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I don’t have a piercing saw so had to make do with the Dremel. If I do another conversion I’ll probably get one. The four body parts have had an overnight bath in Nitromors. Final clean up and glue together today.

I’d second the more modern bus. Less than 60000 Ranchos built between 1977-85.

The latest vehicle from RailNscale is the Simca Matra-Rancho. Not in 1/148 yet but I’m sure they will scale it up if asked. https://railnscale.com/2019/12/06/matra-rancho/

A small side project for Olympia, converting an Oxford Diecast n gauge RM into an RML

Next stage will be a trip into the paint stripper jar before cleaning up and reassembling everything properly.

Well I finally took the knife or rather the cutting disc to two RMs this afternoon. The rivets were drilled out to remove the chassis, lower seats and glazing. The next set of rivets were drilled out ( yes there’s four ) to remove the upper seating and glazing. Each bus was marked up and had masking tape wrapped along the cut lines before the mini drill cutting disc was used. Both top and bottom decks cut in one go. Both ends need a file taking to them to square things up better but otherwise it’s looking like RMLs is go!

.......and made bloody Izal toilet paper......or tracing paper!

Thanks for the comments...... Amberley publishing tend to like a standard 96 page format and approx 180 photos for each book. I tend to supply a few too many hence some three a page.

My sound fitted loco arrived over the weekend. Bogie keeper plate off on one bogie and all the wheels had dropped out. A quick reassemble meant it started up OK but appears to have a wobbling front axle. I think it will be going back for an exchange. I took the keeper plate off again and checked the wheels again. The wobble seems to have gone, so something must have been incorrectly fitted. The sound is great and I look forward to running the loco in.

An eBay win of 4 RMs for £8.00 means the fodder for this project are in the post. Just need to find the mini drill and cutting discs!

A successful and busy weekend in Brighton meeting up with everyone at the exhibition. Attendance was good and the standard of layouts was excellent. The journey down from York was via Birmingham New St, Mrs G wanted the Birmingham mug from Starbucks. Never drink there coffee but got mugs from around the world! This also gave me the chance to travel on a Pendalino, never been on one. Some say lucky you. The 1230 New st to Watford Junction turned out to be a 5 car 221......very very packed. Still ran to time and connections into the Milton Keynes - East Croydon service were made. Two more c377s got me to Southwick. Had an excellent visit to the Corkscrew lines on Friday and trains ran too. I head back north Thursday after giving a slide show and talk to the S.T.I.G ( earlier version than Top Gear ).

You could well be right about the dates John.

Just had the Scottish one back for proof reading this week. I’ll post some details later. The next one, just started, is Brighton and Sussex. The publishers must be happy as they’ve asked me to do some more......yet to finalise the subject matter.

Good ole Q kits. I had Falcon as a Q kit mounted on Airfix c31 motor and bogies. Weighed a ton as it was well loaded with lead.

That’ll be this crane then https://zenfolio.page.link/uFjs7

A few pics of some of the layouts at the show today.

I agree, having supplied a photo for it. Found it an enjoyable and balanced view of the era.

I think I can take this as a positive review, Rail Express magazine December 2019 issue.

I was trying to load a picture that is in PDF format, didn’t work and I couldn’t delete the post completely. The picture is the cover for the next book ScR.

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Ahhh sneaky. Anyway the fire engine is a much more suitable vehicle than the alternatives for the 1980s. It’ll be an interesting conversion you’re going to do for a dustcart.

Thanks for the extra info chaps. Lots of photos out there but many of course are of the London’s burning vehicles. They appear to have used several different ones over the years. LFB have used this type as there are several pictures on the net, 1984 A prefix seem the oldest. Some useful pictures here http://www.romar.org.uk/page3.html

Needs red wheels and a yellow side strip with blue border in addition to the station name and LFB crest.

A little order from Osbournes arrived yesterday, milk float, Commer Walk thru and the fire engine. I’ve given it a coat of Tamiya Clear and a black wash to highlight some parts, ladders aren’t as chunky as I thought they would be. Need to check what colour the wheels should be.