Lord Summerisle

https://kgrmodels.com/product/38-801-Bachmann-oo-ransomes-rapier-45t-steam-breakdown-crane-gwr-grey/ Re the KGR sale: Don't think I have seen the Ransomes and Rapier Crane cheaper than this.

http://www.modelrailoffers.co.uk/c/1693/USA-Tanks A couple of the model rail USA tanks available at reduced prices...

DCC Supplies have their Exclusive N Gauge Models of 50015 Valiant in Dutch Livery at a reduced price for October £106.50 for Analogue/DCC Ready £209.40 for DCC Sound

Selection of N Gauge class 52s for £85 with free postage at DCC Supplies https://www.dccsupplies.com/cat-1074/class-52-western.htm

DCC Supplies have a special commision Dapol Class 08* on offer at the moment; there are also bundles available with a Plank Wagon that are not bad value. (* The loco may actually be numbered as a crossley engined machine so a D3/3 rather than a true 08) https://www.dccsupplies.com/cat-999999/special-commissions.htm

Perhaps slightly nebulous, but poundland have 'christmas squidgers' in stock at the moment - they're stretchy plastic things with a plastic ball inside that contains three watch type batteries, a spring operated motion switch and red and blue leds that flash in a pattern very similar to emergency services lights. I'm sure they could be of use to those who are suitably creative with electrics. They also have snow spray in stock as well - which could be of use for modelling a winter scene. Both the above £1

Been posted before, but worth pointing out again, especially in light of the price of new release limited editions and main range items that these represent pretty good value at the moment, sale lasts until 15th of February I think. Bachmann Provincial 47475 at £95 and RfD split headcode 37068 at £105, both post free. http://www.modelrailoffers.co.uk/c/1078/Diesel-Locomotives

Mick, I think your model is the mk3 transit, rather than the mk2 version. It looks like oxford do a 4mm model ofthe mk3 these days. https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk/shop/oxford-diecast-76ft3002-ford-transit-mk3-royal-mail-oo-176-4mm/?v=79cba1185463

No models as such, but London Transport Museum have a flash sale on; https://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/sale/all-sale-items If you are looking for something for the younger members of the family the LU Brio style models are 20% off. I also stumbled across this when looking at a certain deals site; https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/thomas-friends-trackmaster-thomas-sky-high-bridge-playset-4161-delivered-toys-r-us-2764685 No doubt the Rev W Audrey would be turning in his grave, but If you cliick through and watch the video it looks quite entertaining! Could be good for pointing the grandkids in the right direction towards railway modelling...!

Now these are finally starting to arrive, does anyone know if any retailer has taken on the Loadhaul liveried route learning 122 that Kernow were due to release?

There may be some detail differences, but don't forget the class 322 Stansted Express units as a possible option too. For what it's worth the NSE 321 would certainly interest me.

Perhaps the chassis is the suggested basis for motorising a particular kit?

90016-90020 did receive RES colours (with blue flashes) and Hornby did release a trainset with a model of 90020 in Parcels livery, but I'm as close to 100% certain as I can be that none ever received Parcels livery in real life. Sadly, because looking at the Hornby model it would have looked rather smart.

I'd expect a slightly clearer description in the title/main photo from such a respected seller. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heljan-OO-4611-CLASS-47-826-SPRINGBURN-INTERCITY-DIESEL-LOCOMOTIVE-/131212504398?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item1e8cdfed4e

Tempted to sell some of mine if they're going to go for that much!

The silver bullet cutter looks like a fantastic bit of kit. Looking through the prices on the UK sellers website though I notice they charge extra for shipping insurance and state; Optional Insurance for Cutters We strongly advise that cutters are insured when shipped. If you choose not to insure then if the cutter is damaged on receipt we will not be able to make a claim ourselves and thus will not be able to replace it. Insurance prices are as follows - http://www.thymegraphics.co.uk/products.asp?cat=102 Is that even legal? It's little things like that which would put me off purchasing one.

There is the 'tram and social' in tooting, which claims it was once a Tramshed, it's certainly believable. This school in Richmond was once a tram depot, before becoming a fire station, then an arts/community centre; https://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=Richmond&ll=51.465678,-0.298862&spn=0.00913,0.024397&t=m&hnear=Richmond,+Greater+London,+United+Kingdom&z=16&layer=c&cbll=51.465622,-0.298941&panoid=3EtqSrYy5fT1ZDU91a57LA&cbp=12,312.14,,0,-3.26

The wagons at Diss have now gone, there was a mineral wagon at Whittlesford for a while. There was also a 4 wheel van at Norwich station for a long time, as well as a departmental 'staff training coach' that was in intercity livery, and I believe was used as a testbed for Anglia livery. I would have thought the wagon at Snape Maltings might hold some sort of record, I believe it was refurbished for the opening of the concert hall by the Queen in 1967!

DCC flushing toilets?

Knew I should have got more of these at £49.99 delivered when Modelzone were offering them at that last year. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-31-651-Class-47-Titan-47612-Intercity-Livery-Brand-New-/291038239571?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item43c33b1b53&nma=true&si=1IUo3C7hEjDrebgsapUxe6nBwr0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

This guy's had a nice try by sticking a lima locomotive on a Bachmann box. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/00-GAUGE-CLASS-47-NO-47972-IN-TECH-SERVICES-COLOUR-NAMED-THE-ROYAL-ARMY-ORD-COR-/231031327553?nma=true&si=iyTVMFYH6xwUCDxUI0HXtpqE7tY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Have you seen this before? There's a really interesting backstory and plenty of inspiration there; http://www.artificialowl.net/2009/07/abandoned-catalina-seaplane-50-years.html I've got an airfix Catalina up in the loft that I built many years ago that's now in a bit of a sorry state, one day I might have a go at something like this. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thanks for the positive comments guys, I'm hoping to have a simple layout of sorts up and running soon, so 'watch this space' as they say.

I bought this a couple of years ago and only got round to starting on it a month or so ago, it's a Connoisseur models LNER 20 ton MAC - L Low Machine Wagon, well out of my normal scale and period. It was purchased at a show with the intention of building my knowledge about working with brass, and the proprietor of Conisseur models couldn't have been more helpful and friendly in helping me out and recommending one of his 'skill builder' kits specifically designed for the novice. Thankfully the connoisseur stand was right next to the slaters stand so obtaining wheels wasn't too much of a trauma. The basic etch looks like this, though there are assorted brass rods, white metal bits and various copper hooks/eyelets included with the kit. The etch is about 2/3-3/4 the size of a standard piece of A4 paper, and is supplied with a nice bit of mountboard backing to keep it flat. All the little holes are guides for rivet forming, which i did with a sharpish screw and a ball-pein hammer, which isn't the recommended method! The first two or three were far too heavy, but the rest came out pretty well to be honest. Folding up the angled sides was something I didn't do very well, mainly because i don't have the appropriate tools (folding jigs/large vice) and was a bit impatient, so I think I'll end up having to model a slightly traffic beaten wagon. The main body of the wagon is folded up using the lower sides as a guide, It's a bit time consuming trying to get it right but hopefully it should work out ok. And a dry run assembling all the main parts; And a detail shot; Now all I need to do is clean it up and solder it together! Which might be a lot easier to say then do, or get round to doing.

A general finishing off of the previous project. Well I have glued all the loose bits down, decided on the capping on the top of the wall, painted the white bits of foamboard that were showing, added some bits of streaking on the brickwork adjoining the drainpipe and tried to tone down a few bits of the ballast. The presflo remains unweathered so has been changed for a weathered Hornby coal hopper fitted with three link couplings. Some of the photos below rather cruelly show up the crudeness of some of my dry brushing.