Neal Ball

Ha Ha! - Although you must admit Robin it's nice to see a Passenger loco with the smaller tender....

My star photos are now on my layout page at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/67477-wharncliffe-junction-gwr-in-the-1930s/ All of the issues that have been high-lighted above (I hate to say), fall into insignificance when it's running round. Mine is a bit noisy at slow speed, but hopefully this will get better as it's run more. Already done several hours today!

I think the 1940's censor got there first!

I spoke to Hattons on Thursday and their limited stock will arrive in a few days..... Why limited stocks? You would have thought there would be loads produced after such a long wait! Anyway, I ordered the OOC version and will be interested to see that beside the Hornby Acton one, which is already on the railway. Two I think is sufficient. I intend to add pick ups to both, with electric couplings (Sure I have seen some NEM couplings), to assist the Panniers over crossings etc.

Looking forward to mine (hopefully) arriving at work on Friday... Just been despatched from that lovely retailer in Liverpool ! Ordered a crew from Monty... But forgot the bogie wheels... That will be tomorrow then.... Oh and maybe some DCC lights.....

Only just caught up with this, which looks very interesting. I too lived in the area at Bedfont and worked in the late 70's at Lloyds Bank in the town. I know of the Hounslow Yard, but using the train from Feltham, in that direction to Waterloo the trains did not go round the loop, so very rarely saw those stations. I think the loop services went via Richmond / Twickenham and the West curve was (only?) used by freight. Sadly, by the time we moved into the area, Feltham Yard had closed, As had the Regal / ABC although there were rumours about Porn being filmed there on a regular basis! Will be interested to follow the progress once you start track-laying.

200 kits would be quite an impressive order, but if you need to break even at 500... I would urge serious caution. I reckon we will see an R-T-R model soon, it might not be the right AA number, but any model will probably eat into your production. Overall it could be an expense venture for you. I clearly wish you luck with the project, hope it works out.

Lost me at "All P4" :-) lol I would have thought that a laser cut kit would work out more expensive.

Interesting idea from Armstrong440...... BUT! - When I spoke to Parkside to ask if they would make one (they were happy if I commissioned one!), their thoughts were that as soon as they made a Kit, that was the hard part and an R-T-R manufacturer would then look at that and make one and therefore under cut them.... having wasted all the production costs in the meantime. I for one, would shell out £20 for a new Toad... but as per the comments about am not sure it's viable. The rationale being that once Bachmann / Hornby have got their production schedules on-track, I would have thought we will see a new offering (or two) within the next few years. Personally I am holding out for a Bachmann Toad, that I can suitably adorned with DCC lamps!

But will it do the curves at Wharncliffe Junc, seeing as how they spread the rails at (I think it was Banbury!) Lol :-) It does look nice though..... with a Roundel of course :-)

Does anyone know an update on the Dapol / GWR streamlined railcars. It all seems to have gone very quiet... a search on the Dapol website could not come up with anything. thanks,

Looking forward to the Dapol Railcar, but news on that front seems to have gone very quiet since Dave left.....

Lovely shot of the 45xx Robin - how did you weather it? Subtly done, just to take the sheen off.

I guess it would be hard for the signalman to check the aspect from behind..... But at least Brent has signals Robin!! - There are still none on Wharncliffe !!

Those photos of Andy's look good. Pre-ordered mine through Hattons this morning.... At 06:30 .... I must have known! Looking forward to seeing it at Wharncliffe Junc........

Apologies for being such an infrequent visitor these days... but was this a football special running through Brent? - It looks like a window has been stoved in, during the 2nd photo....

After a Summer break from model railways, I have had a quick look at Brent..... OMG Red and Blue locos ... well it was the silly season I suppose! Rob that Oil train looks good, as do those empty shots from today. Thanks for sharing as ever.

Latest (possible) arrival date is end of Sept.... According to the Hornby post on Facebook......

Is that Sept 2013 or Sept 2014?

Hornby rather than Bachmann Bob? - Or as well as?

There is also a Toplight double slip on ebay at the moment. But with 5 days to go, I bet it won't be cheap! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACKSMITH-MODELS-KIT-for-a-GWR-57-TOPLIGHT-DOUBLE-SLIP-COACH-Diag-F16-00-Gauge/290934085377?_trksid=p2047675.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D15989%26meid%3D8600809409066994021%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D7588%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D261234162729%26

I shall think of that warm pub, if the Sat night turns out to be cold and damp! - The other half will be safely tucked up in the Premier Inn, which will be great for a quick kip and a shower at some point! Back on topic - that photo of 1466 looks very good.

I am doing the night photo sessions in a few weeks time... starts at 6pm Sat night with locos drawn up in front of the engine shed, some in light steam, other just with oily rags in the smokebox.... that goes through to midnight, to start again at 05am the Sunday morning through to 9am ! - Whilst exhausting, it should be great fun, with loads of very different photos.... although I would have liked everything in Brunswick Green.... But the contrast with everything in Black and the King (in steam) in its Blue should be great.

If that fella has a baby in a pram, that could be me! My dad often took me there as a kid!

I must admit not being able to get my head round 3d printing! Definitely Variety would be very good.... But there seems (strangely) to be a lack of desire at the moment to produce an rtr model...... A well known kit company is loathed to produce one, on the basis that it will then come out in rtr. The same kit company is happy to do an AA19 as a commission (possibly happy)