Downendian

I'm getting picky now - the CADS look superb Dave well done fantastic job. The RH lamp iron is slightly longer by virtue of having an additional strip at right angles, all 52s have this. Also is it possible to make the headboard clips detachable, perhaps as a separate detail part?I've removed them on several of my models (D1026 and D1029 were two of my chosen models which lacked them altogether). None of my comments are critical, just for those of us that want a sizeable fleet of these (to be no doubt) fantastic models. I would suggest you give the manufacturer the green light. Can't wait. Neil

Just had an email from Hattons, next batch of 23s due in 27 Feb. I have D5901 on pre-order. Neil

One of my favourite bands...Started listening about ten years ago. Those albums are very good (especially the Incident) but also listen to "up the Downstair", "in absentia" and "the sky moves sideways". Steven Wilson is one of the most talented musicians of his generation. Neil

Hi Keith Yes I moved the feeder closer to the lower branches and it pecked away happily at it. Last winter there was this beast and seven hen pheasants regularly visiting my garden, initially eating the crab apples but moved onto the feeders when they run out, Neil

Thanks Nidge Checked the source material, and D6322 should be a year earlier "had been done by April 1967" I will amend the Spreadsheet. If you could post other details here I will amend the spreadsheet and rename with date. Neil

Hi David. I had thought they were horns too. My source stares they are air intakes but the D6322 lacked them (A end) and D6323 never had them. Perhaps those with prototypical knowledge can advise? I don't know about the circular plates. Neil

Thanks Mod6. Myself and Pannier Tank are discussing this, and we will bring our data together. I agree it makes no sense having two different spreadsheets. I have pinned this topic and will add new material to post #1 so that it is easy to find. With the Dapol thread now at 43 pages and counting its quite difficult finding the required info, even with the search tool. Neil

Excellent idea Trevor. I've just PMed David (Pannier Tank) and I'm happy to share info. Hadn't seen his PDF file until you pointed it out- thanks. Neil

Beat this! Neil

Thanks Mike, Done.

I've made a start on a pinned thread in the diesel-hydraulic group with class 22 detail variation. It will take time to complete - but will post here as it evolves. First information is on liveries, introduction and withdrawal dates, when and where scrapped. Please let me know if you find inaccuracies (with evidence) and let me know by PM or posting in the detail thread rather than clutter up this one. cheers. Neil Link here

Class 22 Details Ok this thread will I'm sure be an evolving monster, but I've made a start compiling details on liveries. See the attached Excel spreadsheet that contains details on all class 22 liveries, introduction, withdrawal and dates cut and where. Needless to say the thread will be edited on a regular basis to amend inaccuracies and provide up to date links to photos on the web. There were some links to photos which I weeded out, many were links to defunct fotopic galleries (huge shame especially photos from Keith Miller and Ken Baker). Material to follow will include front end detail variation (grab rail positions, headcode boxes, eyebrow vents etc), but I've got to draw some pretty pictures first. Patience is a virtue I will get there! Eventually I am aiming to publish a book (huge gestation time though) on diesel variations, but as I'm sure everyone is aware getting the facts 100% right is quite a challenge. Livery details with dates, Dates introduced and withdrawn, scrapping . Class 22 2.xls References : Dapol class 22 Thread Personal research (fotopic, flickr and other galleries, Robert Stokes, Baby Blues Western Power magazine, Vol 1 pp26-30. Brian Reed (1974) Diesel-hydraulic locomotives of the Western Region, David & Charles

A day late been scanning some of my recently acquired negs (with copyright) tonight D1025 Western Guardsman, Newport. 30th January 1975. Neil

D6312, but ended its days in blue and had the eyebrow vents. Neil

D6333 had eyebrow vents, whilst D6334 onwards had different marker lights and lacked the headcode mounting bracket. I'm still working on the piece on class 22 details I promised. Neil

This route was fascinating in the 1970s and used to bring foreign motive power to Bristol (ER based 31s split box 37s, LMR 25s foreign 47/3s and the occasional pair of 20s). Neil

All these recent posts have convinced me to go and brush up my knowledge on the class, and I've dug out the literature on class 22s and I've spent an enjoyable few hours refreshing my clearly ailing memory. I will write a summary on the various detail differences between class members (including livery details) and pin a thread in the diesel hydraulic group and link it here. Naturally comments on inaccuracies (with photos) will be appreciated. It takes time to trawl for all these details in this thread, and I think a single comprehensive pinned post would be helpful. Nag me if this doesn't appear within the next week, or if you think this a silly idea. Basically though for Dapol tooling purposes we have these body variants. 1. The production batch D6300-D6305 (with large bodyside grille). Five of these six locos had Swindon modified headcode boxes applied in various positions and sizes, D6301 was never modified. So with this group 1a (original) and 1b headcode boxes. 2. The first production batch D6306-D6333 which started out without headcode boxes, but were modified at Swindon, these included a large "headcode mounting bracket" (maybe my wrong terminology) prominent on the nose of the loco. The Dapol tooling is based in this batch but some had eyebrow vents as mentioned above, which the Dapol models don't have. As above thus 2a (original) 2b ( modified). 3. From D6334 onwards these had NBL fitted headcode boxes, lacking the mounting brackets and altered position of lights. I had thought these were relatively simple mods to do, but Dapol could consider this last numerous batch as it would only mean retooling the nose. I had a look at my two models this week, and these mods whilst none too difficult are a bit more work than I envisaged. I do think the minus headcode (1) and (2) models would be very popular especially in GNYP There were a number of variations based on grab rails, box positions and sizes, all will be posted soon. Neil

There are a Plethora of detail differences between the 22s, and it's probably not econonomic for Dapol to vary their tooling. The nose grab rails varied between vertical, horizontal and at 45 degrees, and i Have the lists if anyone is interested. The gangway doors also were hinged or not hinged based on the positions of the headcode boxes (or not!). It's a moot point as to whether the current tooling can be applied to a different livery variant and my previous post was aimed at what they were in service, not in transit from NBL. I do feel there has to be a degree of realism as to the number of variants Dapol can produce within their economic constraints of their tooling. I'm happy to change the position if handrails and nose door hinges if I feel inclined, but livery variants are a lot more work for us. Dave please don't feel constrained by minor issues such as handrails etc when deciding livery releases. A green no yellow panels, blue small yellow panels and green full yellow end would be snapped up by me regardless of minor handrail/ gangway door inaccuracies. Neil

Birds clearing 4x feeders in two days in Dunstone. Flocks of bluetits, great tits and sparrows, greenfinches (although much less than the summer) a solitary nuthatch and even a lesser spotted woodpecker. Dunnocks, Chaffinches and Robins picking up the spoils on the ground. Even had a female pheasant in the garden picking up dropped sunflower seeds. Nothing meaningful in Bristol although Redwings have been around. Neil

AFAIK D6334-D6336 were delivered with headcode panels, green livery and no yellow panel, so it is a viable livery for the current nose tooling. Neil

Looking excellent Dave, got the "beer belly" spot on I reckon. Not a nit to pick in my book! Can't wait. Neil

Geoff I dunno if this does the trick - D1071 Swindon dump, angle slightly wrong but the curve definitely there Neil

Sat email managing in Bristol with Marillion - Marbles in the background. Not the general release but ordered from the bands website - extra tracks including the excellent Ocean Cloud, strangely missing from the general release. Neil

Lovely clip regardless of the source of sound. Must say I thought the idling 22s sounded like a 'mek, of which an identical move was filmed next. There is some short footage of D7007 and a 4F gearing up to take on the Wessex Downsman rail tour- my avatar is of D7007 when it was detached from that tour at Mangotsfield. It's so interesting to see the old place in its prime, only ten years before I was one of those duffle-bagged equipped spotters on the end of platform 11. Neil

Although I've posted before always worth another look - one of my collection. D5909 in the company of D5905 scrapped at Stratford, 1971. If you lose a buffer on your Heljan model....its prototypical Neil