Gilwell Park

Hi. As the two four coupled units are so close together it should be possible to couple them together make it a 2-8-4? Roger.

Hi See post 3519, it really works.

This is the best picture I can find at the moment, a 240P. Roger

Hi I really like 805 but could I suggest replacing the outside steam pipes? The BR modified Kings & Castles had larger, more curved, pipes but I think the really large style fitted to the Chapelon P&O pacific rebuilds would look great on a King, & probably be more efficient as well. Roger.

This is my DIY version, usually found on coal empties. Roger

Yes it was. I can't remember where I found it now. Roger

Hi I have in fact built a GWR inside cylinder, inside frame 4-4-0. I have been considering this for some time and at one stage thought about converting a Hornby County but then saw a drawing of such an engine. The artist had clearly heard about the new 3200 4-4-0 being built at Swindon and drew out a sketch based upon the 2200 0-6-0, as we now know the two designs were completely different. My rationale is that having converted all 40 Dukes with Bulldog frames Swindon realised that the old curved frame Bulldogs, some converted from Dukes, were in a similar bad way. They therefore withdrew the worst and replaced them with new build 4-4-0. The model is built on a Triang L1 chassis, giving it a 10' wheelbase instead of the Swindon standard 8' 6" and 6' wheels instead of 5'8". The running plate is L1 & the cab from a Mainline 2251. I had intended using a Kitmaster City boiler but baulked at replacing the handrails so found an old Mainline 4300 body on Ebay and used that instead. This is a Swindon standard 4 boiler, larger than the standard 2 or 10 which would probably have been used, however it looks ok. I liked the old Bulldog names so christened mine Exmoor. The tender is Triang Lord of the Isles, with pick up. Hope you like it. It runs very well with the original X04 motor. Roger

Hi. Yes it is, but the wheels are 6' instead of 5'8" and the boiler is a bit different. However it looks the part. I will base details on the Rhodesia Railways 15 class 4-6-4 + 4-6-4 when I can make time available. Roger

Hi. This is my attempt at the BR Standard Garratt proposed by Beyer Peacock in the 50's. Still unfinished after several years in the shops it has a Kitmaster boiler/frame with 2 Hornby Railroad class 5 chassis. Only one motor in the coal bunker, runs well with pick ups on both units. I can't really think of a use for it in East Anglia but it was always a bit of fun. Hopefully I will show the completed model in due course.

Hi It is actually the oozalum bird, it flies round in ever decreasing circles until...….

Hi About 50 years ago when the RTR choice was very limited the only way to obtain variety was to kit bash, or convert. My first attempts were a Kitmaster prairie tank on aTriang princess chassis. An LMS 2P converted from a SR L1, before Triang did the same. A Triang Hall into a Grange with HD 2-6-4T wheels etc. Nowadays there is little need for such modifications so like many others I have started producing models of locos that never existed. In some cases however they were designed but just not built. The BR standard 2-8-2, the LNER P10 2-8-2T, the SR Q1 0-6-4T. The current example is the Maunsell 2-6-2T described in the RCTS locos of the SR. The chassis is pure Bachmann N class, extended at the rear. The boiler/firebox is Triang L1 shortened to match the dimensions quoted in the book. The cab/tank/bunker is Kitmaster prairie, with the tanks the wrong way round so I only had to file off the moulding pips, not the rivets or raised lining. A useful little loco that normally pairs up with a BR Class 3 2-6-2T.

Very sorry to hear this I have used it for many years. It seems to last 15+ years and is easy to replace if you want to keep the track in the same place. I now spray it with Magicote textured paint so that it looks similar to, but in my opinion, better than Gaugemaster. It also seems to extend the life and is clean and easy to use, also reduces the sound of running. Roger

Probably less hassle to renumber the engine to one of the 1923/24 Stratford built batch. They all had vacuum pipes as well as Westinghouse.

Yes they were but only available as a Kirk kit and for a very limited area of operation. Were any other LNER Gresley designs so fitted?

I have been thinking about this problem for a while. What coaches are available for the LNER version to pull? However I have read somewhere that some LNER coaches were fitted with Westinghouse brakes for use on the GE section. Can anybody say what type they were?

I think the "problem" with the Churchward moguls is that they were so useful that they were used for anything & everything and were frequently overloaded. leading people to think that they were not big enough!

I also understand that L1 were not popular on the Liverpool St to Chingford/Enfield services as they were a tight fit in the run round loops and their high bunkers made coaling difficult at Wood St & Enfield. Roger.

It is not 100% clear from the picture but 1002 & 8011 appear to have vacuum pipes in addition to Westinghouse. This is incorrect, the first 12 N7 were Westinghouse air brake only. In latter days this restricted them to Liverpool St suburban duties only, with quint arts. 69612 however is correct as it was built dual fitted. Roger

Hi Sorry the pictures lost their captions. Top is the rack loco at Diakofto. Middle is the 2ft Milies to Ano Lechonia railway, curved track on straight bridge. Bottom in the Railway Park at Kalamata. Roger

B****r. I have found the old station on Google and we were very close to it when we walked around the peninsula in the evening.

I have just returned from Greece so a few recent observations. I had heard that the Peloponnese railway had closed so was surprised to come across so much of it still in place. It just looks as if stock was left where it was when closure took place. First siting was at Nafplio where a 2-6-0t is coupled to some old coaches in the station by the docks. The coaches appear to form a café. Rails, in good condition but weedy, were crossed several times on the way to Nemea. The next sighting was at Kalamata where we discovered the Railway Park. A public park containing 4 2-6-0t with numerous coaches and 3 2-8-2 tender locos, 2 Italian & 1 American. Also numerous goods wagons. Again we crossed the track several times on our way round to Mystras. The station at Olympia appeared to be in good condition but no sign of any activity. The highlight was a ride on the Diakofto to Kalavryta railway. 750 mm gauge, part rack, in a modern DMU. One of the original steam locos is properly preserved at Diakofto station. There were many signs of construction/electrification on the coast line west of Corinth. Another ride was on the 2ft gauge preserved line from Milies to Ano Lechonia in the Pilo peninsula to the east of Volos. The line used to run all the way to Volos, along the main street and into the Metre gauge station by the harbour. Much of the track remains in place, frequently appearing through the tarmac of widened roads. I also saw, from a coach so was unable to photograph, a short section of triple gauge track, 2ft, metre & standard between the main station and the harbour. Roger

Liverpool St west side to Chingford & Enfield was Quint Arts, Westinghouse fitted only. Roger

Hi I must confess that I made one years ago by cutting up the sides & roof of a Triang Thompson brake coach ( remember them?) and putting them onto a palethorpes chassis. I would be embarrassed to show a photo of it now. Roger.

Hi I have followed this topic for ages and today saw the layout for the first time at Ally Pally. Not my era or location but a fantastic layout, definitely best in show! Roger.

It was caused by the devil lurking at the top of Chesterfield spire.