Ragtag

I've never had an issue with their sales branch. However, a little over a month ago I had a hit on a listing I had with their ModelTrade website (a listing long forgotten, I might add). I dutifully posted the model the next day. A month later, I'm still waiting for my money despite contacting them twice and being assured that the money would be in my account "later today or tomorrow". Having never used their ModelTrade service before, I can only hope it's a one-off.

Appreciate the tip re: BR Blue. I'd been looking for a colour to do the bottom band on some bus repaints and found nothing close, never even thought to look at rail colours.

Some interesting native wildlife in Northumberland thesedays... Just kidding of course - this black bear mother and her three cubs were on the Maligne Lake road in Jasper National Park, Canada.

LoadHaul sits very well on that 66. Tempted to knock one up myself now. Out of interest what scale is that in? Looks larger than 4mm.

The SE finecast glazing, while not to Shawplan lazerglaze standards, is a vast improvement over what's fitted. Couple of poor photos of an in-progress one here. Glazing was the first thing I started with, since these were taken it's had detailed bufferbeams, new grilles etc. Still got the chassis and lighting to do.

The image Stuart has posted above there of the Mk1 BG is currently in Bachmann's range in Royal Mail livery: https://railsofsheff...-JJJA17071.aspx. If it's really just for train set running (which is where my interest in mail by rail started) have you thought about the old Lima version of the Royal Mail BG? It's too long and should be available rather cheaper than Bachmann's version. I know I have a couple sat on a shelf doing not very much. You can also often get the Lima Royal Mail-liveried GUV for under a tenner, and it's a decent enough model. If you'd rather model your own the sides on the Bachmann coaches come away nicely for repainting. As he gets older you could even look at using a hurst conversion kit to make a courier van (although you'd need a different donor coach). Here's mine:

Could you post an image of the coach in question?

Oddly, the DRS colours rather suit it.

Ditto modern warflats, I'd have a few.

Very impressed so far. Any chance of warwell and warflat modern versions for those of us who don't fancy the Genesis/Matador offerings?

A personal favourite is what must surely be one of the most redundant signs in history, to be found at West Yorkshire Wildlife Park. It simply says: "Lions are dangerous."

Hi James, yes numbers, overheard warnings etc. are all from Fox. The NR logos came from 'Hurst Trainsfers'.

Heh, time is at a premium thesedays - I'm lucky if I get to read the layout topics I'm following nevermind anything in wheeltappers etc.

Not railway-related in any shape or form, but this sat nav listing may generate a chuckle or two: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180726587776

The classic Bond scene always makes me smile where he's driving down an alleyway on two wheels. They allegedly filmed the entrance to the alley one way, then accidentally had the car coming out of the alley the other way. The solution? Add a scene in the middle where Bond is shown swerving the wheel to flip the car down onto four wheels then up onto the other two.

The Network Rail BG fetched £120 in the end £141.43 for the more modified one. Crackers.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-GNER-HST-125-Train-Pack-R2612-/170685095693?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item27bd9fdf0d This is an interesting one GNER 125 in the title, Virgin 125 in the description and a Pendolino in the picture.

"Google Instant" is the feature where it 'guesses' what you're searching for, producing the results as you type. Not a fan personally, so I've disabled it.

Can't you just change your options back? Click the cog at the top right of the home page and click "Search Settings." That'll take you to the old preferences page.

£18 is the cheapest Mk.1 BG at hattons Ozzy

How about £102 for a Bachmann BG? With 2 days left to run... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-Network-Rail-Yellow-Generator-Van-/320742677386?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item4aadc0db8a Or £101 for this one? Albeit with a little more work done: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-Network-Rail-Yellow-Staff-and-Tool-Van-/310338315706?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item48419ae5ba

Wiring in series means the components form, basically, one big loop. In parallel, each component/group of components has it's own loop. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_and_parallel_circuits

The Model Rail review mentioned that the refurbished NSE version lacked the guard's compartment so the visible bogie in this model may be a result of the bogie having to be visible in the NSE version, and Hornby standardising the chassis design? Agree that the other flaws are a disappointment on a brand new model, especially if flagged before production.

If the family aren't aware of the forum, why not show/send them a selection of the more heartfelt condolences posts? When my fiancée's dad died (he also being a teacher) a load of ex-pupils wrote messages on a facebook page with some real gems - my personal favourite being "RIP Mr. Hunter. Sorry for letting out your hamsters." The family took some real solace from the messages, as well as a few chuckles.

Just received from Hattons: Hatton's Beyer Garratt project Hatton’s are pleased to announce our next specially commissioned project - the Beyer Garratt. Working with Heljan we will be producing 12 variations of the LMS Garratts in OO Gauge, due for delivery in time for Christmas 2012. The price for pre-order is £199. The Beyer Garratt 2-6-0+0-6-2s, which ran between 1930 and 1958, will be available available in LMS and BR liveries with a choice of pristine, lightly weathered and heavily weathered finishes. All models will include an 8-pin DCC socket and have two motors for the articulated driving wheels. We’re also looking into the possibility of incorporating working lights which operate in the direction of travel. This project follows our previous collaborations with Heljan, the Class 14 Teddy Bears and Class 28 Co-Bo’s. Our early LMS Beyer Garratts, running numbers 4970 and 4978, will feature standard bunkers and pony wheel brakes, with the 10 later models featuring revolving bunkers and no pony wheel brakes. Details on specific models: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=hxqla4bab&v=001yP95GP3a5wgdW6wmAkEdkCScu8fxCIh54PW0Wwfg0hH9E6JHSh3Wax6Kfbvji8frrEkqRFzBHAutPXQ8GTMzJ8sSvGveLbRgv0aoPoGsfyHRbUMjiMIXfg%3D%3D