Blandford1969

Talking of modifying these models, 936 and 933 ran with an experimental tender of Fowler frames and with an experimental tank with curved in sides that are a combination of the Fowler bottom half and Stanier top half. Does anyone know of a drawing of this tender? - there are various photos with both engines.

It is currently in the midst of its latest overhaul

Sorry Mike I though saying agree would work as I was also interested in seeing how it went together. best wishes Duncan

An awful long way and I bet it was bouncing and rattling like mad (but they are a fab engines)

Tony, Thanks for the photos on the A4 connecting rod. I could never work out why the chassis I built did not want to work. I'll be going back to that now and getting it running. Best wishes for 2017 and lots more interesting reading Duncan

Yes, Those at Midsomer, Chilcompton, Binegar and Evercreech are all plain, whereas those shown here on the roadside are more ornate. It really is an exquisite model and I'm glad you are getting to look after it and make sure if keeps going.

very interesting. I suddenly noticed the window frames on the back on the building, which were of particular interest. Are there any photos of the back of the main station building as it appears to have a different style of window frame to the rest of the northern part of the line, which makes it very interesting (well to me who is into the buildings)

My memory was it got 5110's tender whilst 29 was having a new tender top built that is wider than the original (I cant remember by how much (age) but I'm sure 2968 will) Personally I preferred it to work on with the Stanier tender, but that's a personal preference for Stanier rather than Fowler tenders.

Hopefully next year and yes a fab engine to work on.

Thanks for taking the time to explain where you were on some things (very interesting) I will be in touch on the B16 fret as may have a couple. Duncan

Going slightly off topic, but on topic, could you see in the photos if there was a separate reservoir / if at the bottom of the setter cylinder (the small cylinder above the main part of the brake valve), also known as automatic attachment if there were any other pipes coming away or if you could see a 'button' on the bottom of that cylinder? I am working on a re-write of 'The Vacuum brake' and am trying to establish if all ex GWR steam braked engines have a separate res or if the earlier system still survives. Apologies for going off topic. I hope it will be a lovely model and well supported.

Does that mean we might yet see more of Kelso appearing? - I've always thought this would make a lovely model

Glad you had a good day. The Crab was a marvellous engine having had a turn on it back in 2001. Unfortunately while unloading pw materials the cable was damaged meaning Hampton could not be switched in. Im pleased to say that it has now been repaired and the original timetable will be in use for the rest of the weekend. Best wishes Duncan

If you want to look at some GER station views - which were supposedly taken F.V Russel one of the founders of the Jazz service, have you seen my selection on Flick https://www.flickr.com/photos/29644579@N07/albums/72157650517526631 . As more information has come to light quite a few appear to be around 1947 official views 5 years after he died.!

Loving this, have you had a go at the backhead yet?

Do you know when your shot of the building at Barnstable junction was taken (post 297) I have been asked by someone elsewhere who has seen your photo. They said the building was still there in 1980, but had gone by 1983. Duncan

This is a wonderful thread, 892 is Cressing https://www.flickr.com/photos/29644579@N07/8971209331/in/album-72157650517526631/ here is a view of mine looking the other way.

have you got lots of views of the main building without trains? I have got some after closure if they are of any interest, any not the back of the building Duncan

Is the main building available as well from the same source or have you got to scratch build that?

Great idea, The Caley society also have a CD of their entire magazine run available for both members and non members - they also have various drawings on CD as well. Hopefully the UK version of the Locomotive will be done in due course as that had lots of good engineering drawings

Steam Heating is from 1 October so yes it will be in use. I know from Board meetings the GM has clearly said we will be back to our normal autumn steam gala in September.

The funny thing was there were no big crowds. As many of the people travelled on the Scotsman / Tornado train they got on board at Kidder, went to Bridgnorth and then as the train turned round fairly quickly stayed on board. Its fair to say there were mixed views before the event, but it will help. When you put into context work needed on the following Bridgnorth bypass bridge, Olbury viaduct, Borle viaduct, Wribbenhall viaduct, Sandbourne viaduct - all of those are just routine maintenance. There are at least two stretches for relaying this winter so really it just helps us to keep up. The end of season with the Crab will be good. Despite what has been written it has visited before and was amazing having had the prividge of firing it. Meanwhile, Pacific Power may be over, but the work for Santa has just begun with the coaches going in today.

sorry not got any info on that period

Sorry no idea

Thanks for the feedback and comments, which I will pass back. Yes lessons have been learned and are being taken away from the event. When we heard that not only did 15,000 ride, but an additional estimated 30,000 came just to watch it really makes the whole thing worthwhile. Several local charities / air ambulance has benefited from some of the parking in fields along the railway. Apparently the last time a 9 coach Gresley set ran was on the Gresley Society’s special train on 2nd May 1964. This was the last day on which any BR-era express train was formed entirely with Gresley’s magnificent teak carriages, albeit by then in BR maroon livery. This is by happy chance the same number as the restored full set of nine Gresley teaks now owned by the SVR Charitable Trust for operation on the SVR and used with 60103 and 60163 for the Pacific Power event.