirens from the docks at night when it was quiet. Also N7 on the Chingford line and freight up the Lea valley so was nearly there.

Hi Where is " Lead en hall"? I always thought it was "leadnall". Roger

I think it was Wrenn. Roger

Hi. Many years ago I converted a mint HD 3 rail Ludlow Castle to a Star class. (I know it would be worth a bomb now.) As part of the conversion I replaced the Ringfield motor with something much smaller. This new motor fitted the HD mounting points & came with a matching worm on the shaft. I now need another such motor for another job, I think it might have been a DCM or similar. Can anybody confirm this & are they still available? Thanks in anticipation. Roger.

Sorry but I don't believe it either. I was a regular visitor to 30A from 1959 to 1963 and never saw a GW engine there. What use would a 97XX be in early 63 when the shed had closed to steam in September 1962? According to my locoshed books 9700 & 9701 were always allocated with the remainder of the class at 81A. Neither have I ever seen a reference in the RCTS Railway Observer of such an allocation.

The RCTS books quote that 78023 worked a special goods on the Chingford branch on 2/8/62.I do not believe that any 57xx were ever allocated to 30A, although I would love to be proved wrong. Roger

Hi. Has anybody noticed, or even care, that the short, panelled clerestory in the railroad range is now an 8 compartment 3rd rather than a 7 compartment 1st?. Have Hornby cut & stuck, or photoshopped, two brake sections together?

Gordon. Thanks for this, they are shut at present but I will contact them in February Roger

Hi. I really like the Garratt & the 2-8-4T. You have convinced me to get on with my own Garratt but I want to fit it with a Giesl Ejector, where do you get yours from? or are they DIY? Thanks. Roger

Yes but this was fitted below the buffer beam.

Hi I am building a 4mm scale Beyer Garratt as proposed for BR in the 50's by Beyer Peacock. In view of the successful use of the Giesl ejector on Garratts in Africa I should like to fit one to my loco. Question is " where can I buy one?" Thanks in anticipation. Roger

Not forgetting also that the first GER built engines were Westinghouse brake only. The model 1002 appears to have a vacuum pipe. It also means, as far as I know, that there are no suitable Westinghouse fitted coaches for it to pull.

I have been waiting for the Cambrian kit for ages so this is very welcome. I can now replace my, not very good, conversion from a Trix, LMS?, brake van.

HI As Hornby seem to follow company lines, eg LSWR, GER, and have now started on the NBR with the J36 can I suggest that a D34 Glen will make an appearance. Roger

Hi A lovely model of an interesting prototype. I always feel it is a shame that the SR did not replicate the front reverse curves under the cab and continue a typical Brighton feature. Roger.