Captain Kernow

And it will still be the only R-T-R Class 22 available, so I think it will sell by the shedload in any case... The mechanism of the Sentinel is sublime, so yes, I am also optimistic.

Or John, even!

I did! I try!

Fascinating insight into this conversion. I do like this kit (motorised one with the Kemilway chassis back in 1984). Until the Bachmann one it was the only way to get a 76XXX, unless you forked out for a DJH kit. I still think the old Kitmaster mouldings are great, though.

Nice work, Al. The new chassis is excellent and the rest of it looks brilliant as well. Presumably the old Lima body was basically correct, dimensionally?

I will endeavour to find out, although we haven't been told the start date yet.

Nice one! As I understand it, these trains will generally be worked by 66s...

Apparently Colas Rail locos have been seen route learning in South Devon (albeit not by me). Nice to see a smaller freight operator growing their business as well.

Well, this development is actually six months old, perhaps the demand for chipboard is increasing, but I understand that it's a case of the plantation owners seeking cheaper transport and also meeting 'green' obligations etc.

Here's some good news for the railways of South Devon. First, here's a photo of a very cold and neglected Heathfield station taken in January this year: ...and here's a photo of an equally woebegone Teignbridge Level Crossing, taken the same day: What's good about all this is that the line has recently been de-mothballed and is now in operational status again, waiting for the first weekly train of timber to take place in a few weeks time. Colas Rail have got a contract to take timber from South Devon plantations up to Chirk, to be turned into chipboard and the like. The timber will be taken by road to Teignbridge yard and the train will then load and convey it onwards. The operation will be run to Newton Abbot, run round, run to Heathfield, run round and then down to Teignbridge, load up, run to Newton Abbot, run round, and then up north. We are in the process of warning locals that the railway is operational once more and not to be tempted to trespass!

I can see you've been busy, John - very well done and it's looking really good. I think the idea of feeding the track current via the vertical bolts is brilliant, by the way!

Excellent retaining wall - what's the origin of that then please?

I do like the atmosphere in this one!

Yes please, it's always interesting to see and perhaps some of them will see trains again one day?

Two minutes seems more the mark, judging by what you've told us this evening!!

PS, easiest way to remove the lining might be the Microsol trick, that I picked up from Tim Easter. Soak some tissue in Microsol and place over the area that you want to remove, leave it for a few minutes then you should be able to remove it with a cotton bud soaked in more Microsol. Be careful not to remove the B.R. totem, however! (although that's easy enough to replace with a transfer anyway).

Something I've wanted to have a go at was to cut the chassis keeper plate right down the middle and widen it by around 1.5mm - 2mm by glueing an intermediate bit of plasticard to both sides. This would theoretically bring the brakeshoes back in line with the wheels, you wouldn't have to provide replacement brakeshoes either.

Well, seeings as the block shelf, with instruments etc. hasn't been done yet, I'm minded to have him in the act of tapping out a bell signal, although that's rather like having a fireman on a loco in mid-shovel.... There are noticeboards and one or two other bits and pieces yet to do. The interior will be illuminated when it's done and the roof attached.

You've achieved some fantastic effects there, Julia. The grass and brickwork weathering is really effective, and I love the backscene - is it watercolour?

Today I've been doing something I rather enjoy - playing around with various bits of plasticard and making stuff from them. Apart from the signalman's ancient 'comfy chair', the other items were measured from furniture in actual signalboxes, including the W.R. token instrument. The token instrument (which will apply to the single line section to Coalpit Heath West Junction), will have some representation of electric tokens added after it's been painted. Finally, as I was taking the photos, CTMK brought in something she's been making today, namely a woolley sheep for a window display in a bookshop. So, if the signalman does manage to have a nap in that 'comfy' chair, he'll have a bit of a shock when he wakes up!

Well, one of the colours had already been thinned, so probably 4:1 (thinners to paint). Be prepared to give more than one coat, though...

Simon - that's very good indeed. The grey livery transforms it. What about lettering the tender?