the-gog

"The best ever model of the Western diesel-hydraulic? Emphatic 'yes' in both appearance and performance." Gorgeous large photos as well, so there's no room to hide, and so they can be compared to photos of the real thing. Richard (Welshpool)

There's an excellent review in Hornby Mag March issue, with wonderful large images. Richard Edit: removed double post; website hung during first post attempt.

Thanks both. I've yet to find any proof that Enterprise was dual braked while in Desert Sand but before it gained yellow ends, ie in the condition that Steam have commissioned it.

Indeed, my sentiments as well. Hopefully this sort of crowd-sourced CAD development could become more commonplace. Hopefully the CADs for the 50 can be scaled up to produce a 4mm version as well as the N-scale one?... Here's hoping! (My poor, poor wallet.) RWJ

Re diesel engines in model locos, ask Bob Symes. He stuck a 2-stroke diesel in his model 47. There was a series of articles in Model Engineer quite recently about someone else's efforts to do the same. Quite remarkable. Naturally, we're talking about the large scales here, and not 4mm:1ft.

I really, really hope D1000 doesn't come fitted with any air pipes - I don't think it was air-braked at any stage in its life, and certainly wouldn't have been in 1962 Desert Sand livery. The only pipes at both ends should be the steam heat hose and the vacuum hose. See http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/birmingham-snowhill/brlocomotives/gwrbsh1321.jpg I'm particularly glad though that it'll come pre-fitted with the lifting rings. It'll save my eyesight. As for fitting the rings, I'd imagine that the sanest way to remove them from the etch is to first thread the fine wire through the holes down one side of the etch, place that side of the etch on a small length of blu-tak, and bring it to the attention of the Dremel drill (cutting disc attachment). Lift off the etch, and you should be left with the separated rings sitting on the blu-tak. Lift the wire, and they should peel away. That's the theory. When my wallet recovers, I'll get a BFYE Western. Maroon, Golden Ochre, and green have never appealed to me, but I've always considered any Western in Desert Sand to be absolutely knockout.

I plan on attaching the lifting rings by first cutting them off (obviously) then threading them onto a length of thin wire. Each time I want to install one, a small dab of glue in the hole on the bodyshell, then feed off a ring off the wire. In theory, anyway. RWJ

That'll be another dent in my bank balance. Come to me, my precioussss. A friend of mine is a model loco collector - glass cabinets and the like - so I can't wait to show D1000 to him and watch him go all gooey-eyed. RWJ