Geoff Endacott

That's one good thing about the rail blue era - spare body panels were usually the right colour! Geoff Endacott

Unless, of course, you are modelling D1036. Geoff Endacott

Cab lights on the Westerns had two settings - dim and off. Bright was never an option. Geoff Endacott

You can't run any of the Dapol Blue FYE Westerns alongside main line steam which had gone by the time the Talisman clips were introduced. Geoff Endacott

If your van doesn't move, you might as well have a shed. Geoff Endacott

I have been checking through photos to complile a complete list of the clipless ones and now have D1025-29 (as built), D1005, D1040, D1046, D1049, D1065 and D1071. I also have a feeling that D1063 might be another one, but am rather short of photos of this particular machine. Also, was D1000 withdrawn before getting the Talisman clips? I have a photo of it on the scrapline, but it isn't clear enough to be certain. Geoff Endacott

I had forgotten King from the rectangular vent batch. As for wipers, didn't D1006 retain the relics of its experimental circular fittings? Complicated, isn't it? Geoff Endacott

...and the Dapol model has the overhead warning flashes in the Swindon position rather than the Crewe one. Geoff Endacott

That's a good start - it saves me a job too. What I don't know is which of the locos withdrawn in 1974 (if any) didn't survive long enough to get the extended battery box clips. There are also others which lost one or both sets of headboard clips - I just don't have the details to hand. Geoff Endacott

Strictly speaking, none of them. The red route indicator discs as depicted on the model has all gone by the time the Talisman clips were fitted. (I know that some Westerns ran in their later years with enthusiasts' modifications, but the added discs were not in the same place.) Ignoring the red discs, the Dapol model of D1005 will not represent any of the Westerns withdrawn before the Ealing accident and D1007 Western Talisman itself. (I can sort out a list later if people are interested.) Also, delete D1025-29 inclusive which didn't ever have headboard clips, those which lost them one one or both ends (including D1005 and D1040) and those with added cab ventilation (D1012, D1024, D1028, D1056, D1071). Geoff Endacott

That's what happpens if you leave something open to the weather on Mars. Geoff Endacott

I had always assumed that Precision Labels recommendations were based on the dimensions of models, not prototypes. Their list was published before the Dapol Western was released. The standard headcode blind character is 12 inches high and I am not aware of any classes with four-character codes which had special small blinds. Geoff Endacott

Twelve tree sparrows. I make that 36. Geoff Endacott

I have used Precision Labels 4mm headcodes. Headcodes on Hymeks and Westerns should be the same size. Geoff Endacott

Isn't a break van where the crew go when they need a rest? Geoff Endacott

All you need to do now is build another one and you will be just like Arthur Jackson. When can the layout come to the Calne Show? Geoff Endacott

So that's where Trainwest Ted got to. Geoff Endacott

Does Greg Brookes undertake commissions? Geoff Endacott

My challenge to find a photo of a Western which retained the red dots in 1974-77 still stands. All photos so far show locomotives which have had the dots added in a different position. The dots have therefore been regained, not retained. Geoff Endacott

Those dots are not in the original position and therefore not in the same position as on the Dapol model. The original dot position is where the data panel is placed. The model does not have the data panel but is easily fixed by putting the necessary transfers over the red dots. The two photographs above do give a good indication of the differences between Swindon and Crewe machines. Look at the position of the overhead warning signs on the cab ends and the presence, or lack of, clips for the driver's name badge below the cab window. Strictly speaking, the Dapol model depicts D1001-24 only. D1000 had its warning flashes in a slightly diffrent position and D1025-29 didn't have headboard clips. Geoff Endacott

I know I'm being picky but I'm only trying to help, honest. The blue model has the Talisman clips - and very well exectuted they are as well - but that dates it to 1974 onwards. It also has the red route restriction markings on the cab sides which were only applied to the first of the blue repaints in the 1960s. I can't think of any Westerns which retained the red route restriction markings by 1974. Can anyone else find an example? If I am right, it's a 1960s livery on a 1970s body. Either the clips or the red dots will have to go. (I suggest the latter.) While on the subject of the Talisman clips (again) don't forget that not all of the Westerns were fitted with them. The first ones to be withdrawn didn't get them including, of course, D1007 Western Talisman itself. Geoff Endacott

They are listed under locomotives. That at least must be wrong. I wonder if you can list a car which is parked on a tarpaulin in the section headed cars and merely say in the description that the car is not included. Geoff Endacott

I don't know about now being an author in Railway Modeller having first contributed to the magazine 32 years ago. The evening function is a result of Trainwest at which the layout featured in Railway Modeller will be exhibited for the first time, not very far away from Poynton Sneer. Geoff Endacott

You can see it in the flesh at Trainwest. www.trainwest.org.uk Geoff Endacott

Perhaps I misunderstood the question. No, I haven't got a date. At the moment I will be attending the evening function on my own. Geoff Endacott