sjp23480

Came across this site today, it is excellent. A free site except for a voluntary donation. It has Victorian maps of the whole of the UK, unlike other old map sites I have come across which can be patchy. Zooming in reveals a high level of detail,including track plans and railway structures. It also has a useful slider to transition between old and new maps. Well worth a look: https://www.archiuk.com/archi/index_mobile.htm Stephen

I have another bag of bits, but I have no idea which loco they are for!

A kitchen fitter I knew always rated IKEA units, no personal experience of them myself. We have granite/quartz composite tops laid on our original laminate surfaces. They have been very hard wearing and look great. Hard wearing but not cheap. If we fancy a change, we will probably keep the surfaces and carcasses and just change the doors.

Speaking of David Bowie, Little Drummer Boy was my grandfather's favourite Christmas song and subsequently mine too. My grandfather passed away many years, but when I hear the unlikely Bowie/Crosby duet it always brings back memories. Just a shame it doesn't get more airplay.

PM sent

If you are in no hurry, why not sign up for RMWeb Gold and sell via the classifieds here? The combination of eBay and PayPal fees (~10%) on the sale prices quickly offset the cost of membership. You control the selling price, will be selling to fellow enthusiasts who are not just trying to turn a quick profit at your expense. You will likely have no time wasters who increasingly lurk on eBay, bidding on items with no intention of paying seemingly intent on spoiling otherwise legitimate transactions. I apologise if these comments offend, but this has been my (increasingly frequent) experience recently. You also get access to BRM every month and the extensive archive. If RMWeb classifieds fail, you can always revert to eBay. Steve NB: I have no connection to RMWeb, just a satisfied user

Allan Gibson does etchings for a station roof,original based on Bath Green Park station. Check out p22 of their PDF catalogue: http://www.alangibsonworkshop.com/. Pictures of the model can be found here: https://www.tauntonmodelrailwaygroup.co.uk/copy-of-gallery-1 Steve

31A Got it, you are spot on - RMWeb to the rescue again. Thank you. Steve

Hello everyone, Season's greetings to everyone. My current T4 lockdown project is to rename and commission a Bachmann Jubilee ( the latest iteration of this lovely model). The detailing bag contains this component but the instructions don't tell you what it is or where it goes. Can any expert RMWebbers let me know what it is and where it goes? Thanks Steve

Jools, if you go to further down the list of topics in this forum you will find a reference to my database of locos captured in photos on the S&C (which can be downloaded as a spreadsheet) and the rather excellent site put together by Steve Rabone. Not sure if this serves your purpose? It doesn't list the sheds as you originally requested but you can cross reference with the aforementioned sites if you want to take a deeper dive. Steve

BBC News - Covid: William and Kate plan train tour to thank key workers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55198752 Wills and Kate on a three day tour of the UK. Any idea on how to find where/when the train will be running and if it will be steam hauled, as the imagery suggests? Steve

Seems like they are now in stock, mine is on its way from Derails.

Hi, Does anyone know when the Southern livery gate stock will arrive in stores (EFE E86002)? Hoping to pick one up in time to gift as a Christmas present. Many thanks Steve

Thanks 34tlbB&D! Will look out for the conduction path. I have a new chassis block from Peters Spares as the original has rotted. If the new cover fails to do the trick I have a big tub of Evo Stick that should do the job! Thanks again Steve

Thanks Heiter I have a spare chassis block and gear cover from Peters Spares, so am going to give that a go. If that doesn't work I will fall back on your suggestions. Thanks again, Steve

Heiter, Do you have any suggestions to address the weak worm gear cover. I have a number of patriots and Scots, one of which just came back from Hornby after repair; am wondering what proactive steps I can take to prevent future problems? Thanks, Steve

Back to the OP, I recently returned a Royal Scot to Hornby for repair. It had never been out of the box, but when I tested it during lockdown the gears weren't meshing. Sent it back to Hornby and after a couple of weeks got an email saying it was being sent back and when to expect it. Package arrived as promised and upon opening their letter advised they at repaired it with a new chassis block. All this was at their expense. Given the repaired loco was bought from Signal Box Rochester (long gone) for £72 (price sticker still on the box) I have to say I think this is outstanding service. Big thank you and thumbs up to Hornby for their support. Steve

Ummmm, that plastic whistle didn't last long on mine. Can anyone suggest a suitable replacement? Thanks Steve

Southern Pride Models have a large selection of 2nd hand items for sale, whilst some items have already been sold there is a lot left and at good prices: http://www.southernpridemodels.co.uk/

Mark, So sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you and their family. I didn't know Kath or John, but a double tragedy that their lives were cut short and in such rapid succession. Too many lives are being lost because of Covid, both directly to the virus and indirectly as patients with other conditions struggle to get treatment. So tragic that John managed to get the treatment he needed only to contract Covid in hospital. This is a very nasty and virulent virus, unfortunately not something everyone appreciates. Kath and John are together again, looking down on family and friends and smiling. All the best, Stephen

Another vote for perspex from me. HMBaseboards sell a control panel box and I then get a perspex top cut to size. I drew my trackplan on art card and mounted this behind the perspex using aluminium U section and steel "corners" from Wilko and bolt it all together. It can then be drilled for various switches etc. Steve

I haven't built a DJH Brit, but I have built the Clan (pre Hornby. Fundamentally it is a good kit. I replaced the DJH chassis with a Comet equivalent. Not such a smart move as the Comet chassis was designed for the Hornby RTR Brit so it needed quite a lot of work to fit. I think it is fair to say that the fidelity below the footplate isn't great, nor are the twiddly bits, eg pipework and various small components- sorry I don't know what they are called. But overall the dimensions are spot on and the Clan certainly made up to a nice model. Steve

Hornby R2744 BR Schools class "Blundells", £84.95 from Hereford Models and six in stock: http://herefordmodels.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=340_350_354_351&products_id=5367 Also 3x 8 ton GWR cattle wagons (pristine or weathered) for £28

Interesting to see the bent footplate in the first shot, which is not apparent in the second. I presume the second pic is later as there is a slight link in the footplate which may evidence the repair? If you saw that feature recreated on a model, imagine the response!

If you are in the south east I can recommend hmbaseboards in Woodchurch, Kent: http://hmbaseboards.co.uk/. He supplies frames, legs and tops for assembly, which is very straightforward. I know he is VERY busy right now so it may take 3-4 weeks for him to supply and does send out via courier if you can't collect. No connection, other than being a satisfied customer. Steve