Captain Kernow

Nice work Bubbles, looking very neat already. That gives me hope. Doesn't look like any rivets got sacrificed, either?

Actually, it should be me to apologise now, as I wasn't having a pop at you, F-Unit, rather I was being self-critical of my own indecision (only your quote fitted the bill nicely! ) I just can't make my mind up - I want one, but I have a real 'thing' about poor quality control as regards R-T-R mechanisms that won't run smoothly, especially after running in. I could probably live with the relatively minor dimensional things about this model that seem to have cropped up, also fitting new (less obtrusive) pick ups shouldn't be too onerous, less happy with the hole in the buffer beam, but that's fixable, especially if the buffer beam comes off, but having lots of hassle with running as well, I find it a whole big turn-off, I'm afraid...

[pedantic whinge mode] If I'd ordered one, I don't think that I'd see the funny side of that. I've no problem actually rectifying these reported deficiencies, but I really think that a bit more care in the quality control side wouldn't come amiss, to save everyone all these phone calls and e-mails back to Hattons. Surely Hattons themselves would prefer not to have to deal with all these queries from not-quite-satisfied customers? [/pedantic whinge mode] Apart from that, still thinking I might get one!

'Captain's Whimsey' notwithstanding, there's no evidence that the Class 14s worked over the S&D before it closed, although I suppose they may have handled the Coop Siding coal trip after the main line closed, they certainly worked down the Midland line to Bath Green Park goods. I think it's unlikely that a Class 14 would have worked down the S&D pre-March 1966, as the traincrew that signed the S&D probably only signed steam, unless individual men who were transferring to other depots upon the closure of the S&D, had already started to learn 'new' traction (although that in itself is unlikely, as traction training has never generally been done until a person actually starts work at the new depot). For any diesel to work over the S&D when it was open, you'd have probably needed a S&D-based driver to conduct the Class 14 driver, hardly an economic state of affairs when you could just use a steam loco from Bath Green Park or Templecombe etc. I can't specifically recall whether I've seen any photos of them working demolition trains on the S&D, unlike Class 22s and 08s. You need to bear in mind that for those duties, some of the turns were worked by Yeovil men, and it remains to be seen whether they signed Class 14s....

That's a really excellent notion! That would make all the difference between me getting one or not, I suspect...

I've been reading this thread with the greatest interest, ever since a change of credit card details has stalled my order... [public wailing and gnashing of teeth] I'll admit to being very irritated by the hole in the buffer beam, even though we all know why it has to be there. Given that other manufacturers have supplied alternative parts to cover this sort of thing, I can't help but be a bit disappointed that this is the case here. Notwithstanding talk of plugging it with plasticard and matching the paint etc., this is actually not such a straightforward task to get absolutely right, ie. so good, that you'd never know there had been a hole there in the first place. Having the buffers in situ will make it harder to smooth the joint off, and a complete re-spray will be necessary (not in itself the most onerous of tasks, but just one more thing that I feel I'd have to do, in order to get this R-T-R model to exhibition readiness. My plan was to convert my existing OO one (ex-Constructeon kit) to P4, and use the Hattons/Heljan one for OO use. I even bought some Gibbo P4 wheels... Now I'm just not sure whether to proceed with the purchase, current opinion at Kernow Towers is a 55% majority in favour... [/public wailing and gnashing of teeth] Apart from that, the job's a good 'un!

I sincerely hope that this is the case... I've e-mailed them, asking the question. Edit - I've just checked a couple of the pre-production photos, and the holes are present on those bodies, yet I can't remember anyone mentioning them at the time....

Did you come to a decision on this in the end? :icon_question:

So it's not a device for adding salt to a model coal mine, then?

I was admiring the work on these structures in Robin's various blog entries, and was drawn to this one, featuring the York self-adhesive slates. I bought some from them at Scaleforum last year, and although I haven't used them yet, I was also assured that the 3M adhesive would provide a good and lasting bond to the roof surface itself, so I shall use mine with more confidence than the older Exactoscale self-adhesive slates I used on a building I did last year. There was some lifting on that, but fortunately this now seems to have stabilised and all is well. Reading further down the blogs, I arrived at the dawning and astonished realisation that you appear to be able to commission York Modelmakers to produce your own laser-cut building kit, to your own specifications. That mere fact is, to me, mind-blowing enough, never mind the fantastic quality that results from their techniques.

I was informed yesterday of a temporary suspension of their use on revenue-earning freight trains, pending the sorting out of the reliability issues. In the meantime, a work-related visit to Stoke Gifford earlier this week yielded some useful detail shots, for all of you modern-image modellers who are champing at the bit for a model of one of these... I've posted them up on a seperate thread, as there are potentially quite a few of them - detailed photos of new Class 70s

The temperature has evidently cooled considerably in South Devon, the shop at Buckfastleigh had sold out when I called this morning (but managed to pick up their last Prestflo!)...

I dunno what it is with these Pugs and running qualities - I've got one, still in it's box, and it's a bit of an uneven runner as well... Yours looks fab, mind! :icon_thumbsup2:

That's really good, Martin - definitely 'just like the real thing' from what I can remember of various cab rides in the line of duty a few years ago! Perhaps the fitter is quite a small person, in order to get a full boot print on the bulkhead, due to the confines of the cab etc.?

No, it's onwards and upwards, Brian. With the Tillig superelevation sections now on their way, we can complete the tracklaying over the next few weeks, hopefully the wiring will continue in parallel with that. Also being done soon, hopefully, will be work on the new trailer to properly store and transport TT2.

On Monday night, one of our members Andrew Howlett brought in some 4mm scale broad gauge models he had started a few years ago, but hadn't completed yet for personal/domestic reasons. I'll let the photos speak for themselves:

Last night we got the OO P87 circuit on TT2 temporarily wired up and actually ran some trains on the new facility for the first time. The honour of breaking the metaphorical ribbon went to John farmer's LY pannier tank, which was swiftly followed by a succession of other Western Region, Southern Region and S&D trains. The first powered movement on the completed OO circuit. A general view of the test track 10800 getting his version of The Cornishman ready to put on the track This is the best that the camera on my phone could manage in terms of replicating the famous Turner painting 'Rain, Diesel & Speed'.... Re6/6 takes the controls as his Light Pacific eases away with it's long train The lack of a third rail wasn't going to put 10800 off from running this! A change of motive power on the Cleethorpes - Exmouth. The spamcan and 80XXX came off and were replaced by motive power from the Captain's shed (both locos to be weathered in due course for use on 'Engine Wood'_ Finally, here is the link to the YouTube footage taken by Brinkly, of Rod's T9 and an unreasonably long train...

Well well well, here we have compelling photographic evidence from historical sources (together with modern day comparason) and even a genuine O/S map showing the route of the line... how utterly wonderful! A man after my own heart (as I'm sure you know!!) :icon_thumbsup2: :icon_thumbsup2:

I remember when I had my very first Saturday job at the tender age of 15, I was a washer-up at a local hotel on Sat and Sun lunchtimes, (pay was Absolute Pittance pence per hour). One day, when I had caught up with the lunchtime rush and done all my work, I got my Wills 22XX body kit out, that I'd assembled, and gave it a good wash in the sink. The manageress came through, took one look at what I was doing, and rushed off to ask the supervisor what I was doing - 'but he's washing trains', she wailed!

Happy to be of service - buildings are looking good! :icon_thumbsup2:

Paul - I really like this shot - what layout is it taken on, please? (doesn't look like Albion Yard?). Thanks.

City of Truro comes to Callow Lane! My thanks to Brian (Taz) for bringing his CoT along for me to have a look at - thought it would look good posed/balanced on the P4 track! I think I want one now!!

Are the original driving wheels also lined, Rich?

Rich - I suspect that you will have to fit the outside cranks to the axles, whatever wheels you choose. I would imagine that it's a bit early for Ultrascale or Gibbo to think about doing some bespoke drop-in replacement sets, so you'll have to go with whatever is currently in their range. Have you thought of getting a basic Comet tender chassis and just building it with 3-point compensation? I'd also recommend that you install some kind of spring onto the bogie itself and some side-control as a minimum - don't just rely on the weight of the bogie to keep it on the track.

I rang the NRM earlier this week to check on availability, and the nice lady said that they had over 1000 still in stock, so I think I will wait until after Christmas. I meant to ask whether the price will increase in the New Year (apart from the VAT, of course), but forgot!...