Downendian

Michael's excellent photos are very evocative of the 1970s parcels traffic that I remember so fondly and trying to replicate in 4mm. I particularly liked the 31 and Siphon Gs at Reading- a newspapers service to from South Wales that I remember well, was Hymek hauled just a few years earlier. Neil

Thanks for the excellent photo review Andy- just the type of "up close and personal shots " we need to personalise our fleet. I've been saving a while for these beauties and has it been worth the wait. Echo the thoughts on the reporting numbers- as I'd been replacing these anyway not really a problem, but those lifting rings.. Having spent the last few evenings renumbering a couple of Hymeks, my eyesight isn't what it used to be. Will be looking at a "fitting tool" for mine so they don't end up in the graveyard of small detail parts (I.e. the carpet). Only minor quibble is the central windscreen pillar which looks too thick- Andy's pics give clues on access and a potential remedy. But those scavenger fans, fuel filler details and most most important the general body shape, spot on. Well done Dave and the team- I've said before a few times this project has been the best example I've seen of a RTR supplier engaging with its customer base. Neil (with a nervous credit card awaiting a storm)

If you want to track individual locos then the class 40 mother list is a cracking resource:http://www.class40motherlist.com/index.html You'll have to hunt a bit but one of the best on line. Neil

Had the same email Mark. I also emailed them to ask about preorder prices, and they confirmed they will be honoured. Neil

Probably a good idea to keep real ale interests secret too for a few months, especially if you've got a beard and a liking for wooly pullovers.Neil

'Chard A previous thread on LR based BRCWs http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/42561-leicester-class-27s/ Some blueys in there from Brushveteran, Neil

i agree the Hornby model appears to be the later Diag 2026, numbered in the M37XXXM range. I have the earlier LMS CCT from Parkside and has the high windows Paul mentions. I remember seeing long lines of the Diag 2026 vans at Swindon works open day in 1979 awaiting scrapping, so the cull was in full swing then. From memory a fair few were modified as car carrying vehicles, my 1970s RCTS books are not at hand today. Neil

I'm pleased that Hattons are producing a departmental 122 in the guise of TDB975023. This was used for route familiarisation training on the WR and was a regular sight in Bristol. http://railphotoprin...59B9A#h36b59b9a Preorder placed. Edit: Hattons links http://www.ehattons....tockDetail.aspx pristine http://www.ehattons.com/60378/Dapol_4D_015_HAT01W_Class_122_single_car_DMU_Bubble_car_TDB975023_in_Route_Learning_BR_blue_livery_W/StockDetail.aspx weathered Neil

Merry xmas Dave - and all at Dapol Another blinder, banger blue 121 and 122 will be on my list as my Limby machine blew a gasket a couple of years ago. Neil

Feel free to post Sean! Yes I'd seen Mike's sublime work- I'm hoping etches appear soon though. Neil

OK Christmas leave almost here - will certainly be working on my diesel projects. A bit more on the Lima 40 rebuilds. I have seven Lima shells hanging around waiting the Shawplan treatment. Here are three I have been working on over the past year. 40 066 mentioned earlier 40 039 The only machine to be scrapped in green 40 127(? - I think, reference books in Devon) which uniquely carried both split headcode and discs. Will edit if wrong! (1) All receive Shawplan window frames and laser etches (40 127 shows the process started carving out the windscreen pillars and then gently working the aperture to receive the angled frames). (2) Scavenger fan removal - although it must be stated the Lima moulding is quite sophisticated all will get the latest Shawplan extreme etch. 40 066 has an old crude fan grille which has now gone. (3) Horn grilles - tricky, holes drilled by hand (don't use a dremel as it can and has wandered over the face of the model!), and the Shawplan grille added using a tiny speck of superglue dabbed around the hole. The grille is then put in place using a cocktail stick with a tiny blob of blue-tac, making sure the grille is in the correct orientation. (4) Boiler exhaust and panels being added to 40 127 - all Lima models have the early Stone boiler ports, 40 127 having the Clayton versions being added. (5) Chassis - 40 066 has been fettled to fit a version 1 Bachmann chassis- corrects the ride height issue, but actually is too low - will need some remedial work. 40 039 has a Limby railroad chassis which has been a disappointment as is very underpowered. I'm hoping that there will be a number of cheap Bachy chassis on ebay in the near future. 40 127 sits on her original Lima chassis- I've toyed with the idea of fabricating a double Lima motored chassis as described on the Kier Hardy EM gauge site, as I have many of these in the spares box. (6) Lights has been drilled ready for a lighting kit. (7) Handrails added including nose grabs taking note that there were differences in all the subtypes. ( 8) Cantrails - well haven't done anything about this yet - but I know about the differences, hmm... (9) Headcodes - all locos with headcodes will have these replaced and glazed as this was a weakness of the Lima model (10) All will be repainted and weathered as per prototype photos around 1974/5. the excellent diesels in depth- class 40s book has been used throughout to ensure accuracy. Neil

Getting into the Xmas spirit On facebook today- this has had me chuckling all afternoon to myself. Title : Ashamed dog of the day Neil

I've introduced my son to the comic legend Tommy Cooper via YouTube. "I was going through my loft and found a Stradivarius and a Rembrandt, and took them to an auctioneer to get them valued. Unfortunately he told me they were worth nothing. Rembrandt made lousy Violins and Stradivarius was a hopeless painter" Neil

Would be my third Rick!

Wow, that weathered Western wheel was a flashback moment. Back to 1974 whilst waiting at the Foreman's office at Bath road depot asking permission for a visit (well more accurately hoping to get a few more numbers before being told to "go away"). A grimy D1001 Western Pathfinder passed behind the office, above the eyeline, I was really fascinated by the unique open nature of the Western's wheels when seen moving at less than 12 feet away. Happy days. Shall I order a Kernow version? Hmm....

Where there is precious little photographic record is the short lived reprieve the D600s had in 1967 when they were shortly based in South Wales. Perhaps Michael's quite breathtaking skills in winkling out the most amazing photos could find more on this. In the numerous books I have in hydraulics I have only one photo (D602) in BSYP in this period. Neil

Rick For some reason whenever I see the word "Possum" my thoughts immediately turn to that fine Australian aristocrat Dame Edna Everidge. Neil edit Dave > Dame

Hi Mike I applaud your approach. I'm sure you will get constructive feedback. I hope this will be the norm from now on- other RTR suppliers outside the Dapol stable would benefit too if they adopted this approach, as would other commissioned models. Neil

Graffiti on one of the vending machines found commonly in Gentleman's lavatories (wish I photographed it but was in the 1970s, at Bristol Parkway station incidentally!) "That was the worst chewing gum I've ever tasted" Neil

I know that Zoos have a priority for their animals but.... Neil

Thanks for your comments Sean. I've taken off the Craftsman headcode boxes from the peak - they looked too big I decided (at least alongside the excellent recent Bachmann model). I have an old Replica split box body and may carve the headcodes from that. I've decided to make a mixed splitter/centre headcode of which 45 049 and 45 064 were in the mid 1970s. Feel free to post your peak photos (I well remember your plethora of peaks thread from the last incarnation of RMweb). Neil