Downendian

Posted recently in the "changing face of Bristol thread" 31106 skinhead in well weathered banger blue approaches Bristol Bath road, early 1980s. A scene that is now just a memory. Neil

And to prime our chats here's a shot of the slave unit with some at least of the RT models kit fitted. Neil

Thanks Robbie for the PM. Robbie has mentioned inaccuracies in the RT models "slave" cab. I hope that we can have a conversation here about this and possible rectification. Neil

The master and slave units together. Still to be done is the respray of the RT models components to BR green, and then permanent coupling as per prototype. I will try fitting identical chips and run as a consist to start with to see how these run. Neil

Next up a bit more detail on the class 13 project. I've always liked the obscure classes, one-offs, (or as below three offs) that were specific to a location, and resulted in excursions to far off areas of the country to sight these rare species. The 01s at Holyhead breakwater, the lone 05 at Ryde IOW, and the three Tinsley sisters, the class 13s. With most BR diesels in my fleet now, a few obscure shunters are needed "for the set". Intrigued by the Olivia's trains class 13 offering I decided to give it a go. Spent the last couple of months accruing the required bits and pieces off the bay, including cheap Bachmann 08s. With the RT models class 13 kit bought, I settled on the Bachmann model as donor, although it is recommended to use the Hornby model. I'd plumped on 13 002 just after TOPS renumbering, so a pair of green outside framed, flush doored 08s were obtained. One was cheap because it "clicked", so always looking for a bargain I won it and decided a complete strip down would solve the problem. It was smothered in grease, but despite a lengthy clean up this did not resolve the problem, so further exploration into its innards was required. Basically the whole thing was dismantled (which it has to be in any case as I wanted it to be the donor for the slave unit), and I discovered the problem, a split nylon drive gear. A quick email to Bachmann's excellent service department and a replacement 08 wheelset is on its way to me, complete with yellow con rods- saving me a job painting the red ones that came with the model. First task is to remove the cab, and razor saw off the cab bulkhead, which having invested in a decent razor saw was a rapid job with very straight cut and minimum flash. It's all filed and sanded, and offered the etch to the body. For some reason the etch extends out beyond the compressor boxes beyond the former cab, and these will need gently filing back. The core components for the slave unit for 13 002, Bachy 08 and RT models steel backplate Attacked with Razor saw- pleased with first cut - patience is a virtue stop and check routinely that the cut is in line. This was easy as the guidelines were part of the Bachmann moulding. The source of the mysterious click - split nylon drive gear. An easy fix with replacement wheel set from Bachmann

I've been doing a bit of housekeeping this morning, especially looking at a workbench thread on a forum I used to post on. There is material there which for some reason I've not posted here, and will put that right. First is an addition from about nine months ago on the second tooling Bachmann 40 ( the blue split box variant). If you have not done this, it is must do to get effective running. The first release had pink non-conductive grease packed around the gear train which worked its way into the pick ups and gave errant running, it is a simple task to remove the keeper plate using a flat head screwdriver towards the fuel tank end of the bogie. The large amount of pinkish grease can be seen on the keeper plate. The excess grease was removed with tissue paper soaked in IPA and then the gear train similarly treated and then lubricated with conductive grease. A free running model then results. Both of my split box 40s have been so treated. Neil

Must say I'm looking forward to see what can be done with issue 24, the peak diesel, but spare chassis are likes hens teeth. Neil

Before that backdrop to locos entering Temple Meads to park or refuel on Bath Road vanishes forever , let's remember it in its Heyday. 31107 in the 1980s. Neil

Merry Xmas everyone, up bright and early putting the bird in the oven around an hour ago. Reminiscing over coffee Christmasses past, and all those loved ones no longer with us, and my memories took me back to my happy childhood 40 years ago. On Christmas Eve 1974, a frantic cycle to "Pearces's bridge" East of Bristol Parkway station just caught sight of D1006 Western Stalwart thundering west on a South Wales passenger train. It was the only time I saw her in service, having started spotting seriously the previous summer. Pearces's bridge is also no more - seen here in this wonderful period shot from Andy Kirkham at Stoke Gifford looking East. http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/File:D1025-1.jpg It has been demolished and being replaced for the GWML works. Soon this area will be changed forever - time to get the camera out the next few weeks. Was it all really 40 years ago? Neil

Absolutely magnificent set of photos Dave. I've had a few enjoyable hours looking through this thread today - can't believe I've missed it for so long. I've pressed the like button so many times I've lost count- it just doesn't do this collection justice. Another National railway treasure. Neil

It's a small world Phill, I've just won a copyright photo of a withdrawn Hymek on eBay, despite being blue looks very similar to D7024 (it's apparently D7095). Look at the roller headcode blinds! Neil

Ha ha looking at that photo, I keep expecting to see a goldfish swim past. Neil

Sorry Rob. Not even close enough to read the 08s number. March 1986, groggy scan Neil

I agree with both Bodmin and Thane, I was adamant until yesterday that I would only accept a full refund. However the seller took a hit of £20 thereby accepting culpability as far as I'm concerned. I could have easily cashed in at any point with the ebay guarantee, but I do need further peak chassis for future projects, including the GBL peak and forthcoming Shawplan etches for 44 009 and 44 010. The chassis was chipped as well - will look to see what it is over the holidays. This individual has been exposed here, and was my intention to warn others to be careful if bidding on railway items from them, and to highlight my experiences of the eBay processes for redress. Neil

I've just offered a compromise lets see - some of the dialogue was a real joke, obviously a non-railway buff trying to argue the specifics of class 44s with me- I think not. I can use an 8-pin chassis with the forthcoming GBL peak, let's see if they accept, otherwise it's going to eBay. Big softy that I am thinking though perhaps they've already spent the £60 on their kids Xmas presents hence the battle royale! So Tony no item not returned, I just wanted to see if the seller would admit their error, and then offer a possible solution. I'm sort of pleased this is rare, I've only had two other issues buying model railway stuff from ebay with 600+ feedback. Edit : compromise met £20 off - reasonably happy now 44 chassis with DCC chip to be used for GBL peak project, where are those air tanks for the brakes? Neil

Well thanks Robbie but im trusting ebay to take appropriate action. I'm still of the opinion this individual hasn't a clue what they sold, and were just sloppy when putting up the listing. I've just been taken aback by accusations I've photographed another model, and not the one sent!! Lied about missing handrails etc, a desperate seller I suspect. I've uploaded much evidence today, it's quite a bit of work, a person to avoid in the future. eBay haven't let me down yet, but there's always the first time ... Neil

Not wanting to bore people too much with my trials and tribulations of buying what I thought was a 2nd tooling Bachmann 44. Having opened a dispute yesterday had a chain of responses from them including this. " Seller's message: 'If as you claim I did not describe the item, then how can it be not as described, if you were unsure and it was not clear why did you not ask? You are now claiming it has been tampered with by a third party and adding in a few extra claims like missing handrails for good measure, which is again not true as you well know. Which is it not as described, as described but tampered with or imperfect or a new one. It is not a lie to state you raised the state of the item in our very first e-mail exchange and as you repeat you claim again in your latest version of Jackanory I think we can conclude you did raise this as an issue. If your tactic is to throw as many possibilities as you can to get me give in, there is not a chance. The item I sent was EXACTLY as described on the packaging of the original box that the item was supplied in. Providing forum links and copies of guides has no relevance, it can not confirm what you claim to have received and again I ask e-bay to disregard this evidence' The model is an Olivia's train D4 Great Gable (the third party they refer to) but largely resembles 44008, so clearly mark I tooling. The photo provided in the listing was 44004, and clearly the 2009 second tooling was implied you'd be getting. I offered to provide a screen shot from Ramsay's guide in evidence, and sent photos of the cr&p handrails, one missing etc etc. I've never had such a bad experience with an ebay user before, this person takes the biscuit to put it mildly. Sorry if this is boring everyone, but these people walk amongst us and occasionally sell model railway stuff Neil

Re Bachmann 8 vs 21 pin modelThanks to everyone for input so far. I had thought I'd opened a dispute last week, arrived in Bristol to find it was not showing on my ebay. Managed to phone UK support (the options they gave me online were to be called on a USA, Australia or Canadian landline number, none of which surprisingly I could provide- the ebay dispute opening process is unfathomable in my opinion!). Dispute now open and seller has until 26 Dec to respond. I may consider key posts in this thread as evidence. Neil

Hi James Thanks, Yes you're right, RT models and butchered Bachmann 08s a very enjoyable build still to be completed. More details earlier in the thread http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/61530-downendian-details/?p=1338696 Neil

Interestingly it had the works plate whilst in store at Laira, same year (my pic is dated Sept 1973), but the view is the other side. https://www.flickr.com/photos/63616124@N06/5792922418/in/set-72157626749274587 Neil

It was probably pinched whilst there Phill. A lot of hydraulics were dumped here (notice the blue Pullman car in the background too), and I remember seeing them minus several cabside numerals. It was quite easy to bunk, but BR staff were obviously on the lookout for souvenir hunters as I know of several people who recommended not going due to bad experiences! Corporal punishment was rife back then - think "life on Mars"! Neil

Must say the peak looks rather good (from a distance at least). The sealed nose is quite rare in model terms (not difficult to do modelling wise of course). I may well pick a few of these up. It doesn't resemble the mainline tooling, quite crude around the windows - they didn't do the sealed beam version as far as I remember - it resembles the Bachmann version. I can't tell though if it has the nose seam, missing on the earlier Bachmann models. I predict there will be a run on class 44/45/46 chassis... Neil

I'd like to create the faded BR "Ferret and dartboard" totem, as carried by our old dear departed friend. I had wondered soaking some transfers in dilute bleach, but not had the courage to do so. By the mid 1970s most green diesels had very faded totems - any ideas? Neil

D7054 was pretty scruffy come the end. St Phillips Marsh, Bristol. 1973 Neil

Think things are hard getting Hymek numerals straight in 7mm Phill - try in 4mm! I've done seven locos now, including a D7054. Gives me a migraine just thinking about doing it, and I've a fair few more to.do. Keep up the top quality work in this great thread. Neil