Neal Ball

I was thinking exactly that… pinned down over the Russel drawing….

Thanks Rob, very kind 🤣 The front windows, I might get away with the careful line of paint to represent the window frame. But the back windows are quite distinctive…..

Todays County 4-4-2T update. It's a backhead... It might not be as fancy as @MAP66 homemade version for his 48xx - but I think its going to look quite good. Of course, you wont see it when the loco is finished. I have a conundrum..... I think I need to make up a jig of some sort - probably utilising some veneer pins.... The loco rear windows and front spectacle plates are of a narrow / high design. I have looked on the Wizard etch for loco cab windows and unfortunately they are all too small. With the jig in place, I will need to solder brass wire across a home-made frame and the windows will be complete. I think trial and error will be the order of the day! Have a good evening, Neal.

In fact that’s the better of the two handrails! The camera has caught it at the wrong angle 🙁

Hopefully, I can fix the loco to the chassis under the chimney. The front running plate might need to be fixed separately to the chassis. Im not sure at the moment.

My County tank loco 4-4-2T is progressing nicely... its even been running up and down a section of track today on 12v DC. I have updated the blog - there is still quite a way to go, but I am pleased with how its coming along. The smokebox handrail looks worse in this photo than it is in reality - at least when you look at the front of the loco it looks better! I need to work out how I am going to fix the front running plate to the loco. I reckon I need to made up a couple of angles from scrap brass and fix underneath, out of sight.

Very frustrating. Good luck for tomorrow Phil.

Is there a local history society for Helston? Failing that, any records in Helston library? Good luck

I would say you are correct with your blue line…. The original cottage being the station side of Mill lane. The cottage was definitely built before the bridge. I am surprised the cottages were built for the farm, rather than the railway. No evidence either way. The bridge was built at the end of the sidings - some being curtailed, being between the stop blocks and the cottage. The cottage was definitely there before the bridge. Agreed, thanks David

I should add that the original building is the section closest to the camera. Thanks David

This is from 1952 - you can just make out your cottages: https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/cy/image/EAW045422

Hi Rich, thank you for commenting on my Henley-on-Thames page, here on RMWeb. A lot of my historical data comes from a book published in 1982 by Wild Swan by local railway author Paul Karau. Which has been supplemented over the years by various people on RmWeb, notably local railway professional Mike @The Stationmaster. The level crossing at Mill Lane, was replaced with the current bridge, when the line was doubled in 1897. The house had already been built for the crossing keeper, with the signal box being added about the time of the double track being laid. Over the years I have made various visits to Henley library which is a very rich source of historical data - the last time I was there was during the summer of 2022. In the book there is an impression of the crossing keepers cottage on page 9 dating from 1865. there are photos on page 93 which show the signal box and a corner of the house and Paul's caption states that the box was built in 1896. It's possible that the two cottages were built during the 1940's - maybe earlier as henley was starting to expand. I am not sure what, if any connection they have to the line. I am sure Mike will know. @The Stationmaster Hope that helps. Feel free to add any photos you might have. Re: La Mirada - yes a lovely spot above the beach. We have had property here since about 2002, moving over in 2019 - its a nice part of the world. Thanks again for your comments. Neal. This was the former crossing keepers house taken from the bridge in 2008 looking North towards Twyford:

The ease with the trunk system - I used it when we were still in the UK, but living here in Spain it makes it so easy to ship things. Add in the very easy shopping / on-line experience- it made Christmas easy, give my parents the link and hey Ho! That’s an easy Christmas present sorted. Plus their PX service, shipping redundant items back to them for cash / exchange. They will certainly be missed.

I’ve just filled in my nominations for the BRM awards 2023….. Retailer of the year - always excellent service; great staff; the trunk; ability to ship seamlessly to the EU… Hattons. Thank you guys, gutted you will shortly be no more. Good luck and best wishes to all the staff and thank you.

We shall need a video feed inside the cab so we can see that lovely back-head.

It's in fact a resin backhead - it came with the kit..... I am pleased that it's coming along so well. Hopefully I can maintain progress next week and get it primed at least. Before I left the railway room, I started to look at the fitting of the decoder and stay-alive. I am hoping I can get pick-up wires onto at least the rear pony truck, hopefully the bogie as well. But with a 6800 uf capacitor, I wont need to do all the wheels!

Thanks very much, I will give that a go - probably on Monday..... tbc 😎

Work continued on the County tank loco this afternoon. There is some filler needed, but I am making progress with the body detailing items: The blog page for the loco build has another couple of photos. Next - I need to do the handrail round the smokebox - wish me luck! I need to find that video again, where Tony Wright makes it look so easy.... I think its where he is finishing a 61xx kit.

Clerestory all 3rd - I have seen a photo of a Railmotor and all 3rd on the mainline approaching Reading from Twyford (possibly Henley-on-Thames). That will be nice for occasional running to add variety.

If it's free.... that means I can buy another one 😎

It raises an interesting question about why there isn't already a jig.... maybe though a jig for a GWR Collett 57ft would be completely different to an LMS carriage - roof profiles being the issue obviously. Loco handrails might be easier to make as a jig.... Nope! Just think of the different boiler sizes on the GWR never mind other "non standard" companies! (GWR using standard components - yet they were all different!) Yes it would be interesting to know how RTR do this - who to ask?

I should hope Jimmy is being paid royalties @KNP 😎😎 Lovely Pannier photo, we always need more 0-6-0PT….

Thanks Andy, that seems like an awful lot of wire going to waste! But of the Missenden guys are saying that, clearly thats the way to go. I was hoping someone would say "but there is a Jig" - company xyz sell it 🤣 Instead, I will have to practice. Thanks again, Neal.

I'll let you into a secret - but don't tell anyone 😎 I haven't done the end handrails on my recent carriages. I am surprised there isn't a jig you can buy for them. I'm not relishing making the handrail for the front of the County 4-4-2T, being the face of the loco it has to be perfect. I've seen a video of Tony Wright making them and he makes it look very easy! The carriage looks very nice, well done.

So much so, that after my loco and endless carriages, I’m thinking I need to do some trees! 🌲🌳