ArthurK

Andy Cutting the windows was the easy bit. The tumbleholme (spelling?) was formed by shaping several layers of plasticard then applying a final layer over the top. The glazing was slid in from roof level between the aforementioned layers after painting of the sides was complete. The roof was formed by heating plasticard, over a carved former, under the oven grill then quickly pressing a block of form down on it completing the shaping while it cools. Each roof takes about thirty seconds but setting it up takes a bit longer. I used 20thou material. The hardest part is carving off the excess to achieve a nice fit. I made a Sentinel railcar (sides, ends and roof) using the same technique. Note: don't use a gas grill. It's too severe and I achieved a very wrinkled result!!! Arthur

Rather than chopping up other kits I went the whole hog and scratch built a pair from Plasticard. The beading is a bit heavy but it came out pretty well. Pity about the hair that got in! I built a buffet car and bogie brake at the same time. ArthurK

I don't recall any problems with these three. ArthurK

NORTHEASTERN KITS J77 (NER 290) As most of you will know things have been at a near standstill since December but I am starting to get things moving again. I have had kits awaiting packing that arrived in the last quarter of last year. Amongst these are N10 and D20 (six of each). Other kits which have been partially packed at the same time are both versions of the J77 Fletcher cab and the later rebuilds with the Worsdell cab. Today I have just finished packing these (again six of each). I have names against most of these and they will be receiving an Email from me in the next few days. The first photo is of a build of the Fletcher cab version by Mike Meggison. The second is my own build of the later Worsdell cab nersion As I said above I have list of the names of people who have expressed an interest in these but there may be a few not spoken for. Any one interested send me a PM or Email. ArthurK

I spent many happy hours on York station in the mid-late 1940s. LMS Garrets were not uncommon then along with a miscellany of other LMS types including Jubilees and class 5s bringing in trains from Leeds. My cousin and I saw Galatea on these trains so often we longed to see a different one. Compounds also arrived including 1023 in LMS red livery and producing the blackest smoke that I have every seen even though stationary! Th LMS shed at the south end always produced more of these 'foreign' types. ArthurK

I saw it in silver too! Dad took me to Newcastle to see it. I was given the Hornby tin-plate version, an 0-4-0 with tender and a pair of articulated coaches. I also saw the Coronation at Tweedmouth. All goes to provide happy childhood memories. ArhurK

Hi Rob Don't ask me why but in the case of the 4125 self trimming tender the toolboxes were connected by a plate 1' 4 wide and 1' 2" high. The central 6" (the distance between the boxes) was extended upwards to a height of 1' 8" with semicircular top. This latter was edged with beading on the front. Contrary to my comments above the toolboxes on the 3940 tender were joined with a similar plate of the same height but as the distance between the boxes was 1' 2" it had an elliptical top. Being an early drawing (Dec 1906 for the T1) it lacks the full width coal plate at the front, I an not sure when that was added. ArthurK

The GAs of NER tenders show a gap between the toolboxes and the front coal plate. In the case of the tender on the model it is about 4 inches (full scale). The puzzling part is that the rear of the tool-boxes are connected by an inverted 'U' shaped structure (complete with beading). I have no idea what function this performs but the GAs of 3038, 3940 and 4125 gallon tenders all have this feature on both the old and new style of tool-boxes. If anyone out there knows the purpose of this feature please tell me, I would love to know. ArthurK

I have a complete kit for the Cowans-Sheldon crane but it is unlikely that I will ever get around to building it. I did however build the tool and mess vans that ran with it. ArthurK

Whereas it is difficult to measure where the precise start and end of the top coal plate is, as near as I can I make it 14' 4" measured from the GA. I might add that the GA I have is of the unfitted version lacking train brakes and water pick up gear though I have no doubt that the dimensions of the passenger tenders will be the same. The straight top of the rails is 10' 6" The GA in Ken Hoole's book should confirm this. The brake standards a fraction over 1.5 inches in diameter which makes them a fraction over 0.5mm in 4mm or 0.9mm in 7mm. Nice model Rob! ArthurK

The second carriage behind 68813 is almost certainly also NER. The NER built a lot of these semi corridor layout with centre lavatory. Not sure of the diagram No. The third is probably also NER arc roof stock. ArthurK

The carriage behind 68813 is N ER 5comp brake third Dia. 150. there is a drawing in "Historic Carriage Drawings" Vol 1 by Nick Campling ArthurK

i pent a couple of hours at Sandy in 1962. All the passenger trains were hauled by A3s, not an A4 or A1 to be seen. I did see an A4 i the cutting as I was leaving Sandy station. Never did find out which one it was. Here is one of the A3s at Everton crossing just north of Sandy. ArthurK

Mike One thing not often realised is that the the two standards for brake and scoop were not symmetrically disposed about the centre line. The brake was 2' 6" from centre, the scoop standard was 2' 2 3/4" (left hand looking forward fireman's side) AthurK

A gallon of water weighs precisely 10lb. Therefore 5000 gallons weigh 50,000lb or 22.3 tons ArthurK

All this talk of Night Hawk etc. It ended its daysin the scrap line at Blaydon. No doubt being towed away for cutting up soon afterwards. Note that it still had its nameplates and number plates intact as did other Pacifics awaiting their fate. ArthurK

My C6 was 784 when in its green livery. My painting skills don't match up to my modelling skills so when I decided on a full refurbishment it was completely stripped. It now has a High-Level gearbox and Mashima motor rather than the XO4 style and Romford gears. ArthurK

As most of you will know work on my kits has virtually stopped due to my recent loss. However I am trying to get things moving again. First priority will the 0-6-0Ts, classes J71 and J72 (short and long bunker), but the others have not been forgotten. I chose the V/09 because of the smaller bogie wheels which did not require tapering of the front frames to get clearance. I intend to add the V in addition when I can clear the decks of the other outstanding kits. To keep you happy here is one I scratchbuilt many years ago. ArthurK

A photo of 63984. Taken York early 60s. Straight sided tender. ArthurK

NORTHEASTERN KITS I thought that I should explain the lack of postings on this thread as I know that some of you are wondering what has happened to the developments announced some months ago. My dear wife, June, developed Alzheimer's 3-4 years ago and it became progressively worse during 2016. She was hospitalised in October following a fall and passed away a few days before Xmas. June has been my soul-mate for nigh on seventy years since we met when she was just fifteen. There was an immediate bond between us. We were married for sixty two and a half years. Needless to say her death has left an enormous hole in my life and everything else has been pushed aside. I am slowly coming to terms with my loss but it will take some time. Looking to the future I hope to get things moving again soon. I already six sets of etches ready for the J71 and for both versions of the J72. These lack castings though I do have the masters for most of them. Then there are the instructions to complete. I have six of each of the two versions of the J77 partially packed. I know that some of you are waiting for these. You will get a note when they are ready. Most of the design for the Q7 is complete but I intend to include some detail for the inside valve gear which is very visible between the front frames. This has not yet been finalised. Because of recent events the J25 is on hold but only requires some cab detail before preparing the artwork. Beyond that there is still the C6 to complete. There will be further releases of the D20 and N10. Please no messages of condolence on these pages I don't want to be reminded of June's death every time I open up the thread. In her memory I have changed my avatar to a photo of her in happier times. ArthurK

Paul There nearly was a kit. I was presented with a GA of the Stephenson builds.That person wanted me to produce a kit for the '59' but he wanted the curly footplate version. Neither of us being able lo locate any details of the Darlington builds the project fell by the wayside and there it remains. Good luck with the build. ArthurK

I am afraid personal circumstances have caused a slowdown in the development of these kits but they are not forgotten and indeed (slow) development is still progressing. I have six sets of etches for the J71 and the short and long bunker versions of the J72 to hand but these are awaiting castings. There are still a few masters to complete. I seems unlikely the these three will appear before Xmas. Time is running out. The cattle boxes are awaiting revised artwork which is partially complete. This has entailed complete redrawing if the sides as there were bad errors on the original though it was true to the drawing used to produce it. I will add an additional note as to the current stock of kits. There six of each version of the J77 awaiting completion of packing. I will check the rest. ArthutrK

Although I am now producing my own kits, the A Class is very tempting. I saw these locos frequently trundling between the Consett Iron Company Coke ovens at Winlaton Mill and the Derwenthaugh staithes with alternating loads of coal and coke. I crossed the line daily on the way to school added to which I also crossed the line to and from Blaydon shed several times a week in my train spotting days. Happy carefree days. Thankfully one of these has been preserved. I was a little late to photograph these even though I must have had he opportunity.

Please give me a precise definition of a modeller. ArthurK

Whereas your reference to valve gear parts by their actual names is good practice, we should remember that many modellers have no idea which bits those names refer to. To many, especially the less experienced, the mention of valve gear means those difficult to build bits outside the wheels. ArthurK